The Toyota Prius is not one of the best cars to drive in the snow. It can, however, travel through light snow fairly well.
When outfitted with effective snow gear, the Prius can handle up to 3 inches of snow and has a 5.3-inch ground clearance.
Please read our article on the top 5 Toyota Prius issues as well.
In This Article...
Which Prius handles snow the best?
Many prospective car buyers are curious how the Prius performs in the snow after this year’s severe winter weather blanketed the country, saturated places with normal snowfall, and even soaked states which rarely get flakes. Here, we provide all the information you require on the Prius’ winter performance.
Due to the cold weather, all vehicles’ fuel economy decreases throughout the winter. The Multi-Display panel on the dashboard causes drivers of Prius vehicles to become hyperaware of efficiency, not because the Prius is more affected than other vehicles, but rather because it makes people more conscious of this shift.
Efficiency declines for a variety of causes. The energy gained from fuel is decreased by the cold, dry winter air. Fuel efficiency is also affected by refinery winter formulations. More butane, which evaporates more quickly in the winter, is present in gasoline. Additionally, icy wheel bearings and snow-covered roads increase rolling resistance in tires, which reduces fuel efficiency. Additionally, a constantly operating temperature control system that maintains interior warmth shortens the time the gas engine spends at rest. Reduced battery capacity in cold weather reduces the efficiency of all vehicles, not just hybrids. The Prius uses more fuel as a result of this.
The front drive wheels of the Prius are supported by the hybrid drive system, which is the most weighty component of the vehicle. It makes use of this to its benefit. The Prius improves its traction on the road by pushing its driving wheels through the snow. Additionally, electric motorslike the one in the Priusare more effective at dispersing torque. It’s a popular fallacy that the only vehicles suitable for snowy weather are those with high ground clearance. The Prius has plenty of clearance thanks to its 5.25 inches. In fact, snow is frequently cleared from busy roadways before it becomes too bad.
Traction Control is a feature on the Prius that stops slipping and tire spinning. Loss of grip not only puts people’s safety in jeopardy, but it also causes tire wear, which lowers performance and has the potential to be dangerous in and of itself. There are things you can do to improve the performance efficiency of the Prius, even though some people may find the abrupt stopping to be the reverse of helpful.
- Invest in more aggressive snow tires.
- It’s crucial that all four wheels have snow or ice tires. The Prius may be able to drive more effectively with only two up front, but stopping and control are unlikely to significantly improve.
- Retain proper tire inflation at all times, regardless of the season, to maintain maximum efficiency.
- These methods may be useful under extreme circumstances:*
Drive the vehicle first, then use Brake mode. In packed snow, this will alter the driving dynamics for the better.
Temporarily disable traction control. With 60 seconds to spare:
- Turn on the ignition switch.
- Press the gas pedal twice while the transmission is in park (P).
- Place parking brake on.
- By depressing the brake pedal and pressing N instead of Drive, the transmission will enter neutral (N).
- two times on the gas pedal
- Press the gas pedal twice while the gearbox is back in park (P). “!Car!” should show on the LCD panel.
- To start the engine, depress the brake pedal and turn the key. (After the automobile has been stopped and started again, a warning symbol on the LCD screen will vanish.)
Fuel economy will increase as the season changes. The Toyota Prius can withstand winter weather. Observe your surroundings carefully. Recognize your car. All cars are affected by winter conditions, keep in mind.
WINTER SAFETY TIP
Always remove snow off radiators, license plates, and lights.
*For particular instructions for your vehicle, consult your drivers’ manual. The capacity to move forward does not enhance the capacity to stop. Be mindful of your surroundings.
Can you drive a Prius on the road?
The 2016 Toyota Prius is a superior road vehicle. You don’t need to purchase the brand-new fourth-generation vehicle to take advantage of its fantastic road-trip attributes. However, the most recent Prius is unquestionably more stable at highway speeds than prior models.
Can hybrid vehicles handle snow?
