Snow Driving...Who's done it so far?

Jessobear · 12-01-2010, 05:55 PM

I took my car on Thanksgiving from DC up to southern PA. Stayed there for two days and on the way home on Saturday, it went below freezing and started to snow up in the "mountains" where I was. Had to drive about a mile down a dirt road that was covered with snow and I thought the car did amazingly well. No sliding or anything. Once out on the highway, there was some snow on the road and the temp was 25F and I really didn't have any issues with the car. That actually really amazed me. I expected the tires to turn to rocks and not grip at all at that temperature. Temp warmed up as we came down in altitude and went above freezing, but I still was impressed with how well the tires worked at temps in the 30's.

SeattleLion · 12-02-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPD47

This may be the funniest post I've seen on the internet. The 370z is more than capable in the snow. Get some decent snows, turn traction control off and go have fun guys. I daily my 2wd truck that has 20" wheels on it and we get arguably more snow than the rest of the country in Western NY (See: Lake effect). Hell, back when one of my friends owned my z33 (and it had twin turbos) we took it ice racing a few times out on frozen lakes.

Where you live the state/counties/cities know how to manage snow. Here in the Seattle area, the idiots (county and city authorities) wait until enough snow has fallen (a full day generally) to turn to black ice. Most areas won't use salt. They are afraid of changing the salinity of the Pacific ocean. Most of our roads have raised dots in addtion to painted lines, so a plow leaves at least two inches of snow/ice. As a result, the roads are virtually undrivable until the snow melts. Fortunately, this happens after a few days and it doesn't snow all that often.

I'm from New York and am very used to driving in snow. But here it isn't snow, it's ice. Couple all of this with the fact that people here do not have a clue about winter driving. Oh yes, one more thing, the area is riddled with steep hills.

I have all-weather tires. They do just fine in wet and light snow. The OEM tires (which I replaced after 1,000 miles) are not very sticky on wet roads...and our roads are wet a lot.

clayton · 12-06-2010, 05:26 PM

I just placed 2 sixty pound bags of sand in the back hatch area.... anyone think this may upset the handling or two much weight on the back cover ? Residing in Ohio the snows can be brutal and since this is my daily driver I am attempting to do all that I can to make it

to and from destinations. I also replaced factory tires for Dunlop WinterSport 3D in rear and Dunlop graspic DS3 in front...

AK370Z · 12-06-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clayton

I just placed 2 sixty pound bags of sand in the back hatch area.... anyone think this may upset the handling or two much weight on the back cover ? Residing in Ohio the snows can be brutal and since this is my daily driver I am attempting to do all that I can to make it

to and from destinations. I also replaced factory tires for Dunlop WinterSport 3D in rear and Dunlop graspic DS3 in front...

I don't see why you should have problem. It's like carrying an extra person (120 lbs). You may lose a MPG or two but you'll have much better rear traction since 370Z rear is so light. Good luck

chuckd05 · 12-06-2010, 08:12 PM

I am much more worried about some retard hitting ME while im driving..

Toronto370Z · 12-10-2010, 05:16 PM

You can in fact fit 18" wheels on the 2010 370Z with sport package. I bought my winter tires and wheels off tirerack.com and they fit over the brakes. I'm sure even with the winter tires on its not the greatest in the snow but I would never drive it with summer tires on. Thats a death wish. I bought 18" low profile Bridgestone Blizzaks from the website and got a great deal too.

Pharmacist · 12-11-2010, 01:22 AM

You dont need sandbags or anything. I find i get more than enough traction to accelerate on the snow with winter tires. Besides wouldnt putting extra weight far in the back cause more oversteer?

spearfish25 · 12-11-2010, 08:16 AM

More weight in the rear would cause more understeer because it will increase your rear traction, not decrease it.

valinr · 12-11-2010, 08:24 AM

i just put the 18" snow package on with Blizzaks, nice looking rims, for 1200 bucks. We have snow now and as long as the snow is not to deep and you are not a chop driver the car is no problem in the winter.

Pharmacist · 12-11-2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

More weight in the rear would cause more understeer because it will increase your rear traction, not decrease it.

I'm thinking more like a heavier rear will want to swing around like a pendulum somewhat like how the 911 carrera

ChrisSlicks · 12-11-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

I'm thinking more like a heavier rear will want to swing around like a pendulum somewhat like how the 911 carrera

The weight needs to be in the back but on or in-front of the rear axle. Weight behind the rear axle will give you the pendulum effect you speak of.

Pharmacist · 12-11-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

The weight needs to be in the back but on or in-front of the rear axle. Weight behind the rear axle will give you the pendulum effect you speak of.

i see. so basically you just shove the sand bags into the gap between the strut brace and the imaginary line connecting the rear wheels.

