Some Hills just too steep?

[mingoglia]

Originally Posted by Rokeby

OK, I'm getting very confused and concerned as to what to expect when the
going gets a little slippery; in this I include snow/ice, wet grass/leaves,
sand/gravel on the road, steep gravel road/driveway.

I have read threads that variously say that the Prius will grind its way out,
and others that emphatically say that the Prius totally shuts down. So which
is it?

Here are two threads that say the Prius just sat there, unmoving, paralyzed,
whimpering pathetically:

I got stuck in the mud!

I HATE my prius

Here is my thread reporting that I found that my 2008 did move on a slick
icy road:

Traction Control --- It worked... I Think.

There is another thread -- that I can't find --wherein a poster reported being
able to back out of a front wheel in a wet grassy ditch situation. (Help me
here, maybe you can find It.)

This Will-It-Go-or-Won't-It-Go? uncertainty just makes me crazy.

What am I to expect when, not if, I find myself in one of these situations?

I recall reading (so take it for what it's worth), that the newer Prius' are a bit better getting going in slippery situations.... that the older models had an even more aggressive traction control. I don't know what year this may or may not have started....or it may be a difference between gen 1 and gen 2. I'm sure others will chime in and confirm this hearsay.

[dwreed3rd]

Rokeby: I'm sure their will be other posts from members with experience. I'm still on the wait list and don't have our Prius yet. Howeverl perhaps I can help put your mind at ease until the more knowledgeble members reply. I've also read most, if not all off these posts. Some are unique or extreme situations or due to an equipment failure. However, I suspect alot of the incidents are just part of learning a new technology. I seen many similar situations, myself and/or other drivers. First time driving in snow/ice with automatic. First time time trying in drive up a steep hill with front wheel drive. First time you turn off the iginition off coasting downhill from Lookout Mountain's windy mountain road only to remember, too late, that a new feature on the car is a locking steering wheel. I honestly believe that it's more of a matter of learning the differences and how to put them to best use, than deficiencies in the Prius. That's only my observation and I've already proven that I can be wrong.
Hope the helps until you get some real advice.

[richard schumacher]

Prius is a city car, not a country car. Avoid steep unpaved or unplowed roads.

[nerfer]

Originally Posted by Rokeby

OK, I'm getting very confused and concerned as to what to expect when the
going gets a little slippery; in this I include snow/ice, wet grass/leaves,
sand/gravel on the road, steep gravel road/driveway.

I have read threads that variously say that the Prius will grind its way out,
and others that emphatically say that the Prius totally shuts down. So which
is it?
:
This Will-It-Go-or-Won't-It-Go? uncertainty just makes me crazy.

What am I to expect when, not if, I find myself in one of these situations?

This is a YMMV type situation. I personally haven't had problems with my 2006 (package 1, traction control but no stability control, OEM 15" Integrities). I've tested it on the steepest roads I could find around here (moderately steep, but no Lombard Rd) with several inches of snow and made it up every time except the time I deliberately stopped at the steepest point and tried to restart. The tires would slip, stop, restart, slip, stop, etc.

Others have reported their wheels just don't turn at all in these conditions, including people experienced in driving snowy and rough conditions (like Jayman). I don't know if the cars are programmed differently, if it's a matter of year and package or what. I haven't seen a clear difference that could be pointed to. One person I think said their 2004 had the problem until they had a recall which reprogrammed one of the car's computers.

My recommendation is to try this out someplace safe and get a feel for it on your car before you need it. Worst case, you may need to get out and walk up a driveway or scout out a different route in bad weather. Don't think you're entitled to get everywhere a road goes in all conditions. Perhaps use tires with better traction if this is something that can happen often.

Regarding the original situation, I remember in my 1987 Nissan Sentra (FWD) going up a road that became very steep with loose rock. That was one of the scariest moments I ever had while driving, because the front wheels started slipping (gravel would have been okay at that pitch, but not loose rock). I knew if I stopped I wouldn't be able to continue, and backing down such a steep road with trees right on the edge would be very treacherous. No place to turn around, and any bit of momentum downhill and the brakes would just cause me to skid backwards. Fortunately I was able to continue to where the road leveled out and I think I found a different way out.

[David Beale]

I have a 2007 and haven't had any problems with wheel slip.

The "change" to the traction control is thought to have occurred early in 2005. They can't reprogram older units, they have to replace the traction control module from what I've read.

The OEM 15" Goodyear Integrity tires are responsible for most of the problem. The "touring" 16" Bridgestone tires are supposed to be much better. I replaced my Goodyear Integrity tires last September, before my first winter. I put on "real" all season tires, Nokian WRs. But 2004 and early 2005 owners are still reporting too-sensitive traction control problems, even with very good tires.

[dfyffe]

Forget the Highlander, get a 4 WD RAV 4. I have a 2007 and can go just about anyplace I desire! It is a great vehicle. Check out the Rav4 for off roading.

Originally Posted by David Beale

Backing up a "too steep" hill is not an option. You WILL run out of power. The Prius is "gutless" in reverse, due to current limiting to protect the battery, among other things. I almost got stuck in loose wood chips on level mud when I tried to back up when turning around. The car would barely move, and the wheels were not traction limited. I just didn't have enough power to move at more than a crawl.

The traction control thing is not a failure or fault. It's there to protect the cars' mechanicals. Unless you really want to spend several thousands to repair damage you caused by spinning the wheels?

Standard off-road driving techniques (momentum maintenance etc) will get you up most hills unless the surface is just too rough. Prius is NOT an off-road vehicle. Get a Highlander hybrid if you want that, though even it is limited in what it can do compared to "gas guzzlers".

[rav04]

2008 Prius. Pedal pressed all the time to the floor on unpaved hill after rain.

IMHO in this case TRAC system works pretty well.

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[msquared48]

Invest in a front bumper mounted, electric winch...

[kazots]

I know this is a safety device for both the car and the driver, but it must be able to be fixed. In times you may need it the most the car will no longer work. That is pretty sad and dangerous.

[Bob64]

Originally Posted by David Beale

Backing up a "too steep" hill is not an option. You WILL run out of power. The Prius is "gutless" in reverse, due to current limiting to protect the battery, among other things..

You do know that the prius CAN charge its batteries/or provide power to the electric motors when going into reverse right?


I've heard that "flooring" it will make the traction control lessen up a bit to enable you to go faster...