Driving in Snow/Ice

Xavier6401

I recently moved to Blacksburg, Va from South Texas, so as you can imagine one of my biggest concerns is the snow/ice during the winter. I've talked to one person who owns a Z here and they said the car drives horrible during the winter, the was without winter tires mind you. I'm just wondering if winter tires will solve my problems or if I'll have to get another car/truck. I know if the snow is high there's no getting through it, supposedly it only snows 12+ inches a few times a year here.

Any guidance would be great! Definitely don't want to trade in my Z if I don't have too!

Rocxtar

Someone recently started a thread with the same exact question (don't worry I'm not pointing finger if a thread already exist, I really don't care).

If you want advise, I say that I wouldn't recommend driving this car in the winter. While yes you can drive it and is do-able, there's still a higher change of losing control or worst with a Z compared to a more appropriate vehicle for snow.

1. Power/Torque/RWD/SportCar/ dont mix well together with snow.
2. Salt and Calcium is not good for the car.

I recommend that your 1st Mod will be getting a beater!! You'll be glad that you did so, and your Z will appreciate it.

sgosh

Agree with Rocxtar. With winter tires you could probably do it; there are some on this forum who have.

For what it's worth, it's other winter drivers who greatly increase risk of damage. Sudden evasive actions in a powerful, light, RWD vehicle in slippery road conditions... I'm sure I don't need to elaborate further.

For me. It's the corrosion potential I'd worry about most. I'd go with a winter beater, finances and reasonable registration/insurance costs permitting.

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Currently: Acura, BMW and Nissan.

TerribleONE

I agree with the others. Get a winter beater

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MagmaRed370z

Get another car. I got a G37x for Winter Driving. Or at the very least put some Snow Tires on the Z. It handles great with them.

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Sold: 2014 Magnetic Black Base.
Current: 2014 Magma Red 370z Sport | ARK Grip Exhaust | 25mm HR Spacers | GTR Button | DRL Mod

Rocxtar

Yeap, sometimes is not your driving is the others!! If something was ever to happen I would rather be on a beater than on a Z.

JDubya

I've gone the last 2 winters with separate wheels and winter tires on my Z. Provided the snow isn't at levels where your car is plowing it, it's fine in the snow. If you're a moderately experienced winter driver, you won't have any issues; it won't get stuck; it won't lose traction unless you want it to. The only time I've ever had any issues was up an obnoxiously steep hill and that was my fault for not judging it properly (all it took was a restart and I got up it just fine). Again, this is assuming winter tires. Do not even attempt to drive in the snow with summer tires. I'm sure some people will say its possible and they drove up 14 separate hills in 3 ft of snow on their way home from work all on summer tires--but they're idiots.

With that said, I'll second what what mostly everyone else has said: get a beater. If I could do it all over, I'd take the $1200 I spent on a winter set and buy something I don't care about for the winter. There are too many inexperienced, overzealous winter drivers on the road. I'd much rather have the peace of mind knowing that if some jackass smashes into me, they only destroyed some piece of **** beater that I don't care about.

Rocxtar

@ JDubya what part of Pa are you from?

JDubya

A bit west of Philly in the King of Prussia area, you?

90 ST

Search is your friend.

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Not driving your car to keep it in nice shape, is like not wanting to smash your girlfriend so she stays tight for the next guy.

Solid370z

A 370Z in the snow

Xavier6401

Thanks for all the advice, I'll probably look into getting a beater for the winter, I don't want to take any chances!

I tried searching but couldn't get it to work on my phone :l, thanks for the link though.

kenchan

get a winter car. aka 2015+ STI

Rocxtar

Good old Gettysburg.