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Prius on Integrity's in the Snow in Boston.... scary....

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by mooney, Mar 16, 2007.

  1. mooney

    mooney Junior Member

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    Well, we just bought the Prius this past Monday and as some of you might know, the northeast is getting whacked right now.

    So I left the office early and it was the first time driving the Prius in the snow.

    First impressions, the ABS takes a very very long time to stop the car. I've been in other cars that have ABS, and I noticed that I'd stomp the brakes and at 15-20 MPH I was well over 2 car lengths to stop.

    I can tell you that in the 2007, the VSC / Traction Control worked better than I'd read it would. I put the front of the car into 3 inches of snow and mashed the accelerator. The car worked it's way out without simply spinning or becoming bogged due to over-protective TC.

    I set out on the highway and set the cruise to 45 and felt ok, but certainly conscious that I didn't want to hit the slush between lanes. (Not being familiar with the car / tires )

    I'll take it out a little later, but right now, it's definitely going to take some getting used to. Next year, snow tires for sure.
     
    #1 mooney, Mar 16, 2007
  2. SomervillePrius

    SomervillePrius New Member

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    Wow,

    I actually thing the prius brakes do an excellent job in snow. As is the VSC. To me this car is pretty nifty in Boston and I'm not concerned about getting stuck or slide too far or uncontrolled.

    I guess it's what you used to. My last car was a 96 maxima
     
    #2 SomervillePrius, Mar 16, 2007
  3. mooney

    mooney Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Mar 16 2007, 06:18 PM) [snapback]406979[/snapback]</div>
    Well, coming from an Audi, my wife's Jeep Liberty, my old Jeep Wrangler (which didn't have ABS), and an older front wheel drive Mazda wagon, none of them took as long to stop as the Prius did today.

    Obviously I'm not comparing the 4wd aspects of the Jeep, but I am comparing their braking distance.

    Like I said, I'll take it out a little while later to give it a more thorough test.
     
    #3 mooney, Mar 16, 2007
  4. andreaswin

    andreaswin New Member

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    I had both MB and BMW before with abs brakes. they did a great job in stopping fast.
    My prius Brakes and abs does an exellent job in stopping aswell , cant say i have seen any difference in braking from normal speed. its important to remember that tires have alot to say in this matter.
    how wide the tires are ,type, soft or hard, best working temperatur and so on.

    Had bridgestone potenza pole position sport tyres 235x45, 17" on the bmw that was awsome in side grip and stopping grip in summer but truly terrible and a bit dangerous in the autum with colder temp and wet asfalt.

    cheers
    Andreas :)
     
    #4 andreaswin, Mar 16, 2007
  5. mooney

    mooney Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(andreaswin @ Mar 16 2007, 07:24 PM) [snapback]407030[/snapback]</div>
    Absolutely, so I'm hesitant to think it's the car and not the Integrity's.
     
    #5 mooney, Mar 16, 2007
  6. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    It's the tires. Get rid of them. Even the best brakes can't do anything if the tires refuse to grip the road.

    Tom
     
    #6 qbee42, Mar 16, 2007
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mooney @ Mar 16 2007, 02:56 PM) [snapback]406960[/snapback]</div>
    Maybe you hit some ice patches? The Integritys haven't inspired much confidence in me (slipped up at the local mountain and lost grip on a damp road and it wasn't raining either).

    It may be the tyres but the ABS system does come with EBD and Brake Assist so in effect, you are getting the best combination (short of grippier tyres and larger brakes) when it comes to electronics.

    What you tested was TRAC (Toyota speak for TCS).

    If you want to try out VSC, go to an empty parking lot, get up to 10mph and yank the steering wheel left or right. The car will understeer for a split second then you'll hear beeps and the flashing "Slip Indicator" and the car will correct itself.

    Oh and I second the snow tyre idea.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Mar 16, 2007
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