Driving in winter... (mild 56K warning)

SeattleLion

Since I bought the car last September, I have been amazed that Nissan would sell the stock Z with summer tires. Yes, other ($100+k) sports cars also do that, but the Z is priced to sell to less affluent people, especially young people who might not understand the limits of summer tires or who can't afford another $1,000+ for a set of all weathers or snows.

I am also surprised that Nissan doesn't have a warning with the car that the stock tires become stiff and lose traction when cold and the outside temp is under 50 deg F.

While it is possible to drive in the winter on stock summer tires, it is at best, a big risk. The stock tires are tricky in the summer on wet roads. While they stick to dry pavement, they hydroplane very easily at speed.

I drive my car all year round (except when the snow is on the road). My first "mod" was a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/W Plus tires. They are designed for both speed and safe driving in cold weather and on wet or moderately (less than 3") snowy roads.

Since this forum gets a wide variety of Z owners (age and interest), it is a useful view of the people who buy and drive Z's. Clearly, at least based on our postings, many Z owners drive their cars in all sorts of weather and road conditions. Dealers, at least my dealer, didn't know anything about the limits that the stock tires put on using the car. Nissan also failed to point out this issue.

The Bridgstones are expensive tires. They are not really cheaper than the ultra-high performance all-weather tires. I think it would be a service to all of us for Nissan to install A/W tires on Z's. Those owners who plan to agressively track their cars will buy race tires anyway. We would all be better off an safer year 'round if the cars came with tires that work in winter.

Just my 2 cents.

m4a1mustang

It's a performance car so it warrants performance tires. The buyer should know that.

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ChrisSlicks

From the owner's manual.

TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide
superior performance on dry pavement. However,
the performance of these tires will be
substantially reduced in snowy and icy conditions.
If you operate your vehicle on snowy or icy
roads, NISSAN recommends the use of MUD &
SNOWor ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels.
Consult a NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S. states
and Canadian provinces prohibit their use.
Check local, state and provincial laws before
installing studded tires.

Also

The VDC system is not a substitute .
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow covered road.

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Jeffblue

+rep

when i got the car, after driving it home and enjoying it a bit, i sat down and browsed the manual. something you should consider before saying that the information was not made available to you.

spinhead

This is 2 seat sports car, clearly practicality isn't the top concern. And Nissan isn't in the hand holding business; knowing that summer tires are no good in the winter and planning around this knowledge is well within the realm of personal responsibility.

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junior_jam

You should have told your girlfriend, "I can't possibly go home because it's too dangerous. Let's go to bed!"

Jeffblue

hah i don't think he'd have left yet unless he had already gotten that out of the way.

TreeSemdyZee

It is the BUYER'S responsibility to know what he is buying.
Entitlement FTL.
This isn't a watch, it's a 332HP car.

370Z Purist

Already got the bedtime out of the way.

I was well aware of the summer tire problem when I researched the rubber that came wrapped around the sport package wheels. More or less it is my fault to drive the 370z out during clear conditions with the awareness it could have snowed.

I have also read all the manuals and etc. in the car over the course of a couple days after it was in the home garage.

Right now, I just have to get the wheel and suspension fixed up and ready to go. It's all I can do at this point.

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"Since one of my brake light bulbs just went out, the forum told me that my piston rings are about to blow."

BrianMSmith

I will not even look at the Z if there is any sign (even a cloud) when the temp is below 33F, or if there is any residual slush on the roads. Luckily this is rare in Seattle. I crashed my old Camaro SS on the snow/ice twice when I thought I knew what I was doing. It aint worth the risk.

JB1

Purist, do you have a shop you can take it to? I know of 3 shops with lots of Z experience in the area, used one of them myself before and a friend of mine used the other two. Let me know if you need reviews.

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370Z Purist

I am extremely interested. I would rather not get screwed over at the dealer. Unfortunately, I don't know of any specific shops that have Z experience. I just know of a couple shops in the Chicagoland area... such as AMS, P&L, and ... I can't remember.

Although, I would have to hope that State Farm will pay out to them.

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-Phil

"Since one of my brake light bulbs just went out, the forum told me that my piston rings are about to blow."

spinhead

I think Tree's and my comments were in response to SeattleLion's post, not yours. Its evident from your OP that you aren't blaming Nissan for what happened to you or anything like that.

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370Z Purist

I can't say I disagree with SeattleLion, although what he mentions (that people will buy race tires if they want to track it) defeats his point; if it came with summer tires, wouldn't people buy all-seasons or track tires/slicks if they really needed it?

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-Phil

"Since one of my brake light bulbs just went out, the forum told me that my piston rings are about to blow."

sonic370

sorry to hear about that... but the rays are around 1100 each..

don't you just love the warning light that pops on when it gets below 34
and says icy......like we can't tell by looking at the road conditions...