370Z in snow.
 

Hey everyone this is my first post here on this forum. I do not currently own a 370Z so don't hold it against me. My question pertains to using a Z in the snow with the right tires of course. I live on Long Island in New York so we get a fair share of snow some years more than others. We can get anywhere from say 3 inches to over a foot. I hate to bother you guys with this question bc I've seen other threads but haven't been satisfied with the answer. I'd like to get feed back from people who actually drive this car with some snow on the ground. I haven't ever driven a rwd car in the snow but have years of expierence with a front wheel drive car in the snow. I think the biggest issue with the Z is clearance as I think it's only 4.84 inches off the ground at it's lowest point. I have spoken to several people that I know and have had several different opinions on it. So here I go does this car have too much torque to be driven sanely in the snow? Chains are also an option. Does anyone use chains and if so can they cause damage to the suspension even if they're installed correctly? I'm very interested in buying this car in the very near future and this is really the deciding factor for me. All replies would be greatly appreciated. My other choice's are the Evo which I'm sure you could've guessed and the Maxima. Thanks again.

A RWD car is harder to drive in the snow, and this one certainly has enough power to make it trouble. As noted, yes, you'll need all season or winter tires. But even then, because the wheels providing the power are not the ones driving the car, you can easily fishtail. Completely different experience from FWD or AWD/4WD.

An Evo or a Max would handle the snow better, but the Z is nicer imo.

Ask spearfish. He has mastered the art of snow dance in z. :icon17:

This has been discussed before, search and you'll find plenty of useful info.

As for my experience, I've driven in Boston this winter with snow tires and it handled better than my old (FWD, 140hp) Civic with all-seasons. VDC and LSD help as well.

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.

As I said in my post I have seen other threads and have not been satisfied with the answers. I appreciate your response. What tires do you have? Have you used tire chains? If so can they damage the suspension? Do you start off in second gear?

That's exactly what I'm afraid of. Appreciate the response man.

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

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.

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

I drove mine in the city and outer-boroughs these past two winters. No issues. Just get winter tires and don't drive like an idiot - you'll be fine.

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.

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.

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