Yaris Traction?

[2009Yaris]

I know this question has more than likely been asked before, but is the Yaris with the automatic transmission a one-wheel drive car? I currently own an 2009 5-door hatchback with the automatic transmission that drives horribly on non-dry pavement. Slick hills are a nightmare to navigate. I previously owned a 2008 sedan with the manual transmission, but I had to trade in that car due to a severe injury that left me without the use of one of my arms for the better part of a year. The 2008 sedan drove much better on non-dry pavement. I got stuck at the bottom of a hill today. The left front wheel was on dry pavement. The right front wheel was spinning on a patch of black ice.

[carnageehw]

Originally Posted by 2009Yaris

I know this question has more than likely been asked before, but is the Yaris with the automatic transmission a one-wheel drive car? I currently own an 2009 5-door hatchback with the automatic transmission that drives horribly on non-dry pavement. Slick hills are a nightmare to navigate. I previously owned a 2008 sedan with the manual transmission, but I had to trade in that car due to a severe injury that left me without the use of one of my arms for the better part of a year. The 2008 sedan drove much better on non-dry pavement. I got stuck at the bottom of a hill today. The left front wheel was on dry pavement. The right front wheel was spinning on a patch of black ice.

I've never had any problems, and I live in Canada. The only times I"ve had major traction problems are when my tires were crappy. This year, with good winter tires, I've had no problems.

The Yaris does make it hard to accelerate smoothly, so that might be a problem for trying to start on slippery surfaces.

[2009Yaris]

I am not experiencing a problem with acceleration. The problem that I am experiencing has to due with no power being applied to the left front wheel. The right wheel spins while the left wheel remains stationary. It is same type of problem that one experiences with a non-positraction rear-wheel drive vehicle. I am beginning to wonder if I have a defective transmission.

[carnageehw]

Originally Posted by 2009Yaris

I am not experiencing a problem with acceleration. The problem that I am experiencing has to due with no power being applied to the left front wheel. The right wheel spins while the left wheel remains stationary. It is same type of problem that one experiences with a non-positraction rear-wheel drive vehicle. I am beginning to wonder if I have a defective transmission.

I know the problem is not with "the acceleration", but gassing it too hard will spin the tires, the more the tires spin, the harder it is to get going.

If you're positive that one wheel is spinning and the other is not, then I'm afraid that is totally out of my expertise range. But I would look into something being wrong, as like I've said...I've never had a problem.

I don't really know what you mean "difficult to navigate snow covered hills". If you are finding that you are losing control on turns, I can guarantee you the problem is mainly the tires.

I went from all season tires last year (And it wasn't even very snowy) to winter tires this year (a year full of blizzards) and it was a great (albeit expensive) decision. The difference is really mind blowing.

[Imagine]

I would look at getting some new tires, or easing up on the throttle. There shouldn't be any reason traction should be a huge issue on the Yaris, the 1.5L definitely isn't a power house.

Ice is ice though, unless you're running studs tires are going to slip.

I doubt the little Yaris has Limited slip diff, not sure if anyone makes one... Never looked.

[Black_griffin6]

Originally Posted by Imagine

I would look at getting some new tires, or easing up on the throttle. There shouldn't be any reason traction should be a huge issue on the Yaris, the 1.5L definitely isn't a power house.

Ice is ice though, unless you're running studs tires are going to slip.

I doubt the little Yaris has Limited slip diff, not sure if anyone makes one... Never looked.

There's a limited slip diff available on Micro image.
http://shop.microimageonline.com/Kaa...l-kaaz-lsd.htm

I agree on the tires, better tires will often make a world of difference. It could also be your driving style.
But ice is ice, you're probably not going to get much grip on ice unless you have tires meant to go on ice.

[SailDesign]

If you want the icy tire to stop spinning, and the one on dry to start, then you need an LSD.
Standard diffs will always let the tire than CAN spin be the one that does. This hasn't changed in looooong time, and is nothing to do with the Yaris.

[2009Yaris]

In my humble opinion, the problem lies in the design of the automatic transmission. It is very difficult to navigate snow-covered hills with the stock all-season radials (even when driving in first gear). I never experienced this problem with my '83 Honda Civic hatchback or my '91 Honda Accord. The '83 Honda Honda Civic hatchback would navigate snow deeper than the car with standard all-season radials. That car was not much bigger than the Yaris and had the same size power plant.

[Imagine]

You're talking about two completely different cars, from weight/gearing/tire brands/etc.

[cali yaris]

I know this question has more than likely been asked before, but is the Yaris with the automatic transmission a one-wheel drive car?

Let's answer the question the OP asked. "Yes, whenever it can be".

[tk1971]

Happens on the Manual too if one is not careful.

[brg88tx]

i smell a honda troll

[MUSKOKA800]

Your problem is the tires. Especially if you're still running on the OEM offerings, which should likely be illegal in 3-seasons and when it rains in the fourth.
Slipping on ice, get ice radials. Or any winter tire at the very least.

[AppleJacks716]

In my '10 5-door lift back 5 speed with just myself in the car, my Yaris torque steers like mad. Always to the right.

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by AppleJacks716

In my '10 5-door lift back 5 speed with just myself in the car, my Yaris torque steers like mad. Always to the right.

Lead-foot!

[AppleJacks716]

Well that is when I get a little more spirited.

[Astroman]

I'm pretty sure the LSD only works with the manual trans and not the automatic. Now that's out of the way I'm joining with the bandwagon on the tires. I ran my OEM goodyears for 4 winter seasons, and probably 2 seasons non-winter. I had mine sipped the first winter and I had pretty good traction. Because the tires were to worn to be effective for this winter I bought a set of pretty much new studded tires. With the studs and softer compound of the rubber the ONLY time I spin out now is because of a heavy foot.

Which OEM tires did you get? Both my Yarii came with goodyears. The base model '09 we had VERY briefly came with the 14" potenzas and those sucked even on dry pavement.

[AppleJacks716]

Originally Posted by Astroman

Which OEM tires did you get? Both my Yarii came with goodyears. The base model '09 we had VERY briefly came with the 14" potenzas and those sucked even on dry pavement.

I believe all 2009 and up use Potenzas. They are a decent all around tire, but there are better out there. They are also expensive. 2 weeks after having my car I had a screw in the sidewall on 1 tire. $160 for a new tire.