|
12-09-2009, 08:13 AM | #1 |
Banned
Drives: '10 Yaris5drHB+99 4runner LTD Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: NE
Posts: 672
|
AWESOME! Safe and fun drive in REAL snow in Massachusetts
well.
Took bone-stock with OEM Goodyear M+S tires, 2010 Yaris 5 door automatic for a 16 mile drive on ultra greasy surface streets, and 29 miles on a slushy, snowy, icy Interstate. And lemme tell ya, this thing is pretty damn awesome in snow. I tried sections with trac off, and quickly put it back on. TRAC does NOT leave me hanging on hills. It does prevent me from getting out of sorts in many situations. (like gassing it around GranPa on an interstate lane change....granted he is doing 30 and I wanna do 35....2 inches of mashed tater snow...FINE) The Yaris in snow...of course, ...It won't fix stupid. Anyhow, I have read this and that about the Yaris in snow, and my report is, it is stable, drivable, confident, feels safe. Slush on highway doesn't toss it around much, lane changes at 50 mph in slush seem fine to me. I now know that (probably) anyone complaining about it in snow, just doesn't really know how to drive in snow in the first place, or there is a tire or alignment problem. Mine is a blast. Last edited by 127.0.0.1; 12-09-2009 at 08:28 AM. |
12-09-2009, 11:58 AM | #2 |
Drives: Scion FRS RS2, ‘21 Crosstrek Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,729
|
Doesn't sound like my experience on the OEM Goodyear LS rubber. I beleive LS must stand for 'Lots of Slip"
__________________
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. |
12-09-2009, 01:15 PM | #3 |
Drives: Big Yellow Join Date: May 2009
Location: Somewhere in the vacinity of Betelgeuse
Posts: 179
|
That made me laugh. I remember the stock Goodyears RTS they put on my wrangler when I first got it.
They were fine for snow and relatively great on ice, but holy heck they hydroplaned on the highway. Getting snow here, but it's not sticking yet. I'm more afraid of all the salt I know they're going to put down, and the ensuing potholes they'll dig |
12-09-2009, 03:24 PM | #4 |
Drives: Yaris SR 1.33 - 3 Door Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 32
|
VSC & traction control
|
12-09-2009, 03:38 PM | #5 |
Drives: Yaris TR 1.33 VVTi 101hp 5D Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SE England
Posts: 15
|
Basically I think that VSC just reduces the power engine and applies the brakes when you start skiding, something you can do yourself anyway :p It costs £700 to have VSC in the UK hence I only went for the protection pack.
|
12-09-2009, 03:42 PM | #6 |
Banned
Drives: 2007 4 Door Yaris Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,357
|
|
12-09-2009, 03:52 PM | #7 |
Drives: Yaris TR 1.33 VVTi 101hp 5D Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SE England
Posts: 15
|
Is it possible to add it after you bought the car? (I would assume not)
|
12-10-2009, 07:54 AM | #8 | |
Drives: 09 3dr LB MT Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Posts: 681
|
Quote:
I will admit I'm not the most skilled driver when it comes to snow. Hence why I stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, and then go nice and slow to stay in better control of my car if I do need to venture out.
__________________
2009 3dr LB MT Meteorite Metalic. Car bought 8/7/09. Now over 89k miles of trouble free driving, other than user error!! |
|
12-10-2009, 08:42 AM | #9 |
I love momentum.
|
I'm glad I was home sick during the storm in MA yesterday. I heard the morning commute was AWFUL.
I'm ready for the next snow though. Brand new Winterforce tires, ready for snow/slush. My ebrake hand is ready too :) |
12-10-2009, 09:23 AM | #10 |
Mmm... OEM Tires? in the snow or wet... suck!
You'll be amazed using winter tires! .
__________________
. My system may not blow your ears, but it will sweeten your senses. CLA 250, 4MATIC |
|
12-10-2009, 09:34 AM | #11 | |
Drives: Yaris SR 1.33 - 3 Door Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 32
|
Quote:
Proper driving technique is useless when in ice or snow with no traction. Stability control will intervene before even the most skilled driver has realised what has gone on. How Effective is Stability Control... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3m24bjkfg0 |
|
12-10-2009, 09:55 AM | #12 |
Drives: Yaris TR 1.33 VVTi 101hp 5D Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SE England
Posts: 15
|
Nah, I wouldn't even bother to drive the yaris in snow or ice, I'd probably use my wife's qashqai (which has stability control and is obviously heavier) or even better the train to commute :p Also apart from a week last February it hardly ever snows here in southern England so it's mostly wind and heavy rain in winter and I believe that with the right tyres you don't really need vsc.
|
12-10-2009, 01:06 PM | #13 | |
Banned
Drives: 2007 4 Door Yaris Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,357
|
Quote:
As for ABS, in fresh loose snow you may be able to stop 5-10 feet faster, but you still have absolutely no control while braking. I'll still take ABS in rain/sleet/snow/ice or in dry weather. btw, my yaris doesn't have either. Last edited by kimona; 12-11-2009 at 03:54 AM. |
|
12-10-2009, 02:11 PM | #14 | |
Banned
Drives: '10 Yaris5drHB+99 4runner LTD Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: NE
Posts: 672
|
Quote:
I heard a lot about how 'poor' the Yaris is in snow. I got one, and was worried "Hmm, did I get a car that is somehow hard to drive in winter ?" the answer is negative. it is as capable as ANY front wheel drive car. -------------------------------------------------- also TRAC helps a lot in winter. VSC doesn't do crap for you in winter (I am sure it does something but I have yet to get an open parking lot to test all it's functions...). when VSC activates it beeps. VSC doesn't activate on highway lane changes in slush from what I seen (if it did I would already be wrapped around a tree). and it beeps all over the place when you have the Yaris already sideways from driving it incorrectly, but doesn't do much to regain control on ice. What VSC will do is prevent or assist 'over correction' in an emergency maneuver. I guess it would help if you are slightly out of whack on an icy ramp, but all bets are off. VSC real benefit is dry pavement emergency assist Last edited by kimona; 12-11-2009 at 03:55 AM. |
|
12-10-2009, 04:32 PM | #15 | |
Banned
Drives: 2007 4 Door Yaris Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,357
|
Quote:
I realize I do the same, but there is no substance to your argument, just "flaming" |
|
12-10-2009, 04:46 PM | #16 |
Only Happy When it Rains
|
wow someone from southern california trying to talk about driving in the snow...
I definately miss snow driving. Nothing like literally being the only one on the highway. I remember one night it was white out conditions, and my car literally slid 100 feet when i tried to slow down to take my exit on the highway. Fun stuff. Humans have dealt with horrible weather for decades without electronic nanny's. Frankly, it is more important for a car to be predictable, then for it to try and "save" you.
__________________
Colin Chapman disciple |
12-11-2009, 03:28 AM | #17 | |
Super Moderator
Drives: Yaris 2DR LB 07, MT, Abs. Red Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,155
|
Quote:
of course, keep in mind that the vast majority of Californians are transplants, not born here. I sure don't miss driving the snow, but I do miss having snow to play with. We had snow in San Francisco Bay Area 3 days ago, if you can believe that. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...MNMB1B0B19.DTL People were completely confused. I saw a woman drive with her windshield completely frozen, just with her head popping out of the driver's window. Didn't think of trying to defrost first or even gently scrape the windshield with a credit card or something like that. So here she was, driving down the street, pretty much with next to zero visibility. |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|