Are Corollas Good In The Snow?

If you live in a cold climate, you will need to be prepared for the prospect of snow falling on the road. But how will the Toyota Corolla handle these conditions?

The Toyota Corolla is a front-wheel drive vehicle. This will give you more traction on the road, stopping the car from sliding around. As long as the snow isn’t too deep (over 12”) you shouldn’t have a problem getting around in a Corolla. 

The low profile of this car reduces the risk that it will flip over. This makes it a good choice in a low to medium snowfall. In heavier snow, though, it might be best to choose a 4WD or AWD car. 

If you encounter 12”+ of snow regularly you will not only want a 4WD or AWD vehicle but you will want one that sits off the ground further like an SUV or truck. 

If there is snow on the road, it can create dangerous driving conditions. Because of this, it’s important to have a car that will help to keep you safe. Keep reading to learn more about how the Toyota Corolla will fare in colder weather.

Driving A Corolla During The Winter

In rough weather conditions, it’s good to get a car that will be front-wheel drive, like the Corolla. In this case, the weight is in the front of the vehicle. 

This will allow you to get a better grip on the road, stopping you from sliding off the road during rough weather conditions. This is ideal where there is light snow covering the road.

The downside to this approach is that if you do lose your grip, it can be difficult to regain it again. If you apply acceleration, you will only make things worse. This will most commonly occur when you are going around a corner.

Corollas are also lower to the ground than an SUV, this gives the driver more control. Sometimes, the bigger cars have been known to lose control and tip over. 

This isn’t something that you need to worry about when driving a sedan.

However, the Corolla isn’t equipped with all-wheel drive. As a result, it might struggle in trips to areas that have heavier snowfall. There is a chance that you will get bogged in the snow and will need to be towed out if the snow is extremely deep. 

Although the Corolla does good in the snow you will still need to pay attention to the road. You don’t want to risk hitting any ice. This can cause your car to slide, no matter what kind of car you are in. 

Ultimately, whether the Corolla is the right fit for winter will depend on the type of conditions that you usually face. If you have light to moderate snowfall, the Corolla will be able to cope with it easily. 

However, if you are often in heavier snow, it’s best to choose another model. Preferably a 4WD or an AWD. Something like the RAV4 or Sequoia would be the better choice.

Corolla Safety Features

When you are driving in hazardous conditions, it’s important to make sure that you are staying safe. Thankfully, the Corolla comes with a range of features that allow you to do this. These include:

• Traction Control. This limits how the wheels will turn. This will help stop the car from slipping off the road.
  
• Anti-locking brake system (ABS). In this case, sensors will detect when the car is starting to skid. This stops the brakes from locking up, pumping the brakes hundreds of times a second.
  
• Emergency braking assistance (EBA). This allows the car to increase the stopping power of the car during times of emergency.
  
• Smart Stop Technology. Sometimes, you will accidentally step on the accelerator, causing the car to leap forward. Smart stop technology is designed to recognize when this has happened and bring the car safely under control.
  
• Vehicle Stability Control. This is designed to prevent over and understeer. In this case, sensors will monitor the vehicle’s path and selectively apply the brakes to bring it back under control.
  

How The Cold Weather Affects The Corolla

There are a few ways that the colder weather will affect the Corolla. First, you will often notice a drop in fuel efficiency. This can be as dramatic as a 22 percent decline. 

This is because the colder weather affects the way that the fuel flows through the car.

The colder weather might also start to take its toll on your battery. You might find that it offers less power, making it harder to get the car started. 

Sometimes, you might notice that there are more leaks. Often, this will be of liquids like brake and transmission fluid.

Furthermore, you will need to visit the car wash more frequently during the winter months. You’ll need to wash the vehicle at least once a month. 

This is because of the salt that is added to the roads. It can add to corrosion, eating through metal surfaces. These issues aren’t abnormal or limited to the Corolla however. 

Every vehicle on the road will experience similar issues once the cold weather starts to set in. The good news is that Corollas are known for being reliable, even in the harshest conditions.

Improving Driving During The Winter

If you are expecting snow and ice on the road, there are a few simple things you can do to prepare your car. Some of these include:

• Using snow tires. The first thing that you need to do is use snow tires. These will give your wheels more traction on slippery roads. If there has been a heavier snowfall, you might need to put chains on your tires.
  
• Change your driving style. When the roads are slipperier, you will need to travel a little slower. Avoid making any sudden turns. Remain vigilant, focusing on the road ahead. This will allow you to spot obstacles, like shards of ice.
  
• Check your tire pressure. During colder weather, there is a tendency for the pressure in your tires to drop. However, this can make it harder for you to control the vehicle. Your tires should have the ideal pressure listed on them.
  
• Get a tune-up. Before the winter months arrive, you want to make sure that your car is in good working condition. Get the mechanic to give it a tune-up and fix any lingering problems.
  
• Maintain a safe distance. Finally, you want to make sure that you are keeping a safe distance between your vehicle and the car in front of you. This will give you plenty of time to stop in an emergency.
  

Final Thoughts

If you live in a colder climate, a Toyota Corolla can be a good option. It will be able to handle itself very well on a snowy road. 

It can get through a few inches of snow without any issues, however if you frequently face heavy snowfall, you might want to consider a vehicle that has AWD or 4WD.