350Z has a low tolerance for crosswind..

I have noticed over the last two years that my ZR has a high susceptibility to crosswind at highway speeds. I have encounter many gusts of wind that have shifted the Z several inches to several feet on the highway with ease. I have driven many cars over the years and really have only experienced this level of lateral movement when driving a van. Its quite scary really.

Today was a perfect example, we are experiencing wind gusts of 30mph throughout the region. Twice I was pushed half way in to another lane by the cross wind between two valleys. The first was at 80mph, the 2nd at 70mph. I found myself looking for the tale-tale signs of an up-coming cross wind (leaves blowing mostly) just so I could brace myself and steer in to the wind a few degrees to keep straight.

I also notice that when I am at a stop light to make a turn on the highway, cars that pass by at 50+ mph really rock the car.

I see the Z is very aerodynamic going forward, but the sides are relatively flat. What other factors could contribute to this much movement?

Anyone else notice the same issues?

 

you have a ZR? top up or down?

i've driven my coupe in very high cross winds, (40+ mph) and i'm solid...

 

Yeah, I have not had any problems with cross winds in my coupe either.

 

So what the heck is he talking about then? I'm an SUV driver currently (Z-Owner in a week or so) and experience this hell-ish behavior. Yeah it's scary but thought the Z was very tolerant to cross winds.

Has anyone else noticed the crosswind instability issue???

 

My coupe remained rock solid in crosswind gusts of 60+mph. I hardly even noticed anything other than the rest of the traffic on the hwy gettin all squirly. Sounds like a possible roadster issue, or maybe you need to inspect your suspension.

 

i have a coupe and i dont feel my Z move too much with crosswinds. it also has alot to do with the fact that although we think our Z's to be heavy, the reality is that most cars (sedans trucks SUVS) are easily over 500lbs heavier than our car.

it also might have something to do with the speed you are travelling....like say the wind is actually coming diagonally causing you to speed up or slow down while also pushing sideways. i dunno...never done wind tunnel testing

 

ZR Top Up.

 

^^ the only thing i can think of is that the air doesn't flow as smoothly over the ZR's top as is does with the coupe i.e your canvas top ends aburpty due to the short rear window.. which might cause turbulent airflow off the trailing edge of the roof- and if the wind is going across from you, air will swirl around that rear window edge...

sucks.

you need a big wing to keep you planted.. SBC yo!

 

It sounds like we narrowed it down to a Roadster issue and not really on the coupe. It still doesnt sound right that the Roadster would have that bad of a problem.

 

I was driving my Roadster from Texas to Colorado on a very windy day. Winds up to 50 in the open plain areas. Doing between 85 and 130 the whole, I didn't have any problems. A sudden gust might have caused me to swerve slightly, but I kept it in the lane no problem.

 

only had that problem in my mothers honda accord (2002) where it start to get shaky in high winds...
the Z felt planted even in stock form...
get coilovers - you'll find your Z riding on rails ...

 

Must be the vert; my couple is real solid in very strong crosswinds.

 

Hmm ya i've yet to experience that in my Roadster either, and I get some serious winds here in the desert. I mean I get some push when its gusty outside but its pretty minor. Then again I have wide tires on my car and its lowered...

 

I Guess I should add a few more details,

My suspension is stock and I am running on the Stock 17's with All Season Tires. Perhaps the tire profile and width lends its self to being "Pushed Arround".. Alos, the 7 wide spokes also offer a lot of surface area too.

On a calm day, at high speed I have no stability issues at all.

Perhaps the gusts are a bit stronger than I am thinking (Going by weather.com's average gusts for today). You take two large hills that narrow to only 100 feet or so wide and you have one heck of a tunnel of air comming across the road. (Today most of the state had tornado warnings)

 

The only time I have ever had any troubles with a cross breeze was when I was cruising across Tampa Bay with the windows down. Stiff breeze came right through the cab and felt like it caught the ceiling of my interior. Wasn't that bad, just made the car shift slightly to the right...


but it made me crap my pants since I was doing 140

 

Its a matter of comparison. The 350Z has a cross section smaller or larger than other vehicles. Also consider weight: some vehicles weigh less, some more. So is the 350Z more prone to cross winds that other vehicles? Well depending on cross section and weight, yes.

 

My ZR isn't affected by cross winds. Its especially evident now that I'm getting the top replaced at the dealer (under warranty). I'm borrowing a Cayenne S for the week and this thing is all over the road when its windy.

 

Must just be mine then.. Guess the Super Black Paint's heat obsorbtion creates an induction zone arround the car, creating a mini tornado when the colder air come in contact with it.

 

thats a good one,mini tornados following you around.

 

Coupe here no problems whatsoever.