can u drive a 370z in winter?

RonZwanson · 08-25-2015, 09:00 PM

Definitely invest in some snow tires if you can, or at least get some all seasons if you can't do that. I drove through a winter on summer tires (very conservatively) because I couldn't do otherwise. I never intentionally drove in the snow, but one day I was caught by a surprise snow drift coming over a little blind hill. Got a "sink or swim" lesson in drifting while a woman was blistering toward me in a Trail Blazer, yacking away on her cell. I put Michelin Pilot A/S 3s on a few weeks ago because I DD the car, so I needed something that, while not a snow tire, will be better in low temps, and hopefully won't send me into a light pole if there's a dusting on the road. I take my wife's Altima if there's any chance of snow/ice.

Like others said, snow tires should provide decent traction, but I'd still be worried about ground clearance if there's more than 2-3 inches on the ground.

HulaGirl · 08-25-2015, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonZwanson

Definitely invest in some snow tires if you can, or at least get some all seasons if you can't do that. I drove through a winter on summer tires (very conservatively) because I couldn't do otherwise. I never intentionally drove in the snow, but one day I was caught by a surprise snow drift coming over a little blind hill. Got a "sink or swim" lesson in drifting while a woman was blistering toward me in a Trail Blazer, yacking away on her cell. I put Michelin Pilot A/S 3s on a few weeks ago because I DD the car, so I needed something that, while not a snow tire, will be better in low temps, and hopefully won't send me into a light pole if there's a dusting on the road. I take my wife's Altima if there's any chance of snow/ice.

Like others said, snow tires should provide decent traction, but I'd still be worried about ground clearance if there's more than 2-3 inches on the ground.

Interested in hearing your initial impressions of the Michelin Pilot A/S tires. Thanks!

90 ST · 08-25-2015, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

hey at least he searched and didn't start a new thread like them oil threads..

Oil thread? Why what oil should I use? LOL

HulaGirl · 08-25-2015, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 ST

Oil thread? Why what oil should I use? LOL

I would direct you to the oil thread I naively started for further commenting but it's locked 😜

RonZwanson · 08-25-2015, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HulaGirl

Interested in hearing your initial impressions of the Michelin Pilot A/S tires. Thanks!

Well, I've only had them on the car for a few weeks. I'm coming from Bridgestone Potenza S04s, which I really liked. I'd definitely buy them again if I lived in a warm region, I just needed something with more all-seasonable-ness. Those things are USELESS in a dusting of snow, and slip a lot in cold temps (feel like you're riding on shopping cart wheels), but that's not what they're made for. They're a summer tire.

Initial impression is that the Michelins are a softer, quieter ride, and the ultimate grip doesn't seem as high. Again, the trade-off you'd expect.

That said, I did run them on a track this past weekend, and I didn't necessarily feel they were crippling me. For an all season tire they definitely handled some pretty aggressive driving fairly well, and have plenty of grip for the occasional back road romp.

I really want to see how they do in the cold. That's why I bought them. If I ever get the opportunity, I'd like to see how they are in a very light snow, maybe drive it around my block.

BC416 · 08-26-2015, 08:51 AM

The car is fine with a set of Blizzaks. I have a set of 18's wrapped in 245 LM60s and the car didn't lose traction once in light snow last winter. Ride height becomes a bigger issue as the car is turned into a plow after 4-5 inches. The tires are well worth it as the OEM Potenza's become hockey pucks under 35*F and you are sliding all over the place.

Minsu · 08-26-2015, 10:28 PM

Bro, I drove my Z in the snow once. With the Stock tires on them. There was about....Just powder on the floor, like i could see the asphalt and I will still sliding.

I got snow tires, and I outrun range rovers.

Get snow tires, your gonna be gucci. Im in the North East, and we got a Fkton of snow up here last winter and I made it through. It was fine. Your gonna be fine.

Fine.

Fine.

Fine..

Fine.

Fine.

Your fked.

HulaGirl · 08-26-2015, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonZwanson

Well, I've only had them on the car for a few weeks. I'm coming from Bridgestone Potenza S04s, which I really liked. I'd definitely buy them again if I lived in a warm region, I just needed something with more all-seasonable-ness. Those things are USELESS in a dusting of snow, and slip a lot in cold temps (feel like you're riding on shopping cart wheels), but that's not what they're made for. They're a summer tire.

Initial impression is that the Michelins are a softer, quieter ride, and the ultimate grip doesn't seem as high. Again, the trade-off you'd expect.

That said, I did run them on a track this past weekend, and I didn't necessarily feel they were crippling me. For an all season tire they definitely handled some pretty aggressive driving fairly well, and have plenty of grip for the occasional back road romp.

