Who's driven 4th gen in the snow?

Interested to hear your report. So far I haven't had any issues hydroplaning in rain but that doesn't really apply to snow.

 

The 1" we got the other day really isn't enough to give a good feeling for how the Gen-4 will handle. My previous Gen2 and Gen3 were both quite good in the snow; I never got stuck and had to drive thru several inches on multiple commutes. Gas mileage really takes a hit though.

 

OEM tires? Or dedicated snow tires?

There seems to be an inverse relation between the need and the adoption of snow tires. 'Round here on the west coast winters are mild, we get the occasional icy stretch, and when precipitation comes it usually also warms enough to be rain. But you see a fairly widespread use of snow tires, maybe 20~30%?

We're below freezing the last few days, ground a bit white, sunny now, but snow expected overnight.

 

We are mild here in Virginia too, but sometimes snow/ice sticks around. Snow tires are generally not used.
A few years ago, I was looking for Corolla snow tires to prepare for a trip to Toronto. A few places said they could special order so we declined and just took our chances.

 

Last week my 2016 Prius at 3400 miles hit a pot hole and blew out the sidewall of the front driver's side Toyo Nano. I bought two Nokian WRg3s and put them on the front (Toyos still on the rear, and one in reserve) so I am ready for the Northeast winter.

JeffD

 

Ill let you know early next week. Michelin X-Ice Xi3 on Tirerack steel rims coming in the mail tomorrow and 8-12" of snow sunday night

 

With this setup be very careful when slowing and turning - your front wheels will have better grip than the rear wheels and you may wind up swapping ends unexpectedly. It's advisable to put on 4 snow tires even on front-wheel-drive cars where the rear wheels are just 'along for the ride'.

 

I'll do some testing in an empty parking lot after the next snowfall and report back.

JeffD

 

Got mine w 17" tires last January in Boston.

It was a mild winter, but seemed like it drove like my wife's 2010 with her 15" OEM tires.

Everyone's perception in different, but since I learned how to drive in a '73 Mustang in Rochester, NY I never really felt intimidated by snow in either of these two Prii in New England-- even without good snow tires.

Of course I highly recommend those driving within a few hundred feet of me get a set.

 

OK, that's telling me what your weather's like! I just inquired on another thread about EV, so you needn't answer there now.

 

Winter tires on dedicated steel rims can go a long way for your safety.
I got Michelin X-Ice Xi3 on my new Prius and it drives very well in the snow and icy roads.

Yes, you can always adapt your driving, but the unexpected can always happen, be prepared, not sorry!

 

Excellent choice! This is what I currently have on my Prius and it drives very well in snow, considerably less noisy compared with other winter tires I have experienced in the past.

 

Similar here: 15" X-Ice2 on Corolla steel rims. We're actually supposed to get more serious snow, there's currently just and inch or two on the ground.

Still, nothing is a panacea: take it easy, try to stay out of deep snow (Prius has limited ground clearance), avoid unnecessary trips, avoid first few hours after a heavy snow fall (let other's find the trouble spots, give the plows a chance to catch up), keep extra following distance, and for chrisakes slow down, lol.

 

I am still amazed by peoples perception of the need for snow tires (including mine).
The "I'll wait and see", actually means "I'll be in the two day lineup at the tire place when the snow starts".
The "I'll get by on OEM" actually means "I'll be paying $1000 plus for repairs of the fender bender because I saved $500 not getting snow tires".

Pearl S is hibernating in the garage with Nokian WRGIII tires. Because it can snow here anytime, and with age comes knowledge of what -can- happen if you are caught unprepared.

 

That is probably true for your location, but you can only (sometimes) get snow tires here by special order. People do not use them.

 

I'm often six months out of sync, lol. Both our Prius and our son's Civic have been rolling on X-Ice for a few weeks now, and this Saturday I'm heading for Costco with the Civic's loose rims, to get new all seasons put on, for next spring. Purchased them about 3 weeks back, and got this appointment due to someone (presumably a snow tire purchaser) cancelling.

I actually argued with them, suggested I should come in on a quieter weekday, but hey. I just hope they're not overwhelmed tomorrow. I have had appointments backfire: you show up at appointed time, but get shunted aside by "squeaky wheels".

It's started snowing, about an hour back, btw.

 

I remember reading the advice that 2 tires with better grip must go to the back not front. The applicable for both FWD and RWD cars.

 

^ I think it was for newer tires, say you're just replacing a pair, presumably of the same type. Even that I have trouble understanding.

With just a pair of snow tires you would want to put them on the driven wheels. I'm reluctant to say that though: in the snow: competent snow tires, four of them, is the only way to go. I believe it's even illegal to have just a pair snow tires, on the driven wheels? Depends on your location.