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Toyota Prius Snow Driving
Tomorrow is the first official day of winter but somebody forget to tell Mother Nature. Here in the Midwest, we’ve already seen over 17 inches of snow. That is more than half of our average annual snowfall (32″ where I live) and it seems we are just getting started. For the past few years, I’ve owned several different all-wheel drive sport utility vehicles during the winter driving season, but with the purchase of a 2010 Toyota Prius this past summer - I’m now getting used to driving a front-wheel drive car again.
Many of you who live on the East Coast are also relearning how to drive on snow and ice. With this weekend’s snowstorm dumping 10 to 20 plus inches in Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and surrounding states - road conditions are poor at best. And with well over a million Toyota Prius on U.S. roadways, I have lots of company sharing my hybrid driving experience.
I’ll admit that I debated even buying a new Prius because I wasn’t sure how it would handle the snowy roads, but it had nothing to do with it being a hybrid-electric vehicle. My concern was mainly about moving from a 4 wheel drive truck with 10″ of ground clearance to a 2 wheel drive car with about 5″. Right before the blizzard hit, I decided to do a few online searches to see what others were saying. That’s when I discovered there is a lot of debate surrounding how the Prius does in snow and in cold weather driving.
On sites like PriusChat.com and GreenHybrid.com, most of the negative comments center around poor traction from the Prius’ stock (factory OEM) tires, a big drop in fuel economy, and issues with the traction control reportedly causing the Prius to stop on slippery hills. Comments are all over the board, ranging from those who claim the Prius is one of the best FWD small cars they have driven in snow to those who say it’s nearly useless. The majority of people commenting on these forums own a second generation Prius (2004-2009 model years) but my guess is the ride is similar in the 2010 Prius 3.
Although I have less than 2 weeks of experience driving my Prius in the snow, I’ve been impressed with how well it’s done so far. I don’t see any major traction issues yet, but I haven’t had to climb any large hills either. Most of my winter driving with the Prius has been in town as well. What I have noticed more than anything is the big change in gas mileage. For the first 10,000 miles I averaged 50 m.p.g. in my 3rd generation Prius. Driving on snow and in temperatures ranging from zero to 32 degrees (Fahrenheit), I am averaging only 37 miles per gallon. Again, some of that has to do with the fact that I haven’t been on the highway during this time, but it is still about 10 mpg less than what I got during the summer and fall. From what I’ve read, a 20% drop in fuel economy is normal for most cars under these driving conditions.
If you own a Prius, we’d love to hear how yours handles in the snow!
Comment by Johnny on 16 January 2010:
I went from an AWD Subaru to the Prius and winter driving was a concern. I had my Prius less than a month when we got dumped on for snow in the Northeast. I have never owned a FWD car before (only AWD and RWD). It pulled along better than I feared but in this case, I do miss the AWD.
One thing I am concerned about is the brakes. I found that it felt like it the brakes went out when trying to stop. At first I thought that it was because I was on snow and was overdriving the car. Since then I have found that I could duplicate the braking issue in any weather condition. I do intend to bring it up with my dealer and possibly corporate Toyota. I hope this isn’t how the brakes are supposed to react!
Comment by Tom Meyer on 8 March 2010:
We have a 07 Prius and we live in the U.P. of Michigan where we get 300 inches of snow a year. When I put snow tires on the Prius it handled extremely well on snow and ice. The only problem was the wheel well fill with snow and have to be cleaned out repeatedly during the winter. On the original tires the Prius was a little shaky on snow and ice. With snow tires, I have no problem. It handles great. We love the Prius. 50 mpg in summer and 39 mpg in winter. We have over 80,000 miles on the car and have not had a problem. We rotate the tires with each oil change. It works for us.
Comment by Liz Page on 26 November 2010:
I have a 2010 Prius and live in northwest suburbs of Illinois. Over the summer I was getting 59.8 miles to the gallon now that it has gotten colder I’m only getting arround 50 mpg. This weekend I drove up to northern Wisconsin and only got 40.7, I love the car but am disappointed in the lower gas milage in cold weather. Seemed to drive ok in the light snow and snow packed roads in town in wi. I only have 3800 miles on the car so far but I do love how the car handles on the road.
