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2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

Unsafe? Or do I need education?

Old Jun 20, 2007 | 09:50 AM
  #21  
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the 07s must be a lil different, or have better stock tires. I got caught in the rain as well and hit a few puddles going down 55 on the way home from downtown and didn't feel anything funny. I usually don't drive the Z in the rain since I have a second vehicle but I was suprised how well it did considering all the stories I read here. I'd get some new tires if I were you.
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 09:55 AM
  #22  
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+1 on the PS2's. They're expensive but since I put them on my Z it has never broken traction. Unless I really want it to...
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 10:04 AM
  #23  
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POTENZA'S ARE THE WORST TIRE FOR THE RAIN!!!!! thats from my experience in the Z as well...got some other ones when my rears needed to be changed, dont hydroplane at all! change ur rubber bro!
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 10:05 AM
  #24  
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Hey Mike. I thought about giving you a buzz to ask about this. Then I realized I didn't have your number.

Anyway, it appears that most responders blame the potenzas. Which really sucks considering I just dropped $900 on tires 2 months ago. And yes, the tread is fine. lol

I appreciate all of the info gang. I'll start looking into some all weather tires as soon as these go bald. If I can find a big enough parking lot, I might be able to speed that process up a bit.
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 10:29 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by wasmith
If I can find a big enough parking lot, I might be able to speed that process up a bit.
Thats the spirit!!
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 10:48 AM
  #26  
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BFGoodrich KDW2 are very impressive in the wet/standing water at highway speed.

Not the stickiest of the quietest, but great in the rain!

Keep in mind that your rear tires are wider. In a straight line, the front usually clear the way for them. But not in a turn. In that case, the rear will hydroplane before the front...
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 10:57 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by SargentZ
the 07s must be a lil different, or have better stock tires. I got caught in the rain as well and hit a few puddles going down 55 on the way home from downtown and didn't feel anything funny. I usually don't drive the Z in the rain since I have a second vehicle but I was suprised how well it did considering all the stories I read here. I'd get some new tires if I were you.
Can someone confirm if the 07's have different/better tires? I got an 07, and yes all the stories about losing traction are a bit scary.
Can't check my car now (I'm at work..) but I had heard the 07's got different tires....
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 11:11 AM
  #28  
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I think the 07's have REO50's on them. Still potenzas but not the REO40's from earlier years.
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 11:22 AM
  #29  
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Wow that kind of incident should only happen when it's snowing. Hell I was stupid enough to drive my Z on BALD tires (as in no thread at all) on snowy weather on the highway at 65mph and it still had more traction than your experience in the rain with new tires.

Incase some people are confused I was late for work and it started snowing out of nowhere (sunshine for a week or so straight).
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 12:36 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by SargentZ
the 07s must be a lil different, or have better stock tires. I got caught in the rain as well and hit a few puddles going down 55 on the way home from downtown and didn't feel anything funny. I usually don't drive the Z in the rain since I have a second vehicle but I was suprised how well it did considering all the stories I read here. I'd get some new tires if I were you.
I agree. I drove my 07 a few days ago back from work when it was pouring and was surprised as how well it was under control (my car doesnt have the TCS btw). But from a few other Z owners I've talked to personally, they all said the Z in the rain is a slight gamble, and in the snow is pretty much asking for trouble...
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by ZBigDog
Scary, I guess roads in Florida are just set up to handle rain that much better. I've been running the stock potenzas that came on my Z since I bought her in December of 06 as well, not even close to one problem or scare in the rain.

When I do upgrade, which will be this summer, I wanna go with Ps2's

Maybe the roads in FL are a bit different then they are up north, when I had my stock potenzas on there I never had a problem doing 70 75 on I-75, btw I have a base model. Ive never had anything else on my car other than Toyo Proxy T1R's
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 02:32 PM
  #32  
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one thing I don't miss about the Z
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 04:11 PM
  #33  
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I drove my Z all winter long (in seattle). Car didn't act spooky once, even through some light snow. Different tires on 06+?
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 04:20 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by Kolia
Keep in mind that your rear tires are wider. In a straight line, the front usually clear the way for them. But not in a turn. In that case, the rear will hydroplane before the front...
So how does that work ????? Considering all tires hydroplane at 9X the square root of the tire pressure. The tread and other stuff just factors how much traction you have before you go up on plane.
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 04:30 PM
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Sell it you wouldnt want to be guilty of hurting the soon to be family
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by terrasmak
So how does that work ????? Considering all tires hydroplane at 9X the square root of the tire pressure. The tread and other stuff just factors how much traction you have before you go up on plane.
Hydroplaning happens when the tire is rolling faster than the water can be displaced (water inertia and viscosity being factor in the water's "speed").

Wider tire = longuer distance for the water to be displaced.

That's how I see it. Am I wrong ?
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Kolia
Hydroplaning happens when the tire is rolling faster than the water can be displaced (water inertia and viscosity being factor in the water's "speed").

Wider tire = longuer distance for the water to be displaced.

That's how I see it. Am I wrong ?
The factors you mention have to do with the traction you have before the hydroplane.
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 05:05 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by geomark
I think the 07's have REO50's on them. Still potenzas but not the REO40's from earlier years.
I just confirmed and indeed they are REO50's..wonder if there's much difference between them or maybe just us 07's haven't felt it cos they're still new....
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 05:18 PM
  #39  
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I have an '07 and it was raining right when I got the car back to the bay. The tires must be somewhat better. Has anyone driven a stock 03-05 and 06-07 in the rain?
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 05:32 PM
  #40  
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Stock 07 here with REO50A's on them. I have driven in the rain 4-5 times(35mph up to 80 mph) already and there fine with me. You just have to get a feel for the car, I know when I can break them loose and when not to!
Peace!
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