1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

The Prius sucks in winter.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by SiliconAddict, Feb 25, 2007.

  1. SiliconAddict

    SiliconAddict New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2005
    44
    0
    0
    So we got about 8-12" of snow last night. I had gone over to a friends house for their birthday and when I came out the street had about eh about 6-7" on it. In my life I've never seen a car perform so poorly in snow. Maybe I'm wrong on this but the traction control is WAY WAY WAY to agressive.
    There ARE times when you do want to spin your tires. If you can get enough traction you can break through the snow that is in front of you, and once going your momentum should be enough to keep you going. You can do this also by going forward, reverse, forward, reverse, etc. The problem is that with the damn Prius if at any point it senses the tires spinning it's damn traction control kicks in. So I get out of my parked location on the street and then struggle to just get to a plowed intersection. I had a nice line of cars behind me honking as I tried to slowly move up the street, reverse, take another go at it, get another 5 feet, and repeat. Then on the way home I had to get gas, same deal. 15 minutes to get out of the 6" of drifting snow that was at the pumps.
    This is the first time I've had SERIOUS doubts about this car. My job has me traveling around the city, and while the amount of snow we got in Minnesota last night is rare it does happen at least once or twice a winter.

    Now I didn't come on here to just rant. Does anyone know if replacing the stock tires would help? I really don't care if I get a drop in MPG as long as I can DRIVE! Also are there any other techniques that I can use? I tried going at it slowly but that didn't help either. I simply couldn't build up enough momentum to plow through the snow. :(
     
  2. brick

    brick Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2006
    1,083
    78
    0
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Snow tires. 'Nuff said.

    The stock tires suck in the snow, and I suspect are responsible for 90% of the winter time complaints that we see here.
     
  3. Sleeper

    Sleeper New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2006
    21
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brick @ Feb 26 2007, 12:16 AM) [snapback]396397[/snapback]</div>

    Nokian Hakapelitta RSI's will take you anywhere, if the snow is not deeper than the clearance under your front bumper.
     
  4. IndyDoug

    IndyDoug New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2005
    120
    0
    0
    Location:
    Indianapolis, IN
    My new Firestone Affinity tires have handled very well this winter.
     
  5. SiliconAddict

    SiliconAddict New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2005
    44
    0
    0
    Noted. Thanks guys. sometime this summer I'll pick up a set.
     
  6. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2006
    2,369
    978
    70
    Location:
    Sunnyvale, California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    There are 4 fuses and 2 relays in the engine compartment fuse box that control the ABS.

    If I were stuck in the snow with the ABS causing a safety hazard, I'd certainly consider pulling the ABS fuses. My guess is that everything can be restored by just replacing the fuses. But I'm not a Prius technician, and it could be much more involved to restore everything. If you can, talk with a real Prius technician before trying this.
     
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,014
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    winter tyres for sure will help.

    I was up at the local mountain yesterday. I have an 05 Prius with stock tyres. I was stuck at the parking lot but my TRAC allowed wheelspin. At one point, I saw 16km/h flash on my speedo but I wasn't going anywhere lol. So yeah, my Prius does allow quite a bit of wheelspin before cutting in. Oddly, reversing works for me but going forward didn't. So instead of rocking, I just decided to back up as far as I go and pray that that will help with traction when I put it in D.
     
  8. lordmakemeworthy

    lordmakemeworthy New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2005
    41
    0
    0
    Location:
    Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Feb 25 2007, 07:45 PM) [snapback]396471[/snapback]</div>
    Sucks? I also live in Minnesota and haven't a problem in the world with this car in the snow.
    Sorry I disagree. Have a nice day.
     
  9. member

    member New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2006
    197
    1
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SiliconAddict @ Feb 25 2007, 04:11 PM) [snapback]396396[/snapback]</div>
    No argument, should not be as sensitive as it is. However, with Mich X-ice winter tires that I've been using in the, yes, you guessed it, winter, I've not had any problems.

    TRAC seems to be more sensitive 06 and earlier.

    This has been an excellent winter car for us, to my amazement.
     
  10. ozymandias

    ozymandias Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2007
    83
    3
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Snow tires are all great and good but we should be able to disable traction control. That is the one thing I am really disappointed about; the traction control makes it very difficult to get out of snow that normally the car wouldn't have a problem with. Here in VA we only get snow maybe 2-3 times a winter and the only snow we really have to drive through is in parking lots...hardly worth getting snow tires.
     
  11. daveleeprius

    daveleeprius Heh heh heh you think so?

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2006
    429
    2
    0
    Location:
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ozymandias @ Feb 25 2007, 11:46 PM) [snapback]396537[/snapback]</div>
    I don't think turning traction control off will help you get out of snow. Spinning your tires doesn't work. Who thinks spinning your tires works?

