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

SoCal 370Z · 04-16-2009, 06:58 PM

Well, the Japan model of our car has Snow Mode with its automatic transmission as shown from an excerpt of their Owners Manual. Remember that they are right-hand drive so the shift layout is flipped. Here is a Babel Fish translation of the page:

Quote:

Adjusting to the one (automatic car) usage condition of using the snow mode switch, it is possible to change flow phase. - When the select lever is D, the switch is pushed. (Indicating lamp within meter illumination) - When usually traveling, the switch is pushed back. When (indicating lamp within meter going out) indicating lamp flow phase within SNOW usage condition meter the road surface illumination snow mode select lever which it is easy to slide is D, departing and traveling become easy to do. It becomes usual traveling going out automatic mode economic traveling. Snow mode indicating lamp…P.95 advice - When the usual traveling time it makes snow mode, takeoff acceleration efficiency decreases extremely, are times when vehicle speed decreases the high-speed traveling time.

Now you know what that blank button is used for, and the word SNOW is lighted in the fuel gauge bezel when the button is engaged. Just one more little perk we get screwed out of with the North American models.

spearfish25 · 04-16-2009, 07:09 PM

I'm interested to know what exactly Snow Mode does.

I've read stories that with the stock summer tires you can get stuck in under an inch of snow on flat ground. Maybe it makes the Japanese stock tires bristle with long pointy metal studs... Realistically it probably just makes the car accelerate like a Prius.

Of course that button location is the SRM button on the 6MT (if you flip the US layout to match theirs, otherwise it's the hazard lights).

SoCal 370Z · 04-16-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

I'm interested to know what exactly Snow Mode does.

It usually starts the car off in second gear to avoid spinning, and provide a slower start.

ChrisSlicks · 04-16-2009, 08:45 PM

Not sure why they wouldn't have included it, seems strange as it's just a software mode for the computer.

I think some of the Infiniti models have it, I remember seeing it in my friends M35X.

And yes, on the stock summer tires you aren't going anywhere if there is 1" or more of snow on the ground. All season performance tires are a little better but still pretty useless if there is more than a couple of inches.

spearfish25 · 04-16-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

Not sure why they wouldn't have included it, seems strange as it's just a software mode for the computer.

I think some of the Infiniti models have it, I remember seeing it in my friends M35X.

And yes, on the stock summer tires you aren't going anywhere if there is 1" or more of snow on the ground. All season performance tires are a little better but still pretty useless if there is more than a couple of inches.

I'm still waiting to figure out how to fit rims for my car so I can get a set of snow tires. The short story is that I want 18"s so I can fit Blizzaks, but I have no idea which 18"s if any will fit the sport brakes. Hopefully one day Tire Rack will measure the car.

ChrisSlicks · 04-16-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

I'm still waiting to figure out how to fit rims for my car so I can get a set of snow tires. The short story is that I want 18"s so I can fit Blizzaks, but I have no idea which 18"s if any will fit the sport brakes. Hopefully one day Tire Rack will measure the car.

I think the biggest issue with any after market wheels is going to be the spokes clearing the caliper (whether 18's, 19's or 20's). The wheel hoop itself should clear on most 18's, but there's not much room to spare.

Wonder if anyone tried the base model 18's on the sport? They would make great snow rims if you bought someone's take offs.

SoCal 370Z · 04-16-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

I think the biggest issue with any after market wheels is going to be the spokes clearing the caliper (whether 18's, 19's or 20's). The wheel hoop itself should clear on most 18's, but there's not much room to spare.

Wonder if anyone tried the base model 18's on the sport? They would make great snow rims if you bought someone's take offs.

Why can't a wheel shop base their specs off the 370Z's spare? At least for the minimums.

DooDooBrown · 01-23-2010, 09:31 PM

Just did it in sleet.... Sport package, all stock... Not fun, but it recovers well if you let off the gas..... Couldn't brake more than 5mph, horrible! Do yourself a favor, buy a Jeep!

trent1331 · 01-24-2010, 04:02 AM

I made it about 2 miles through town before I decided drifting was downhill uncontrollably was unsafe. Don't drive in snow.

blinkme323 · 01-24-2010, 09:59 AM

We got a few inches here about a month ago and I was able to make the 15 or so mile trip home from work. I wouldn't recommend it though. What's even more alarming is the sound of the 19's kicking up salt into the wheel wells, lol.

sajonf · 01-24-2010, 10:30 AM

this car is great in the snow with the proper tires. I slapped a set of blizzak LM60s on and have driven several days in snow covered roads here in KC. This thing gets around like a tank with the right shoes.

