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Prius 2 versus Prius v on Steep Icy/Snowy driveway

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by gkalexdc, Apr 11, 2017.

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  1. gkalexdc

    gkalexdc Junior Member

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    Hi Everyone.
    Ive got a sister in Ann Arbor. She has a 2010 Prius II. She cant get up her driveway when its Icy/Snowy. Her front wheels just break loose.
    Her Friend, with an Audi AWD was warned about not probably making it to up the driveway, to which she said,
    "Oh, don't worry, we'll get up there" AND SHE DID.
    Now, my sister has Car Envy, but is about to trade the Prius in, because, alas its almost 200,000 miles etc.
    SO... She wants to know,.... IF ...... she gets a little heavier Prius v Station Wagon, that it might GO UP this steep slippery when snowy driveway.
    Any Snow Belt Prius folks who can shed some light on this dilemma ??
    Good news is, my sister loves her Prius, will likely get another and I will likely buy her 2010 from her, because it has been so carefully taken care of. How about RUST on a 7 year old Michigan Prius. Any ideas on what typically happens in Michigan to Prius's in regard to sheet metal?
    I live in Houston.
    Thanks
    Greg
    Houston
     
    #1 gkalexdc, Apr 11, 2017
  2. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

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    If it's a 2016 or newer, probably. The 2016's and newer have a traction control override that will do better.
     
    #2 bat4255, Apr 11, 2017
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  3. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    If you have good tires (Winter or all-weather - not all season), you can make it up a slippery slope, but I also would prefer AWD.

    Winter - Blizzak, Xice, Nokian Hakkapeliitta
    All-Weather - Nokian WRg3

    JeffD
     
    #3 jdenenberg, Apr 11, 2017
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  4. Offline

    Offline Active Member

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    A front wheel drive vehicle with one of those snow tires - assuming they have enough tread - will do much better on snow and ice than an AWD vehicle with all-season tires. We use Blizzaks on our vehicles in Winter including our Prius v but any true winter tire with the maintain/snowflake certification symbol on the sidewalls would be much better than all-season tires.
     
    #4 Offline, Apr 11, 2017
  5. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Yes and "All-Weather" tires like the WRg3 have the snowflake symbol. I have them on my 2016 Prius and had their ancestors on my 2004 Prius for the last 175k miles of its life.

    JeffD
     
    #5 jdenenberg, Apr 11, 2017
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I don't know how steep the driveway is (here, steeper driveways or ramps are heated) but a good set of winter tires does wonders. I had a set of Nokian R and they were fantastic. I currently run WRG3s now that my factory Ecopias finally wore out. (Two sets of tires take a long time to wear out :) )
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Apr 11, 2017
  7. gkalexdc

    gkalexdc Junior Member

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    Well, THANKs everyone, for your kind response. I know my sister will get a 16 or newer, and the tire recommendations sure make a lot of sense.
    Greg
    Houston
     
    #7 gkalexdc, Apr 12, 2017
  8. gkalexdc

    gkalexdc Junior Member

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    So, should she get a REGULAR 2016-17 Prius, or the Wagon for the steep driveway ?
     
    #8 gkalexdc, Apr 12, 2017
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    regular lift back. you can shut off the traction control, and it shouldn't be a problem getting up the slope with the right tires. unless she prefers the wagon, it also has the traction control button.
     
    #9 bisco, Apr 12, 2017
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  10. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

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    Whatever size fits best.

    My wife's '08 that she used for the mail route has no override and she got stuck once in 7 years. She backed into a ditch ;-)

    My '16 v has the override, and needed it once, backing up a friends driveway with some snow on it.
     
    #10 bat4255, Apr 12, 2017
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  11. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    The Rav4 HV does amazing with its AWDi system and 4-wheel regenerative braking. Worth looking at if a Prius-v is on the radar. About 10-12 MPG less is the main drawback but its a snow machine. A bit less room in back too.
     
    #11 rdgrimes, Apr 12, 2017
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  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    How steep is the driveway? The Gen 4 is lower and has a smaller (more acute) approach angle. I would check to ensure the car doesn't scrape the road when she drives up the driveway.
     
    #12 Tideland Prius, Apr 12, 2017
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  13. gkalexdc

    gkalexdc Junior Member

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    Thanks Tideland ! I'll have Gwen go to the dealer this weekend up there and drive up her driveway on the test drive.!
     
    #13 gkalexdc, Apr 13, 2017
  14. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Apple to oranges but I once bought a Mazda from the great lakes region that was around that age. The bodywork was fine but working on the car was a major PITA due to all the corrosion on all the hardware; the closer to the ground, the worse it got.
     
    #14 fotomoto, Apr 13, 2017
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  15. gkalexdc

    gkalexdc Junior Member

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    Ahhh, yes, now I remember, my old days in Nebraska trying to do shock work/ other lower chassis work on the CorVair. No wrenches needed.......just the acetylene cutting torch..
    You are right FotoMoto.. I figured the body would maybe be better on corrosion, and forgot about all the underpinnings that really get the salt...
    Thanks!!
    Greg
     
    #15 gkalexdc, Apr 13, 2017
  16. S.Bell

    S.Bell Junior Member

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    I have a 2013 v trim 5 and drove with only a little bit of problems in Reno last Xmas on tires that were on their way out the door. The tires were cheap ones that came with my car purchased in the Bay Area. The drive would have been easier and better with my new tires that I finally broke down and got.

    Don't forget about chains, too, if ever needed. I just know chains can vary a great deal in style, ease of putting on and off, and price.
     
    #16 S.Bell, Jul 20, 2018
  17. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    Hatchback or wagon, front wheel drive cars need studded snow tires to be safe.

    It’s not going up that’s the problem, it’s stopping on the way down.
     
    #17 Lucifer, Jul 20, 2018
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