stock on snow...

topherhidden · 02-03-2011, 05:55 PM

hey guys ok so i know our stock tires are not snow tires and not even all weather tires...but seriously do they have no traction at all in the snow?

so i took my car to work and it was all sunny. then a couple of hrs before i got off it started to snow hard. when i tried to leave the car wouldn't even go straight on flat land. just kept fishtailing back and forth in the same spot when trying to go forward. i had to dump my car at the parking lot all night

weird thing is that i could move in reverse decently.
*note this is on a new z with like....400miles on it. nitrogen in tires.

is this right?

wilsonp · 02-03-2011, 05:59 PM

You shouldn't drive the stock tires below 40-50 degrees F. They are called summer tires for a reason.

topherhidden · 02-03-2011, 06:14 PM

humm what happens if you drive in temps below that?

Cmike2780 · 02-03-2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topherhidden

humm what happens if you drive in temps below that?

You will die! Don't do it!

Jeffblue · 02-03-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

The Potenza RE050A is a Max Performance Summer tire designed to complement the performance of sports cars, sports coupes and sport sedans. While the Potenza RE050 is used as Original Equipment on the supercharged Mercedes-Benz S55 AMG sedan, a Potenza RE050A Scuderia version is used on the 12-cylinder Enzo Ferrari supercar, and a Run Flat version is used on the BMW Z4 sports cars and 5-Series sedans. The Potenza RE050A was developed to provide good traction along with responsive and predictable dry and wet road handling. It is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A

shadoquad · 02-03-2011, 06:58 PM

The fishtailing is also because this is a rear wheel drive car. But yes, the stock tires are summer tires and will not properly grip the road (even dry road) in freezing temperatures.

02-03-2011, 07:01 PM

omg op you are soooo ignant lol.

TreeSemdyZee · 02-03-2011, 09:13 PM

Yours is a common experience. I had to park mine for a week last year until I got my snow tires.
I literally got depressed because I thought my driving skills had gotten really bad. Once I got the snow tires, life was good again.

toxik · 02-03-2011, 10:00 PM

i think next time it snows, just drive home in reverse... everyone's doing it

toxik · 02-03-2011, 10:01 PM

oh and PM jeffblue about getting a rear view camera to help you drive in reverse

Jeffblue · 02-03-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxik

oh and PM jeffblue about getting a rear view camera to help you drive in reverse

toxik · 02-03-2011, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffblue

Zrod · 02-06-2011, 11:18 AM

I had a similar experience recently. I drove her into work not realizing a blizzard was gonna hit later in the day. This was the second time I got caught in the snow with her and I guess I was feeling confident with the roads looking kinda clear. So not wanting to pay overnight parking like an idiot I decided to take the gamble and put my summer tires to the test in snow once again lol. Getting out of the parking lot wasnt too much trouble I just used the patch of dry lot my car was sitting on to build speed then clutch in and roll over the snow to the next plowed spot. Once on the road it was mostly slush and ice at the time I just took it nice and easy till the tires got some heat(which took forever probably 20-30 mins).

Everything was going good till I got on the highway about 40 mins in when the blizzard hit full force. It kinda came outta nowhere as I was reducing speed even further I felt the car slowly drifting sidways at about 20 mph surronded by cars on all sides. I dont remb what I did but I somehow regained controll from a 45 degree angle without leaving the lane. Now at this point most ppl probably woulda gave up but being the dumb bastard that I am I couldnt bare the thought of ditching my baby on a highway side so I pushed on. After about 3 more sideways drift recoverys I finally made it to my town just to get stuck on a hill. At this point there were 5+ inches on the ground and my only option was to roll in reverse down a dead end and ditch it. I ended up getting plowed in on all sides about 4 feet high. It took me 2 hours to digg it out and luckily there was no dmg and she got home safe and sound. It was stupid to take the risk on so many levels next time for sure its staying in the parking lot no matter the cost! (unless I finally get snow tires). So take my advise dont do it.