I really want to see how they do in the cold. That's why I bought them. If I ever get the opportunity, I'd like to see how they are in a very light snow, maybe drive it around my block.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Duc_Z09 · 08-27-2015, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minsu

Bro, I drove my Z in the snow once. With the Stock tires on them. There was about....Just powder on the floor, like i could see the asphalt and I will still sliding.

I got snow tires, and I outrun range rovers.

Get snow tires, your gonna be gucci. Im in the North East, and we got a Fkton of snow up here last winter and I made it through. It was fine. Your gonna be fine.

Fine.

Fine.

Fine..

Fine.

Fine.

Your fked.

I tried to take the 285 series Potenzas out in less than an inch of snow one time... got stuck in the middle of a flat side street. I bought a POS Jeep Grand Cherokee soon afterward.

You *can* drive on a set of winter tires but a cheap beater is preferable in every way.

Ghostvette · 08-27-2015, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacCool

Uh...remember, you absolutely can't drive the Z in the snow on the stock tires. That is an absolute impossibility.

Weeeelllll.... not exactly. I drove mine the first winter I had her on the stock tires. You must have the patience of Job to get around with the stock tires. Last winter I bought Blizzaks, put 70 pounds of sand in the hatch and drove it every day.

kenchan · 08-27-2015, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacCool

I'm from Minnesota. Pretty good idea how to drive in the snow and I know from experience that it's possible, but not pleasant, to kludge around in a Z in the snow. It ain't fun, and I bought the car to have fun. Mine goes in the garage with the first snowflake and I drive the 2500 Sierra HD. That first snowflake is the exact point where the 3/4 ton 4WD pickup truck is more fun to drive than the Z.

the thing i HATE the most about driving my hobby cars in the snow is dat i may have all the traction and driving skillz, but i feel like a sitting duck with all the dumbf- idiots driving all season and summer tires in the deep snow~

kenchan · 08-27-2015, 02:43 PM

hai, im an idiot...

u must be usps, or driving a Z in the snow with summer tires..

Exhaust · 08-27-2015, 02:50 PM

I'm curious if any texas drivers have been in the snow since we aren't prepped for that kind of thing. Given recent years, I might sit this one out.

08-25-2015, 09:00 PM	#46 (permalink)
RonZwanson Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 130 Drives: 2009 Black MT Sport Rep Power: 14	Definitely invest in some snow tires if you can, or at least get some all seasons if you can't do that. I drove through a winter on summer tires (very conservatively) because I couldn't do otherwise. I never intentionally drove in the snow, but one day I was caught by a surprise snow drift coming over a little blind hill. Got a "sink or swim" lesson in drifting while a woman was blistering toward me in a Trail Blazer, yacking away on her cell. I put Michelin Pilot A/S 3s on a few weeks ago because I DD the car, so I needed something that, while not a snow tire, will be better in low temps, and hopefully won't send me into a light pole if there's a dusting on the road. I take my wife's Altima if there's any chance of snow/ice. Like others said, snow tires should provide decent traction, but I'd still be worried about ground clearance if there's more than 2-3 inches on the ground. HulaGirl likes this. __________________ It's a racing hen!

08-26-2015, 08:51 AM	#51 (permalink)
BC416 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: NJ Age: 37 Posts: 718 Drives: 2012 KAD 6MT Rep Power: 592	The car is fine with a set of Blizzaks. I have a set of 18's wrapped in 245 LM60s and the car didn't lose traction once in light snow last winter. Ride height becomes a bigger issue as the car is turned into a plow after 4-5 inches. The tires are well worth it as the OEM Potenza's become hockey pucks under 35*F and you are sliding all over the place. jshare1 likes this. __________________ F.I. / K&N / 180 / Forgestar

08-26-2015, 10:28 PM	#52 (permalink)
Minsu A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,401 Drives: 2013 MidBlue 370Z 6M Rep Power: 24	Bro, I drove my Z in the snow once. With the Stock tires on them. There was about....Just powder on the floor, like i could see the asphalt and I will still sliding. I got snow tires, and I outrun range rovers. Get snow tires, your gonna be gucci. Im in the North East, and we got a Fkton of snow up here last winter and I made it through. It was fine. Your gonna be fine. Fine. Fine. Fine.. Fine. Fine. Your fked. TerribleONE, kenchan, RonZwanson and 1 others like this. __________________ I figured, Get High, Take the Test High, Get HIGH Scoes

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08-27-2015, 02:43 PM	#57 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	hai, im an idiot... u must be usps, or driving a Z in the snow with summer tires..

08-27-2015, 02:50 PM	#58 (permalink)
Exhaust Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Nowhere Posts: 277 Drives: 2015 AT GM Z Rep Power: 25	I'm curious if any texas drivers have been in the snow since we aren't prepped for that kind of thing. Given recent years, I might sit this one out.