Are the 2007 Prius any good driving on snow?

No problems in the bad weather around here although I stay home if it is really bad. That's what vacation time is for.

 

Mine works just fine in the snow levels we get in southeastern Michigan -- but I made the dealer swap out the Goodyear Integrity O/E tires for some Michelin Harmony tires instead. Most folks here on Priuschat.com don't like the Goodyears on dry pavement; we pretty much all agree that they are utterly worthless in snow.

 

The car is crap with the stock tires but handles wonderfully with winter tires on.

 

i will also ask a question of you: why are you asking if you own a 2009?

 

The Gen II Prius (2004-2009 model years) should be as good on snow as most front wheel drive cars, with the caveat that the 2004-2005 model years reportedly had an oversensitive traction control which sometimes cut the power to the drive wheels on inclines/slippery surfaces.

My 2007 Prius with decent all-season tires (I have Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds) drives really well on snow and ice and on inclines/slippery surfaces. I've never gotten stuck.

 

sorry, my mistake! your info says, my car: 2009 prius.

 

I agree with the others that having the right tires makes a considerable difference.

We saw some of the most significant snowfalls in years in my neck of the woods last winter (and the first real test of my Prius' snow capabilities since I bought it in 12/05). The only time I had a significant problem (with Michelin Hydroedges and using careful driving technique) was driving through snow that was deeper than the car's clearance beneath. It makes a poor snowplow.

 

JimboK- Michelin Hydro Edge are all season tires are they not? They are not a great snow tire! You manageing to get around well on these tire is good news to me as they are a LRR tire to boot. H

 

I use Nokian WR (now WRGII) tires with good results. Snow deeper than 6" or so will cause plowing and you will get stuck. Wait for the snowplow! Otherwise it's fine.

 

+1

 

Hello David:
I was thinking of going with Nokian as well. Probably will H

 

My latest trip through B.C. (went through your town on Friday) has me wishing the WRs would wear out. Of course, the last 5/32 will go forever! They are a bit noisy. The new WRGIIs are quiet. I can't hear the WRs above 90 km/hr but below they have a "tune". But then I can also hear the tires of other vehicles that I pass or that pass me so I guess it's a matter of degree! So far I've got 54,000 km on them and they have worn from 11/32 down to 5/32. They have a 100,000 km treadwear warranty.

 

That is impressive mileage David. So you use them all year around. Sounds like the WR11's would be a real good all around tire. Is you FE good with this tire? With the Integrity's I'm averaging 4.1 ltr. per 100 Kil. I normally drive at 90 Kph. [Slow] H

 

Yes they are.

 

The Nokian's give better mileage than the stock tires. It may be close enough that you won't notice the improvement, but I did. I also noticed right away the handling improvement. I leave them on year round. I got the stock size. They are stronger tires than the stock ones (thank god!!) and can handle higher pressure, if you want to air them way up and ride like a lumber wagon. I run 40 PSI front and 38 PSI rear.

 

Thanks David. Those are the pressures I am running as well. I have heard nothing negative about these Nokian tires. I think it probably is the way to go. H

 

The stock Integrity tires were simply horrid!
Great for mileage, but Toyota should be ashamed for putting such a tractionless tire on a vehicle. I drove them through 2 winters and am lucky to be alive. Poor grip in heavy rain as well.
I now have the Michelin hydro Edge. Some drop in mileage, but the handling and grip in rain is a significant difference. I noticed I cannot pump them up as hard as I did the Integritys without making the ride badly uncomfortable.
Not that I'm looking forward to winter, but at least this year I feel more prepared for snow.