Winter driving

This is covered many times in previous posts, so you may want to do a bit of searching. For a recap, here goes:

1) Winter starting is not an issue. The Prius uses a big motor-generator to start, so it has no trouble spinning the engine in even the coldest weather. You may want to add an electric block heater for more efficient operation. Many cold weather drivers also block some of the grill.

2) Get a VSC equipped Prius, which is Toyota's Vehicle Stability Control system. With that it is nearly impossible to get a Prius to skid. You have to really work at it.

3) The Prius traction control is touchy. With poor tires it can be frustrating. Get good all season tires, or better yet, real snow tires. With good tires the Prius does as well or better in the snow than other front wheel drive cars.

4) The Prius is not a truck. Don't expect to wade through deep snow.

5) We have had no trouble with the heater, although our winter temperatures are not as cold as some. Blocking the grill will help with cabin heat for really cold climates.

6) As for general cold weather driving, our Prius is the best handling winter car I have ever driven, including a Jeep C-J5, a Subaru all wheel drive, and our current Ford Aerostar four wheel drive. The Prius tracks so well on slippery roads that I have to remind myself that the roads are slippery. After all, the laws of physics still apply, and the roads are slippery even if I can't feel it. I have tried braking with one side on ice and the other on dry pavement. Even a hard stop produces no pulling. It's pretty amazing. The stability control works very well too. It will modulate the power and apply individual brakes to keep the car pointed in the intended direction. It's a very nice safety feature.

Tom

 

We picked our 2008 Package #2 up at the end of Nov. My wife uses it as here work car, Rural Mail Delivery.

This has been the worst winter for here job in 10 years, and she feels very comfortable in it with no modifications, stock tires.

Heater is good, Priority seems to want to keep the engine warm, so it will run more than in warmer weather. Mileage will be in the 30's in cold weather, 40's + in warm weather.

Starting has never been an issue, even @ -20 (f)

It's no 4wd, but if deep snow is a concern, there is low ground clearance, so there may be an issue there. The traction control (VSC) works well.

As with any vehicle, 4 good snow tires will make a difference.

 

I live in the Toronto area and we just had one of the snowiest long winters on record. I drove the Prius to work everyday (14 miles each way) and have no EBH, but park underground 4 levels down. I still have the Goodyear stock tires on the car. I had no problems what so ever driving the Prius during winter in snow; ice; cold. Winter mileage takes a hit because of the cold weather and short drives but no tank was below 50 MPG. My average winter MPG (US gallons) = 55.3. I'm impressed with how the Prius performed.
I know there are people with some negative experiences and if you want added "insurance" you may want to invest in snow tires. Another good idea is to have an EBH installed to help with the warm-up MPG.

Good luck,

 

I never had a lead foot and my winter mileage is less (not driving to the cottage). Also learned to combine short trips. Had my grill blocked 100% all winter and still do. Careful route selection with a combination of HWY and good city roads (minimizing lights). I actually found that in the winter it was better to warm up the car by driving on the QEW (HWY) at moderate speeds, rather than constantly running into red lights. The lights are either not synchronized or by-passed with the crosswalk over ride buttons. When you have to come to a complete stop the engine cools right back down in the winter. Where I take the city roads I look for the pedestrian lights which have the number of seconds in red flashing to judge if I can make it or not. The only thing I really miss is to be able to use an EBH, but that's the downside of living in a condo.

 

What's an EBH? I'm guessing E.... Block Heater? I do not know.

 

Swanny, you're correct. EBH = engine block heater. People who use them report a much higher MPG in the first 5 -10 minutes like 50-75 instead of the usual 25 for the first 5 min. Not having it is a real drag on the overall MPG especially if your drives are shorter.

 

Well, it all depends on where you live.

My 2004 has a very sensitive Traction Control system, which on "all season" tires has left me helpless in the middle of an intersection. With aggressive studded Goodyear Nordic winter tires from Canadian Tire - AKA Goodyear Ultra Grip 500 sold in Europe - my Prius easily blows the doors off suv's and pickup trucks on "all season" tires, especially on ice

I believe in running high quality winter tires for winter driving. Of course, we have "real" winter conditions up here. My FJ Cruiser runs studless Toyo Open Country G-02 Plus winter tires, though I may switch to studded Cooper Discoverer M+S or Nokian Hakkapeliitta Sport Utility 5 for next winter

On ice, the studded tires on my Prius provide better grip and control than the studless winter tires on my FJ. Though the Toyo's are far quieter, and work just as well in snow

What else ... winter wiper blades. I never get over how folks insist on driving around with the flimsy stock wipers in winter time, trying to squint through a tiny clear band in an otherwise icy/snowy windshield. These folks also typically insist "all season" tires work great, even as the light turns green and I blow their doors off

I recently test drove a 2008 Prius, when we still had some snow and ice remaining. I can confirm that - compared to the 2004 - the 2008 Trac behavior has drastically changed, for the better

 

We call it "tank driving", since it's like looking through the driver's periscope on an army tank.

Tom

 

Tom

Back in Feb with our *weeks* of bitter cold temps, I saw so many driving around like that. They can afford to pop in at Tim Hortons twice a day for a cup of mediocore overpriced coffee (Timmies is the Starbucks of Canada), but they can't afford winter wiper blades for operation in a climate that can dip to -40

Oh well

jay

 

Jay,

If I may build on your pet peeve: what about not even clearing their head and tail lights from snow or snow flying off the roof as they drive ...

 

I agree with running "Studless" alternative tires. They don't tear up our roads, and I am very happy with the traction and quietness of the tires. Get them off when spring comes as they will wear fast when the roads are warm.
eace:

 

It does very well in the snow. At about 22,000 miles the stock tires will be too worn for safe driving in the snow.b

 

For that situation, I propose following the offending car in one of these vehicles, and letting it fly:

http://www.dillonaero.com/docs/DillonTacticalVehicle-1.wmv

I volunteer to man the weapon

 

That will work. There may be a slight litter problem with the spent shell casings, but we can work out the details later.

Tom

 

LOL - I sure hope you have a better shot than the guy in the video.

 

Tom

They're 7.62mm or .308, so I happily volunteer to collect the casings and reload them

jay