Log in

View Full Version : Are the automatic 2012-2014 Good in Snow?


Onwrdigo
09-19-2014, 01:16 PM
Tried this before in the "Yaris-Low sales" post and did not get a reply.

So, those with an automatic L, LE or SE; ( I have a '13 LE automatic, but considering a '15 SE automatic...yea I know...get the 5 speed, but I have a bad left knee now). Let me know what model you have, brand of tires and how they do in winter driving in whatever situation you were driving in (light snow, deep snow, icy mix and/or slush).

I have very good all season tires and am really experienced in the bad weather driving department. But I am a bit concerned about the light weight of the car and the fact that it is lower to the ground than my '05 Scion xB (an excellent snow car by the way in auto trans form). :thumbsup:

So who has something to say bout this?:iono:

nookandcrannycar
09-19-2014, 10:08 PM
Tried this before in the "Yaris-Low sales" post and did not get a reply.

So, those with an automatic L, LE or SE; ( I have a '13 LE automatic, but considering a '15 SE automatic...yea I know...get the 5 speed, but I have a bad left knee now). Let me know what model you have, brand of tires and how they do in winter driving in whatever situation you were driving in (light snow, deep snow, icy mix and/or slush).

I have very good all season tires and am really experienced in the bad weather driving department. But I am a bit concerned about the light weight of the car and the fact that it is lower to the ground than my '05 Scion xB (an excellent snow car by the way in auto trans form). :thumbsup:

So who has something to say bout this?:iono:

Just Curious. Re an automatic...Why a 5-door SE rather than a 5-door LE ? (But then I've always been frustrated that the SEs my local dealers have procured have always been automatics :biggrin:).

IllusionX
09-19-2014, 10:18 PM
Just Curious. Re an automatic...Why a 5-door SE rather than a 5-door LE ? (But then I've always been frustrated that the SEs my local dealers have procured have always been automatics :biggrin:).


SE come with rear disc brakes.

nookandcrannycar
09-20-2014, 12:09 AM
SE come with rear disc brakes.

True. I guess it's just hard to get my head out of the transmission preference :biggrin:. After having a a 3rd Gen LE 4-door rental in February (I was rear ended by a lady in a Camry in my '07 while stopped, waiting for traffic to clear to get onto a feeder road...her insurance company paid for the rental),I found the only thing I just couldn't live with was that it was an automatic :biggrin:. My '14 is even the same color as the rental :biggrin:.

IllusionX
09-20-2014, 04:56 AM
I should start exporting Manual SE's from Canada. Lol
They really aren't hard to find here. And dealers are always willing to bring it from another one even if it was from across the province for free...

nookandcrannycar
09-20-2014, 07:17 PM
I should start exporting Manual SE's from Canada. Lol
They really aren't hard to find here. And dealers are always willing to bring it from another one even if it was from across the province for free...

:laugh:. When I boarded the plane for Florida last month there were fewer than 8 Manual SEs in any color in the entire U.S. (the number was either 2, 4, or 7...can't remember which...all 2014s). There are only 8 Manual SEs in the entire U.S. right now (7 2015s and 1 2014).

bronsin
09-20-2014, 07:32 PM
Tried this before in the "Yaris-Low sales" post and did not get a reply.

So, those with an automatic L, LE or SE; ( I have a '13 LE automatic, but considering a '15 SE automatic...yea I know...get the 5 speed, but I have a bad left knee now). Let me know what model you have, brand of tires and how they do in winter driving in whatever situation you were driving in (light snow, deep snow, icy mix and/or slush).

I have very good all season tires and am really experienced in the bad weather driving department. But I am a bit concerned about the light weight of the car and the fact that it is lower to the ground than my '05 Scion xB (an excellent snow car by the way in auto trans form). :thumbsup:

So who has something to say bout this?:iono:

My 09 auto was TERRIBLE on snow with the stock Bridgestone tires. But Im experienced driving in snow so everything was fine.

But now that I have Firestone tires its MUCh better so I would say don't heisitate to go with different tires they make all the difference.

I think youll be OK with the Yaris in snow since you say youre experienced.

Good luck and tell us what happens!

IllusionX
09-21-2014, 05:55 AM
My 09 auto was TERRIBLE on snow with the stock Bridgestone tires. But Im experienced driving in snow so everything was fine.



But now that I have Firestone tires its MUCh better so I would say don't heisitate to go with different tires they make all the difference.



I think youll be OK with the Yaris in snow since you say youre experienced.



Good luck and tell us what happens!


You should get dedicated winter tire in NJ. I honestly think it is not overkill anywhere around New England.

roxy1
09-21-2014, 11:05 AM
My 09 auto was TERRIBLE on snow with the stock Bridgestone tires. But Im experienced driving in snow so everything was fine.

But now that I have Firestone tires its MUCh better so I would say don't heisitate to go with different tires they make all the difference.

I think youll be OK with the Yaris in snow since you say youre experienced.

Good luck and tell us what happens!

yeah, ive always been fine in MI with all weather tires on small hatches.....UNTIL these crappy Bridgestone Turanzas. Hands down the worst oem tire ive ever had. I will probably just change to General Altimax HP or RT's before this winter. Otherwise, id be buying dedicated snow tires plus replacing the Bridgestones in the spring.

nookandcrannycar
09-21-2014, 05:16 PM
You should get dedicated winter tire in NJ

I've never heard a resident say this, but my 2 cents has always been that the winter weather is one reason NJ has jughandle turns :biggrin: (sometimes known as a 'Jersey left'). I personally think the best left turn is probably the 'Michigan left', which I have seen utilized in Michigan, New Orleans, and in Metairie, Louisiana. The 'Michigan left' is probably not practical for New Jersey (especially the northern part) re population density.....it just takes up too much space :biggrin:. Doesn't keep me from rolling my eyes at jughandles....especially on RT 18 near the NJ Turnpike.

bronsin
09-21-2014, 07:06 PM
As a motorist I HATE jughandles...takes forever to make a keft run waiting for the light!

But as a motorcyclist jug handles help eliminate the dreaded "left hand turn into a motorcycle" motorists make. Ive seen three such fatalities.

nookandcrannycar
09-21-2014, 08:27 PM
As a motorist I HATE jughandles...takes forever to make a keft run waiting for the light!

But as a motorcyclist jug handles help eliminate the dreaded "left hand turn into a motorcycle" motorists make. Ive seen three such fatalities.

:thumbsup: Good point! JOOC, I was looking at the Wikipedia article on jughandles. I skimmed the summary of the advantages, and I don't think this was listed. The perspective of motorcyclists isn't always taken into consideration in public discourse....that is a shame. Safety (in general) was listed, but no mention of winter weather.