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Driving in a Snow Storm, in the Rain PiP vs Prime

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by inferno, Apr 6, 2017.

  1. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    Well here's another thread for PiP vs Prime.

    I had the rare opportunity to drive in a really heavy snow storm and I can say the Prime does pretty well. There is a section of uphill where in the PiP I actually got stuck in. I know there's protection for the traction battery when the wheels spin out of control. For the Prime I could still feel the same mechanism but it gave me a little more traction and power. It wasn't anything spectacular, and I'm talking about fighting uphill in a snowstorm trying to get above 10 mph. In the Prime it went from 10 mph to 20, the PiP went from 0 to 10 then back to 0 and I actually started sliding backwards in similar conditions.

    Now for Rain...The Prime also fairs well and I can see how aerodynamic the car is and how it's possible to lack the back windshield wiper. Upon driving anywhere beyond 40 mph I noticed *no rain* hit the back windshield. It must have created a wind funnel to just miss it. In my PiP I would notice that the back windshield would get droplets and I would use the windshield wiper.

    Overall, pretty impressive improvements and handles pretty well in the snow. Though I won't be taking the Prime offroading soon or to drive in snow storms constantly :p
     
    #1 inferno, Apr 6, 2017
    Pdxprimeguy, bisco, iskey and 1 other person like this.
  2. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

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    My experience on heavy wind and rain...stock tire Bridgestone are not so good on heavy rain ...
    I have seen better tires and handling...
    Other than that Prime handle sharp curves well it almost looks like you are hooked to the rails...
    Overall weight distribution is good....and stability is good....
    I have pushed my prime on 180° highway entrance with wet surface to 52 MPH and traction kicked in to correct my slide..



    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #2 Samprocat, Apr 6, 2017
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    tires are an important factor.
     
    #3 bisco, Apr 6, 2017
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  4. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    Yeah, I'm not sure how they did it but the turning radius is very impressive compared to the Gen 3!
     
    #4 inferno, Apr 6, 2017
  5. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    I coated the rear window with Aquapel rain repellant (better product than Rain-X), and the drops slide off at low speed.

    My OE Toyo Nano A29 tires have no wet grip problem I've found yet.
     
    #5 PT Guy, Apr 6, 2017
    Pdxprimeguy and Toyota4Life like this.
  6. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    We drive on studded snow tires.

    We have a Gen3 and a Prime. They both handle very well on ice and up to about 8 inches of snow. At about 8 inches is the point where they high center on the snow.

    Ice on the rivers is starting to break up now, so it is no longer safe to drive on lakes or rivers now.
     
    #6 ForestBeekeeper, Apr 6, 2017
  7. Ed From Syracuse

    Ed From Syracuse Junior Member

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    I'm from upstate New York and Syracuse New York. Where we get a lot of snow. Purchased a car in February. We had a few snow storms and the car did well without snow tires. I have snow tires from my old Prius but they were stored so I didn't want to pay more money to take them out put them on since the snow season is just about over. The car handles well in heavy rain and snow. I guess when I put my snow tires next winter I will have even better traction.
     
    #7 Ed From Syracuse, Apr 6, 2017
  8. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    Are your old tires and the Prime the same size?
     
    #8 Andyprius1, Apr 8, 2017
  9. Pdxprimeguy

    Pdxprimeguy Member

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    Drove in some snow in feb. I drove by 4 accidents. I had studless snow tires on and didn't have any issues. Drove the normal highway speed too. But my mpg was bad, About 44 mpg With snow tires on heavy steel wheels going 60-70 mph. So far as good or better then my gen 3 prius. And My gen 3 was awesome in snow.
     
    #9 Pdxprimeguy, Apr 9, 2017
  10. White 17

    White 17 Junior Member

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    About how many miles down is the 44 mph from what you get without the winter tires?

    What brand tire did you choose? I ran some Michelin's and noticed some decrease but haven't been able to compare them to the Toyo all season's that came with the car.
     
    #10 White 17, Apr 10, 2017
  11. Pdxprimeguy

    Pdxprimeguy Member

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    Stock tires and rims I got 49 mpg. Going 75 mph. I I had ipikes on steel wheels for winter tires.
     
    #11 Pdxprimeguy, Apr 12, 2017
  12. White 17

    White 17 Junior Member

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    That's a lot, but I kind of guessed it would be after using mine. Nice in snow though.
     
    #12 White 17, Apr 12, 2017
  13. ed4271

    ed4271 Member

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    Yes sane size as my 2015 Prius

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #13 ed4271, Apr 13, 2017
  14. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    One more question, did your 2015 come with a donut spare tire?
     
    #14 Andyprius1, Apr 15, 2017
  15. Michael Nielsen

    Michael Nielsen Member

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    I drove in a very wet snow on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and the radar system and LDW system conked out completely. Traction was not a problem, though. That radar emblem in front can fail in a wet, sticky snow. Overall, when driving in a snowstorm, I really miss my four wheel drive C-RV. It was rock solid in all conditions.
     
    #15 Michael Nielsen, Apr 15, 2017
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    This is a step backwards. I've driven my Prius in freezing rain and I never got the "Clean radar" or have PCS turn off due to ice accretion.

    Either it's a cheaper radar unit or the software is way more conservative than before.
     
    #16 Tideland Prius, Apr 15, 2017
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