Comment by chris hinchey on 4 December 2010:
We’ve had a Prius in UK for 5 years. Last year we had quite a bit of snow and I took it out in very slippery conditions. I have never driven a worse vehicle! I managed to get it out of the drive but before it cleared the gatepost it decided “computer says no!”. No traction. Not forwards. Not backwards. Not anywhere. I took an age to push the stupid car back in and there it stayed. We have more snow now and I can’t even consider using it, so we’re marooned miles from anywhere. And before you ask, my wife is an ex-rancher from Colorado - if anyone knows how to drive in snow, she does! Of the going’s tpugh - get a land rover!
Pingback by Toyota Prius snow Family Car Guide Survival | Cars Technology - About vehicle of the future on 17 December 2010:
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Comment by Victoria Fodor on 20 December 2010:
Driving in the city in winter has been no different for us with our 2009 Prius vs. our 2000 Camry. I do note the change in mileage. I can handle that, but I’m very dissatisfied with the lack of heat in the car’s cabin in near-zero temperatures. Two pairs of warm socks and a pair of heavy winter boots and a 30-40 minute drive to work with no heat almost made me trade in the car when it was a year old. The only thing that kept the Prius in our family was my husband’s offer to trade cars in the winter.
Comment by M. McDowell on 9 January 2011:
I’ve a 2008 Prius and love everything about it except for its handling. I don’t feel safe in it and in the snow it’s unreliable. In mid Michigan in the last 2 years we have not had much snow to give me trouble but I slip & slide easily on a wet, slippery road; this is in comparison to my CRV or my many previous Camrys. This can be also when it just a rainy day.
I experience a skip to the left (the whole car literally jumps to left) as I turn right into the driveway at work which has a bit of a pothole; and this is at a very slow speed, maybe 7 mph on dry or wet pavement.
Where there are grooves in the road I feel a strong pull at the tires and have to manage it in steering. That doesn’t seem right.
At higher speeds on the highway the car runs well but I don’t feel it’s a predictable ride. I do not understand the comment made above about tires but would make an adjustment to get safer ride. Otherwise I think I may have to give up it up, I really do love this car.
Comment by C Godfrey on 12 January 2011:
I have a 2009 Prius and I need to get snow tires or chains. Up in Vermont for the week and had to get pushed up a hill this morning in the fresh snow, not that deep.
Has anyone used chains?
With snow tires are two enough, or do I need four?
Comment by J Bertini on 12 January 2011:
I’ve owned my 2010 Prius for one year. I got as high as 60.8mpg in the summer, but was sorely disappointed to see its fuel economy drop to 38mpg in the cold weather.
I’m attributing the loss in fuel economy to the fact that the gas engine MUST run to provide the heat for the cabin interior. The heat is obtained from the hot exhaust etc.
I’ve noted that during the summer when I’ve stopped for a red light, both engines turn off, providing the gear shift is in D. However in the winter the gasoline engine continues to run, but if I turn the heater off the gas engine will also turn off.
In fact if I don’t use my heater at all my mpg improves. But I continue to use my heater, however as another owner reported the heat for the cabin is not as warm as I’d like it to be even when the thermostat is set to MAX.
I’d like to hear from others regarding these issues.
Comment by Ricki Demarest on 19 January 2011:
I got my 2009 Prius for the fuel economy. I am now paying the price in winter driving. The poor little car does not go up my driveway which is a pain. I love the vehicle, too. Why doesn’t Toyota make the RAV4 in hybrid? That would solve the problem. I do love my car, though. It’s cute, and awesome on fuel.
Comment by Weeble on 1 February 2011:
I am also thinking maybe snow tires will help my traction issues. I notice that the stock tires get “coated” with snow many times and I believe that negatively affects traction in snow. It doesn’t take much snow to make for a slippery ride.
As to reduced gas mileage, a few have mentioned that to heat the cabin, it requires engine heat with takes gas. I completely agree, but would also point out that at least for me, when my tires start to loose their grip do I take my foot off the gas pedal? No, I slam that gas pedal down to try to get the tires to a point of traction faster. Usually some other car is headed for me and I don’t want to get t-boned. I am sure this activity has a huge impact on my mileage.
