Posted by Jean B. on August 16, 2005, 8:55 pm
onerpm@yahoo.com wrote:
> In deep snow, I got stuck on two occasions last winter with my Prius in
> MN, definitely due to the traction control. We're talking about
> unplowed parking lots where the snow has been pushed around a little
> bit by other cars, and my car was parked. Had to get out and dig out
> by hand. If I hadn't had Trac., I could've rocked it out in both
> cases, but instead the car wouldn't move at all. I'll be instalilng
> Blizzaks this winter. I believe that would give me enough traction to
> be able to handle that type of situation. In all other winter
> situations (starting up on an icy road, etc.) the traction control was
> a help, not a hindrance.
>
> rpm
>
Dunno whom this is in response to, but I am considering
whether I need to get Blizzaks.... For now, I'll keep my
other car until I figure out whether or not the Prius suits
all my needs. I figure I'll at least be boosting my average
MPG a lot--and also cutting down on my emissions.... That has
to be good.
--
Jean B.
Posted by Ingenuous on August 17, 2005, 1:06 am
> In deep snow, I got stuck on two occasions last winter with my Prius in
> MN, definitely due to the traction control. We're talking about
> unplowed parking lots where the snow has been pushed around a little
> bit by other cars, and my car was parked. Had to get out and dig out
> by hand. If I hadn't had Trac., I could've rocked it out in both
> cases, but instead the car wouldn't move at all. I'll be instalilng
> Blizzaks this winter. I believe that would give me enough traction to
> be able to handle that type of situation. In all other winter
> situations (starting up on an icy road, etc.) the traction control was
> a help, not a hindrance.
> rpm
Did you use that handy towing eye-bolt? Just wondering how easy it is to R
& R the bumper plug.
Posted by onerpm on August 17, 2005, 3:28 pm
? Have never removed bumper plug.
I just had to dig out the snow around the tires with my hands both
times. Newly fallen 6-8" Then could get enough movement from car to
rock it out. Ability to turn off the trac. control would have allowed
me to rock it out without having to dig.
Blizzaks always worth it...have them on other cars and love 'em.
Figure they don't really cost anything (other than the cost of the
steel wheels), because while they're on, I'm not wearing down my OEM
tires. (Also, once OEMs are worn out, can go to a dedicated
summer-only tire.)
rpm
Posted by Ingenuous on August 17, 2005, 4:35 pm
>? Have never removed bumper plug.
> I just had to dig out the snow around the tires with my hands both
> times. Newly fallen 6-8" Then could get enough movement from car to
> rock it out. Ability to turn off the trac. control would have allowed
> me to rock it out without having to dig.
> Blizzaks always worth it...have them on other cars and love 'em.
> Figure they don't really cost anything (other than the cost of the
> steel wheels), because while they're on, I'm not wearing down my OEM
> tires. (Also, once OEMs are worn out, can go to a dedicated
> summer-only tire.)
> rpm
Considering it's ground clearance and weight, with 8" of heavy snow Blizzaks
(or whatever) probably wouldn't be touching the ground anyway, and if so,
probably without enough weight to gain traction. Hell, I've been stuck like
that in my 4WD Explorer. Best to just stay off the road.
Posted by Ingenuous on August 10, 2005, 5:50 pm
> Batisse wrote:
>> You all seem to be from the US on this group. Sorry to interfere, I am
>> European! Nobody is perfect </;o)=
>>
>> My son has a 2004 Prius with which, this winter, he had a surprising
>> problem
>> worth mentioning: that car, full of automated controls is allergic to
>> snowy,
>> icy, muddy and slippy roads in general.
>>
>> When the grip on one front wheel is poor, the power on that wheel
>> decreases.
>> Then instead of having a 2 wheel drive, you get only one... and with all
>> the
>> power on that one, the risks of having a poor grip on that one is
>> enormous.
>> Then, quickly, the car refuses to move! And you become a star on that
>> nice
>> little road moving up to ski resorts... This could also happen on wet
>> gras,
>> on mud etc.
>>
>> According to the instruction manual and to the dealer, there is no way to
>> "cancel" that anti-slip safety. Is not it a pity?
>>
>> Any one of you has got that problem? Any solution?
>>
>> Batisse
I didn't have this problem last February here in Minnesota. In fact, my
Prius was more stable with 5" of new snow over compacted snow than was my
4WD Explorer. I credit the VSC, low profile and weight distribution for
this. As with ABS, one has to learn to use their VSC. Tell him to take it
out on a frozen lake next January and learn how to drive with it.
> MN, definitely due to the traction control. We're talking about
> unplowed parking lots where the snow has been pushed around a little
> bit by other cars, and my car was parked. Had to get out and dig out
> by hand. If I hadn't had Trac., I could've rocked it out in both
> cases, but instead the car wouldn't move at all. I'll be instalilng
> Blizzaks this winter. I believe that would give me enough traction to
> be able to handle that type of situation. In all other winter
> situations (starting up on an icy road, etc.) the traction control was
> a help, not a hindrance.
>
> rpm
>