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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 2 of 4

#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.

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

Oct 22, 2009 (4:53 am)

Replying to: dave139 (Oct 21, 2009 5:24 pm)
Hello Dave,
Thank you for your reply. Yes please let me know. I will be purchasing this car next year. We also have harsh winters in Quebec.
 
Regards
Robert

#12 of 33 Re: AWD MODEL,YOUR DRIVING IMPRESSIONS ON SNOW AND ICE [michiganmike1] by bobquebec

Oct 22, 2009 (5:01 am)

Replying to: michiganmike1 (Oct 21, 2009 7:07 pm)
Hello again Michiganmike.
I thank you again for your great comments. I will be taking a look at those sites. On my end i researched the tires for next year. I will be using 18" tires for winter. Please let me know your first hand experience in snow, and ice.
 
Regards
Robert

#13 of 33 Re: AWD MODEL,YOUR DRIVING IMPRESSIONS ON SNOW AND ICE [michiganmike1] by wwest

Oct 22, 2009 (9:51 am)

Replying to: michiganmike1 (Oct 21, 2009 7:07 pm)
As a general rule the larger diameter wheel means a lower/short tire sidewall. Short sidewall results in less flex, lower CSA contact patch area, slightly improved FE.
 
Lower CSA results in higher propensity for slippage when roadbed conditions are becoming marginal. It also appears to me that the manufacturers of FWD and F/awd vehicles are becoming more safety conscious and therefore the TRAC firmware is being revised to be somewhat more aggressive.
 
Turning TRAC off and learning to "feather" the throttle "just so" would be the answer. Especially so if the TC off function doesn't disable the automatic driveline coupling to the rear with low speed acceleration.

Messages Page 2 of 4

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