Hello everyone I'm new to the site. Although I'm not a Z owner YET I'm working on the last bits and pieces to ordering one and have some questions? How is the touring in the snow? with stock and snow tires? The Z would be my only car and would have to be driven in the winter. How well does the traction control work? etc. If anybody drives there Z in the winter and in snow conditions I'd be grateful if they'd let me know about their experiences because I can't rely on the dealer who tells me the touring in the snow is just fine. Thanks

 

Do not drive your Z in the snow with the stock tires. Just don't do it. Get some Blizzaks and you'll be fine. Welcome to the board. Good luck on your purchase. There is a local board too. www.chicagoz.com.

 

barefutr51....welcome .

For winter "ZZing" get a set of snow tires.... the original equipment Bridgestones do not do not provide good traction when they get cold.....check the following for some references.....

https://my350z.com/forum/wheels-and-tires/144998-snow-tires.html

 

Welcome to the forum.

Now that winter has arrived, the “I crashed my 350Z in the snow” tales will begin. In fact, we had our first today. The 350Z is a low slung performance sports car not designed for snow. It is possible to set-up the Z for snow (snow tires for example), but you're fighting physics.

Other members will chime in boasting “I drive my Z in the snow all the time. No problem,” and I can't debate their opinion. I can say without hesitation that driving a 350Z in the snow is unwise.

 

I have happily survived the last 3 Chicago winters on Blizzak LM22's. Only problem has been wet ice. But the tires work GREAT on the dry days too! But remember, great tires will NOT re-define physics! So, if you drive smart, you'll be fine.

 

just put blizzaks on my z 2 days ago. so far, i can make it up my driveway with an inch of snow on the ground. (i couldnt on the stock tires).

those things are expensive though. $400 installed (for 2).

 

For goodness sake don't take a rear wheel drive sports car out in the snow! The best tires in the world will not stop your @ss from sliding into somebody else. Why do you think some 4x4 trucks crash in the snow? Yes stupid driving but I kinda made a point there - right?

 

I grew up 20 miles south of Chicago right about where the lake effect snow peaks and wouldn't want to learn how to drive in the snow with a Z. For the price of a second set of rims and some snow tires you can get yourself a beater for those days that there's snow and ice on the road.

If you do want to drive in the snow take your car very carefully to an empty parking lot and learn it's weaknesses and limits. Make all adjustments slowly and with minimum input to the car - steering, brakes, and accelleration. If you're young that's going to be very hard to do.

Good luck and be sure to take plenty of pictures of your car now.

 

I live in chicago... and the winter is slowly starting down here...

this is my first winter in Z, but I already have blizzaks on my baby. so far so good

you should be pretty safe with winter tires and some brains to control your right foot

 

I also live in chicago. Get yourself some blizzacks and get some 70 lb tube sand packs and throw them in your trunk, 2 should be fine. I find that with that set up, as long as you don't accerate quickly, is pretty decent in the snow.

 

I'm in NY and last winter I got stuck in my driveway in 2 inches of snow on the stock potenzas. I bought a 95 Corolla for really cheap and have been using it as my daily driver/Winter beater. A beater car is the best MOD. Insurance is only like 20 bucks extra per month and the gas mileage is GREAT, even though i feel like a tool driving " a high school kids first car"

 

like many said, DON'T drive out in the snow if you're driving on the potenzas. i went out in my Z last winter and when it was time to head back home, there was two inches of snow. scariest drive of my life... when i finally made it home, i couldn't even make it up my driveway.

 

Either get snow tires and be careful, or get another car.

I watch the weather and won't drive the z if it looks like it is going to snow.

The z will sit in the garage most of this winter.

 

i drove the z for 2 winters on stock tires. just be carefull. even with snow tires now, im still going to be just as cautious.

 

Blizzaks LM-22 and common sense = you will be fine.

The Potenza's are real bad in snow!

 

yep.

 

I had my first experience in the snow with the stock potenza's saturday night. Three words can describe that adventure: "OH MY GOD!" There was about 1/2" to 1" of snow.

I was in the city and major highway, where the roads were just wet, but I was still driving slow and carefully. It was around 1:30am and I was getting off at my exit, where there were no tire marks and traveling at 40mph, I immediatly start fishtailing, then the other way, and so on and so on until i regain control. I end up going up slight hills at a 45 degree angle because the tires are sooooo bad. It was the scariest trip in the snow I ever had. I went home at around 15-20mph on back roads, and i'm now going to get some Blizzak's.

EDIT
Oh yeah, i'd like to thank Grand Turismo 2-4, Forza Motorsport, Rallisport Challenge 1 & 2 and Project Gotham Racing 1-3 for teaching me awesome driving skills!

 

email me at ericachtau@hotmail.com if interested.

The tires have only been used for one season and the wheels are in good condition. The car handled great in the snow with them but my brother gave me a jeep so I no longer need them. Asking $1200 plus shipping if you can't pick them up.