My 370Z in the Snow - Blizzak LM-60
 

Part 1: Video

35-40 mph on fresh snow, moderate curves, with intentional wheel spin to turn into entrance :)


(I'm using YouTube's video stabilization. If it's crappy let me know and I'll turn it off.)


Part 2: Winter set-up description

Running 225/50R-18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 mounted on black 18x8 Sport Edition A7 winter wheels, all ordered from Alex @ TireRack. (19" RAYS are for summer).

I got a square setup (all the same size) so they can be rotated. The rears are sunken in quite a bit with no spacers. I feel like it helps keep the rear fenders cleaner :) But looks silly if you care about that stuff.

Part 3: A picture of the set-up

This is how it looks with this winter set on:

http://www.the370z.com/members/eazyd...edition-a7.jpg

Part 4: Thoughts

I had good expectations going into this with all the positive comments on Blizzaks from people here in the Z forums. The other [cheaper] option for tire was the Michelin X-Ice 2 or something. Reviews basically told me it was best for icy roads, Blizzaks being better in the snow, so that's why I went with Blizzaks for my geographical location.

They perform very nicely! I rarely get wheel spin - usually only when I really want it or expect it. Keep the VDC on, though, because it will prevent any unexpected spinouts, probably. (no VDC debates here, please. Most of us aren't good enough to do better than VDC. HEY, I said no VDC debates!)

The tire tread mark is deep and nice - and you can tell it's doing a good job of rolling over the snow instead of sledding through it.

This morning... stupid, fat glove in the way. :tup: :driving:

http://www.the370z.com/members/eazyd...upid-glove.jpg

Be careful out there! Don't let anyone give you crap for driving this car in the winter if you're properly set up for it. Some guy in a Jeep didn't come in to the office today, but I did.

cool. i too am running LM60's but on my G35C. this season was the first time in 8 yrs of ownership i drove her through deep snow, salt, and ice. :D it was kind of a test of deciding whether to keep her or sell her when spring comes around.

my 04 weighs about 3600lbs+ and gearing is taller in 1st and 2nd, and power is rated 280hp at the crank vs 330+ so, much easier to handle vs the Z in slippery conditions.

anyway, i felt so confident driving the G in the snow with LM60's i think i will end up keeping my G longer. :D

Nice might have to invest in some Blizzaks in the future when I decide to actually drive the Z in the winter/snow. Good to know they hold up well. :tup:

Snow driving is lots of fun with the right tires and RWD! Just don't get too confident because that's when you end up putting the car off in a ditch. :icon17:

I could see myself getting too confident. Listen to the 'stang!

Thank You EazyD. I was considering making a video today of my Z going through the snow to put the neigh sayers to bed.

:)

Now would be a good time to slap an "SUV Recovery Vehicle" sticker on your Z. :icon17:

You still should. Recommend mounting the camera though. Will be better quality and safer than what I did

LOL where can I get one. Take my wallet!!

That is the best idea that I've heard today. I'm kinda ticked that we haven't had any snow here (except for a dusting that slowed everyone to 40 on the highway :mad:. Frickin' Kentucky drivers.) We ought to get some stickers made up.

fixed. :icon17:

In my defense, I was 16, I had all-seasons, and I was intentionally ice drifting. :icon17:

We might get a little here tonight.

hahaha. :icon17:

i had my episodes of slipping off the street in deep snow (also on all-season crap tires) when i was young..luckily i didnt hit anything. :D

I got lucky too... just got stuck, no damage. To be young and dumb again... :icon17:

those were fun days... :tup:

So most all I can find are brand specific... except for this one:

OKoffroad.com Decals - 4x4 Recovery Vehicle

http://www.okoffroad.com/gifs/stuff/decal-rec-4x4-1.gif

Hey ooo. Here is a video of my ride going through the snow. The audio sucks and it's long. Pretty boring to be honest...



<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZT6dE6aARCYLc65ixgtANtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=e mbedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bBGm0uSFmIk/Txoa4ZNLkKI/AAAAAAAABZY/NVsZzOiF97w/s144/IMAG0288.jpg" height="101" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/111017627780128145587/370z?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite">370z</a></td></tr></table>

Embedded for you. Neat video. You had some fun in there :) Could have been bad at the curve on 2min33s! I'll admit sitting here in the dark with the sound up... and the windshield wiper got me :eek dance:

edit: also interesting to see how the automatic handles gears in the snow

Like

Ha. :) I stabbed the gas a few times. 7min in I turn VDC off, I forgot to mention that. Sorry about the sound. I just mounted my phone to the windshield... I'm not sure what that rattling is.

