To drive the 370z in the winter or not
 

Hey guys,

Just wanted to get everyone's feelings on whether or not to drive in the winter. Its getting colder here in southern Ontario, below zero for me and my summer tires just LOVE to slide out right now.

Just wanted to ask peoples opinion on whether or not they would put snows / drive in the winter.

D

You are going to get answers all over the board. Get your pop corn ready.

I'd recommend against it- there's enough stories of the back end kicking out in wet weather, much less snow/ice conditions. I have a lot of experience with ice and snow, as you can see by my location.

I'd recommend for it- There's awesome stories of the back end kicking out in wintery weather, much less wet conditions. I really do have a lot of experience with ice and snow, as you can see by my location.

;)

Without the proper tires, it's a pain with the slightest patch of snow or even black ice! Even if you're driving well, you risk people sliding into you.

Invest in a set of winter tires and if you can rims too. The key to winter driving from my 15 years of driving RWD cars in NJ winters is be careful when pressing the gas and use a higher gear then you would normally to keep torque low avoiding slippage. You do not want to give it gas in a turn in snow you will likely spin the tail out.

Gently accelerating in the straights is fine if you go too much power your rear end will try to over take your front end and you will start to fish tail. This wont happen in a FWD because your front wheels are pulling your rear wheels along for the ride.

The only bad thing about our car that you can't control is the tire width, wide tires don't preform as well as narrow tires in deeper snow.

In all my driving RWD I only had 1 accident my fault snow related. And that was when I was 17 and didn't know **** about driving.

just curious, at what temperature would you start using winter/snow tires?

< 50º F?

I'm asking because it's starting to get cold here in the NE and I need to drive my Z out this coming weekend and the temps are starting to drop.

If you have a choice then don't do it. If you don't have any choice and you HAVE to drive it then you can get away with it, just get some good winter tires. Is the Z a good car for snow? No, simple answer. Anyone tells you different they are lieing and are too full of testosterone.

I don't, but would have no issues with snow tires. If you do, get snow tires, it's really that simple

I have another car, a 2000 acura tl 3.2 but its just not nearly as fun / nice. So i could easily drive that in the winter...

As your attorney, I advise you to buy a set of these and drive through the snow like a madman.

http://www.motorcycletire.com/mercha...PU03220053.jpg

kidding!

With the proper tires... go for it!

Uhm.. The Z isn't known for paint quality with winter comes salt, rocks more road debris. In the winter washing vehicles is a pain. RWD layout..the choice is yours. I will be driving another car.

I like to see people who use their brains. I drove a rwd pick up for years, I would put my snow tires on and would throw sand bags in the back and go. Even had to throw chains on more than a few times. I remember often saying "only wussies need 4x4!" After I got my first 4x4 there was no turning back, then I got an awd that worked amazing in snow........wow the differance is night and day. I look at vehicles as tools. Get the right tool for the job. Yes you can get by using a ratchet as a hammer but come on now.

It amazes me how much time and money people will spend to have the best smart phone for their needs, the best computer, the best TV, the best car, the best mods for their car, then turn around and not get what works best in snow. Ahhhhhh the macho man mentality.

I'm in NY, and will be driving the Z when the roads are clear. In the snow, I'll be driving the beater...mostly because the drivers around here are awful. It's bad enough that people try to Kamikaze me during perfect driving conditions.