First time with my new/used Prius 2001 in the snow. Did the 2001s have traction control; standard or optional?
The Classic model (01-03) has traction-control standard, though you won't trigger it that often. Mine rarely demonstrated that ability during the 3 winters I drove one. The Iconic model (04-09) has it too, but the behavior is quite different... especially in the oldest ones. .
my 2001 experience. If you try to climb too much hill on snow, the TC system will basically pulse power to the drive wheels. Speedometer reading jumps from 0 to 30 while the car is climbing at a steady 3 mph. You will either get to the top, or not. I would no doubt have done that hill better with snow tires. One of the MG (MG1 I guess) is the main thing being protected by the system. It might be asked to rotate too fast in the negative direction. If this technical explanation is wrong, somebody will hop in. this is PC after all.
That explains the behavior that I see. That is, it puts power to left, then right, then left, etc. until it gets going. But, that seems kind of a remedial approach. But I'm not complaining. I've never had a car with (any other) kind of traction control, so this will do.
The side-side approach beats what I've see countless times every day here lately. It's amazing how many people just agressively spin their tires to gain forward motion on a slippery surface. The leave ice behind for the poor souls that follow. It's ages the tires faster too. .
russia. winter. very very cold. snow and ice on the road. am i right that TC is working each time when i start moving very agressively, and see how the car is trying to decrease speed in order to start moving ?
