Are Toyota Camrys Good In The Snow? 

Most cars can drive well in ideal conditions. But when the winter weather starts to roll in, and the snow blankets the road, it will be more challenging. 

Without a good car, you are at risk of sliding around the road and having an accident. So, how well will the Camry handle snowy roads?

Camrys will handle themselves very well in the snow. The FWD model will drive well in light snow, as long as you are using snow tires. However, if you encounter heavy snow or ice in your local area, it might be best to have the AWD Camry model. This will give you more traction.

It’s important to know how your car will handle rough weather conditions. You want to know that you will be safe in slippery conditions. 

Keep reading to learn about when to expect when driving a Camry in the snow.

How Cold Weather Affects The Camry

How a car will cope with cold weather will often depend on the type of drive your vehicle has (FWD, RWD, AWD, or 4WD) you are using. The Camry will come with FWD as standard. 

However, most trim levels will give you the chance to upgrade to an AWD system. Let’s look at how both of these perform in the snow, so you can find the right one for you.

FWD Camry

The front-wheel-drive will use the weight of the engine at the front of the car to give you better traction. The power will be sent to the wheels at the front of the vehicle in FWD hence the name. 

This approach will give you a lot of traction, helping you cling to the road during icy conditions.

However, this doesn’t mean that an FWD is perfect. It can run into a few problems when steering. 

This will be particularly evident when you are going around a corner. In some cases, you might slide off the road. 

Because of this, it’s recommended that you use snow tires when driving during the winter.

AWD Camry 

The other option that you might want to consider is an AWD. In this case, the power will be sent to each of the tires. 

There are a few benefits to taking this approach. One of the biggest is the increase in traction. As a result, you will find it easier to cling to roads that are covered with snow and ice.

However, an AWD won’t perform as well if you are planning on heading into an off-road environment. Also, this system will add more weight to the car. 

As a result, it will be more expensive to run than an FWD vehicle and you will also have to pay more upfront when buying an AWD Camry. 

Which One Should You Choose?

Both of these modes (FWD and AWD) have their own pros and cons. The right one for you will often depend on the type of conditions that you are facing. 

If you only have light snow and minimal ice, it might be a good idea to use the FWD option. This will be cheaper to buy and run.

On the other hand, if you routinely face heavy snow or icy roads, it will be best to choose the AWD option. Though it might cost a little more to run, you will get more traction. 

This will be needed to stop you from sliding off the road and damaging the vehicle.

Camry Safety Features For Winter Driving

The Toyota Camry has a range of features that are designed to keep its occupants safe. This can come in especially useful when you are facing harsh weather conditions. Some of these features include:

• Vehicle stability control (VSC). One of the biggest concerns for drivers is that they will lose control of their vehicles on a slippery road. If this happens, the VSC will kick in. It will apply the brakes to stop you from skidding. It will also lower the speed, making it easier for you to regain control of the vehicle.
  
• Traction control. If you have slippery conditions, it will cut the power supply to that wheel. This will keep the car stable and give you a chance to regain control.
  
• Anti-Lock Braking System. Sometimes, you might apply the brake too harshly on a slippery road. This can cause the car to slide out of control. The anti-lock braking system ensures that this doesn’t happen. The odds of a lock-up decrease further through the Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system.
  

Tips For Driving More Safely In the Winter

The car that you are using is only part of the solution. You’ll also need to consider the way that you prepare and drive during the winter months. 

Here are some of the tips you can use.

Use Snow Tires

The best option is to put snow tires on your car. These can help you increase the amount of traction you are receiving. 

This should stop you from sliding around as much when you are on the road. Make sure that you keep your tires inflated. 

In some cases (and in the worst conditions) you might even want to put chains on the tires.

Drive More Carefully

When a road is more slippery, it can present a range of driving challenges. You will find it harder to stop and you are at risk of losing control when you accelerate. 

Because of this, it’s best to take it slower on snowy roads. You should also leave a little more space between you and the driver in front of you.

Keep Some Cold Weather Gear in the Car

Finally, it’s a good idea to keep some cold weather gear in your car. Things like blankets and some extra food and water. 

This ensures that you can stay warm and dry if your car breaks down. 

If you are heading on a long journey, you might want to text some friends or family members to let them know where you are going. They will be able to send for help if you don’t arrive on time.

Typical Camry Issues During The Winter

While a Camry might be able to handle cold weather, it can still experience a few problems when the temperature drops. Some of the most common issues include:

• Dead batteries
  
• Blocked lines where fuel has frozen
  
• Filters getting clogged up
  
• Frozen locks
  
• Windscreen wipers becoming frozen
  
• Failing spark plugs
  

The best way to avoid these problems is by taking the car to a mechanic before the cold weather starts to move in. They will be able to look over the engine and help you prepare your car for the coming winter. 

If needed, they will be able to replace parts that are starting to get old or worn out. 

Final Thoughts

The Camry has been built with family and safety in mind. As a result, there is a range of features that you can use when traveling in snowy or icy conditions. 

They will help you retain control of your vehicle. 

You should also alter your driving habits, going a little slower and more cautiously. If you do this, the Camry will get you to your destination safely.