Traction in a Prius

Question

I've put about 30,000 miles on my 2002 Prius, and just recently got caught in a snow storm while on a trip. The now was not real bad, but we were watching the altimiter closely to see if we were headed down (out of the snow) or up (where it might get heavier). We did not put the chains on the tires, as the snow accumulation was never more than an inch.

The CVT of the Prius performed perfectly and, in retrospect, made the car feel extremely stable. There was no shifting or jerkyness of any kind. The power (when applied to climb hills) was applied smoothly and without any sign of losing traction.

All this was at speeds as low as 25 and as high as 45.

Anyone have a similar experience with a CVT?

androo · Accepted Answer

The 'HonestJohn' website gives this advice, which I found for my dad who'sjust taken delivery of his S40 1.6D (which is very nice by the way)."For the first 1,000 miles do not exceed 3,000rpm, but make sure you reach3,000rpm regularly. For the next 1,000 miles (to 2,000 miles) do not exceed3,500rpm, but make sure you reach 3,500rpm regularly. For the next 1,000miles (to 3,000 miles) do not exceed 4,000rpm, but make sure you reach4,000rpm regularly. For the next 1,000 miles (to 4,000 miles) do not exceed4,500rpm, but make sure you reach 4,500rpm at least a couple of times aweek. After that, no limit, but make sure you continue to hit 4,500rpmthrough the gears several times a week. The benefit of this is it helps toself clean the injectors, it blows any accumulated soot out of the exhaustsystem and it helps to free off the piston rings, making the engine moreefficient and less likely to use engine oil."Androo

Bill · Answer

I kept my Ford Explorer so I could get up my steep driveway in winter. My previous car, a mini-van with front wheel drive, often couldn't make it and I figured the Prius would have trouble too. Much to my surprise it walked right up a layer of ice with 5" of heavy snow on top. That same day I tested stability control system on a sharp curve. It acted like it was glued to the road in a situation where the Explorer's rear end would have come around. Anybody want to buy a '95 Explorer with leather seats and Eddie Bauer kit that has a lifetime average of 18.1 mpg? Only 110,000 miles. :-)

richard schumacher · Answer

Not in Dallas :_> Why did you think that a CVT might be problematic in snow or ice?

dbs__usenet · Answer

It was not an expectation that it would be a problem. It was the suprise that it felt so much better than my Camry with it's V6 and auto tranny. I've taken that through the mountains many times, and it was always white knuckle time when we drove through snow.

Daniel

richard schumacher · Answer

It may have been the vehicle stability control system that helped.  The Prius' CVT-equivalent should not matter to traction.

dbs__usenet · Answer

I credit the CVT with at least part of it because of the extra smooth power tranmission. The auto tranny will sometimes up or downshift when in hill country, and I can feel the abrupt change in speed, especially when it downshifts. I've been told that sudden changes in wheel speed can contribute to the wheel breaking free.

The Prius, on the other hand, had very smooth transitions from coasting downhill to powering uphill.

Daniel

richard schumacher · Answer

Hmm, good point.

Traction in a Prius

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