how does it handle on snow... - Page 2 - Toyota Yaris Forums

mrbond · 12-02-2008, 09:17 PM

Well, after some of the melted snow turned to ice, I had a bit of trouble navigating anywhere. I mean, it wasn't that much ice, just patches, but it made for driving to be a bit of a hassle. Perhaps it's because the car's a manual and it's been lowered, but... idk. Otherwise, it's doing very well.

SIPNGAS · 12-02-2008, 09:19 PM

I prefer having manual trasmission in the winter. I think it's easier to control the car with it.

BailOut · 12-02-2008, 09:22 PM

If a picture says a thousand words then a whole bunch of pictures tell a story: "A Winter Drive on Mount Rose"

ddongbap · 12-02-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemelek

I would rather have a FWD when there is light snow and black ice. I lost control once or twice with a RWD on ice.

Or I'd rather be running AWD.

Phaeton · 12-02-2008, 10:50 PM

The first week I had my car, we had a freak snow storm one day. It only dumped 6 inches but I had no problem driving my 60 mile commute before the snow plows got to the road.
Stock tires at the time too.

gid · 12-02-2008, 10:51 PM

with studded snows all around your YARIS will perform fine . Still suggest that you drive according to the conditions with the snows .

Pars · 12-02-2008, 11:56 PM

When it's snowing out side, the Yaris tend to act a little weird. It gets nervous on the take off. The front tires will easily loose traction when accelerating and the steering gets light and shakes a bit when you're going over packed/uneven snow. Also, a little play in the wheels (caused from the snow) tend to be amplified in the cabin. Not very reassuring at all!

But, if you look past all that (especially if you're a crazed speed demon) this little puppy will take whatever you can through at it and still hold it's chosen line or dance when you want it to. Once it's on the go, rear end stability, ability to rotate around sharp turn and braking is among the best.

Given an already good formula, it can only get better with with an extra set of driving wheels that's hooked up to a Hybrid system. There's some sporty Hybrid car in the Horizon (Honda CRZ and Prius Coupe). Given Yaris's formula, i'd expect an uphill battle for Honda.

TinyGiant · 12-02-2008, 11:59 PM

i plan to head out to the nearest huge parking lot on the first big snow and try to beat the plow trucks so the wife and i can have a little fun in the snow to understand the winter handling of the car a little bit... nothing helps reassure your winter driving skills like knowing how the car drifts :)

tomgeorgia · 12-03-2008, 12:03 AM

It all depends on your tires.

Shroomster · 12-03-2008, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyGiant

i plan to head out to the nearest huge parking lot on the first big snow and try to beat the plow trucks so the wife and i can have a little fun in the snow to understand the winter handling of the car a little bit... nothing helps reassure your winter driving skills like knowing how the car drifts :)

watch for hidden curbs then.....AND BE SAFE!!!

TinyGiant · 12-03-2008, 01:57 AM

for sure.. i'll head out back near the loading side of the building they never have curbs there.. all nice and open for the trucks :) and usually well lit too

GeneW · 12-03-2008, 03:44 AM

Great. I've driven on four inches of virgin snow up to 55 miles an hour. Rode like it was on rails.

Gene

MUSKOKA800 · 12-03-2008, 06:47 AM

My sedan has the Goodyear (all-season, in Mexico) tires and it's absolutely frightning on even a 1/4" of snow. I struggled to complete my 50 kl commute last Monday afternoon when we got our first blast.
The steelies and winter boots go on friday a.m.

Bob_VT · 12-03-2008, 07:03 AM

Well the jury is out....... I'm waiting to get caught in my first real storm out on the road. I have the blizzaks on all 4 corners........ just waiting to pass judgement.

voodoo22 · 12-03-2008, 07:09 AM

I put nokian rSI's on since day one and the car handles great in the snow. Toronto had record snowfalls last year and I had zero problems in it. I was even pulling away from SUV's at stoplights. They probably had all seasons on.

