The First Snow Drive - Toyota Yaris Forums

vaironl · 12-08-2013, 02:25 PM

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 · 12-08-2013, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaironl

Note that I’m a crappy driver

^ fix that first

nookandcrannycar · 01-06-2014, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeeYari

^ fix that first

CTScott · 12-08-2013, 03:23 PM

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 · 12-08-2013, 09:00 PM

Quote:

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 · 12-08-2013, 09:20 PM

Quote:

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.

fnkngrv · 01-10-2014, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxy1

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

Not to sound like an ass, but you are saying that saving $350 is better than spending the $350 to have the peace of mind and quite possibly if even once avoiding an accident? That you would not be able to save a totaled car and possibly serious injury or even death to one in the party involved? Yeah, spending the cash could suck, but even if you are a "great" driver in snow it isn't anywhere close to always you that needs your concern...it is also the other drivers out there. Personally, I would pick up a spare set of steelies and mount a set of M+S tires on them. Change them on/off myself rather than paying a shop. Even if you live in an apartment, a stack of tires in a closet or storage space doesn't take up too much room. Being in VA the OP is in a PITA situation as the need for M+S tires is minimal, but if you pay close attention to the weather it is manageable. I lived in the DC area for a few years and had a set of M+S tires. Hell you could even possibly just pick up a set of used ones since you wouldn't barely put mileage on them. They would probably dry rot before you burned down the the wear bars.

roxy1 · 01-10-2014, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnkngrv

Not to sound like an ass, but you are saying that saving $350 is better than spending the $350 to have the peace of mind and quite possibly if even once avoiding an accident? .

I am saying that IMO it is a waste of money when the conditions will almost never dictate the need.

peace of mind should come from driving accordingly based on the conditions. snow tires wont save a bad driver from anything. in the Midwest id easily estimate 90% of drivers drive on all weather tires (which have improved greatly over the years) and drive pretty well. the bad drivers are bad and snow tires may or may not help them.

if anyone wants to spend $350 dollars to drive in snow a handful of times because it makes them feel better, they are free to do so.

bairjo · 01-05-2014, 10:35 PM

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

JustPassinThru · 01-06-2014, 09:45 PM

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 · 01-06-2014, 11:37 PM

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 · 01-06-2014, 11:42 PM

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 · 01-07-2014, 06:21 AM

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 · 01-07-2014, 01:20 PM

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 · 01-07-2014, 01:42 PM

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 · 01-07-2014, 01:53 PM

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

Berkut · 01-08-2014, 08:32 AM

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

Frank Necrosis · 01-08-2014, 11:52 AM

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.

12-08-2013, 02:25 PM	#1
vaironl Drives: 2010 Yaris 3 door, manual tran Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: -- Posts: 208	The First Snow Drive 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.

12-08-2013, 03:23 PM	#4
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	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). __________________

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01-05-2014, 10:35 PM	#9
bairjo Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 620	I run Michelin X-Ice snows on all 4 tires....very good traction. However, they will "sing" a little on the freeway.

01-06-2014, 09:45 PM	#10
JustPassinThru Drives: No more Yaris Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Montana Posts: 180	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.

01-06-2014, 11:37 PM	#11
bairjo Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 620	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.

01-06-2014, 11:42 PM	#12
Exiwolfman View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Wasaga beach Posts: 1,617	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

01-07-2014, 06:21 AM	#13
peewee1 PEEWEE1 Drives: 2009 yaris s sedan Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: New York Posts: 55	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.

01-07-2014, 01:20 PM	#14
Frank Necrosis Drives: 2012 Yaris L MT Join Date: May 2012 Location: Youngstown, Oh Posts: 66	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.

01-07-2014, 01:42 PM	#15
nookandcrannycar Drives: 2('14+'07)MT 3d ,wHandCrWndws! Join Date: May 2009 Location: S.MontgomeryCnty,TX(HoustonMSA) '07=BayouBlue=300,125miles=OrigOwnr '14=ClassicSilvr=29,059miles Posts: 4,839	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)

01-07-2014, 01:53 PM	#16
nookandcrannycar Drives: 2('14+'07)MT 3d ,wHandCrWndws! Join Date: May 2009 Location: S.MontgomeryCnty,TX(HoustonMSA) '07=BayouBlue=300,125miles=OrigOwnr '14=ClassicSilvr=29,059miles Posts: 4,839	From a post on another site.....34 below F (55 below F with the wind chill) in Saskatoon yesterday......brrrrrrrrr.

01-08-2014, 08:32 AM	#17
Berkut Drives: Toyota Vitz '05 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Russia. Yakutsk Posts: 34	I live in Yakutsk is north-east Russia, and today -42C. So here from November to March.)))

01-08-2014, 11:52 AM	#18
Frank Necrosis Drives: 2012 Yaris L MT Join Date: May 2012 Location: Youngstown, Oh Posts: 66	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.