Hybrid Winter Driving Tips

[r3g]

I was just wondering if anyone has any good driving tips for Hybrid cars on snow and ice?

I have driven automatics in the past in these conditions and have just stuck to the usual advice of move the selector to "1" to keep it in first gear and then drive as smoothly as possible with minimal breaking.

However, now I have my Auris HSD, it's just occurred to me that there is now way of restricting the gear ratio and I was wondering how well HSD transmission fairs in slippery conditions?

Thanks.

[Jan&tone]

Everything very gently seemed to work with my gen2 last winter.....

[r3g]

I thought as much.

I have my bucket of rock salt in the boot ready!

Thanks

[FourFourTwo]

I have been driving my Auris HSD around on snow, ice and slippery roads for the past couple of days and everything has been great so far. I understand that the car has a load of computer controlled wheel sensing anti-skid gubbins in it too, which probably helps.

As long as you have good winter tyres fitted and follow Jan&tone's advice about taking it nice and easy, everything should be fine.

[kithmo]

If you want to hold the speed back going down a slope, put it in "B" mode to engage engine braking.

[Jan&tone]

If you want to hold the speed back going down a slope, put it in "B" mode to engage engine braking.

BEFORE you start going down the hill.... if you engage B whilst on the hill, the stern will come round to meet the bonnet!!!

and anyway, who said we were going to get snow in South Essex.... it only happened last year 'cos the weather men said it wouldn't!!!

[johalareewi]

Engage ECO mode to dampen down the accelerator.

You can also use B mode instead of D mode. There is no difference when you are accelerating. B mode only affects coasting and braking so constant B mode could be usefull.

[DrCez]

I was just wondering if anyone has any good driving tips for Hybrid cars on snow and ice?

I have driven automatics in the past in these conditions and have just stuck to the usual advice of move the selector to "1" to keep it in first gear and then drive as smoothly as possible with minimal breaking.

However, now I have my Auris HSD, it's just occurred to me that there is now way of restricting the gear ratio and I was wondering how well HSD transmission fairs in slippery conditions?

Thanks.

I read some discussion about the handling of the Gen 3 Prius in slippery conditions last winter and if anything it's thought to be better than the Gen 2 when trying to move off as it allows slightly more wheelspin before the anti skid technology kicks in. My understanding is that the Auris HSD should share the same technology (and benefit from being a bit lighter).

Economical driving techniques (gentle acceleration, minimal use of brakes) are ideal in slippery conditions. ECO mode should help as it will dampen down sudden changes in acceleration and I think some folk said EV mode was also helpful for creeping up slippery hills.

It hasn't happened to me (*touches wood*) but if the car does get into a situation where it does not have enough grip, I gather it seems to "give up", i.e. the computer takes over and the wheels won't spin at all. Some are critical of this behaviour but spinning wheels don't really help IMO - you're better off getting out the grit/spade and/or trying to rock the car back and forth to get going again.

We had lying snow for several weeks around the housing estates in Aberdeen last winter (I'm reminded of this today as we have a good covering of snow from last night) and in those conditions I found my Prius to be at least as good as my previous car (a [lighter] Renault Megane 1.4 manual). I didn't have winter tyres but took it easy with the acceleration and braking and the car seemed reasonably sure-footed.

[r3g]

It would seem that just driving in the "B" position permanently on slipery roads would be a good idea. And the "Eco Mode" tip to dampen the accelleration is a good one.

I don't think I'll bother changing the tyres. The conditions can get bad in the UK but don't tend to last very long before the roads are cleared, so extra grippy tyres would probably just end up increasing fuel consumption when the roads are clear. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else in the UK changes thier tyres for winter though.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

One thing you will notice is that you can't floor it and wheel spin your way out of tricky slippery situations like you can in other cars - the computer just won't let you and won't allow you to over rev it in any way whatsoever.

[Ancient Nerd]

I also strongly recommend ECO mode in the Gen III. It dampens the throttle which is great in snow or icy conditions. You really don't want any sudden changes, or the wheels slip and you lose traction. The Gen III is better than the Gen II as well, because it's only got half the torque ( sad otherwise, but not in snow).

The remaining thing is to go S L O W L Y to begin with. It is much easier in the Prius than other cars, because you can easlily go at 1-2 mph, while any manual car will be at 5-6mph at tickover.

