This has probably been asked a dozen times, but, I'm fairly new here....I'm hoping my new Prius will be here shortly. My question is--I've heard conflicting stories on the reliablity of the standard Prius tires in winter driving. I live in the Chicago area--we get plenty of snow and ice....does the standard tire supply enough traction and stability in the snow? thanks
Will you have to drive up any hills from a start in mucky snow? Yes? Then my answer is NOOOOOOO! Mine are OK once moving on the flat or 'not steep' inclines but starting at the bottom of a hill, untenable. I'll see if this is true later this week when the TripleTreds get put on: I THINK the OEMs skid while stopping more than a decent tire should. I have had several occasions where I got the 'slippery road' trac icon and the ABS kicked in while stopping (too slowly) on snow, even on the flat, where I don't think I would have noticed slipping/ABS in my Odyssey with Hakkas.
I just drove to work this morning in my Silver 2005 (2" of snow this morning in the Chicago area) to Schaumburg, IL. No problems whatsoever. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I drove through a blizzard and got to see the traction control and ABS in action. Both worked great in the slush. Overall, I am extremely pleased with the handling of the Prius in all conditions. ======== Brian Bartlett, IL
I concur with Brian's sentiments. I have had zero problems with the OEMs on my 04 in slush, snow, and icy conditions and my driveway is fairly steep. We're basically in the same area so I would suggest at least giving the OEMs a shot. You might discover that they'll work just fine for your purposes. Different result may obtain, of course, if one is faced with very steep inclines, mountains, etc.
Different result may obtain, of course, if one is faced with very steep inclines, mountains, etc.[/quote] I wasn't planning on doing any mountain climbing in my Prius....LOL...I was just concerned about the conflicting reports on the standard tires on the 05. I do normal, everyday driving...but, as we know, here in Chicago, we can get some pretty crappy weather....I was concerned about traction and stability--esp in days like we have today--wet snow and ice. thanks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bruceha_2000\";p=\"61704)</div> No, and that's a good point. My driveway is level with the street and then the incline begins, so I have some momentum. I'll have to conduct some more thorough testing. So, I wasn't stopped on the incline and, as far as I can determine, I was alive at the time. :lol:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sparky1015\";p=\"61707)</div> I suspected as much! :wink: Just sort of threw that in there in respect for the members that live in those areas. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sparky1015\";p=\"61707)</div> Yep! I was as well but haven't experienced any traction or stability problems in this stuff and I mean in comparison to other cars I've driven in the recent past, which include a CR-V, ML350, Navigator, and Accord.
Yep! I was as well but haven't experienced any traction or stability problems in this stuff and I mean in comparison to other cars I've driven in the recent past, which include a CR-V, ML350, Navigator, and Accord.[/quote] Hopefully, my 05 Prius will be here soon....right now, I have a Highlander and we also have a Honda Accord....I realize those are "larger" vehicles--and the highlander is AWD, but, I was still concerned that the "relatively" small tires on the prius will get us thru Chicago winters. (UGH) What brand tires comes standard on the 05? do you know? thanks again.
