Problems with my yaris in winter - Toyota Yaris Forums

jrenter · 01-21-2009, 03:12 PM

I just wanted to see if anyone else had problems with their Yaris on the snow and ice? I'm from Alberta Canada where we get a fair amount of snow and ice. Right now though the snow has melted and the ice has stuck around! I live in an apartment building and can barely get out of our parking lot safely without my yaris sliding all over the place. Should I put more weight in the trunk to weigh it down a bit? What's the best option? I do have snow tires on my car but even trying to get out my parking lot, I'm doing maybe just above the 10/km hr mark on my speedometer and I can't control the car at all.

MUSKOKA800 · 01-21-2009, 03:47 PM

I've found my ice radials to be the ticket.
Most tires, even some all-seasons, can negotiate snow. Few tires can cope with ice / hard packed snow with confidence.

Forrest · 01-21-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrenter

I just wanted to see if anyone else had problems with their Yaris on the snow and ice? I'm from Alberta Canada where we get a fair amount of snow and ice. Right now though the snow has melted and the ice has stuck around! I live in an apartment building and can barely get out of our parking lot safely without my yaris sliding all over the place. Should I put more weight in the trunk to weigh it down a bit? What's the best option? I do have snow tires on my car but even trying to get out my parking lot, I'm doing maybe just above the 10/km hr mark on my speedometer and I can't control the car at all.

Isn't your landloard/apartment owner responsible to keep the parking area safe? If someone gets hurt, he gets sued. You and your neighbors should all complain.

Bob_VT · 01-21-2009, 04:38 PM

Alberta, Canada...... what snow/ice tires do you have on the Yaris? If you are running stock tires......... don't.

Doug007 · 01-21-2009, 05:01 PM

Bailout wrote about these last year and I bought a set. Very effective in snow and ice as well as easy on/off:

http://www.spikes-spiders.com/

Return of the Yarii · 01-22-2009, 08:47 AM

^^PK must be the only one who DOESNT have problems on snow and ice. The OEM tires (RE92's) are horrible in winter. This is now my 2nd Chicago winter w/the Yaris and learned my lesson after the 1st one to buy a dedicated set of winter tires (bought a set of 4 Winterforce tires from TireRack this year) and honestly they made a world of difference. Chicago got hit very hard this winter and I was able to navigate even the worst snow and ice covered roads w/the snow tires on with ease.

fearturtle44 · 01-22-2009, 09:42 AM

Do not put weight in back of car. Defeats the purpose of Front Wheel Drive. Also, the Yaris is not a snow/ice car. 4WD are snow vehicles. No vehicle is good on ice.

No compact car is going to get good grades for winter driving.

Just have to drive more slowly, take your time on turns, and watch out for the other drivers.

Dorkinheimer · 01-22-2009, 01:55 PM

Don't add weight to your car, you'll lose 5 mpg or more.
Maybe your tires are inflated too high.
Get winter tires, the rubber is softer and has a better grip on ice.

blktiger60 · 01-22-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug007

Bailout wrote about these last year and I bought a set. Very effective in snow and ice as well as easy on/off:

http://www.spikes-spiders.com/

Spike Spiders are $500 a set - not an option for me.

blktiger60 · 01-22-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Return of the Yarii

^^PK must be the only one who DOESNT have problems on snow and ice. The OEM tires (RE92's) are horrible in winter. This is now my 2nd Chicago winter w/the Yaris and learned my lesson after the 1st one to buy a dedicated set of winter tires (bought a set of 4 Winterforce tires from TireRack this year) and honestly they made a world of difference. Chicago got hit very hard this winter and I was able to navigate even the worst snow and ice covered roads w/the snow tires on with ease.

A few weeks ago we got SIX feet of snow in less than 14 days. I took off my customs and put back on the stock wheels and tires. I didn't have any problems driving on them.

blktiger60 · 01-22-2009, 02:59 PM

Just so you know, I bought my Yaris in Denver last winter and drove it home, 1600 miles over several moutain passes. The worst one being the one just outside Jackson Hole Wyoming, 7% grade packed snow and ice and snowing at the time I drove over it. I was following two SUV's that never did pull away from me. I did do a bit of a "drift" around the first hairpin corner because I was traveling too fast to not slide. Still, having had many years driving in winter conditions I didn't see this as a problem, I just slowed down a bit.

rcturner · 01-23-2009, 12:14 PM

Mine does well in the snow but is really bad on ice.

REM · 01-23-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcturner

Mine does well in the snow but is really bad on ice.

Yeah, before I got snow tires I got stuck in a parking lot and ended up putting it in N and pushing it out of the parking lot. I did it all by myself; an advantage to having a small car.

ddongbap · 01-23-2009, 01:23 PM

I could swear theres a post about this every week.

Solution: I'll get some tires with those spikes like the football shoes have. The metal ones.

Dbeau · 01-23-2009, 11:46 PM

Wow another Yaris owner in Alberta !
Anyway its my first winter here in Calgary and I have the sedan with winter tires. The only issue I have found is that the car is so damn light and the motor included doesn't really weigh the front wheel drive enough to get traction on a start. Kinda got to be easy on the throttle to get goin but once moving..all is good.
But to be honest you sorta get used to it and do it without thinking about it.

glhsracer · 08-21-2009, 11:25 AM

I found winter driving on the original tires wasn't too good either. I would think this is a common problem of any light weight car with road tires. When it gets too deep here in Michigan I drive my Tacoma 4x4 truck. I know it is kind of wimping out but it is much safer for me and those around me.

