lightforce18

I might be getting a Z soon, and I just wanted to know how they are in snow? I live in chicago where it can snow pretty bad once in a while, so I wanted to know how to handle the weather when it does snow since this will be my only car.

It will probably be an enthusiast with 17 inch tires, or I could get a touring with 18 inch, any difference?

Zcarboy

Snowing in June already? LOL Well seriously you will need to get snow tires for the Z. I can't say which ones since I don't drive my Z in the snow, but if you search the topic you will find out what are the best size and tires to get. Good Luck

Vader007

iTrader: (23)

They are one of the worst cars I have ever driven in the snow.
They go every direction but where they are suppossed to, and the traction
control makes things even more of a mess! I've had sports cars my whole life,
and none of them were as bad as the Z, and yes they were all RWD.
Get snow tires for the winter!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck.

stopgo

One word: squirrelly

More than once I found myself facing east when I was trying to turn west. Or not trying to turn at all.

SEzzz

i have a base without TCS and the VDC, no problems driving in the snow besides clearence. i hear a lot of people say that it's impossible to drive in the snow. i think that's because no one knows how to drive in the snow in this country. go spend a winter in europe

Qbrozen

Puh-lease! I didn't even get a chance to drive the Z in snow because it WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL!!

Yer in Virginia, so what the hell would you know about snow and the Z?

EM-EFER

iTrader: (6)

Its like trying to push a turd through a wall......... it will go everywhere but where you want it

lightforce18

I have driven my 2000 Maxima in the snow and it only spun out on me once when I pushed the gas too hard while going into a turn. I learned from my mistake, DRIVE VERY SLOW in snow.

What happens if u Drive super slow when it snow in the Z? I cant imagine its very different?

Nforce1

iTrader: (2)

^^ Rear wheel drive is very different in snow...

lightforce18

So driving extra slow wont make a diff the car just sucks in snow?

Qbrozen

More specifically, its the stock tires that suck in the snow.

lightforce18

so if I get a good set of snow tires im ok with the Traction control system? or should i get a performance with VDC?

MASTERPLAU

driving slow wont help, at all, anytime..... i couldnt get my my Z out of a parking lot with a slight incline with 3 inches of snow... thank goodness for a truck to drive by with a plow... thats the last place i wanna be in the Z in the snow goin up a hill of anysort, steep or barely noticiable... how bout very cold weather, almost as bad... and of course never, ever forget about black ice...

lightforce18

Ok so I finally gave in the fact that I will need snow tires in winter, so they will help a little atleast no?

armt350z

iTrader: (6)

I live in Germany and this last winter was bearable in the Z. I ended up going with 17 x 8 inch wheels all around wrapped in Blizzak LM-22 tires. If there was snow on the road i always turned off TCS. Just be sure to have a set of winter rims and dont go too wide on them. sure the car looks funny with the thinner tires but it does help with traction in the snow. If i was to trade in my rims for new ones i think i would have chosen 7" wide rims.

lightforce18

granted the roads by my house are usually clean, I would generally be driving on wet roads with only little snow on the ground. Unless its a HEAVY snow storm, then in that case I might use the 2000 maxima from my mom and have her sit at home lol.

But I will get snow tires because I cant take the maxima every day.

Vertex350

iTrader: (76)

Well, you can always drive around in a 4x4 during heavy winter season. On light days, you can take the Z out for a spin on it's snow shoes.

zweetredline

iTrader: (1)

mine got stuck at the mall in the snow... im happy that i even made it to the mall bc i almost died on the highway... the car decided to go sideways when i tried to switch lanes... winter tires are a must!

lightforce18

Well I dont think I wanna spend money on a beater car just for winter. Plus then get insurance on it also. I'd rather spend the money on some snow tires, and on super heavy days take out the maxima if my mom lets me. I pray for the best lol, I could always just get a EVO since its AWD but I want the 350z more.

typhaon

stop trying to get the poor guy killed.

a base Z does not even move in the tiniest amount of snow.

rumor is... if you buy some really nice tires and drop about 1 ton of weight in the back, you might make it to the hospital in an emergency if you drive really slow.

you will need a 2nd car in chicago - or the ability to not use it for a couple of months. I live in boston and basically only drove it a few random 'warm' days from Jan 1st til mid-March.

You have been warned!