Anyone out there experience any problems with the low ground clearance? I’ve heard it can be a problem in deep powder snow areas. My concern is I have a large curb which makes most cars scrape their front end on their way in and out of the driveway. Should I look at fixing the curb before delivery, or should I be able to safely cheat the car up and down the curb at an angle?
Ground Clearance I have not had any problem getting around and/or ground clearance in snow. In fact last winter Omaha, Nebraska, we had a lot of snow and my 04 did great. Ben
I think the front clearance is pretty low ... I back into my driveway to avoid scraping, though it wasn't a problem with my last car (Honda Accord). I'd think about fixing the curb or backing in.
I bottomed out the other day on a not-too-bad looking speed bump. I probably could have cleared it going really slow, but as it was I was less than 10-12mph. But I've also had to drive on and park on grass a couple times in the past 2 weeks and taking it easy I didn't have any trouble crossing the rough ground and it's concrete ditches and other dips and rises.
While visiting San Fransisco a couple days after taking delivery, I noticed the lower air dam would scrape the pavement when entering an intersection after driving down one of those insane hills! I had to start driving the Prius into intersections on a slight angle to avoid scraping the air dam.
I scraped something underneath on one occasion when I drove into a friend's very steep driveway. Needless to say, I parked on the street after that, when visiting that friend.
Many curbs scrape the air dam and I even have hit a few tall tire stops but so far I have not cracked the air dam. Methinks it is but a matter of time.
I had a large bump in my driveway late last year when I bought my Prius. I scraped the front end maybe twice, and very lightly at that, but it was enough to put holes in my undercarriage cover. I paid the $$ and got the driveway repaired. I got a quote for a new cover last year and it was up around $600... for a chuck of plastic... I passed. BTW, my mileage has yet to be affected by these little holes down there. FWIW, this cover is made of very thin plastic. I bet many of the people who've scraped pavement don't even realize that their aerodynamic plastic cover is damaged. Kevin
My lazy side was hoping that everyone would say the Prii would take a large curb with no problem. I got that “happy call†from my dealer last week. Three for me to choose from, but I passed on grounds of color/package combos. Now in #1 overall position, so they say I have my choice of every Prii from now till we buy. That got me busy with the curb situation. I called the city about what hoops I jump through. They will send a crew next week to inspect. I think they will split the costs as a nearby city tree has raised the gutter and curb enough to make it a tripping hazzard. I agree, protect the Prii.
the low clearance helps to rduce drag on the car. the front air dam will scrape on the average curb or those concrete stops in a parking lot. i have become adept at stopping just short of those things. as it is, i still dont stick out as far as an average SUV (or anything else for that matter) i think according to the specs, the clearance is about 4.5"
