Yaris in the snow...

[thebarber]

my wife finds the hatch a bit tail happy on snow and slush....anyone else find that?

[gid]

my fiance' had a scare this morning on the way to work with the '08 sedan that has studded COOPER Weather Master ST-2 snows for all tires . She had to move over due to an oncoming snowplow and when she did so the rear end started to kick out on the slush covered road . Luckily she didn't panic too bad and got it under control . I have a feeling she wants out of it and get another TOYOTA or SCION that has VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL and Traction Control . The previous cars we owned had this and she noticed a big difference in poor winter weather . I too noticed a big improvement . It's silly that TOYOTA hasn't made VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL with Traction Control available ( optional ) on the '09 YARIS at the cost of $250 . The $250 more could save you from injury , loss of life , or keep you from damaging your car ( lower insurance ) . These are the only vehicles made by TOYOTA ( SCION ) that don't have V.S.C. standard or as an option . Not a bright move for such a small car . Maybe later this year they'll wise up .

[gid]

Originally Posted by thebarber

my wife finds the hatch a bit tail happy on snow and slush....anyone else find that?

for liftback and sedan . Be prepared for ROAD RAGE to follow due to these comments .

[ChinoCharles]

I was having a little too much fun last night and ended up in a ditch. No damage... just laughing.

So, answer: its only as good as the driver.

[Chupacabra]

Originally Posted by ChinoCharles

I was having a little too much fun last night and ended up in a ditch. No damage... just laughing.

So, answer: its only as good as the driver.

Good point Charles. I honestly think that driving lessons are a worthwhile investment.

[darthbauer]

Last Sunday when I tried to go shooting I found knee deep snow and some yet to be plowed roads. The little blue guy was all over the place but it was fun. I think she would have handled a lot better with some tires other than the stock ones I think. Either way, I didn't crash or anything like that so It wasn't that bad I guess.

[Thirty-Nine]

We've got two vehicles, so we've been driving our Civic with studded tires during this two-week period of freak winter weather out here in Portland. I tried driving my Yaris down our driveway (on Falken Ziex 912s), and basically got stuck in my own driveway. Needless to say, I decided to park it and use the Civic instead. I can't wait to drive my Yaris again--it's been too long!

I'm seriously considering buying a set of snow tires for the car, though. Right now we can only use the Civic.

FYI, for those that aren't familiar, Portland usually doesn't get snow. A couple of inches will bring the city to a halt. We've received about 16 inches over the last week or so. The state requires you to use either snow tires or chains when it gets this bad, and since I'm lowered, I can't put chains on. However, some studded snow tires would be great.

[thebarber]

Originally Posted by PK198105

you shouldn't be driving if you rely on these options to save you from an accident. just to prove my point a brand new E class Mercedez spun out right in front of me , and that car is full of electronic gadgets that are supposed to "save your life" , yet my dinky little Yaris with no ABS , no traction control and no VSC managed to arrive at the destination safely. if you don't think behind the wheel you shouldn't be there in the first place. Learn to drive and you will see what a hinderence these systems really are to a DRIVER!

agreed.

driver mod = key

[Madison_nj85]

Very Impressed +1. Snow didn't stop me in my Yaris, my baby was riding on stocks and doing just fine

[Forrest]

Getting out of our steep gravel driveway in the snow is a problem for two wheel drive cars most of the time. Suprisingly, the Yaris drove right out on stock tires without spinning at all.

However, if major bad weather is expected, I take the 4WD 4runner to have the 4wd if needed.

[Rich k]

I'm running the stock tires with 33,000 miles on them and they are doing pretty good in the snow and slush. Like other people here i continue to be impressed with the stability of the yaris in the snow. It stays in line nicely and if it does get a lil sideways (due to erronious driver input) its very willing and very easy to get back in line. I've wondered about snow tires though think that for me (i don't have an essential job and can normally work from home in severe weather ) its not worth the investment.

[Inspector14]

I am really enjoying the behavior of my LB in the snow and on ice. the car is very controllable at lower speeds on side streets, and isnt too jittery at speed on the major roads.

only time i get nervous is when i change lanes over a bit of built up snow, then the car pulls a bit, but thats to be expected.

also the car tends to under steer, but that's me doing that. i like to have a bit of fun. oh and im running General Altimax Arctics studded snow tires.

[dybbuk]

After driving around all day in a Ford E-150, then jumping in my Yaris to go home it's like some sort of puffy little cloud that magically goes where I tell it too. :P

[TheSilkySmooth]

I think my car has alignment or spring issues. The front is in the air and the rear is sagging. Feels like its towing a heavy trailer and the steering is scary. With the Bridgestones, the car never went in the snow - actually it never went in the rain on hills - just slid to the right side when I let up the clutch!
Now, I got Firestone(bridgestone) winterforce, truly radical snows and these help me get through snow - but my alignment is bad?? I GoTTA get to the dealer to o get it checked! Maybe now the high holidays are coming to a close!post holiday depression

[Bullet120]

I also have the Firestone Winterforce's (studded) and am amazed at how this car does in the snow. I've had other front wheel drives with mixed results on stock tires. After putting Dunlop Sport Snows on a Volvo S60 I owned, I realized there really was a difference and well worth the money for the extra wheels. That thing would go anywhere.

[edisonfire]

i have winterforce as well, not studded as they are illegal in Ontario. They are great, and I had a lot of confidence in the snow, however after that huge snowfall we had here, i found that snow tires can only do so much. Stopping on ice does not work 100% of the time, so be careful; and when the snow is about 8-10 inches, bring a shovel cuz the car will only go so far

overall though, the winterforce tires are great. Snow tires are awesome but limited..

[TheSilkySmooth]

Originally Posted by edisonfire

i have winterforce as well, not studded as they are illegal in Ontario. They are great, and I had a lot of confidence in the snow, however after that huge snowfall we had here, i found that snow tires can only do so much. Stopping on ice does not work 100% of the time, so be careful; and when the snow is about 8-10 inches, bring a shovel cuz the car will only go so far

overall though, the winterforce tires are great. Snow tires are awesome but limited..

Oh boy! I would not drive in 8-10 inches, thats TOOO MUCH for little me to handle