Waiting For Those Rusty Wires To Rub Together

We are professional taxi drivers here in Whistler,BC. I would like some info on this subject.
This car delivers unexpected power-cuts when power is needed to safely operate this car producing dangerous over/understeer events while cornering and also intermittent to total lack of power when acceleration is needed to merge with traffic flow.
Car is 'working properly'.
Wet roads and snow are usual here and are not a valid excuse.
This car has high quality snow tires.

Please return some answer of where to further pursue this issue. This request should not be dismissed lightly.
Thanks again for your time

We have two Priiii and neither one display the events you mention . We have snow, ice and water here in Nova Scotia but probaly not to the same degree as you on the "Wet" Coast !

I suggest the problem is with your particular vehicle . Take it to a dealer or maybe call Toyota Customer Experience at 1-800-331-4331. In addition to all those who replied ... there is no mention ,in the origional post, of the dash warning light indidating the traction was in use !

I have a 2004 and IMHO a Prius probably isn't the best choice in an area with frequent mountain snow. The Traction Control is standard across all the Prius lines, and cannot be defeated.

I had been under the impression Toyota had dramatically changed the Trac algorithm for +2006 Prius cars, to mitigate the worst features. My Prius has an unusually sensitive Trac that has left me stranded at my hobby farm a few times

I run very aggressive studded Goodyear Nordic winter tires from Canadian Tire. This is the same tire as the Goodyear Ultra Grip 500 sold in Europe, a very well respected winter tire.

On ice and light snow up to about 4 inches deep, my Prius is a great winter driver. Once it bogs down, especially in rutted and drifted snow, then I need somebody to push or pull me out. It's impossible to rock the car as the wheels refuse to turn

If you check my signature, you'll also notice I'm driving a 2007 FJ Cruiser. All the FJ's have standard Traction control, and it actually works to keep you moving. If a rear wheel begins to spin, the brake is applied to that rear wheel, then engine power is reduced.

The FJ never kills all power, and with my studless Toyo Open Country G-02 Plus winter tires, the suv will easily push snow with the front bumper, in 2wd. A day and night difference between the Prius and the FJ

Again, in moderate winter conditions with aggressive studded snow tires, my Prius is now fine. Not perfect and not cured, but driveable

Oh, what "rusty wires" are you referring to? Was the car a salvage title from a flood zone? Locally, Duffy's Taxi got a "great deal" on some US market salvage title cars. A quick check with CarFax would have shed light on the fact those cars were used as emergency flotation devices during a flood

It is the traction control / vehicle stability control software (VSC). No easy fix. Just learn to deal with it. It is worst for me trying to accelerate and turn from a dead stop, for example making a right on red with traffic coming. As far as snow and ice patches try to keep momentum, don't come to a dead stop if you don't have to. "Read" the road for traction and don't gun it if there is no traction. Computer does oppisite of what yo want when you floor it and there is no traction. If you can't find a driving style to adapt then give you self more space on the road from other cars.

You're not missing anything. Trust me

The major problem is during cornering: loosing traction- perhaps by tightening the radius and losing enough traction through ' over turning the steering wheel' - not to say the vehicles attitude changes...but enough to fool the traction control into cutting power.
Opposite lock and a fourty-five degree power-slide are right out. What fun is that?
And this leads into the WIDE gap between having control of your car...MAKING IT DO WHAT YOU WANT WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF POWER/TORQUE AND TRACTION OF THE TIRES. Sure one can drive within the field of slower acceleration and deceleration and not spill the coffee- but narrower this comfort zone is - the more unsafe the vehicle. ESPECIALLY IF ONE NEEDS TO SPILL THE COFFEE IN ORDER TO GET AROUND A CORNER OR GET OUT OF THE WAY. Power without control is chaos. Having a drunken monkey flip a switch on and off is something else.

Dosen't look like you are "MAKING IT DO WHAT YOU WANT WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF POWER/TORQUE AND TRACTION OF THE TIRES".

Sometimes old habits are hare to break, just ease up a little and learn how to drive so the tires don't spin and you won't have a problem.

change your tires and suspension... but first... get an 04 or 05. you can disable the traction control. it's rather easy but warned against. I'm sure a few people will chime in to explain why.

How to disengage traction control. (04 & 05)
Engage Parking Brake!
turn your car on (power x2 without the brake). depress gas pedal 2x. hold the brake with your left foot and "shift" the car into neutral (hold on N for a few seconds). depress gas pedal 2x. "shift" back into park. depress gas pedal 2x. You'll get a warning on the screen. foot still on the brake? keep it there and start the car. release all feet.. or don't... You're now in vehicle maintenance mode. if you damage the car in this mode... Toyota will not cover it.

this disengages traction and vsc. anti-braking still works.

Does this smell at all like a troll? Only two posts, so he might be. Other than that, I drive in a lot of snow and have no trouble with our Prius. It is one of the best winter driving cars I've had, and that includes several 4WD vehicles. They could wade through deeper snow, but they weren't better to drive in the slippery stuff. Basically it comes down to reasonable expectations: Putting yourself in a "must go" situation in snow with any vehicle is just asking for trouble. Safe driving requires a good respect for the laws of physics, and the laws of physics have little regard for how much of a hurry you are in.

Tom

Well then, don't drive it that way, you silly monkey. The Prius is most definitely not a race car, and you'll only be disappointed when you try to drive it like one. It rewards smoothness and a light touch on the throttle, and doesn't respond well to being whipped. Having said that, there are some chassis modifications that can make significant improvements to the handling. May I ask what size and brand of snow tires you're using? Do you notice similar problems in the summer or the rain, or is it just the snow that's slowing you down?

Chicken. I bet riding the same road on the back of a fast motorcycle would scare you even more. Depends, you say?

Learn to drive

traction control?? snow?? as if the pious ownerrs knew

...my taxi and my passenger describing where he lives because he don't know the address...
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oORzpmdED_8&feature=related]YouTube - panizzi WRC On Board cam[/ame]

Don't know what your complaint is, stop using B mode to slow down, you will give your passengers a much nicer ride and use less fuel.

A frayed knot. That's not Whistler, and it's not even snowing.

Re: traction control?? snow?? as if the pious ownerrs knew

Really?? Looks like somewhere in France during an Autocross Rally

I have an Aunt in Poco who is very familiar with Whistler. What taxi service do you operate?

Or New York City. Or San Francisco. Or anywhere else if possible.

Re: traction control?? snow?? as if the pious ownerrs knew

Looks pretty tame compared to a few taxi rides I've been on...

Rob