The Prius sucks in winter.

SiliconAddict · 02-25-2007, 06:11 PM

So we got about 8-12" of snow last night. I had gone over to a friends house for their birthday and when I came out the street had about eh about 6-7" on it. In my life I've never seen a car perform so poorly in snow. Maybe I'm wrong on this but the traction control is WAY WAY WAY to agressive.
There ARE times when you do want to spin your tires. If you can get enough traction you can break through the snow that is in front of you, and once going your momentum should be enough to keep you going. You can do this also by going forward, reverse, forward, reverse, etc. The problem is that with the damn Prius if at any point it senses the tires spinning it's damn traction control kicks in. So I get out of my parked location on the street and then struggle to just get to a plowed intersection. I had a nice line of cars behind me honking as I tried to slowly move up the street, reverse, take another go at it, get another 5 feet, and repeat. Then on the way home I had to get gas, same deal. 15 minutes to get out of the 6" of drifting snow that was at the pumps.
This is the first time I've had SERIOUS doubts about this car. My job has me traveling around the city, and while the amount of snow we got in Minnesota last night is rare it does happen at least once or twice a winter.

Now I didn't come on here to just rant. Does anyone know if replacing the stock tires would help? I really don't care if I get a drop in MPG as long as I can DRIVE! Also are there any other techniques that I can use? I tried going at it slowly but that didn't help either. I simply couldn't build up enough momentum to plow through the snow.

brick · 02-25-2007, 06:16 PM

Snow tires. 'Nuff said.

The stock tires suck in the snow, and I suspect are responsible for 90% of the winter time complaints that we see here.

Sleeper · 02-25-2007, 06:44 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brick @ Feb 26 2007, 12:16 AM) [snapback]396397[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Snow tires. 'Nuff said.

The stock tires suck in the snow, and I suspect are responsible for 90% of the winter time complaints that we see here.
[/b]

Nokian Hakapelitta RSI's will take you anywhere, if the snow is not deeper than the clearance under your front bumper.

IndyDoug · 02-25-2007, 07:15 PM

My new Firestone Affinity tires have handled very well this winter.

SiliconAddict · 02-25-2007, 07:18 PM

Noted. Thanks guys. sometime this summer I'll pick up a set.

RobH · 02-25-2007, 07:18 PM

There are 4 fuses and 2 relays in the engine compartment fuse box that control the ABS.

If I were stuck in the snow with the ABS causing a safety hazard, I'd certainly consider pulling the ABS fuses. My guess is that everything can be restored by just replacing the fuses. But I'm not a Prius technician, and it could be much more involved to restore everything. If you can, talk with a real Prius technician before trying this.

**Tideland Prius** · 02-25-2007, 08:45 PM

winter tyres for sure will help.

I was up at the local mountain yesterday. I have an 05 Prius with stock tyres. I was stuck at the parking lot but my TRAC allowed wheelspin. At one point, I saw 16km/h flash on my speedo but I wasn't going anywhere lol. So yeah, my Prius does allow quite a bit of wheelspin before cutting in. Oddly, reversing works for me but going forward didn't. So instead of rocking, I just decided to back up as far as I go and pray that that will help with traction when I put it in D.

lordmakemeworthy · 02-25-2007, 10:04 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Feb 25 2007, 07:45 PM) [snapback]396471[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

winter tyres for sure will help.

I was up at the local mountain yesterday. I have an 05 Prius with stock tyres. I was stuck at the parking lot but my TRAC allowed wheelspin. At one point, I saw 16km/h flash on my speedo but I wasn't going anywhere lol. So yeah, my Prius does allow quite a bit of wheelspin before cutting in. Oddly, reversing works for me but going forward didn't. So instead of rocking, I just decided to back up as far as I go and pray that that will help with traction when I put it in D.
[/b]

Sucks? I also live in Minnesota and haven't a problem in the world with this car in the snow.
Sorry I disagree. Have a nice day.

member · 02-25-2007, 10:09 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SiliconAddict @ Feb 25 2007, 04:11 PM) [snapback]396396[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

So we got about 8-12" of snow last night. I had gone over to a friends house for their birthday and when I came out the street had about eh about 6-7" on it. In my life I've never seen a car perform so poorly in snow. Maybe I'm wrong on this but the traction control is WAY WAY WAY to agressive.
[/b]

No argument, should not be as sensitive as it is. However, with Mich X-ice winter tires that I've been using in the, yes, you guessed it, winter, I've not had any problems.

TRAC seems to be more sensitive 06 and earlier.