EasyD:
My car is a 7AT

Bump if people are wondering about winter setups. Don't recommend driving as fast as I did in the video... only drive in snow if you have to. These will work great.

Oh yes they sure were....No fear, no brains....But lots of fun..:tup:

I have the exact same wheels and tires for this winter that you have. I'm gonna have them put on either this weekend or next. I'll report back after I start driving on them. Did you re-tourque the lugnuts after you drove on them for 100 miles or so?

I just tried out the LM-22. It will definitely get you by a few inches of snow, but I am not sure if it will handle much more. There still isnt enough grip in the rear. If you get on any hill from a deadstop, you are pretty much screwed.

Oh yeah the VDC sucks

Thanks for the info. This is exactly the same set up I just bought; square all the way around. I've still got a month or so before we might get snow, but I'm very happy with the setup. I've used these tires before and they work really well. :tup:

Bump for the good information on the winter wheels/tires setup. I heard all the good things about Blizzak LM-60.

I recommend changing them before we get snow. The reason is due to low temperatures. Summer tires suck when it gets colder out even if there is no snow.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/12/yzaramep.jpg


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For all of you all season fans....
 

Not only do summer tires NOT work in the winter, here is a nice video of winter tires vs all season tires....

Tire Rack Tire Test - All-Season vs. Winter Tires - YouTube

Nice writeup.
I also just got 4 square 18" black A7 sports wheels and blizzak LM-60's from tirerack.

I decided to go a little wider and get the 255 instead of 225's. I know that it kinda defeats the purpose to go wider for snow, but I don't get a ton of snow here and wanted as much rubber as possible for those cold dry days.

Can anyone running 225's square post a picture of their rear wheel well? Would like to see how sunk in it is without spacers.

Best,

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/14/yreqamu5.jpg

I don't like it. the sunken in part really bothers me, but I don't know anything about spacers:
1. What to order (and from where)
2. How much they are
3. Can I install easily myself?
4. How does it affect performance? Positive or negative effect?


Edit: this is the rear wheel. The front doesn't look this bad at all. I would want spacers only for the rears.

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Spacers are easy to install. Since you would only need them for your winter setup I'd look at H&R bolt-on 25mm spacers for the rear. That will help with the sunken in look.

Agreed! I just need to get cold enough for the Winter tires to harden up a little; otherwise they wear out very quickly.:tiphat:

I'm planning on waiting until early December before making the switch. Average temps will be in the low 40s by then.

I had Ichiba 15mm v2 spacers all round. They are just for the look and very easy to install. Don't feel any differences performence wise tho. They usually about $120 one set(2) brand new. You can order them from market sections. I will go check out used ones from private sellers. They are usually a lot cheaper. But I read somewhere saying some brand spacers are not safe. Just a word of caution.

I've been running my winter set for a few weeks now. I'd rather be safe than sorry. :)

Spacers for winter wheel set: Can someone recommend a place to buy spacers? H&R or Ichiba. Also, there are different types of spacers and some types require you get a smaller size than the other type.. any insight on this would be helpful. Thanks

A direct link to the exact item I should buy online results in an immediate rep point every time I see a post of yours on this site and remember.

You can buy them from the venders on this site. Just pm them ask questions negotiate on price and have your PayPal ready. Once you PayPal them they will ship the items to your door. I've done this many times. It's safe and easy.:tup: Here are some links. Ichiba and H&R are most common. You are more likely want to get 15mm or 20mm. Good luck.

http://www.the370z.com/tires-wheels/...plication.html

http://www.the370z.com/tires-wheels/...st-prices.html

http://www.the370z.com/tires-wheels/...ers-stock.html

Kics Project 10-20mm Wheel Spacer - 370Z - performance parts

http://www.the370z.com/tires-wheels/...check-out.html

http://www.the370z.com/tires-wheels/...ers-stock.html

Wheel Spacers - Welcome to GarageLine - Sport Compact Performance Parts

Hub Centric Wheel Spacers & Extended Studs

i have H&R 25mm bolt on spacers on the rear wheels with the same set up as you. i just posted pics in this thread here today: http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-g...ml#post2027135

looks so much better with the spacers :tup:

edit: I had actually ordered these eibach spacers here: http://www.kamispeed.com/Eibach-Pro-...4.25.050.4.htm

however, they were out of stock, so the vendor asked me if they could send H&R instead, which i agreed to.

install was as simple as putting the winter tires on (easier actually), only takes a few minutes. i did use some anti-seize on the back side of the spacers where it meets the wheel mount on the car, but not sure it was even necessary.

I'm gonna bolt mine on this weekend, then I'll decide if I really wanna spend money for wheels that will only be on the car 1/4 of the year...