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How is the Prime in the snow?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by White 17, Jan 7, 2017.

  1. White 17

    White 17 Junior Member

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    Any opinions on the Prime in the snow? If I remember correctly the Prime is a little more balanced front to rear compared to earlier Prius. I am guessing that would hurt uphill and acceleration performance but help cornering and braking.
     
  2. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

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    Living in this winter wonderland, I'm most worried about the low clearance in the snow.
     
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  3. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    I haven't ever had any trouble with any of my Prius (here in Minnesota over the past 16 winters). I was always able to get around just fine.

    Don't expect to ram your way through a deep unshoveled driveway though. A simple rough snow removal (few minutes with the shovel to make a trail) does the trick.
     
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  4. EV-ish

    EV-ish Active Member

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    This reminded me of my first experience with heavy snow after growing up in the desert. We had moved to MA and I woke up to a foot of snow in our 100 ft long driveway. I had to get to work and had not planned on spending a lot of time moving snow so I cleared two paths just wide enough for each tyre track.

    Luckily my neighbor saw my foolish behavior and came over to help and explained the issue of clearance. Ahh...
     
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  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The critical point is the tires.
     
  6. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    So far I'm noticing little difference between my old pip and prime. The prime seems to have a bit better control in not plowed and icy roads.

    I initially thought something was going on with my prime on one if my drives. The steering was so loose and I felt the car sway that I thought I needed to get it serviced

    The thing is, I don't hear the same sounds when it slips as the old pip. The old one sounded like something electrical was breaking. The prime just swayed and I didn't know (my phone was blocking the indicator) . But I've felt I've climbed roads that the old pip would've gotten stuck on.


    Now bottoming out..i do fear that with the vehicle being lower to the ground. Hasn't happened in a mound of snow yet but I want to be real careful..love the vehicle!
     
  7. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    The Toyo A29 tires will give your ABS and stability control a good workout on slick snow & ice. Real winter tires are highly recommended.
     
  8. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    For all vehicles in your area?

    Here in Minnesota, I only know of a handful of people who switch. We all just make sure we've got good all-season tires with decent tread.
     
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  9. Tom_06

    Tom_06 Active Member

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    Mine came with Dunlop Enasave 01 A/S tires. Tire Rack didn't have ratings for this one, but another Dunlop (SP31 A/S) was the lowest rated tire in the groups listed for the Prius Prime. I expect I will replace them very early.
     
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  10. Surly0

    Surly0 New Member

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    We had some light flurries yesterday so traction was not an issue. The caved-in split hatch rear-view was a BIG problem. When driving slowly, instead of being blown off, the snow collected in the scoop and blocked the view. The temp was a few degrees below freezing and the rear defroster was not able to melt it off quickly enough. The lower portion of the hatch stayed clear giving a tiny slit of a back view.

    I would like the option to have the rear view camera always on in part of that huge screen.
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I doubt Toyota even thought about snow, with this whiz bang rear window.
     
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  12. Prius Maximus

    Prius Maximus Senior Member

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    I was afraid that would happen when it was first announced there would be no wiper. Although, the rear view camera gets a good coating of road salt and becomes pretty useless also.

    But I agree, there is no reason to not be able to see the rear cam view on demand.
     
  13. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Rain-X

    Bob Wilson
     
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  14. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    It's probably a liability issue, which is likely why Tesla still has side mirrors. They've wanted to replace them with camera & screen for years now.

    The wiper didn't live up to the challenge. It caused the snow to collect at the bottom of the window, rather than remove it from the vehicle. At least the dip lowers the field-of-view.

    Also, take a look at the latest sedans. Some now have a pitch similar to that of Prius... and no wiper either.

    Bingo! The window treatment solutions work really well, which is why the premium carwashes offer it.
     
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  15. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Replacing side mirrors require changing the vehicle code. The US one is so dated we can't get the latest headlights.
     
  16. Prius Maximus

    Prius Maximus Senior Member

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    I rainx all my glass first thing on a new car just as soon as I get it home. It does help a bit when scraping ice, but snow sliding off when driving? No, that doesnt happen.
     
  17. Pizza Driver

    Pizza Driver Active Member

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    This is fairly typical of hatchbacks, but right now the back of my car from the spoiler on down to the bumper is coated in salt. :(
     
  18. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    That's correct. Doesn't last long either (~2 months).
     
  19. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Timed to work with tire inflation.

    Bob Wilson
     
  20. Tom_06

    Tom_06 Active Member

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    I gave up Rain-X in favor of PPG's Aqua-Pel. Seems to last more than 6 months and helps keep snow and ice from sticking better than Rain-X. Been using it since 2001. Doesn't help at all with snow in the rear window valley.
     
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