This has been an excellent winter car for us, to my amazement.

ozymandias · 02-25-2007, 11:46 PM

Snow tires are all great and good but we should be able to disable traction control. That is the one thing I am really disappointed about; the traction control makes it very difficult to get out of snow that normally the car wouldn't have a problem with. Here in VA we only get snow maybe 2-3 times a winter and the only snow we really have to drive through is in parking lots...hardly worth getting snow tires.

02-25-2007, 06:11 PM	#1
SiliconAddict Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 44 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	So we got about 8-12" of snow last night. I had gone over to a friends house for their birthday and when I came out the street had about eh about 6-7" on it. In my life I've never seen a car perform so poorly in snow. Maybe I'm wrong on this but the traction control is WAY WAY WAY to agressive. There ARE times when you do want to spin your tires. If you can get enough traction you can break through the snow that is in front of you, and once going your momentum should be enough to keep you going. You can do this also by going forward, reverse, forward, reverse, etc. The problem is that with the damn Prius if at any point it senses the tires spinning it's damn traction control kicks in. So I get out of my parked location on the street and then struggle to just get to a plowed intersection. I had a nice line of cars behind me honking as I tried to slowly move up the street, reverse, take another go at it, get another 5 feet, and repeat. Then on the way home I had to get gas, same deal. 15 minutes to get out of the 6" of drifting snow that was at the pumps. This is the first time I've had SERIOUS doubts about this car. My job has me traveling around the city, and while the amount of snow we got in Minnesota last night is rare it does happen at least once or twice a winter. Now I didn't come on here to just rant. Does anyone know if replacing the stock tires would help? I really don't care if I get a drop in MPG as long as I can DRIVE! Also are there any other techniques that I can use? I tried going at it slowly but that didn't help either. I simply couldn't build up enough momentum to plow through the snow. __________________ 2007 Prius - Package #5(NL) - Seaside Pearl - Arrival Date: 10/4-10/11

02-25-2007, 08:45 PM	#7
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,633 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 346 Times in 245 Posts Friends: 23	winter tyres for sure will help. I was up at the local mountain yesterday. I have an 05 Prius with stock tyres. I was stuck at the parking lot but my TRAC allowed wheelspin. At one point, I saw 16km/h flash on my speedo but I wasn't going anywhere lol. So yeah, my Prius does allow quite a bit of wheelspin before cutting in. Oddly, reversing works for me but going forward didn't. So instead of rocking, I just decided to back up as far as I go and pray that that will help with traction when I put it in D. __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit 2008 Deep Black smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads, LED lighting "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

LinkBacks (?) LinkBack to this Thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/29053-prius-sucks-in-winter.html
Posted By	For	Type	Date
prius winter - Zuula Search	This thread	Refback	11-22-2008 05:59 PM

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
PRIUS GAS MILEAGE SUCKS	westex39	Gen II Prius Main Forum	163	10-26-2009 05:54 PM
Prius Navigation System- It sucks.	Arizona Charlie	Gen II Prius Main Forum	44	10-24-2009 09:08 PM
This really sucks!	kaze72	Gen II Prius Main Forum	6	08-22-2007 02:21 PM
Prius SUCKS in the snow...	Mystery Squid	Gen II Prius Main Forum	78	03-20-2006 10:26 PM
FM Reception sucks	rwithop	Gen II Prius Audio and Electronics	8	11-30-2004 01:54 PM

02-25-2007, 06:16 PM	#2
brick Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 895 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 10 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts Friends: 0	Snow tires. 'Nuff said. The stock tires suck in the snow, and I suspect are responsible for 90% of the winter time complaints that we see here.

02-25-2007, 07:15 PM	#4
IndyDoug Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 120 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	My new Firestone Affinity tires have handled very well this winter.

02-25-2007, 07:18 PM	#5
SiliconAddict Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 44 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Noted. Thanks guys. sometime this summer I'll pick up a set.

02-25-2007, 07:18 PM	#6
RobH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sunnyvale, California Posts: 678 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 23 Thanked 46 Times in 29 Posts Friends: 0	There are 4 fuses and 2 relays in the engine compartment fuse box that control the ABS. If I were stuck in the snow with the ABS causing a safety hazard, I'd certainly consider pulling the ABS fuses. My guess is that everything can be restored by just replacing the fuses. But I'm not a Prius technician, and it could be much more involved to restore everything. If you can, talk with a real Prius technician before trying this.

02-25-2007, 11:46 PM	#10
ozymandias Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 35 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Snow tires are all great and good but we should be able to disable traction control. That is the one thing I am really disappointed about; the traction control makes it very difficult to get out of snow that normally the car wouldn't have a problem with. Here in VA we only get snow maybe 2-3 times a winter and the only snow we really have to drive through is in parking lots...hardly worth getting snow tires.