370Z in snow.

iwgl1981 · 04-21-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

I've driven mine for two winters with a decent amount of snow and have had no problems. I put Blizzaks on.
The best thing to do IMO is take your car into an empty parking lot and learn how to drive in the snow.
I'm going to guess that the person above who mentions sliding the car didn't have snow tires.
Go for it. You won't regret it.

What was the most snow you have driven it in?

iwgl1981 · 04-21-2011, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brado

ill never risk it again. my Z slid into oncoming traffic last winter and scared the hell out of me. i drive the fiance's car in the snow now.

Did you have snow tires on? If so do you think it would've made enough of a difference?

ChrisSlicks · 04-22-2011, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brado

ill never risk it again. my Z slid into oncoming traffic last winter and scared the hell out of me. i drive the fiance's car in the snow now.

Stock tires?

04-21-2011, 07:16 PM

I took my Z in them mountains with summer tires like a boss

BaneGrievver · 04-21-2011, 07:19 PM

1. Quality winter tires. I use Blizzak's which have been reliable so far, even though they're 19" 245/275. Thinner and skinny tires are usually the way to go but I wanted ones that looked good.

2. Always leave the traction control on. I've only ever turned it off to get my car out of a snow drift after leaving it outside overnight.

3. Be in the highest gear you can for whatever speed you're driving, it helps.

4. Take corners nice and slow, who cares if there is a bit of traffic behind you, at least you won't oversteer too badly.

5. Don't floor it from a stop, get a nice rolling start and then accelerate.

6. Move somewhere tropical.

My experiences are based on suburban driving in southern Ontario where our roads get plowed pretty quickly but they're still slick. I'm confident enough in my own driving to not really worry. What I do worry about is some goof in the car behind me who thinks he doesn't need new tires after twenty years.

iwgl1981 · 04-21-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaneGrievver

1. Quality winter tires. I use Blizzak's which have been reliable so far, even though they're 19" 245/275. Thinner and skinny tires are usually the way to go but I wanted ones that looked good.

2. Always leave the traction control on. I've only ever turned it off to get my car out of a snow drift after leaving it outside overnight.

3. Be in the highest gear you can for whatever speed you're driving, it helps.

4. Take corners nice and slow, who cares if there is a bit of traffic behind you, at least you won't oversteer too badly.

5. Don't floor it from a stop, get a nice rolling start and then accelerate.

6. Move somewhere tropical.

My experiences are based on suburban driving in southern Ontario where our roads get plowed pretty quickly but they're still slick. I'm confident enough in my own driving to not really worry. What I do worry about is some goof in the car behind me who thinks he doesn't need new tires after twenty years.

Has ride height ever been an issue? Love Ontario by the way as well as Toronto.

mikeSS · 04-21-2011, 08:02 PM

my friend uses winter tires on his 350, and it works very well for what the car is.

OldGuy · 04-21-2011, 08:29 PM

My Z is garaged December through March---car's way too pretty for salt and cinders. Also, very scared of the other drivers who don't know how to handle snow and ice. Be very, very careful if you're going to drive the Z in snow and ice. It's can get very dicey.

BaneGrievver · 04-21-2011, 08:44 PM

Nah, ride height hasn't been an issue, mind you I haven't driven through thick snowy roads that haven't been plowed.

DrEvil · 04-21-2011, 08:53 PM

When it snow, my Z don't go. I'll use my wifes' xc 70 with awd (and a cbe, cai-that she doesn't know about)

gr8-wrx · 04-22-2011, 12:41 PM

If I lived in an area that received regular snow, I would probably have kept my WRX. AWD is awesome in snow!

Red__Zed · 04-22-2011, 12:44 PM

You'll be fine with blizzaks(or equivalent)

2011 Nismo#91 · 04-22-2011, 03:35 PM

IMO use winter tires in the winter and summer in the summer. But RWD will never be the same as a FWD/AWD car, in a situation where a FWD car in the snow/slush is fine a RWD can be very difficult to drive regardless of tires. You can still drive it in the snow but you'll be much slower then most other cars but who cars about how fast you get where you are going in a snow storm. In the end how ever you can drive in very bad snow storms and be just fine, you just have to be mindful of your car, the road ahead, and the people around you and you'll be fine in any car.