ChrisSlicks · 12-11-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

i see. so basically you just shove the sand bags into the gap between the strut brace and the imaginary line connecting the rear wheels.

Exactly. The Z has a slight front weight bias so the more you can even it out the better, but the weight needs to be on the imaginary plane created by the space between the front and rear axles.

sajonf · 12-11-2010, 02:08 PM

Don't mess with sandbags just put snow tires on. This thing gets around like a tank with winter tires.

Vegitto-kun · 12-11-2010, 02:15 PM

Well I have done it for some days, well most roads are clear of snow but my street never gets cleaned or salted or whatever so it is just a horrible mess of snow and ice.

VDC on + throttle = standing still as the spinning on the ice will cause it to cut of the throttle.

VDC off + throttle = drifting out of the street

the entire road I was just sliding countersteering then slide to other side and countersteering it is actually quite fun.

but the best way to drive in my street is just let the AT pull you ahead not hitting the throttle and its fine.

12-06-2010, 08:12 PM	#80 (permalink)
chuckd05 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NY Posts: 2,391 Drives: No longer a Z Rep Power: 20	I am much more worried about some retard hitting ME while im driving.. __________________ 09 370Z 6M PW - FBO Best 1/4 mile = 12.926 @ 109 SOLD -- 08 BMW 135i - FBO 12.1@120mph SOLD -- white 09 e92 335 Coupe Mtech - 11.9 @ 119 :-) Last edited by chuckd05; 12-07-2010 at 12:19 PM.

12-11-2010, 01:22 AM	#82 (permalink)
Pharmacist A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,249 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 18	You dont need sandbags or anything. I find i get more than enough traction to accelerate on the snow with winter tires. Besides wouldnt putting extra weight far in the back cause more oversteer? __________________ 2009 370z Sport Touring/Nismo shift Knob/Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler

12-11-2010, 08:16 AM	#83 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	More weight in the rear would cause more understeer because it will increase your rear traction, not decrease it. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

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12-01-2010, 05:55 PM	#76 (permalink)
Jessobear Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 201 Drives: '10 370Z Tour/Sp M6 Rep Power: 15	I took my car on Thanksgiving from DC up to southern PA. Stayed there for two days and on the way home on Saturday, it went below freezing and started to snow up in the "mountains" where I was. Had to drive about a mile down a dirt road that was covered with snow and I thought the car did amazingly well. No sliding or anything. Once out on the highway, there was some snow on the road and the temp was 25F and I really didn't have any issues with the car. That actually really amazed me. I expected the tires to turn to rocks and not grip at all at that temperature. Temp warmed up as we came down in altitude and went above freezing, but I still was impressed with how well the tires worked at temps in the 30's.

12-06-2010, 05:26 PM	#78 (permalink)
clayton Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: lancaster ohio Posts: 12 Drives: 370z MT Rep Power: 15	I just placed 2 sixty pound bags of sand in the back hatch area.... anyone think this may upset the handling or two much weight on the back cover ? Residing in Ohio the snows can be brutal and since this is my daily driver I am attempting to do all that I can to make it to and from destinations. I also replaced factory tires for Dunlop WinterSport 3D in rear and Dunlop graspic DS3 in front...

12-10-2010, 05:16 PM	#81 (permalink)
Toronto370Z Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Toronto Posts: 1 Drives: Nissan 370Z CS M6 Rep Power: 15	You can in fact fit 18" wheels on the 2010 370Z with sport package. I bought my winter tires and wheels off tirerack.com and they fit over the brakes. I'm sure even with the winter tires on its not the greatest in the snow but I would never drive it with summer tires on. Thats a death wish. I bought 18" low profile Bridgestone Blizzaks from the website and got a great deal too.

12-11-2010, 08:24 AM	#84 (permalink)
valinr Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 29 Drives: 2010 370Z Black Rep Power: 15	i just put the 18" snow package on with Blizzaks, nice looking rims, for 1200 bucks. We have snow now and as long as the snow is not to deep and you are not a chop driver the car is no problem in the winter.

12-11-2010, 02:08 PM	#89 (permalink)
sajonf Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 97 Drives: 2016 370Z NISMO Rep Power: 16	Don't mess with sandbags just put snow tires on. This thing gets around like a tank with winter tires.

12-11-2010, 02:15 PM	#90 (permalink)
Vegitto-kun A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Posts: 2,011 Drives: 09 370Z Rep Power: 262	Well I have done it for some days, well most roads are clear of snow but my street never gets cleaned or salted or whatever so it is just a horrible mess of snow and ice. VDC on + throttle = standing still as the spinning on the ice will cause it to cut of the throttle. VDC off + throttle = drifting out of the street the entire road I was just sliding countersteering then slide to other side and countersteering it is actually quite fun. but the best way to drive in my street is just let the AT pull you ahead not hitting the throttle and its fine.