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Prius in Snow???

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by trinck44, Apr 15, 2009.

  1. trinck44

    trinck44 Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Mount Sinai NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    How does the Prius handle in the snow and ice??
    I live on Long Island and although it doesn't snow often I would like to hear others experiences dring the Prius in snow, ice etc.

    Thanks
    Tom
     
  2. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    It does OK as long as you use the appropriate tires. The original Goodyear Integrity tires that come on the car are not suited for snow/ice.
     
  3. Prius_SGP

    Prius_SGP New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Saint Genis Pouilly, France
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    2008 Prius
    I agree with firepa63. I live in a mountainous region and we get a fair whack of snow each year, so snow tires are obligatory here.

    I found that the Prius is remarkably easy to drive in the snow. I have a lot more confidence in driving this car then any of the others that I regularly drive for work (pugeot and citroen vans and the 107). It may be just be the fact that I have new snow tires on this car, but I find it remarkably stable and have had no problems even in deep(ish) snow and on hardened ice/snow.

    If you do a search on the forums you'll find lots of posts and comments.

    Personnaly I recommend the Nokian WRG2 snow tires if your wanting to go that way. I haven't had the need to use chains (wouldn't really want to unless totally necessary).

    If you are wanting to drive on the same set of tires all year round then I would suggest that you invest in a good set of all season tires as opposed to the factory fitted Goodyears - they have a rather large amount of bad reviews for certain people.
     
  4. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Being from upstate NY, the first thing I found out was the Integrity's suck in the snow. I have Michelin X-Ice and my daughter has Blizzaks on her 06. A world of difference but I get a little better gas mileage than she does because mine P-metric radials. The Prius as a whole tracks very well in the snow and/or light icing and have had zero problems with cornering and hills once the snows are mounted.
     
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Location:
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    I love the way it handles in snow. VSC makes it control very well, although as others have said, you need to get decent tires.

    The Prius is not a truck. It sits low, so you won't be able to wade through deep snow.

    Tom
     
  6. PriusSport

    PriusSport senior member

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    Location:
    SE PA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
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    Three
    My nephew in Minnesota has driven to work every day in his Prius since 04, and hasn't had any problems in the winter--even with the OE all-season tires. He does recommend the stability control option.

    If you have to drive in snow, I would recommend snow tires. All seasons are only good for cold temperatures and light snow.
     
  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I just upload the video back from the early March. We got 10 inches of snow.

    Somehow, the 16:9 video got upload in 4:3 ratio.