Once last year and another time this year I saw cars unable to make it out of our apartments underground garage. This year, I saw a Jeep slide down the ramp after spinning it's tires. The Yaris went up no problem, no slipping, nothing. I'm sure a lot of this has to do with the tires and some with the Yaris.

blktiger60 · 01-07-2009, 11:14 PM

On ice no vehicle with round rubber tires does well . . . cold rubber + ice = very little traction. Snow is a different matter. Winter specific tires will obviously do better in snowy conditions.
I've had quite a bit of experience driving on both ice and snow - the Yaris does a good job in both conditions.

On a side note, if driving in adverse winter conditions scares you, do the rest of us a favor and don't drive. If you must drive, PLEASE do NOT take the interstate and travel at 20 MPH - you're a cause waiting to have an accident.

jambo101 · 01-08-2009, 04:15 AM

If you are going to go through a season of snow do yourself a favor and get the appropriate tires.

redyaris · 01-08-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hhcchen

ok...
here comes the big question...
unless your car would never see snow...
everyone should be concerned about this question...
how does yaris perform on snow...???

i guess some canadian owners might have the answers already...

Answer: 'It just does.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E6IfdUJn6s

12-02-2008, 09:19 PM	#20
SIPNGAS I LOVE my Yaris! View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Polar White LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southeast Wisconsin Posts: 5,164	I prefer having manual trasmission in the winter. I think it's easier to control the car with it. __________________ We don't see things as THEY are...we see them as WE are. Lisa aka *SIPNGAS*

12-02-2008, 09:22 PM	#21
BailOut Steals terrorist's lunch View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reno, Nevada, USA Posts: 1,299	If a picture says a thousand words then a whole bunch of pictures tell a story: "A Winter Drive on Mount Rose" __________________ - Brian Share the Road I often carry 2 carpool passengers and mountain bikes or snowboards/skis over a 4,500 foot elevation difference. Click the graphic above to see my detailed mileage logs.

12-02-2008, 11:59 PM	#26
TinyGiant Tiny Giant Clothing View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Blazing Blue Yaris 3D LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 3,394	i plan to head out to the nearest huge parking lot on the first big snow and try to beat the plow trucks so the wife and i can have a little fun in the snow to understand the winter handling of the car a little bit... nothing helps reassure your winter driving skills like knowing how the car drifts :) __________________ Sold the yaris... rocking an 89 vw cabriolet now :)

12-03-2008, 01:57 AM	#29
TinyGiant Tiny Giant Clothing View User's Garage Drives: 2008 Blazing Blue Yaris 3D LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rochester, NH Posts: 3,394	for sure.. i'll head out back near the loading side of the building they never have curbs there.. all nice and open for the trucks :) and usually well lit too __________________ Sold the yaris... rocking an 89 vw cabriolet now :)

12-03-2008, 06:47 AM	#31
MUSKOKA800 Drives: '08 Yaris Sedan, Aero Package Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,720	My sedan has the Goodyear (all-season, in Mexico) tires and it's absolutely frightning on even a 1/4" of snow. I struggled to complete my 50 kl commute last Monday afternoon when we got our first blast. The steelies and winter boots go on friday a.m. __________________ TRD Upgrades: 18" Wheels wrapped in 215/35/18 PZero's, Sportivo Shocks/Struts, Lowering Springs, Swaybar, Axle-Back Exhaust, Oil Cap, Rad Cap, Signage. Aftermarket Goodies: Piggies SS, K&N Drop-In, Blitz S/C, DC Header, NST Pulley) Toyota Options/Accessories: Sport Pedal Covers, Sport Shift Knob, Ipod Interface, Summer Mats, Winter Mats, Cruise Control, Auto-Dim Mirror, Echo steelies with winter boots.

