How do you drive in the rain?
New Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,337
Likes: 204
From: Edina, Minnesota
It does seem as though a high percentage of "I crashed my Z" stories involve rain and Nitto's. I have no experience with this tire. Is it a problem when running this tire in the "wet."
--Spike
--Spike
Originally Posted by Spike100
Well... I must admit doing pretty much the same "test." 
After buying new tires (Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3) and running them a few days to get the "grease off," I was curious about the performance of these tires on wet roadways. As you mention, I also wondered why some Z drivers crashed in the wet going only 40 mph (as they claim).
On a rainy day, I found a lonely stretch of road (that had some "twistys") and ran the car up pretty high.
I have a 2003 Performance model, but turned VDC off. I believe, as you state, that electronic-driving-aids (i.e., Electronic Stability Control) are meant to be used under normal driving conditions where they are designed and tested. Aggressive driving requires a skilled driver whose instincts and training prevent the "I wrecked my Z" scenarios. When the Z was first re-released in 2003, Nissan had a video on their website showing a professional driver running a the Z "all-out" on empty streets in a city in Europe (it appeared to be Belgium or France, but that isn't important). He was driving on dry and wet surfaces. The video clip mentions that the driver was in a Track model with VDC off.
I can report the same experience you describe. The Z drives exceptionally well on wet roadways. You only need an experienced driver and the right tires. Worn or cheap tires are not the "right" tires.
Of course a roadway that has grease mixed with rain water is treacherous, and this could cause even the best driver to crash.
I've learned that driving on an uphill ramp (where the semi's often downshift and spitting diesel "grease" on the roadway) is a danger point where you need to be especially careful. And more so if it is curved.
Hydroplaning is very ugly since you have no control of the car in this case, but I only see this happening when hitting a long puddle of water. Quality tires don't seem to do this on roadways that are simply wet, but they will hydroplane when hitting a puddle.
And... My disclaimer: The best way to drive in the rain and on wet roadways is to slow down, and keep VDC (or whatever Stability Control Device you have) turned on.
--Spike
After buying new tires (Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3) and running them a few days to get the "grease off," I was curious about the performance of these tires on wet roadways. As you mention, I also wondered why some Z drivers crashed in the wet going only 40 mph (as they claim).On a rainy day, I found a lonely stretch of road (that had some "twistys") and ran the car up pretty high.
I have a 2003 Performance model, but turned VDC off. I believe, as you state, that electronic-driving-aids (i.e., Electronic Stability Control) are meant to be used under normal driving conditions where they are designed and tested. Aggressive driving requires a skilled driver whose instincts and training prevent the "I wrecked my Z" scenarios. When the Z was first re-released in 2003, Nissan had a video on their website showing a professional driver running a the Z "all-out" on empty streets in a city in Europe (it appeared to be Belgium or France, but that isn't important). He was driving on dry and wet surfaces. The video clip mentions that the driver was in a Track model with VDC off.I can report the same experience you describe. The Z drives exceptionally well on wet roadways. You only need an experienced driver and the right tires. Worn or cheap tires are not the "right" tires.
Of course a roadway that has grease mixed with rain water is treacherous, and this could cause even the best driver to crash.
I've learned that driving on an uphill ramp (where the semi's often downshift and spitting diesel "grease" on the roadway) is a danger point where you need to be especially careful. And more so if it is curved.Hydroplaning is very ugly since you have no control of the car in this case, but I only see this happening when hitting a long puddle of water. Quality tires don't seem to do this on roadways that are simply wet, but they will hydroplane when hitting a puddle.
And... My disclaimer: The best way to drive in the rain and on wet roadways is to slow down, and keep VDC (or whatever Stability Control Device you have) turned on.
--Spike
Originally Posted by Spike100
It does seem as though a high percentage of "I crashed my Z" stories involve rain and Nitto's. I have no experience with this tire. Is it a problem when running this tire in the "wet."
--Spike
--Spike
cause you spin like no tomorow when just barley driving
so nitto 555's + Rain = ftmfl
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 27
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From: Southwest Tennessee
I had cause late yesterday to drive mine in a rainstorm for only the second or third time. I usually take my Infiniti I30T when it rains that hard for all the obvious reasons. It just started to rain and since there hasn't been much rain this year, I was positive the ground-in oil was being leached out of the asphalt and mixed with the rain water on the surface. I kept the VDC on and drove normally and I couldn't seem to spin, slide or anything like that. I guess I must have been doing something wrong, as a lot of people with Z's seem to be able to actually lose control while going in a straight line at a steady speed in the rain. Is it just me or do these people know something I don't which allows them to even do multiple 360's in that scenero? I guess I will just have to practice a lot more, as I even tried increasing speed while cornering this time, still to no avail. I figured the stock tires would be enough to make me spin, but they didn't seem to help either. Maybe I should get a rasp and work off some of the tread. That might just do it.
Oh well, woe is me. I'll guess I'll just keep trying with each rain, and keep you posted if I ever do lose control. Maybe we will get some ice and snow this year. I'll bet that would help...
Oh well, woe is me. I'll guess I'll just keep trying with each rain, and keep you posted if I ever do lose control. Maybe we will get some ice and snow this year. I'll bet that would help...
New Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,337
Likes: 204
From: Edina, Minnesota
Originally Posted by roast
"The run". Good little movie. Nissan sent it to me for free after I bought my Z. I really liked it. When I saw the end I was like holy crap! It all made sense at the end. Not a lot of people know it, but it's a rip on one of the most famous short films involving a "high speed" run through city streets. C'etait un Rendezvous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLC3-BciWlk Little off topic, but whatever.
Yes... that is the video I referenced. It is certainly the same "run" Nissan distributed. The Nissan version occasionally "cuts" to a Z filmed from a chase car. Thanks for posting the link (I lost the DVD Nissan sent to me). It was fun to see it again. The Nissan version for USA distribution states that this is a professional driver on controlled streets... don't do this type of driving... Track model and VDC is turned OFF... blah, blah, blah.
A few interesting things you notice on the video:
1) Great sounds coming from the exhaust.
2) He's running as fast as he can, and all Stability Control Devices (i.e, VDC/TCS) are OFF.
3) The driver shifts a lot to keep the car inside an optimum torque range. The idea is that he wants the ability to apply power while turning the front wheels to maintain control of the car. This driver never wants a interference from a digital Stability Control Device. He is driving very hard, and he wants "first-layer" control of the car.
4) Notice how much he reduces speed (by down-shifting) when hitting the cobblestone roadway. This section of roadway is "slippery," and he respects its hazard.
This guy (the professional driver in the video) won't be posting any stories like "I wrecked my Z." Reading your posts, you are in the same league (and won't be describing a wreck on public roads).
--Spike
PS: Still trying to figure out how a driver wrecks (reported multiple times here) when driving on a straight section of wet road at 40 mph.
Every time I have to drive in the rain I end up crashing. All I do is try to slam on the brakes and turn sharply back and forth to avoid the rain drops. I don't know what else to do.
New Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,337
Likes: 204
From: Edina, Minnesota
Originally Posted by Tubbs
Every time I have to drive in the rain I end up crashing. All I do is try to slam on the brakes and turn sharply back and forth to avoid the rain drops. I don't know what else to do.
You're kidding... right?--Spike
EDIT: Of course you're kidding, just didn't get it first time through...
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 619
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From: Livonia, MI
Originally Posted by DavesZ#3
The car comes with "high performance summer tires", as are most of the replacement tires people use. None of them are spectular in the rain. Rule #1 is to avoid hitting standing water at highway speeds. If it's raining hard, slow down and/or get off the highway onto city streets.
I was driving home last night around 2:00 a.m., and it was raining rather decent. I was cruising along doing 80mph. Stabilitrak and Traction Control were on. The sky was lighting up with lightning, and the further south I headed on the freeway, the rain was slightly increasing. Then out of nowhere, it starts raining 20 times harder. I eased off the gas and brought it down to about 70mph thinking "Hell, i've got a truck, with decent tires, I should be okay?" That's when I had a horrible feeling in the wheel that reminded me of winter - the steering wheel started to feel less responsive and floaty. I eased off the gas further more and the front end started to wander, while I kept both hands gripped and kept my steering corrections to a minimum with eased inputs. [The one thing I absolutely hate about my truck is that the rear is air suspension assisted, and this causes for a very uncomforting feeling in this scenario, you'll hear why]. As I was nearing the end of cement pavement on the freeway, the next section was all asphalt with heavy grooves filled with standing water and I started to feel the *** end pull in one direction opposite of my steering wheel. I started to hit the brakes and went into a slight slide, but was abled to be saved by Stabilitrak.
Having experienced this in an extremely heavy SUV with 20" High Performance All-Season Goodyear RS-A Eagles (horrible tire, but still..), I can't imagine what it would have been like last night in a Z. I would have never even been going that fast to begin with, but I felt more comfortable per say in a truck versus the Z. And the Z has been a car i've been seriously considering since it came out in 03 (only I could never justify as a daily driver).
It was the first time I'd had a feeling similar to how the truck was in winter time. The 255 series tires are so wide, it would catch every snow trail and lead the front end back and forth where-ever it wanted, and then the rear end would follow with it's own wobbly responses. Just a friendly reminder, to seriously take it easy guys! I know from driving a Z before that it's a very big "confidence-inspiring" car. But nothing is 100% safe in the rain/snow.
Originally Posted by Jyoder7
Just drive like a normal person and you'll be fine. If you're going to push it you need to be very smooth with your imputs.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 568
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From: SinCity, NV
Originally Posted by Spike100
It does seem as though a high percentage of "I crashed my Z" stories involve rain and Nitto's. I have no experience with this tire. Is it a problem when running this tire in the "wet."
--Spike
--Spike
"Originally Posted by Spike100
I also wondered why some Z drivers crashed in the wet going only 40 mph (as they claim)."
So you probably have an idea that alot (not all mind you) of these guys who have had solo crashes. Are quick to blame the Z or some part on the car, rather than the real cause "themselfs"
Originally Posted by mikez97
well the 555's are the ones i have and never buying again
cause you spin like no tomorow when just barley driving
so nitto 555's + Rain = ftmfl
cause you spin like no tomorow when just barley driving
so nitto 555's + Rain = ftmfl
Back on topic
IMO most of these wet... or dry issues for that matter have alot to do with improper tire care (under or over psi, worn etc..), plain inexperience in general driving skills, inexperience with manual stick/clutch control while driving a high pwd rwd car on a low grip surface....
Last edited by zipgun; Jul 28, 2007 at 07:27 AM.