You are here: Forums Sedans Toyota Corolla Toyota Corolla for winter driving

Toyota Corolla for winter driving

12 messages,  Last post on Dec 17, 2008 at 9:18 AM

You are in the Toyota Corolla Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Toyota Corolla, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 2 1 2 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#7 of 12 Re: Toyota Corolla for winter driving [robert7676] by terceltom Oct 21, 2008 (9:53 am)
Replying to: robert7676 (Oct 21, 2008 9:46 am) Note: The 2009 model of Corolla or newer has optional traction control and this function will have to be switched off before trying to rock your car. Replies to this message: nedzel (Oct 23, 2008 11:07 am) will26 (Oct 23, 2008 12:38 pm) nedzel (Oct 23, 2008 2:05 pm) terceltom (Oct 23, 2008 8:01 pm) iowa_driver (Dec 17, 2008 9:18 am)
#8 of 12 Re: Toyota Corolla for winter driving [terceltom] by nedzel Oct 23, 2008 (11:07 am)
Replying to: terceltom (Oct 21, 2008 9:53 am) Sandbags in the trunk would not be a good idea.   Back in the bad old days, when we drove rear-wheel-drive cars that had heavy engines in the front and little weight in the back, we put sandbags in the rear in the hope of improving rear wheel traction.   Your Corolla, however, is front-wheel-drive. Putting sand bags in the rear would not help.   The most important thing you can do is to buy a second set of wheels and mount snow tires on them. Not all-season tires, but real, honest to goodness snow tires. You'll be amazed at the difference they make. Replies to this message: will26 (Oct 23, 2008 12:38 pm) nedzel (Oct 23, 2008 2:05 pm) terceltom (Oct 23, 2008 8:01 pm) iowa_driver (Dec 17, 2008 9:18 am)
#9 of 12 Re: Toyota Corolla for winter driving [nedzel] by will26 Oct 23, 2008 (12:38 pm)
Replying to: nedzel (Oct 23, 2008 11:07 am) Just had to throw this in. I had an 85 Corolla with rear wheel drive. Man, that thing was so crazy to drive in the winter and we even put sandbags in it! That car was amazing. It was a hand me down and went through almost everyone in my family. In the end I sold it 6 years ago with 150,000 miles on it and the engine was still going strong. Got $1000 for it! Replies to this message: nedzel (Oct 23, 2008 2:05 pm)
#10 of 12 Re: Toyota Corolla for winter driving [will26] by nedzel Oct 23, 2008 (2:05 pm)
Replying to: will26 (Oct 23, 2008 12:38 pm) I had an 80 Corolla. It rusted out prematurely, but was otherwise a good car. Sold it in '87. It did fine in the snow, within its limits.
#11 of 12 Re: Toyota Corolla for winter driving [nedzel] by terceltom Oct 23, 2008 (8:01 pm)
Replying to: nedzel (Oct 23, 2008 11:07 am) Yea I know, I didn't recommend sand bags for anyone! I just reminded about the traction control when rocking the car back and forth. Replies to this message: iowa_driver (Dec 17, 2008 9:18 am)
#12 of 12 2009 Toyota Corolla vs. 2009 Mazda3 for winter driving by iowa_driver Dec 17, 2008 (9:18 am)
Replying to: terceltom (Oct 23, 2008 8:01 pm) I just test drove a 2009 Corolla and a 2009 Mazda3 hatchback yesterday in the snow. I was going to cancel the test drive with a storm approaching, but my friend said we should try anyway. I'm so glad he talked me into it, because the difference in the car performance was remarkable.   The setting: Light powdery snow falling, about 2 inches on the ground and around 10 degrees in Iowa. I drove the Mazda3 first and then about an hour later, with more snow on the ground, I drove a Corolla LE. Both were automatic transmissions equipped with traction control and vehicle stability control. I have driven both manuals and automatics (but my wife can't drive a manual) and I have a fair amount of experience driving in snow and ice conditions. Both my friend and I took turns driving.   I'll say that I was in love with the Mazda3. The car is gorgeous, drives well, and comes highly recommended. But when we came to turns in the snow it slid more than I expected. The traction control would kick in, but it felt like it was fighting us and it jolted the car quite a bit. On a turn across a two lane road, the traction control engaged, but we still had a noticeable sideways slide.   The Corolla was my second choice and I drove the LE. The exterior for the 2009 is nice, but a picture of the interior should be in the dictionary next to the word "generic". However, it handled the same turns in the same conditions smoothly. On several turns I could see the traction control light going crazy, but all I noticed when driving was a easy turn in the snow with no noticeable slippage. In truth, if it wasn't for the light, I might not have noticed that the traction control had engaged.   Ultimately, I had to choose the Corolla. It handled the snow with confidence and I felt much safer driving it. If I lived in a climate with less snow, I probably would have picked the Mazda3. I decided to purchase the Corolla S because the interior is far better than the LE (though it still pales in comparison to the Mazda3).   I never suspected that there could be so much difference in traction control technology (I assume that was the difference in performance). I suppose the tires could have been a factor, but both had new all-season radials.

Messages Page 2 of 2 1 2 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Sedans Toyota Corolla Toyota Corolla for winter driving