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

Originally Posted by SeattleLion

Like most generalizations, this one is deeply flawed. The optimum performance for any car is acheived when the tires exactly match the road conditions. That's why people who race seriously have a set of track tires that would perform horribly on standard roads in bad weather.

Theoretically, all season tires can perform as well as summer tires. In practice some all seasons (like Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus) do outperform many "summer" tires. The key is to consider what the car is intended to do. How many 370Z's actually need the level of performance the Bridgestone summer tires claim? If Nissan followed their own logic, only the NISMO would come with maximum performance summer tires. It's the Z Nissan says it intended for racing.

Most of the rest of us will find no performance issues with really good A/S tires. I swapped the Bridgestone Potenzas for the Michelins in October. Even on warm roads, the Pilot Sport A/S tires do better than the Potenzas on wet roads. I admit that I am not racing, but I do drive in a "sporty" manner much of the time. I live in an area that is frequently wet and has roads I can enjoy the speed and handling of my Z when I drive.

In my use, the Michelins stick better than the Potenzas. That's not to say on a track the Bridgestone's wont prove better. My point is that the Z has a special place in the sports car market. It is affordable by people who can't afford multiple sets of tires. Also, other sports cars come with A/S tires.

I wish Nissan would do the same for all but the Nismo.

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Dp'd by five ohs and I liked it...I liked it

Originally Posted by SeattleLion

Like most generalizations, this one is deeply flawed. The optimum performance for any car is acheived when the tires exactly match the road conditions. That's why people who race seriously have a set of track tires that would perform horribly on standard roads in bad weather.

Theoretically, all season tires can perform as well as summer tires. In practice some all seasons (like Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus) do outperform many "summer" tires. The key is to consider what the car is intended to do. How many 370Z's actually need the level of performance the Bridgestone summer tires claim? If Nissan followed their own logic, only the NISMO would come with maximum performance summer tires. It's the Z Nissan says it intended for racing.

Most of the rest of us will find no performance issues with really good A/S tires. I swapped the Bridgestone Potenzas for the Michelins in October. Even on warm roads, the Pilot Sport A/S tires do better than the Potenzas on wet roads. I admit that I am not racing, but I do drive in a "sporty" manner much of the time. I live in an area that is frequently wet and has roads I can enjoy the speed and handling of my Z when I drive.

In my use, the Michelins stick better than the Potenzas. That's not to say on a track the Bridgestone's wont prove better. My point is that the Z has a special place in the sports car market. It is affordable by people who can't afford multiple sets of tires. Also, other sports cars come with A/S tires.

I wish Nissan would do the same for all but the Nismo.

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

The real reason that cars come with Summer tires is car reviews. People like to bench race cars on specs, and the car with the stickiest tire can win a test especially braking, slalom, and skid pad. That is the reason cars like the WRX STi made the switch because they were falling behind their competitors. Basically if one car in the class switches to Summer tires the rest are forced to follow else they risk losing a comparison test.

As for the tires that came on the car, I didn't really care as I pulled them off right away and sold them and then bought what I wanted.

Originally Posted by samb03

check and see of the tie rod is bent. If isn't you can get realigned enough to drive it to the shop by adjusting it. All it takes is a couple (can't remember sizes) open end wrenchs and a tape measure. get a measurement from the front of the tires and adjsut it so it has the same measure on the backside of the front of the tires. This will get you 0degrees of toe. You will have to secure the steering wheel in place or it will not be pointed straight up when you are done. This is just a quick fix to get to the shop for a proper alignment. Road racers do this alot. When you are done bounce the front end of the car to settle it and see what it looks like. "settle" it before you start aswell.

You can build a box of string measured from the same points from the car on both sides. Then measure distances from the strings to the tire and do a full alignment caster/camber/toe. In that order.