Z in the rain and snow

Mergnthwirker · 07-17-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash

I disagreement with your disagreement.

I know whereof you speak! Big power plus less traction over drive wheels equals white-knuckle terror in some situations. BTDT. I also agree with your comment about wide tires and driving in rain.

But if the Z were my only car, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it all winter. It's better balanced than muscle cars of old, and with skinny tires you get a pretty good feel for what kind of traction you've got.

The opposite extreme are the AWD SUV's. When I go skiing every weekend in the winter, nearly all the cars I see upside-down in the ditches are SUV's.

I think it's safer to feel the limits and drive accordingly rather than falsely feel invulnerable until you discover you've overcome the laws of nature. I'm sure I drive my Z more carefully in the winter than I do my Audi S4 Avant because it constantly helps me be aware of the pavement conditions and traction.

YMMV

bigaudiofanat · 07-17-2009, 10:42 PM

What i did my first winter with my first car and first winter with my dads truck was went to a deserted parking lot and practice driving in it and how to control the spin outs and all. It helped me a bit as well as fun.

Mergnthwirker · 07-17-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

What i did my first winter with my first car and first winter with my dads truck was went to a deserted parking lot and practice driving in it and how to control the spin outs and all. It helped me a bit as well as fun.

That's really cool! A great way to get to know the car. Lots of fun and a great way to scare the crap out your friends too.

I learned to drive in Buffalo NY where we annually got hammered by DEEP lake effect snow. The local police sponsored a winter teen driving course with a skid school. A bit daunting for a kid asked to skid a car with a big gruff cop sitting next to you... But they claimed a much better accident record for kids who took the course, and I got a discount on my car insurance too! I wish towns still did this for kids learning to drive!

Brazilbro · 07-18-2009, 12:53 AM

This was me last year in the evo.. I dont think ill be doing the same in the 370.. its staying in the garage!

ZKindaGuy · 07-18-2009, 02:52 AM

I have one word for you....Blizzacks (a real snow tire made for the Z)

bigaudiofanat · 07-18-2009, 07:16 AM

LOL are those the ones with the spikes in them?

Forrest · 07-18-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Dude, hydroplaning is a phenomenon of water filling the gap between the TIRE and the road. It's effected by your tread depth and tire design mainly. The car's clearance has nothing to do with it...you'd have to be in a goddamn flood for the car's clearance to be a problem. Then you'd be floating, not hydroplaning.

I've routinely done 80mph on the highway in fairly heavy rain. The car handles beautifully.

your right, after looking it up, gap aparently does not have any thing to do with it, but it doesnt help either.

I have already had it hydroplane in puddles already. some of the roads where i live are 55mph only, when wet they are too dangerous for that.

Island_370 · 07-18-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Hey! Are you in San Juan? I was down there in the beginning of June and saw a red 370Z parked right near the beach by the Mariott and La Concha hotels. Any chance it was yours?

I have a 370Z in Chicago and bought a set of winter tires to fit the 19" sport rims. We'll see how it goes, but it will be my daily driver all winter as well. In rain, I've had zero problems. You can break it loose more easily with heavy throttle, but driving normally I've had no problems at all with handling or grip. At this point, rain is definitely a non-issue. Snow is yet to be decided with the snow tires.

No. I live in Dorado (20 min to the west). I don't park my Z in San Juan. Rims tend to disappear in there.

spearfish25 · 07-18-2009, 07:43 AM

I can certainly post a review of the Blizzaks once we get snow again. In Chicago, you never know when that will be...could be a few weeks with the weather we've had this past year.

They don't have studs, just an aggressive tread pattern and softer rubber compound that won't harden in cold temps.

IDZRVIT · 07-18-2009, 10:00 AM

My winter ride!

bigaudiofanat · 07-18-2009, 02:00 PM

LMAO that is pretty funny.

kannibul · 07-18-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mergnthwirker

I know whereof you speak! Big power plus less traction over drive wheels equals white-knuckle terror in some situations. BTDT. I also agree with your comment about wide tires and driving in rain.

But if the Z were my only car, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it all winter. It's better balanced than muscle cars of old, and with skinny tires you get a pretty good feel for what kind of traction you've got.

The opposite extreme are the AWD SUV's. When I go skiing every weekend in the winter, nearly all the cars I see upside-down in the ditches are SUV's.

I think it's safer to feel the limits and drive accordingly rather than falsely feel invulnerable until you discover you've overcome the laws of nature. I'm sure I drive my Z more carefully in the winter than I do my Audi S4 Avant because it constantly helps me be aware of the pavement conditions and traction.

YMMV

As my Dad told me many years ago...

Just because you have 4 wheel drive, doesn't mean you stop any better.

A *LOT* of people don't "get it" when they get a 4WD vehicle...

CrownR426 · 07-18-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mergnthwirker

Yup, when I was in college in upstate NY I used to drive a clapped-out 356B Porsche coupe. I always knew I was in trouble when the guy in the backseat passed me.

On one memorable occasion I did two 360's in the middle of the Tappan Zee Bridge crossing the Hudson River. Didn't hit anything and continued on in the direction I was going. All was fine except for the new stains in my underwear...

But Porsche's have a real advantage for traction with the engine over the drive wheels. They go better and brake better in snow than we do.

LOL I know that bridge and your a crazy lol!

Mhaddy · 07-28-2009, 02:05 PM

Thanks for the reviews all. I'm in Toronto so we see more than our fair share of snow and I was wondering how the 370z handled in snow (and in rain). I think I'll store it for her first winter

. Right now I am twiddling my thumbs while my car is trained across the country hopefully arriving end of this week or sometime next, can't wait!

Mergnthwirker · 07-28-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mhaddy

Thanks for the reviews all. I'm in Toronto so we see more than our fair share of snow and I was wondering how the 370z handled in snow (and in rain). I think I'll store it for her first winter

. Right now I am twiddling my thumbs while my car is trained across the country hopefully arriving end of this week or sometime next, can't wait!

Good luck with it and have fun! May you have many, many sunny days

07-17-2009, 10:42 PM	#17 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	What i did my first winter with my first car and first winter with my dads truck was went to a deserted parking lot and practice driving in it and how to control the spin outs and all. It helped me a bit as well as fun. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

07-18-2009, 07:16 AM	#21 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	LOL are those the ones with the spikes in them? __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

07-18-2009, 02:00 PM	#26 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	LMAO that is pretty funny. __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

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07-18-2009, 12:53 AM	#19 (permalink)
Brazilbro A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,131 Drives: Juke/240Z Rep Power: 848	This was me last year in the evo.. I dont think ill be doing the same in the 370.. its staying in the garage!

07-18-2009, 02:52 AM	#20 (permalink)
ZKindaGuy Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 699 Drives: 370Z-AT7 Tour+Sport Rep Power: 375	I have one word for you....Blizzacks (a real snow tire made for the Z)

07-18-2009, 07:43 AM	#24 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	I can certainly post a review of the Blizzaks once we get snow again. In Chicago, you never know when that will be...could be a few weeks with the weather we've had this past year. They don't have studs, just an aggressive tread pattern and softer rubber compound that won't harden in cold temps.

07-28-2009, 02:05 PM	#29 (permalink)
Mhaddy Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Etobicoke Posts: 186 Drives: 09 Z M6 Black Rep Power: 16	Thanks for the reviews all. I'm in Toronto so we see more than our fair share of snow and I was wondering how the 370z handled in snow (and in rain). I think I'll store it for her first winter . Right now I am twiddling my thumbs while my car is trained across the country hopefully arriving end of this week or sometime next, can't wait!