However, the type of hybrid you purchase will ultimately determine how well it handles snow and ice. There are now hybrid vehicles of all sizes and shapes, including all-wheel-drive hybrid trucks and SUVs for better traction in the snow.
On snow and ice, hybrid sedans of all sizes may perform admirably. These little hybrid vehicles are typically front-wheel-drive. Front-wheel-drive vehicles have an advantage over rear-wheel-drive vehicles because the engine is on top of the drive wheels, pushing them down into the snow and improving their grip, even though they are not as surefooted on snow as all-wheel drive vehicles. Additionally, during snowy seasons, drivers have the option to put snow tires on their hybrid in exchange for a bit less fuel efficiency and more traction. Finally, the majority of modern hybrids are equipped with traction control, which among other things keeps track of tire spin to assist the driver in keeping the vehicle under control. In essence, traction control aids in preventing skids and slips for the driver.
So, a Land Rover can handle snow just as well as a Toyota Prius, right? Most likely not. However, a GMC Yukon Hybrid will perform equally well as a regular Yukon. A Prius will certainly get its driver through the snow safely and consume a lot less petrol than the Land Rover while doing so with some cautious driving and perhaps a new set of snow tires. And the Prius driver will have been willing to put up with a few weeks of cautious snow driving to enjoy the advantage of money saved at the gasoline pump when summer rolls around and gas prices climb.
Can a Prius be equipped with snow chains?
Although it has been a while since I’ve had to put snow tire chains on a car, I decided to get up a pair while traveling to Vancouver, British Columbia, in late December and making several pit breaks along the way (even though Vancouver is known for mild but wet winters).
The fundamentals of selecting the right size snow tire chains and mounting them on your wheels are demonstrated in this article. This do-it-yourself manual uses my 2012 Prius to serve as an example, but it offers general guidelines that apply to all cars.
If you’ve never put snow or winter tire chains before and you’re planning to drive somewhere where you expect snowy or icy roads, it’s crucial to practice by carrying out a dry-run test before you really start your potentially snowy journey. Why? Imagine being on the highway and having to suddenly pull over, get down on your knees in the mud, and try to put on snow chains for the first time in slick, damp, and frigid conditions without the right training. Or even worse, leaving with a pair of winter tire chains that are not correctly mounted.
For advice on the recommended snow chain class, always consult the owner’s manual. Class S type snow chains are advised for the Prius.
The four basic steps for installing snow/winter tire chains are as follows:
- Chains are shaped and fitted to the driving wheels.
- linking the chain links collectively
- use a tensioner or adjuster to tighten and modify the chains
- Drive a few yards to test the fitment out in the open.
AWD Prius models exist?
Only two 2021 Prius modelsLE AWD-e and XLE AWD-einclude all trim levels from the Prius and Prius Prime. Starting at $27,135, the LE AWD-e variant has a 51/47/49 mpg rating. The XLE AWD-e is rated 51/47/49 and has a starting price of $29,575 as well. The only AWD trims are the L Eco, 2020 Edition, and Limited. The LE, XLE, and Limited grades of the 2021 Prius Prime are also all FWD-only vehicles.
Does a Prius’s gas mileage suffer in cold weather?
Cold weather that is lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit can reduce a hybrid car’s fuel economy by around 30% to 34%, according to Fueleconomy.gov. If your Toyota Prius typically gets around 50 mpg, you will now have to make do with a more typical 33 mpg average. That’s still not that horrible, to be honest, but it’s a sizable hit.
We recently drove a 2021 Toyota Venza for a week in a climate where the outside air temperature was consistently between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit as an example from home. Although it isn’t quite the pre-described 20 cold weather zone, it had the desired effect on the car’s total fuel economy. In the end, we were able to achieve an average of 33 mpg as opposed to the combined driving estimate of 39 mpg from the EPA.
What is the lifespan of a Toyota Prius?
