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Toyota
by Jeff Bressler on January 29, 2008
ConsumerAffairs.Com is reporting that the toyota prius traction control system can fail to operate properly on a snowy road. Prius owners have reported that the hybrid's TRAC system is still inadequate on slippery inclines.
Toyota spokesman Bill Kwon agreed last year that the traction control system in the Prius could impact performance in snow conditions but he insisted that the system is not a safety problem.
"Prius has TRAC (traction control) as standard equipment," he said. "The purpose of traction control is to help prevent wheel spin and minimize slippage of the drive wheels by applying brakes and/or reducing engine power."
Kwon pointed out last year that an 8- to 10-degree grade "is a fairly steep grade and combined with snow would cause a loss of traction which will activate the traction control system and therefore reduce or cut power."
"A vehicle without TRAC in those conditions," Kwon added. "would probably just start spinning in place and eventually spin out of control. In my opinion, it's better to have the vehicle stop then to have the wheels spinning and out of control."
Toyota did not respond to a ConsumerAffairs.Com request for an update on plans to modify the existing Prius traction control system.
Permalink: Prius Slips By
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Vote for Prius Slips By:
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Rating: 9.00 out of 2 vote(s) cast.
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Response from:
Glenn
(01/31/08 10:05am)
Response from:
Karen
(03/21/08 9:16pm)
I have a 2007 Prius and was afraid I was going to be rear-ended on a very hilly interstate in very bad snowstorm. Traffic was crawling at 25 - 30 mph (except for the 50 mph trucks). For over 40 miles, I nursed the accelerator with white knuckles. It starting slowing a few times and all I could do was say "please, please please."
I live in very hilly upstate New York and I knew I was going to be doing a lot of snow driving, I put Blizzaks on the car, but I did NOT know before I bought it about this traction problem. It also won't make it up my driveway if there's even an inch of snow. Admittedly, my driveway is extremely steep, but so what?
I think Bill Kwon has never had to drive in snowy condition on steep hills. Stalling on an interstate is better than slipping a little? I think NOT. If you know how to drive in the snow, you can control a car, but not if the car doesn't let you.
The Prius designers are control freaks. They also won't let you connect your bluetooth phone if the car is not in Park (much less complicated than the audio and climate controls, which they WILL let you use when driving).
I live in very hilly upstate New York and I knew I was going to be doing a lot of snow driving, I put Blizzaks on the car, but I did NOT know before I bought it about this traction problem. It also won't make it up my driveway if there's even an inch of snow. Admittedly, my driveway is extremely steep, but so what?
I think Bill Kwon has never had to drive in snowy condition on steep hills. Stalling on an interstate is better than slipping a little? I think NOT. If you know how to drive in the snow, you can control a car, but not if the car doesn't let you.
The Prius designers are control freaks. They also won't let you connect your bluetooth phone if the car is not in Park (much less complicated than the audio and climate controls, which they WILL let you use when driving).
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I have to say that for northern climates, a second set of wheels and or snow tires is essential for ANY car with traction control, unless said vehicle has an off-switch for the traction control.
My wife's 2007 Hyundai Sonata does have an off-switch for the traction control, but the Prius does not. I understand this is to prevent overspeeding the electric motors. I may be wrong.
Just like anything else, nothing on earth is 100% perfect. 99% of the time, we commute / carpool in the Prius in order to use 1/2 the fuel of the 4 cylinder Sonata. 1% of the time, we take the Sonata.