I've managed to get up my sloping drive in snow in the Gen II, when I've consistently failed in the Gen II and previous diesels.

I'm not at all sure about using B. I can't see what you are gaining, as ECO already slows the throttle response enough. I don't think you need the extra inertia that will give you (IMHO. Can anyone suggest why otherwise, as I may be missing something here.

[Sagitar]

It would seem that just driving in the "B" position permanently on slipery roads would be a good idea.

I can't see why. The "B" position is about engine braking and works by using the engine as a sort of "air brake" to disperse energy. i.e. it throws energy away and makes consumption worse. I can see no benefit at all in driving with it permanently engaged.

I don't think I'll bother changing the tyres. The conditions can get bad in the UK but don't tend to last very long before the roads are cleared, so extra grippy tyres would probably just end up increasing fuel consumption when the roads are clear. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else in the UK changes thier tyres for winter though.

There is plenty of information available, comparative tests etc., that shows that winter tyres are not only about snow and ice. Once temperatures get down to about 7C the elastomers in summer tyres harden off and do not perform as well even on normally wet or dry roads. Winter average temperature in England last year was about 4.4C. It got down to 7C in November and did not rise above that until the following April. So there is a period of several months when it makes sense to wear winter tyres, even if there is no snow.

I put winter tyres on a the beginning of November and put the summer tyres back on at the start of April. There may well be a reduction in mileage figures, but it is well worth it for the extra safety given by good grip on winter roads. In snow, they are a revelation!

[cootuk]

I've put a pair of snow boots in the car just in case we get somewhere where the traction control doesn't want to play ball.

[johalareewi]

It would seem that just driving in the "B" position permanently on slipery roads would be a good idea.

I can't see why. The "B" position is about engine braking and works by using the engine as a sort of "air brake" to disperse energy. i.e. it throws energy away and makes consumption worse. I can see no benefit at all in driving with it permanently engaged.

The original idea was to engage B so you had the benefit of engine braking descending slopes. The poster suggest changing into B on the slope which could be fun hence the suggestion to leave it in B all the time. As you say, it doesn't affect driving just braking.

[johalareewi]

The conditions can get bad in the UK but don't tend to last very long before the roads are cleared, so extra grippy tyres would probably just end up increasing fuel consumption when the roads are clear. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else in the UK changes thier tyres for winter though.

Depends where you are and where you drive to. After last year, I have put winter tyres on for this year and am off to Leceister this weekend (so might get to see some snow).

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=118009

[Doesn'tExist]

So basically there are no special hints/tips it is all like any other car; accelerate gently well basically always avoid excessive throttle position changes, and brake with anticipation letting the drive train do most of the work.

No different than any other car, then again it is a car isn't it :-)

[timberwolf]

I'd say the Gen 2 Prius was very good in the snow with the various technology aids such as VSC+ (Stability control) and Traction control, it felt safe, but you have to understand that the one thing it will absolutely not let you do is spin the wheels. The traction control on the Prius is a bit different from other traction control systems, it can if the tyres can not find any grip reduce the power to the wheels to zero.

For example, if you try to get up an icy hill, and the Prius detects that the front tyres lose their grip, the traction system will reduce the power, it'll keep reducing power until the wheels begin to grip or it'll reduce the power until you come to a stop (and on very icy slopes you could end up sliding backwards). You can't use the very bad technique of taking a running start, and then using high revs to spin the wheels, hoping that just occasionally you'll find enough grip to keep going forwards.

The traction control can not be disabled with a button by the driver.

[Doesn'tExist]

Well as you say, that is a very very bad technique but I appreciate on low torque vehicles sometimes the only option. Question is if it is that bad what are you doing out there in a vehicle like that in the first place. I know the technique can work but only when you know how. Biggest problem of people loosing or not gaining grip is that they just give too much throttle. slow and steady is the quickest way.

[Sagitar]

As you say, it doesn't affect driving just braking.

I don't think I said that. If by driving you mean only "making progress by depressing the accelerator", then I can agree with the statement. But if by driving you mean all the processes involved in achieving movement of the car, then it certainly affects driving. With the car in "Drive", whenever you lift off the accelerator, loss of momentum is enhanced by regenerative braking that puts electrical power into the Battery. Using the brake gives a higher level of regenerative braking before leading eventually to mechanical braking that dissipates energy in the form of heat generated by mechanical friction.

