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Venza Performance in Snow and Ice

33 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2010 at 5:54 AM

You are in the Toyota Venza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Venza, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 4

#1 of 33 FWD Performance in Snow by mrrich1

Mar 12, 2009 (8:17 pm)

I've lived in PA for 25 years and gotten by fine with FWD in the snow. What is the experience Venza owners have had with FWD versions in the snow? I am particularly interested in 6 cyl reports, since it appears they have the better tires. The reports on the 19" tire quality and limited availability, which is the same as that used on the Highlander, scare me, and I was initially interested in a 4 cyl model. It sounds like Highlander owners are downsizing their 19" rims to get access to decent all-weather tires. I realize everyone is driving on new tires, so the problem of what happen as the tires wear is still a mystery, although the Michelins seem to work well enough over time in other vehicles.

#2 of 33 My snow experience by normvenza09

Mar 13, 2009 (11:51 am)

two weekends ago, we had 6-8 inches snow along I-64 and I-95. Took us 6 hours from Chesapeake to Washington DC because of the snow storm. We made many stops for bathroom breaks and to get food and gas. Many local roads were covered with snow and Venza V6 FWD performed flawlessly.
 
Front and back wipers performed great as well.
 
Overall, it was fun and joyous drive despite the snow storm.

#3 of 33 Re: My snow experience [normvenza09] by wwest

Mar 14, 2009 (10:52 am)

Replying to: normvenza09 (Mar 13, 2009 11:51 am)
Fun and joyous.......SIX HOURS...
 
Even without kids that seems a bit of a stretch, even doubling up on the paxil.

#4 of 33 Re: My snow experience [wwest] by normvenza09

Mar 15, 2009 (7:32 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Mar 14, 2009 10:52 am)
Not a stretch, I drove many cars before and I find Venza is fun and joyous ride everytime I in it.

#5 of 33 by DAGHVAC

Mar 15, 2009 (10:00 pm)

i am looking to raise the performance and handling to the brakes on the axis show car and between 325 to 400 hp not supercharger but other aproaches the extreme would be turbo and better springs

#7 of 33 AWD MODEL,YOUR DRIVING IMPRESSIONS ON SNOW AND ICE by bobquebec

Oct 18, 2009 (5:48 am)

Hi to all
I would like to know how your Venza's handle on the snow,and ice.
Thanks
Best Regards
Robert

#9 of 33 Re: AWD MODEL,YOUR DRIVING IMPRESSIONS ON SNOW AND ICE [bobquebec] by dave139

Oct 21, 2009 (5:24 pm)

Replying to: bobquebec (Oct 18, 2009 5:48 am)
I have a little more than 1000 miles on my 4 cyl. Venza and am very pleased with the car so far. However, I've read too many bad reviews about the standard Bridgestone Dueler 245/55R 19-inch all-season tires to risk driving on them during our harsh Syracuse winters. Have therefore ordered 4 Blizzak DM-V1 Bridgestone Light Truck/SUV Studless Ice and Snow winter tires. Will let you know how I do.

#10 of 33 AWD MODEL,YOUR DRIVING IMPRESSIONS ON SNOW AND ICE by michiganmike1

Oct 21, 2009 (7:07 pm)

I have only had my Venza for ten days and have not driven on ice and snow yet. It was reassuring to read the positive report from normvenza09 above.
However, there was a review of the Venza at online.wsj.com which reported:
"The huge wheels made the Venza a handful in the snow, where it often struggled to gain traction. Even mild acceleration would cause the stability-control system to kick in, reducing power and applying single-wheel braking to quell slippage, thus rendering the benefits of all-wheel drive moot. When it comes to winter driving, the Venza is the worst all-wheel-drive vehicle I have ever tested."
Although the review does not state it, I suspect the test car may have had Goodyear RSA tires which are reported in survey results at tirerack.com to not be as capable in snow as the Michelin Latitude tires that are also available OEM on the Venza. I should have first hand experience with snow and ice in another couple months.

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