The only time I couldn't drive the car this winter is when we got a foot of snow a couple weeks ago.. ground clearance is a problem obviously. But anything up to 3-4 inches is a breeze. I would rather be driving this car with snow tires in those conditions than a front wheel drive car with all seasons. It's that good.

j.arnaldo · 01-24-2010, 11:40 AM

...does good ol' rain qualify?...

CrownR426 · 01-24-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.arnaldo

...does good ol' rain qualify?...

Nope, silly!
I love driving in the rain, the grip of the road feels awesome!

j.arnaldo · 01-24-2010, 01:34 PM

Ha! Just kiddin', Crown-man! IF you promise not to make fun of me, I'll confess...I've NEVER seen snow...Only in the movies!

marcussoori · 01-24-2010, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

I'm still waiting to figure out how to fit rims for my car so I can get a set of snow tires. The short story is that I want 18"s so I can fit Blizzaks, but I have no idea which 18"s if any will fit the sport brakes. Hopefully one day Tire Rack will measure the car.

As you probably know, you can buy Blizzaks for the 19" sport wheels. Have them on my car in NE and the Z is pretty darn good in snow lower than the clearance of the car.

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04-16-2009, 07:09 PM	#32 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	I'm interested to know what exactly Snow Mode does. I've read stories that with the stock summer tires you can get stuck in under an inch of snow on flat ground. Maybe it makes the Japanese stock tires bristle with long pointy metal studs... Realistically it probably just makes the car accelerate like a Prius. Of course that button location is the SRM button on the 6MT (if you flip the US layout to match theirs, otherwise it's the hazard lights).

04-16-2009, 08:45 PM	#34 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Not sure why they wouldn't have included it, seems strange as it's just a software mode for the computer. I think some of the Infiniti models have it, I remember seeing it in my friends M35X. And yes, on the stock summer tires you aren't going anywhere if there is 1" or more of snow on the ground. All season performance tires are a little better but still pretty useless if there is more than a couple of inches.

01-23-2010, 09:31 PM	#38 (permalink)
DooDooBrown Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ranson, WV Posts: 178 Drives: 09 370 Touring w/spt Rep Power: 16	Just did it in sleet.... Sport package, all stock... Not fun, but it recovers well if you let off the gas..... Couldn't brake more than 5mph, horrible! Do yourself a favor, buy a Jeep!

01-24-2010, 04:02 AM	#39 (permalink)
trent1331 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 164 Drives: 09 370z MB M6 Rep Power: 16	I made it about 2 miles through town before I decided drifting was downhill uncontrollably was unsafe. Don't drive in snow.

01-24-2010, 09:59 AM	#40 (permalink)
blinkme323 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Philly Posts: 227 Drives: 09 370z Base w/Sport Rep Power: 16	We got a few inches here about a month ago and I was able to make the 15 or so mile trip home from work. I wouldn't recommend it though. What's even more alarming is the sound of the 19's kicking up salt into the wheel wells, lol.

01-24-2010, 10:30 AM	#41 (permalink)
sajonf Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 97 Drives: 2016 370Z NISMO Rep Power: 16	this car is great in the snow with the proper tires. I slapped a set of blizzak LM60s on and have driven several days in snow covered roads here in KC. This thing gets around like a tank with the right shoes. The only time I couldn't drive the car this winter is when we got a foot of snow a couple weeks ago.. ground clearance is a problem obviously. But anything up to 3-4 inches is a breeze. I would rather be driving this car with snow tires in those conditions than a front wheel drive car with all seasons. It's that good.

01-24-2010, 11:40 AM	#42 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	...does good ol' rain qualify?...

01-24-2010, 01:34 PM	#44 (permalink)
j.arnaldo Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 937 Drives: Nissan 350Z, 2004 Rep Power: 0	Ha! Just kiddin', Crown-man! IF you promise not to make fun of me, I'll confess...I've NEVER seen snow...Only in the movies!