no traction in snow

^ Yup, take for example Ecopia EP20 with 4/32", even 5/32" tread depth left: you might as well be using racing slicks.

If you've got low temperature, poor snow traction problems: snow tires with their softer rubber, decent tread depth and aggressive tread/siping is what you need, coupled with common sense, once the snow starts getting deeper (stay home or use alternatives 'till they get it plowed).

 

We just drove our new Prius v with stock tires through the heart of that nasty storm that hit Tennessee and Kentucky on Monday. There were a couple of times when we had to pull off of I-75 when I was really scared about getting stuck, but we got through it just fine. That said, next winter I will be getting proper winter tires on it, as the stock LRR tires won't have near the grip they do now. I was very impressed with how well our Prius v handled all the ice and snow on the freeway.

 

^ Very true. Brand new all seasons are not bad, obviously not in the same league as snows, but as grippy as they're gonna get. But give them a year or two, not so good. For that matter, even snow tires shouldn't be run down too far, replacement at 6/32" or less is a good strategy, keep safety first.

 

Drove from Delaware to Long Island during the heavy snow on Saturday and the Prius v with Dunlop Winter Sport M3 tires pulled and tracked like a train from local streets covered with 4" of snow to I-95 covered with 3-4" of washboard ice and slush to the LI Expressway covered with 3"of snow and home. Saw numerous jackknifed tractor-trailers, off-highway excursions, one roll-over and tire spinning and stopped vehicles climbing the Delaware Memorial Bridge and lurid slides down the other side into New Jersey.

First trip in heavy snow with the Prius v and it handled like a champ, but I would not have tried the drive if it had the LRR all-season tires mounted.

 

It was snowing pretty heavily on the day picked her up at the dealership. I was surprised how well she behaved, for a tiny car, in the snow - accelerating, staying on course, turning and braking. Tires are important, but I think the main trick is the very well thought-out traction control algorithm.

 

Not to sound like a naysayer but this last week we had our biggest snowstorm of the year. 6" of heavy wet snow, followed by freezing rain, then some 'Ol fashioned rain, Prius was fine..


I waited till it was all over as it was my day off and I had no reason to head out in it. There was an unplowed parking lot that sits on a weird angle and I had to explore and see what would happen…


So I have nothing exciting or crazy to report back here! I set the Persona up at the worst angle and stopped and tried to move up the slight incline… TC kicked in and it didn't move.. I then Flicked it into reverse for couple feet and back into Drive and proceeded to move along w/o issue…

Are the folks on here that are having traction issues just flooring the car and hoping for the best? Maybe feather the pedal? If you live up in Donner Pass or high-up in the Rockies or currently Boston / New England, or anywhere that has perma snow for months, then yeah I can understand and you should have top of the line Snow tires and maybe even studs or chains… but for where I live and with new all season stock tires they seem to be working fine….

For this winter anyways!!!

They might be terrible come next winter, who knows...

 

I think the verdict is: if you don't know to drive in the snow, a Prius won't help, and if you do, a Prius doesn't hurt.

 

Its all about momentum. If you lose it, you're done. This is pretty much true of any car.

 

I'll not disagree with your "won't help, won't hurt" maxim. But here is my observation: I have driven in snow (and otherwise) a broad variety of automobiles .. listing just the FWD, Prius-size ones:

• Skoda Felicia
• Opel Astra F
• Skoda Octavia (2nd gen)
• Suzuki Wagon R+
• Corolla (8th gen)
• Elantra (4th gen) and Accent (3rd gen)

None of them gripped the road the way Mila does - with all 4 wheels. OK, I guess I could excuse the Wagon R+ because it was kei-tall and wobbly in general, and the Octavia, because it had a VW's TDI that spewed some brutal lb*ft on short notice .. not good for traction in slippery conditions.

 

New prius first winter orig tires fine , second and following years snow and ice tires , that's my story

 

First time out yesterday in 2 inches of ice, sleet and snow mix on 20k Michelins in a '12 v and no problems on moderately hilly twisty roads. I do have experience in snow and don't find the v any worse than any number of other FWD cars without snow tires. I just drive cautiously.

 

In my 13 years driving, 10 were spent in Colorado, with thousands of miles driven over mountain passes between my 1998 Ford Taurus and 2003 Kia Rio Cinco. Some years I had snow tires for the Taurus, but always all-seasons on the Kia, and both were fine in the snow. Slow down, steer deliberately, leave lots of space between you and the car in front, accelerate and brake gently.

My first time in the snow with the v was a few days ago, with about 3" of unplowed snow and slush here in Maryland, and while the car did pull in a few places, I didn't get stuck, didn't slide, didn't spin. The v has its original tires, with just over 40,000 miles on them.