ChrisSlicks · 04-22-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011 Nismo#91

IMO use winter tires in the winter and summer in the summer. But RWD will never be the same as a FWD/AWD car, in a situation where a FWD car in the snow/slush is fine a RWD can be very difficult to drive regardless of tires. You can still drive it in the snow but you'll be much slower then most other cars but who cars about how fast you get where you are going in a snow storm.

I don't buy into that. I've driven both FWD and RWD and I prefer RWD in the snow, no question. With the right tire you can go anywhere. The Z's weakness in the snow is firm suspension, you need the weight transfer to assist in traction. As already stated find the skinniest wheels and tires that are practical.

2011 Nismo#91 · 04-22-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

I don't buy into that. I've driven both FWD and RWD and I prefer RWD in the snow, no question. With the right tire you can go anywhere. The Z's weakness in the snow is firm suspension, you need the weight transfer to assist in traction. As already stated find the skinniest wheels and tires that are practical.

I prefer RWD too but unfortunately that doesn't change it performance characteristic. And I would rather have a firm suspension in the snow, a soft suspension is too unpredictable.

04-21-2011, 07:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
BaneGrievver Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 20 Drives: 2009 Blue 370Z Rep Power: 17	1. Quality winter tires. I use Blizzak's which have been reliable so far, even though they're 19" 245/275. Thinner and skinny tires are usually the way to go but I wanted ones that looked good. 2. Always leave the traction control on. I've only ever turned it off to get my car out of a snow drift after leaving it outside overnight. 3. Be in the highest gear you can for whatever speed you're driving, it helps. 4. Take corners nice and slow, who cares if there is a bit of traffic behind you, at least you won't oversteer too badly. 5. Don't floor it from a stop, get a nice rolling start and then accelerate. 6. Move somewhere tropical. My experiences are based on suburban driving in southern Ontario where our roads get plowed pretty quickly but they're still slick. I'm confident enough in my own driving to not really worry. What I do worry about is some goof in the car behind me who thinks he doesn't need new tires after twenty years. Last edited by BaneGrievver; 04-21-2011 at 07:22 PM.

04-21-2011, 08:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
mikeSS Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: MI Posts: 205 Drives: performance Rep Power: 14	my friend uses winter tires on his 350, and it works very well for what the car is. __________________ 11 GT 432WHP. 10 SS 460WHP

04-22-2011, 12:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
gr8-wrx Track Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 611 Drives: 10 370z Roadster 7AT Rep Power: 16	If I lived in an area that received regular snow, I would probably have kept my WRX. AWD is awesome in snow! __________________ Me: 2022 Toyota Tacoma SR5 Double-Cab SB Wifey: 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited AWD Weekends: 2010 Nissan 370z Roadster

04-22-2011, 03:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,408 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 40570	IMO use winter tires in the winter and summer in the summer. But RWD will never be the same as a FWD/AWD car, in a situation where a FWD car in the snow/slush is fine a RWD can be very difficult to drive regardless of tires. You can still drive it in the snow but you'll be much slower then most other cars but who cars about how fast you get where you are going in a snow storm. In the end how ever you can drive in very bad snow storms and be just fine, you just have to be mindful of your car, the road ahead, and the people around you and you'll be fine in any car. Last edited by 2011 Nismo#91; 04-22-2011 at 03:39 PM.

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04-21-2011, 07:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
blue660r01 Guest Posts: n/a	I took my Z in them mountains with summer tires like a boss

04-21-2011, 08:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
OldGuy Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Greensburg PA Posts: 899 Drives: '09370Z Red Base A7 Rep Power: 17	My Z is garaged December through March---car's way too pretty for salt and cinders. Also, very scared of the other drivers who don't know how to handle snow and ice. Be very, very careful if you're going to drive the Z in snow and ice. It's can get very dicey.

04-21-2011, 08:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
BaneGrievver Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 20 Drives: 2009 Blue 370Z Rep Power: 17	Nah, ride height hasn't been an issue, mind you I haven't driven through thick snowy roads that haven't been plowed.

04-21-2011, 08:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
DrEvil Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 270 Drives: 09 370z,Blue, auto Rep Power: 15	When it snow, my Z don't go. I'll use my wifes' xc 70 with awd (and a cbe, cai-that she doesn't know about)

04-22-2011, 12:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	You'll be fine with blizzaks(or equivalent)