Lifting off the accelerator with "B" engaged causes the engine to be driven as an air pump; dissipating energy by raising the pressure and temperature of the air that passes through the engine.

My experience is that the braking achieved by using "B" is more severe than that achieved by the regenerative effect and since I would generally want to brake as gently as possible in slippery conditions I would not generally drive with "B" engaged.

As for engaging it on a hill; a hill steep enough to require engine braking assistance would normally have a sign suggesting engaging a lower gear and it is at that point that I would consider engaging "B". I might also engage "B" on a very long decline where the display was showing the traction Battery as full and where the availability of regenerative braking was reducing. But these are rare events and I very rarely engage "B" since it is essentially a means of throwing away energy.

Incidentally, the handbook (page 182 of my copy) includes an instruction not to drive in "B" for a long period and a warning about the decreased fuel economy that results from driving in "B".

It's worth looking at the winter driving tips that start on page 273 in my copy of the manual.

[Chris Dance]

If you want the Prius to be good for winter then snow tyres are a must. My son found this out on his many Winter trips to the French Alps. For oldies like me best tip is stay indoors when there is heavy snow.

[r3g]

I can't see why. The "B" position is about engine braking and works by using the engine as a sort of "air brake" to disperse energy. i.e. it throws energy away and makes consumption worse. I can see no benefit at all in driving with it permanently engaged.

My thoughts behind leaving "B" permanently engaged are to do with the benefits of the engine breaking. I'm thinking that even running on the level when approaching a junction in icy conditions, the engine breaking effect would help to slow the car down that bit extra before gently applying the brakes. One could always select the mode on the approach to a hazard, but as all hazards take so much more thinking about in these conditions, maybe leaving it selected just removes one more thing from the process. However, if it affects fuel consumption too drastically then maybe it's not a good idea?

Your information tyres and temperature is definately something to be considered. I had no idea that "normal" tyres we affected by what we might call average temperatures in the UK. I had just assumed that manufacturers adapted the tyre composition to suite the climate of the market in which they ar ebeing sold.

[Sagitar]

My thoughts behind leaving "B" permanently engaged are to do with the benefits of the engine breaking. I'm thinking that even running on the level when approaching a junction in icy conditions, the engine breaking effect would help to slow the car down that bit extra before gently applying the brakes.

But that is exactly why you wouldn't want to use it. The ideal in slippery conditions is to brake as lightly and as early as possible. The lightest braking is provided by the regenerative system and that can be added to in a controlled fashion by judicious, controlled use of the brake pedal.

[Terry953]

Your information tyres and temperature is definitely something to be considered. I had no idea that "normal" tyres we affected by what we might call average temperatures in the UK. I had just assumed that manufacturers adapted the tyre composition to suite the climate of the market in which they are being sold.

I think this winter tyre business maybe a bit of a con from the tyre makers !!! unless you are in a competitive situation.

Apart from a more suitable tread pattern & depth, you are suggesting that normal tyres are 'not fit for purpose' in winter so could be unsafe / illegal.

Hey!! do bus and truck operators change all their tyres in winter? I think not.

Military vehicles don't have that luxury either.

As a matter of interest how do those of that have winter tyres manage?

Change all tyres on the existing wheels or have a spare set of wheels already shod, seems an expensive exercise to me.

[Doesn'tExist]

I've got a separate set of wheels/tyres for my audi and that is a quattro ;-)

A habit I had left over from the continent. You can't put a price on safety. Military vehicles and trucks etc are a lot heavier, you really can't compare that. An empty truck will struggle as well, main problem is for many cars that they are too light.

[Jan&tone]

I've got a separate set of wheels/tyres for my audi and that is a quattro ;-)

A habit I had left over from the continent. You can't put a price on safety. Military vehicles and trucks etc are a lot heavier, you really can't compare that. An empty truck will struggle as well, main problem is for many cars that they are too light.

To a certain degree i will agree, but IMO the main problem with driving in snow is the driver, not the tyre or car, we have so little snow in the south east that we dont really get either the opportunity to practice, or have the cash to have a spare set of wheels/tyres handy...

I'll just stay indoors and cuddle a radiator till spring :(