TonyBPD · 02-06-2011, 02:55 PM

Last year I barely made it home with a dusting (seriously drove 2 blocks in reverse) so I broke down and bought some snow tires for this year. Definitely worth the money.

fullmonty · 02-06-2011, 03:47 PM

Anything more than a very very light dusting and you are taking a gamble

02-03-2011, 05:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
topherhidden Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: westminster, CO Posts: 17 Drives: 2010 370z PW Rep Power: 15	stock on snow... hey guys ok so i know our stock tires are not snow tires and not even all weather tires...but seriously do they have no traction at all in the snow? so i took my car to work and it was all sunny. then a couple of hrs before i got off it started to snow hard. when i tried to leave the car wouldn't even go straight on flat land. just kept fishtailing back and forth in the same spot when trying to go forward. i had to dump my car at the parking lot all night weird thing is that i could move in reverse decently. *note this is on a new z with like....400miles on it. nitrogen in tires. is this right?

02-03-2011, 05:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
wilsonp A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,134 Drives: 2009 Touring Sp Nav Rep Power: 17	You shouldn't drive the stock tires below 40-50 degrees F. They are called summer tires for a reason. __________________ 2014 Cayman S PDK Sport Chrono White/Black Was 2009 370Z Touring Sport+Nav 7AT Metallic Black/Persimmon Was 1991 NSX Auto Black/Black

02-06-2011, 11:18 AM	#13 (permalink)
Zrod Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 64 Drives: 09 370z-black 6speed Rep Power: 15	I had a similar experience recently. I drove her into work not realizing a blizzard was gonna hit later in the day. This was the second time I got caught in the snow with her and I guess I was feeling confident with the roads looking kinda clear. So not wanting to pay overnight parking like an idiot I decided to take the gamble and put my summer tires to the test in snow once again lol. Getting out of the parking lot wasnt too much trouble I just used the patch of dry lot my car was sitting on to build speed then clutch in and roll over the snow to the next plowed spot. Once on the road it was mostly slush and ice at the time I just took it nice and easy till the tires got some heat(which took forever probably 20-30 mins). Everything was going good till I got on the highway about 40 mins in when the blizzard hit full force. It kinda came outta nowhere as I was reducing speed even further I felt the car slowly drifting sidways at about 20 mph surronded by cars on all sides. I dont remb what I did but I somehow regained controll from a 45 degree angle without leaving the lane. Now at this point most ppl probably woulda gave up but being the dumb bastard that I am I couldnt bare the thought of ditching my baby on a highway side so I pushed on. After about 3 more sideways drift recoverys I finally made it to my town just to get stuck on a hill. At this point there were 5+ inches on the ground and my only option was to roll in reverse down a dead end and ditch it. I ended up getting plowed in on all sides about 4 feet high. It took me 2 hours to digg it out and luckily there was no dmg and she got home safe and sound. It was stupid to take the risk on so many levels next time for sure its staying in the parking lot no matter the cost! (unless I finally get snow tires). So take my advise dont do it. __________________ stillen g3s/ FI CBE/ FI HFC

02-06-2011, 03:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
fullmonty A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Dirty Jersey Posts: 7,762 Drives: 370 Touring/Sport Rep Power: 34	Anything more than a very very light dusting and you are taking a gamble __________________

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02-03-2011, 06:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
topherhidden Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: westminster, CO Posts: 17 Drives: 2010 370z PW Rep Power: 15	humm what happens if you drive in temps below that?

02-03-2011, 06:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
shadoquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 42,608 Drives: . Rep Power: 3886	The fishtailing is also because this is a rear wheel drive car. But yes, the stock tires are summer tires and will not properly grip the road (even dry road) in freezing temperatures.

02-03-2011, 07:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
blue660r01 Guest Posts: n/a	omg op you are soooo ignant lol.

02-03-2011, 09:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	Yours is a common experience. I had to park mine for a week last year until I got my snow tires. I literally got depressed because I thought my driving skills had gotten really bad. Once I got the snow tires, life was good again.

02-06-2011, 02:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
TonyBPD Track Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: South Jersey Posts: 614 Drives: 2012 VW Golf R Rep Power: 17	Last year I barely made it home with a dusting (seriously drove 2 blocks in reverse) so I broke down and bought some snow tires for this year. Definitely worth the money.