Yaris Hilton · 08-21-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrenter

What's the best option?

Move south. Far south.

47_MasoN_47 · 08-21-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaris Hilton

Move south. Far south.

w00t! Yaris Hilton knows how it is. Snow is one of those things that most people from around here haven't seen other than on TV lol.

01-21-2009, 03:12 PM	#1
jrenter I've made a post! Drives: 2007 Toyota Yaris 4door Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1	Problems with my yaris in winter I just wanted to see if anyone else had problems with their Yaris on the snow and ice? I'm from Alberta Canada where we get a fair amount of snow and ice. Right now though the snow has melted and the ice has stuck around! I live in an apartment building and can barely get out of our parking lot safely without my yaris sliding all over the place. Should I put more weight in the trunk to weigh it down a bit? What's the best option? I do have snow tires on my car but even trying to get out my parking lot, I'm doing maybe just above the 10/km hr mark on my speedometer and I can't control the car at all.

01-21-2009, 03:47 PM	#2
MUSKOKA800 Drives: '08 Yaris Sedan, Aero Package Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,720	I've found my ice radials to be the ticket. Most tires, even some all-seasons, can negotiate snow. Few tires can cope with ice / hard packed snow with confidence. __________________ 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.

01-21-2009, 04:38 PM	#4
Bob_VT View User's Garage Drives: 08 Yaris LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 1,704	Alberta, Canada...... what snow/ice tires do you have on the Yaris? If you are running stock tires......... don't. __________________ 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

01-21-2009, 05:01 PM	#5
Doug007 View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris S Sedan Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Posts: 87	Spikes-Spiders Bailout wrote about these last year and I bought a set. Very effective in snow and ice as well as easy on/off: http://www.spikes-spiders.com/ __________________ 2007 Silver Streak Mica Yaris S Sedan 5 Speed dojo TSUKAMI Shift Nob Brake Light Pulser Daytime Running Lights http://www.webelectricproducts.com/products.htm

01-22-2009, 02:59 PM	#11
blktiger60 View User's Garage Drives: `08 HB S Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 151	Just so you know, I bought my Yaris in Denver last winter and drove it home, 1600 miles over several moutain passes. The worst one being the one just outside Jackson Hole Wyoming, 7% grade packed snow and ice and snowing at the time I drove over it. I was following two SUV's that never did pull away from me. I did do a bit of a "drift" around the first hairpin corner because I was traveling too fast to not slide. Still, having had many years driving in winter conditions I didn't see this as a problem, I just slowed down a bit. __________________ - The Black Ship Yaris -

01-22-2009, 08:47 AM	#6
Return of the Yarii Drives: 2007 Sedan S Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 53	^^PK must be the only one who DOESNT have problems on snow and ice. The OEM tires (RE92's) are horrible in winter. This is now my 2nd Chicago winter w/the Yaris and learned my lesson after the 1st one to buy a dedicated set of winter tires (bought a set of 4 Winterforce tires from TireRack this year) and honestly they made a world of difference. Chicago got hit very hard this winter and I was able to navigate even the worst snow and ice covered roads w/the snow tires on with ease.

01-22-2009, 09:42 AM	#7
fearturtle44 Drives: S Flint Mica Join Date: May 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 209	Do not put weight in back of car. Defeats the purpose of Front Wheel Drive. Also, the Yaris is not a snow/ice car. 4WD are snow vehicles. No vehicle is good on ice. No compact car is going to get good grades for winter driving. Just have to drive more slowly, take your time on turns, and watch out for the other drivers.

01-22-2009, 01:55 PM	#8
Dorkinheimer Drives: Yaris 2007 manual Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 52	Don't add weight to your car, you'll lose 5 mpg or more. Maybe your tires are inflated too high. Get winter tires, the rubber is softer and has a better grip on ice.

01-23-2009, 12:14 PM	#12
rcturner I've made a post! Drives: Yaris Liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1	Mine does well in the snow but is really bad on ice.

01-23-2009, 01:23 PM	#14
ddongbap Banned Drives: yw calls me douche and racist. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: hay Posts: 2,183	I could swear theres a post about this every week. Solution: I'll get some tires with those spikes like the football shoes have. The metal ones.

01-23-2009, 11:46 PM	#15
Dbeau Drives: 2007 Yaris Sedan Aero Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 103	Wow another Yaris owner in Alberta ! Anyway its my first winter here in Calgary and I have the sedan with winter tires. The only issue I have found is that the car is so damn light and the motor included doesn't really weigh the front wheel drive enough to get traction on a start. Kinda got to be easy on the throttle to get goin but once moving..all is good. But to be honest you sorta get used to it and do it without thinking about it.

08-21-2009, 11:25 AM	#16
glhsracer Drives: 2008 Sedan MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Rural Michigan Posts: 15	I found winter driving on the original tires wasn't too good either. I would think this is a common problem of any light weight car with road tires. When it gets too deep here in Michigan I drive my Tacoma 4x4 truck. I know it is kind of wimping out but it is much safer for me and those around me.

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