I realize the mileage would be poorer, but I would welcome the idea of an AWD Prius, in case anyone at Toyota is listening. But in the interim, I will be considering snow tires as a quick fix.
Comment by "On the Snow" on 5 February 2011:
I purchased Prius 2010 in the end of 2009, living in the New England. Last year I did not much drive Prius in the snow. But well, this year LOTS OF OPPORTUNITY!!! My feeling is that ABS of this car (at least mine) does not seem to work well. The interval between unlocking and locking wheels are TOO LONG comparing any can that I have driven in the past. So that I have to pump the break pedal lots of times like I’m driving a car which does not have ABS.
I’m intending to bring this issue to dealer in this winter and see what they can do.
Comment by On on 5 February 2011:
We have Toyota Prius 2010 model living in the New England in US.
Well we have LOTS OPPORTUNITY!! to drive this car in the snow this winter.
My feeling is that ABS of this care (at least) does not work well because the interval between locking and unlocking wheels is TOO LONG!! So that I have to pump the break pedal lots of times like I’m driving a can that does not have ABS.
I’m intending to bring this issue to the dealer in this winter see what they can do.
Comment by David Evans on 16 February 2011:
2010 Prius II in Anchorage, Alaska. 50mpg in the summer and about 39 mpg in the winter, with temps on average around 15-20F. Also have pretty heavy duty snow tires with studs. Traction is excellent. Live on a hill and no problems at all. Very, very happy with the car. Buy another in a heartbeat (stereo in II is rubbish though).
Comment by Ecospider on 28 March 2011:
2 or 4 snow tires? The answer is 4 since the prius has a Vehicle Stability Control System and a Traction control system that will get confused with any difference in the tires traction ability or size.
Comment by Bruno Paquet on 30 March 2011:
This is the end of my second winter with my Prius 2010 III. With 4 winter tires, the car is a tank, and i live in Quebec city ( near noth pole for those of you don’t know where it is). The fuel economy is not as important than summer, but this is a challenge for company how built hybrid cars right now. The control is very clean, you can push down the accelarator in a turn on snowy road and the yellow light take care of getting you in the right way…belive me, i know winter and even with a lite gas economy drop (by the way, every subaru guy out there are consuming twice the gas than summer..).
Comment by Bob on 1 December 2011:
I recently had 3-5″ of snow on my long uphill (gradual) driveway. 2010 Prius did not like it at all. Wheels spun, it stopped and refused to go (does a stubborn mule come to mind) I finally started up again very, very slowly and it cooperated.
Another factor for poorer winter mileage has to be keeping the battery pack warm. The Prius is absolutely lousy for short trips. If you drive a couple of miles, stop for awhile, and start up again, you will be lucky to get 30mpg. I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this fact. The good fuel mileage comes only when the battery pack has been heated and stays warm.
You get a hint of that because the car refuses to go into EV until about 10 minutes have passed.
Comment by Ben Goddard on 1 December 2011:
We live in Harrison, Michigan and drive 2 lane roads most of the time. We do get lots of snow and our 2009 Prius has always handled it well. I have never had any trouble climbing hills or keeping traction while driving. I have seen my electronic steering engage a few times but only briefly. We just put on a new set of Michelin standard tread tires (at 51,000 miles) and the Goodyear takeoffs still had decent tread so went to one of my kids for their use. We fill the 10 gallon gas tank and go 450-500 miles and fill it again. The best mileage was when we were forced to drive 55 mph in fog and got 550 miles. Overall, we love the Prius and think it has been the perfect car for us and our Michigan driving conditions.
Comment by Ted on 1 December 2011:
winter tires (not all-season) make the traction difference for winter driving. energy saving tires spring-summer-autumn for fuel saving. hybrid camry same as prius - when you lose traction on one or both drive wheel(s), the TCS traction control system seems to brake both wheels on the front axle…which slows vehicle 8( just when you need momentum/traction (going up a snowy hill in winter). Heard (from users/not toyota) one solution if stuck on hill is to temporarily remove the stability control and anti-lock brake fuse(s). i’ve made it through most snowy hills by easing off the gas pedal when losing traction/uphill (same as hyper-miling technique in summer). i think much of the fuel savings are due to CVT constantly variable transmission. full electric vehicles aren’t the answer to new england cold weather either.