    I've had great luck with traction control on my 07 Pri. If you keep the pedal pressed down you'll get out. I didn't have any trouble getting up the hills. Getting down was more difficult and took longer.

    Dave
     
  12. ozymandias

    ozymandias Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2007
    83
    3
    0
    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveLeePrius @ Feb 26 2007, 12:12 AM) [snapback]396546[/snapback]</div>
    Really? It sure worked on my is300 after the snowstorm last week...it really depends on how stuck you are.
     
  13. quagmire0

    quagmire0 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2006
    108
    1
    0
    It's pretty funny all these posts about how terrible the Prius is in winter. IT'S 6-7 INCHES OF SNOW!!! Most cars are going to have trouble with that. Not to mention the stock tires are not the best on regular roads. As far as realistic winter performance on stocks, I haven't had many issues. In fact, I think the ABS and Traction Control work pretty well. Certainly better than my '02 Civic that slides all over the place. :p
     
  14. Bill Lumbergh

    Bill Lumbergh USAF Aircraft Maintainer

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2005
    537
    7
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SiliconAddict @ Feb 25 2007, 07:11 PM) [snapback]396396[/snapback]</div>
    So, when you say winter, you mean like what we get in Alaska, right? :)

    The Prius does just fine in snow and ice, so long as you have good snow tires. The stock tires are 100% junk.....loud, no grip, poor wear. I agree with you about the traction control, though. I wish there was an *easy* way to disable it for a short period of time.

    (I already know the hard way)
     
  15. member

    member New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2006
    197
    1
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveLeePrius @ Feb 25 2007, 10:12 PM) [snapback]396546[/snapback]</div>
    People who haven't had intro physics. :mellow:
     
  16. cireecnop1

    cireecnop1 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2007
    338
    2
    0
    Location:
    Pueblo, CO
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Okay, I haven't really had a chance to test the Prius in the snow, it only snowed once here since I bought my Pri. I will buy snow tires for next winter Im thinking BLIZZAKS?

    One Problem I do notice though is that the TRAC turns on when I am trying to pull into traffic from a dead stop and the tire slip on sand. :angry: not very good when I am trying to get in front of a speeding car and my car just loses power. oh well I'll get the hang of it sooner or later. Maybe Later.
     
  17. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2004
    1,765
    14
    0
    Location:
    Silicon Valley, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveLeePrius @ Feb 25 2007, 09:12 PM) [snapback]396546[/snapback]</div>
    I'm guessing your point is that the static coefficient of friction is higher than the sliding coefficient. If you've ever seen a good traction control system at work, there is very little spinning of the tire.

    But static vs. sliding coeff. of friction is not the only factor at play. If you're really stuck, it's possible that a spinning tire can grind through a layer of ice or hard pack, down to pavement which will have an even higher coefficient of friction with your tire, giving you sufficient grip to extricate your vehicle.
     
  18. brick

    brick Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2006
    1,083
    78
    0
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomorrowMatters @ Feb 26 2007, 03:07 PM) [snapback]396804[/snapback]</div>
    I run Blizzak WS-50 tires, and they work great. The only down side is that the special water-wicking rubber compound only goes 40 or 60% of the tread depth, below which is standard winter rubber. So far not a problem since it will be at least two more seasons before I run them down that far. (This is their second, and I average 3-4,000 miles on them each year.

    As for pulling out in front of a speeding car, I'd say avoid that if at all posible. Not a good choice in any car, unless you're talking about the rare "came out of nowhere" incident. I hate those. :unsure:
     
  19. timm

    timm Medical Transport Driver

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2006
    121
    11
    1
    Location:
    Spring Green, WI
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I quess I must doing something wrong? ;)

    I have been very impressed with how my Prius performs as I deliver mail on hilly, curvy, snow and ice covered roads here in Wisconsin with just all season tires.

    [attachmentid=6704][attachmentid=6703]
     

    Attached Files:

  20. onerpm

    onerpm New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2004
    477
    2
    0
    Location:
    MN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Silicon,
    Get a set of Blizzaks. Huge difference. Recommend you just get them mounted on an extra set of wheels. Price them on tirerack.com, then take the page to Tires Plus and they will match the price, plus swap them on and off each season for free. Steel wheels, or the nice-looking and pretty cheap Sport Edition alloys.

    Pre-Blizzaks, car wouldn't move in a situation like Saturday night.
    Post-Blizzaks, well, I drove to/from a party Saturday, no plows had been anywhere yet except the major drags, and I had no major problems.

    It's not the Prius; it's the tires.

    Rob (Eden Prairie, MN)