Yaris in the snow...

[Chupacabra]

Here in the Northeast we have had some snow the last few days and I took the car out yesterday in the middle of the storm. Lets just say that the roads were LESS than ok. I can report that the car was FANTASTIC even on the stock all season tires. I am very happy and impressed with the way this car holds the road for being a rather lightweight hatch. I had an old VW GTI that also held the road fairly well but that was with dedicated snow tires. Anyhow....just thought that I would share. :thumbsup:

[KCALB SIRAY]

Nice to hear. Thanks

[auxmike]

Had snow here in NY too. Car was pretty good. My '97 Saturn SL2 was like a pendulum in the snow, pretty awful!

[Chupacabra]

I drove a 91 S-10 through last winter and though we didn't have much snow...WOW was that thing bad in the snow. Granted, I probably should have had more weight in the back but sheesh....just blip the throttle and prepare for a 360!

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

i don't care what people say about the stock bridgestone's, they did just fine in the 2 past storms here......

[Chupacabra]

i don't care what people say about the stock bridgestone's, they did just fine in the 2 past storms here......

I'll admit that I am VERY happy with the stock Bridgestone's.

[ROCKLAND TOYOTA]

I'll admit that I am VERY happy with the stock Bridgestone's.
way better than the high performance touring goodyears that some people on here rave about.....

[stuffy]

i just got a set of michelin x-ice2 back in november, the first winter tire i've ever had on any car i've owned.

while i didn't think the stock tires were terrible, i'm defnitely sold on the winter tire.
i can't believe the difference in traction, with a few inches of snow or ice on the road.

[gid]

B.F.GOODRICH Traction T.A. T is suppose to be very good all season . We may get these for the '08 sedan in the future .

[TinyGiant]

stock tires here and Very Impressed with the cars handling in the snow.

[foober]

seriously, If you drive in snow or icy conditions get good snow tires. The main problem with the stock tires versus good snow tires in snow and ice conditions is the braking. You need a tire that can grasp. The stock tires will slide.

The yaris is an excellent snow and ice driving car cause its got a low center of gravity to it. Its only drawback is when the snow gets over 6 inches then you get high centering.

[LtNoogie]

Here's a question from a warm-lander. I take it that there are not too many car shows or meets in the winter because nobody wants to show in their steelies? That and it's not too comfortable to be standing around outside in the cold?

[TinyGiant]

usually the car clubs around here stop shows untl april/may

keep the show cars away from the salt

[jambo101]

Goodyear Eagle LS is what came with my 08 sedan,Good tire for 3 seasons but my family's safety is worth the extra money spent on real winter tires when the snow starts flying.

[Tiddlygoose]

I totally agree with Snows on Steelies. My Snows for my new Yaris are out for delivery today and my steelies for them should be here by end of week (crosses fingers). Till then I will just continue to drive my Tacoma, if it gets bad.

I also agree that the Bridgestones aren't all that bad for driving along, it's the starting and stopping that all season tires just don't do well. Blizzaks make all the difference there.

[Bob_VT]

I totally agree with Snows on Steelies. My Snows for my new Yaris are out for delivery today and my steelies for them should be here by end of week (crosses fingers). Till then I will just continue to drive my Tacoma, if it gets bad.

I also agree that the Bridgestones aren't all that bad for driving along, it's the starting and stopping that all season tires just don't do well. Blizzaks make all the difference there.

I have a 4Runner and the Yaris..... Yaris has better traction and handling with the blizzaks than my 4Runner with 4 radial snows (rear wheel drive).....

The Yaris is a climbing animal:thumbup:

[MUSKOKA800]

way better than the high performance touring goodyears that some people on here rave about.....

Yes, the Goodyear LS's my sedan came equipped with were downright scary on minimum snow. Absolutely useless would be my review.
Since mounting the steelies and winter ice radials all is good except that due to the lowered state of my car any snow depth exceeding 4" (such as this morning) is plowed by the front lip. Snowplow berms are of great concern. :eyebulge:

Happy Holidays!!!

[Chupacabra]

Please keep in mind that I didn't state anywhere that these are a substitute for snow tires. I am aware that a decent or good snow tire will outperform the stock tires in snow as they are dedicated to the condition. I am simply stating that these tires are very good in the snow and the car itself seems to very good 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]

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 . :wink:

[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]

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.:thumbsup:

[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.

[thebarber]

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!:frown:post holiday depression:frown:

[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]

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:redface: