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Prius in the snow

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by mtneer79, Oct 24, 2010.

  1. mtneer79

    mtneer79 Junior Member

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    I just bought a 2010 Prius and am starting to become very concerned about driving it in the snow. I'v also heard horror stories about the traction control.What has been everyone's experience?
     
  2. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    With the previous generation, the traction-control was touchy with the factory tires. With better tires, it wasn't a problem for me... 6 winters in Minnesota.

    With the 2010, even with the factory tires it's no big deal. Last year went fine, no concerns for me.
    .
     
  3. mtneer79

    mtneer79 Junior Member

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    Did you purchase snow tires? Is so, which ones do you recommend?
     
  4. eaglesight333

    eaglesight333 Senior Member

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    The traction control saved my hide a few ties last winter. And this was with OEM tires on my 2010. When it comes time for me to replace my tires, I plan to get a good year round tire.
     
  5. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Nope, just all-season high-traction did the trick for the 2004... Michelin HydroEdge.
    .
     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The 2010 is a lot better WRT to the traction control system.
     
  7. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Your 2010 Prius is a Gen III. You posted this in the Gen II forum.

    Tom
     
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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  9. Sho-Bud

    Sho-Bud Member

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    I have a gen II Prius. With the right tires a delight to drive in the snow. Last winter I've seen a lot of cars get stuck or struggling, but the Prius had no probs at all.
     
  10. donee

    donee New Member

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    A Finish Car Magazine tests cars for winter driving on many aspects each year. The 2010 Prius tied for first last winter. But the comments were its winter fuel economy was so good. But, it did not get knocked out of the running because of traction control issues - which if poor it surely would have been.

    If your not familiar with Finland, its the coldest of the Skandinavian countries.
     
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  11. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

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    I'm sure that your Prius handles much better in snow than my BMW Motorcycle did last Saturday morning coming over the Donner Pass in a brief snow storm.

    Keith
     
  12. AkustaVirtaa

    AkustaVirtaa Sähköistäjä

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    Yep, no problems with Prius in winter. Just remember to switch off ECO mode when driving in deep snow...
     
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  13. timo27

    timo27 Member

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    I think ground clearance is the biggest issue--I had no probs last winter as long as there wasn't more than about 4-5" or so on the road. But do keep in mind it is never intended to be some burly SUV.

    Another issue to figure in all this is the cheap-a$$ clips used on the splashguard/oilpan access door. With all that built-in $0.10 plastic integrity, a couple of snowflakes is probably enough to rip them right off.

    :focus:There's a you-tube posted on here somewhere (no time to search for it now) showing the Gen III going up a pretty steep grade on snow atop ice. Slow, but made it. Not a bad traction control at all, imo.
    ~T
     
  14. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Did you have your chains?

    ;)

    Tom
     
  15. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Most BMW motorcycles are shaft drive Tom, don't you know anything? :)
     
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  16. dopey423

    dopey423 New Member

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    does anyone know how the prius does with stock all seasons and chains on the front? im guessing the same as any other standard car?
     
  17. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    For the 2010, yes. Some of the early Prius have very touchy traction control. That was improved in 2006, but the Gen III 2010s are even better.

    Tom
     
  18. Jim Clark

    Jim Clark Member

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    I took our Prius out in a snow storm last winter and put it through its paces in our lightly traveled neighborhood. It was packed snow with some ice. I really pushed it and was quite impressed with how well it did. This was with the OEM Yokohama Avid S33's. I think it might have been better than our Lexus RX400h AWD (pretend AWD...) with the OEM Michelin MXV4's (they suck).

    I wouldn't try deep snow in the Prius, not enough ground clearance.