The First Snow Drive

[vaironl]

Today drove my Yaris for the first time in the snow. Note that I’m a crappy driver and almost ate a corner . So I keep wondering if anyone had similar experiences?

I've seen other threads speaking about two solutions.

1) Winter tires.
2) E-Break.

[WeeYari]

Originally Posted by vaironl

Note that I’m a crappy driver

^ fix that first

[CTScott]

It is all about the tires. Proper snow tires make a world of difference.

The ebrake is only for fun in the snow (in wide open areas).

[roxy1]

Originally Posted by vaironl

Today drove my Yaris for the first time in the snow. Note that I’m a crappy driver and almost ate a corner . So I keep wondering if anyone had similar experiences?

I've seen other threads speaking about two solutions.

1) Winter tires.
2) E-Break.

im probably of no help. ive been driving through 30 Michigan winters with front wheel drive cars and all weather tires. once in a while I think about winter tires. while they would be better for driving in the snow, I end up driving on pavement 90% of the time due to all the plowing and/or salt.

a few winters ago we had 124 inches of snow (we usually average around 80 in) and I still felt no need for snow tires.

since you live in Virginia, id definitely say save your $350 and just slow down a bit when needed.

[vaironl]

Originally Posted by roxy1

im probably of no help. ive been driving through 30 Michigan winters with front wheel drive cars and all weather tires. once in a while I think about winter tires. while they would be better for driving in the snow, I end up driving on pavement 90% of the time due to all the plowing and/or salt.

a few winters ago we had 124 inches of snow (we usually average around 80 in) and I still felt no need for snow tires.

since you live in Virginia, id definitely say save your $350 and just slow down a bit when needed.

Adding to this, someone just gave me some advice to downshift without rev matching.

[bairjo]

I run Michelin X-Ice snows on all 4 tires....very good traction. However, they will "sing" a little on the freeway.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

^ fix that first

[JustPassinThru]

Only problem I've had with the Yaris in snow is that clearance is limited under the car - drifts or snowplow piles (as on the edge of the road to your driveway) will high-side it, sooner than other cars.

I speak of the Gen2. I haven't had my 2012 in snow yet - that's what I bought my beater Tercel for.

[bairjo]

All vehicles have their limitations. Do not drive a Yaris expecting high results in deep snow....Toyota has other vehicles that do well in those conditions. But if you find yourself in a situation with ice and snow, really bad ice and snow,...drive slow, brake easy, and get the hell off the freeway if you don't have proper snow tires for a Yaris. I already made a post with my choice of snow tires for the Yaris...the next step if they do not perform is to punt and get off the road. The Yaris is not a tank so you are best to get off the road if it is that bad...Good Luck.

[Exiwolfman]

Snow tires a must for traction and mainly stopping once u try snows ull never go back whats 400 bucks ...I think once life is worth more..... my only complain with car its light can get funky in snow drifts best advice slow down.

PS I use winterforce awesome tire for deep snow , if u drive hwy mainly get blizacks more of an ice tire

[peewee1]

I live in upstate New York, land of snow and icey roads. Best thing to do, run very good tires and drive slow. My Yaris sedan is so light in weight that it sometimes will "FLOAT" on the heavy snows. GO easy on the gas pedal and brake early at stop signs.

[Frank Necrosis]

This is my second winter in the Yaris. Things I have noticed.... The abs / stability control / traction control systems are slow to respond, very slow. The car is usually well into a skid or slide before the computer decides to do something. Even then, the response is lackluster at best. But, then I am comparing the Yaris to my 2012 STi. The STi's systems are a little higher on the food chain than the Yaris.

Years of driving light, front wheel drive cars helps in knowing what to do. Having a manual transmission helps keep things under control as well.

Overall, I am happy with the Yaris in the snow. It is not much different than any other small fwd car. A few years back, I had a Mini Cooper. The wider tires and low ground clearance made it real interesting in the snow. Luckily, it didnt have any electronic driver aids other than ABS. The emergency brake was my good friend. Light pressure on the e brake could help reduce under steer. A technique I continue to use in the Yaris.

[nookandcrannycar]

I feel for all of you. It was 22 without the wind chill at IAH (Bush Airport) this morning and 16 without the wind chill in some suburbs here....but that is nothing compared to up north....close to 30 below without the wind chill the last two nights in northern Minnesota....colder in Chicago than the 11 degree Summer temp at the South Pole...etc. (all temps Farenheit)

IIRC from 2006, isn't Winnipeg the coldest city in the world with a population of over 500,000? (Even colder than Helsinki or Moscow)

[nookandcrannycar]

From a post on another site.....34 below F (55 below F with the wind chill) in Saskatoon yesterday......brrrrrrrrr.

[Berkut]

I live in Yakutsk is north-east Russia, and today -42C. So here from November to March.)))

[Frank Necrosis]

The temp dropped to -10F (-23C) the other night. Luckily the low temps did not last long.

I am still happy I installed a block heater. It is hooked to a timer. A few hours before leaving for work, the timer kicks the heater on. After starting the car, warm air begins blowing in about 30 seconds.

[Lippitt]

Ask the Canadians, I hear they have lots of them in there. hah

[vaironl]

I just waited till most of the ice was gone and followed the advice of going slow. Even with my all seasons I was able to handle ok by just going slow :).