12-02-2008, 09:17 PM	#19
mrbond View User's Garage Drives: 2008 meteorite hatchback Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 960	Well, after some of the melted snow turned to ice, I had a bit of trouble navigating anywhere. I mean, it wasn't that much ice, just patches, but it made for driving to be a bit of a hassle. Perhaps it's because the car's a manual and it's been lowered, but... idk. Otherwise, it's doing very well.

12-02-2008, 10:50 PM	#23
Phaeton View User's Garage Drives: Blazing Blue Liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Port Angeles, Wa Posts: 385	The first week I had my car, we had a freak snow storm one day. It only dumped 6 inches but I had no problem driving my 60 mile commute before the snow plows got to the road. Stock tires at the time too.

12-02-2008, 10:51 PM	#24
gid Drives: '08 Yaris sedan , '08 Liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northeast Posts: 643	with studded snows all around your YARIS will perform fine . Still suggest that you drive according to the conditions with the snows .

12-02-2008, 11:56 PM	#25
Pars Drives: 07 Yaris Liftback Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 418	When it's snowing out side, the Yaris tend to act a little weird. It gets nervous on the take off. The front tires will easily loose traction when accelerating and the steering gets light and shakes a bit when you're going over packed/uneven snow. Also, a little play in the wheels (caused from the snow) tend to be amplified in the cabin. Not very reassuring at all! But, if you look past all that (especially if you're a crazed speed demon) this little puppy will take whatever you can through at it and still hold it's chosen line or dance when you want it to. Once it's on the go, rear end stability, ability to rotate around sharp turn and braking is among the best. Given an already good formula, it can only get better with with an extra set of driving wheels that's hooked up to a Hybrid system. There's some sporty Hybrid car in the Horizon (Honda CRZ and Prius Coupe). Given Yaris's formula, i'd expect an uphill battle for Honda.

12-03-2008, 12:03 AM	#27
tomgeorgia Banned View User's Garage Drives: 2007 LB Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northern Georgia USA Posts: 24	It all depends on your tires.

12-03-2008, 03:44 AM	#30
GeneW Banned Drives: 2008 Yaris Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,034	Great. I've driven on four inches of virgin snow up to 55 miles an hour. Rode like it was on rails. Gene

12-03-2008, 07:03 AM	#32
Bob_VT View User's Garage Drives: 08 Yaris LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,704	Well the jury is out....... I'm waiting to get caught in my first real storm out on the road. I have the blizzaks on all 4 corners........ just waiting to pass judgement. __________________ some people are little slinkies. . . . .they are really good for nothing. . . .but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs. Come to the DARKSIDE..... We have candy

12-03-2008, 07:09 AM	#33
voodoo22 Drives: Yaris Sedan (auto) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 545	I put nokian rSI's on since day one and the car handles great in the snow. Toronto had record snowfalls last year and I had zero problems in it. I was even pulling away from SUV's at stoplights. They probably had all seasons on. Once last year and another time this year I saw cars unable to make it out of our apartments underground garage. This year, I saw a Jeep slide down the ramp after spinning it's tires. The Yaris went up no problem, no slipping, nothing. I'm sure a lot of this has to do with the tires and some with the Yaris.

01-07-2009, 11:14 PM	#34
blktiger60 View User's Garage Drives: `08 HB S Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 151	On ice no vehicle with round rubber tires does well . . . cold rubber + ice = very little traction. Snow is a different matter. Winter specific tires will obviously do better in snowy conditions. I've had quite a bit of experience driving on both ice and snow - the Yaris does a good job in both conditions. On a side note, if driving in adverse winter conditions scares you, do the rest of us a favor and don't drive. If you must drive, PLEASE do NOT take the interstate and travel at 20 MPH - you're a cause waiting to have an accident. __________________ - The Black Ship Yaris -

01-08-2009, 04:15 AM	#35
jambo101 Drives: yaris 08 sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Montreal Canada Posts: 1,286	If you are going to go through a season of snow do yourself a favor and get the appropriate tires.