A Toyota Prius owner may anticipate getting between 200,000 and 250,000 miles out of their vehicle with routine maintenance, with some owners exceeding the 300,000-mile milestone and still going strong. The Prius has a well-established history of dependable service for more than two decades as the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle.
Prius Ice: What is it?
Brake: The Prius is the only vehicle with a braking (B) position for the running mode option.
Use this only while going down a long, steep hill to prevent wear on the mechanical brakes or to ease braking foot pain.
If you use this mode while driving normally, your fuel efficiency will be at a minimum ruined.
You might never need this option if you don’t live in a mountainous area.
Drive – Just like on any other automatic vehicle, the drive (D) position of the running mode selection is employed.
The first (1) and second (2) gear settings are absent since a typical gearbox isn’t there.
Since there is no low gear, you cannot “hold” a low gear to gain more acceleration. Try the B option if you feel like you need to force a low gear to gain more engine braking.
Internal Combustion Engine, or ICE, is the gasoline-powered engine that ultimately supplies all of the Prius’s power needs.
Instead of being built for power, the Prius ICE is made for efficiency and low emissions.
The electric motor (MG2) assists when power is required by drawing electricity from the battery.
The battery is afterwards recharged utilizing extra ICE power or through regenerative braking.
The Prius will make the most progress it is capable of on ICE power alone if the battery charge gets too low, as might happen on a long, steep climb.
The motor/generator number one, or MG1, powers the power splitter’s solar gear.
You must comprehend how the power split device works in order to operate this motor/generator to its maximum potential.
To put it simply, when necessary, MG1 starts the ICE and pulls some power to transfer electrically to MG2 or to recharge the batteries.
Motor/Generator 2 (MG2) is connected to the power splitter’s ring gear and, ultimately, the wheels through the final drive.
This high-torque motor, which often also draws power from MG1, is what propels the vehicle either in addition to or instead of the ICE.
The car’s kinetic energy while braking and coasting can also be captured by the MG2 generator to replenish the battery.
Neutral – The neutral (N) setting of the running mode choice is not very interesting, as it is with any automatic vehicle.
Use it only if you wish to push the vehicle; do not use it to tow the Prius! However, using this mode while traveling at a high rate of speed is not recommended and is even prohibited. Because the Prius lacks a traditional gearbox, disengaging all gears is accomplished by cutting electricity to both motor/generators, allowing them to spin freely.
NHW20 – The current model Prius, from model years 2004 to the present. This is either the second or third generation, depending on your point of view.
NHW11 – The first or second generation Prius, sometimes referred to as the “classic,” was the first model of Prius made available for purchase outside of Japan from model years 2001 to 2003.
NHW10 – From model years 1999 to 2000, the original Prius was exclusively available in Japan. Despite the difficulty in finding repairs, used NHW10s have appeared outside of Japan, mainly in Australia.
As with any other automated vehicle, the park (P) position of the running mode selector is employed.
If not for park, the mode selection might be a row of push buttons because all other modes are set electronically.
A mechanical linkage locks the transmission in this mode to stop the vehicle from moving. If you’re used to driving a manual transmission vehicle with a parking brake, look for a brief period of the vehicle rolling before this mechanism engages.
Toyota refers to the epicyclic gear that joins the ICE, MG1 and MG2 as the “Power Split Device” (PSD).
Reverse: To move backward, set the running mode selector to this position (R).
Initially, stop the vehicle.
With the exception of the potential for the engine to shut off, reverse in a Prius feels like reverse in any other automatic vehicle.
This is so that the Prius can always and only reverse when powered by electricity.
This eliminates the requirement for the transmission’s reverse gear because the electronics can operate the motor both forward and backward with equal ease.
How much do Prius battery replacements cost?
A new Toyota Prius battery can run you anywhere from $2,200 to $4,100. Remember that even a used Prius battery costs roughly $1,500 when you’re analyzing the pricing. You’ll be looking at a substantially bigger bill once labor costs and additional charges from your mechanic are taken into account.