roast

iTrader: (2)

I'm going on my 4th winter in the Z, on the stock "craptenzas"...

I've driven on snow and ice. No problems here.

maxpowers

iTrader: (3)

You've gotta be kidding me. On the stock craptenzas?, you find the car to handle and stop effectivley in snowy conditions? If the guy in front of you stops with any urgency, there is no way you can slow down in the snow.

cbeneke

I drove my Z 40 miles to and from work throughout the winter on stock potenzas. 2nd gear is your friend. Don't even bother with 1st. Go slow and make sure you revmatch perfectly otherwise you will crash. Emphasis on going slow. Seriously, go slow. I mean it.

maxpowers

iTrader: (3)

Well you guys are taking a substantial risk then.

All it takes is for one car in front of you with 'all season' tires to stomp on the brakes and BLAM.

The cost of winter tires is so small, plus it essentialy doubles the life of your summer tires.

jolt3500

OMG dude! Same story here about 2 months ago! I was at the GF house and I was backing down her long a@@ driveway and hit a piece of ice going about 1mph backwards. So hit the ice slid right into her lawn with about 6 inches of snow. I worked on getting it out for 4 hours!!!!!! I was pissed! So yep called the tow truck and he pulled me from the lawn to the road (30 feet maybe??) And slapped me accross the face with $68.00. I mean seriously that sucked! I even tried the carpet trick under the tires, salt, sand, and bare hands. $68 bux!

Spike100

I was looking at threads tonight and saw this one. I probably shouldn’t respond since this issue is discussed frequently (and usually during winter months).

But, here are some thoughts:

• You cannot drive the Z safely in snow, ice, or freezing conditions with summer-performance tires. It makes no difference how good a driver you are, it just isn’t safe doing this. The compound used for summer-performance tires hardens significantly when the temperature drops to near-freezing, and you cannot stop or go with these tires on your car.
  
• You can drive the Z safely in snow, ice, or freezing conditions with winter-snow tires. It does take a little bit of experience driving a high-powered rear-wheel drive car on snow and ice, but anyone can do this with a little bit of practice and the proper tires.
  
• 17” wheels are best for snow tires on a Z. With the Z, your best choice for snow tires is 225/50-17” front and 225/55-7” rear. Actually, you can go all-square and mount 225/55-17” on all corners. I’ve done this with a VDC equipped-Z, and it works.
  
• Forget about using all-season tires on a Z if you drive during the winter months on snow and ice. All-season tires are meant for FWD and AWD vehicles, but not for rear-wheel drive cars operated in freezing conditions.
  
• If your locality typically gets a lot of snow (or, in the event of a storm dropping 4 or more inches of snow), you might want to consider not running your Z (even if it has snow tires). It’s all about clearance. If you “high-center” the car, you are stuck.

I’m sure I have left out some other important information, but someone else will probably contribute.

This is probably a poorly timed post since it is spring and summer is coming, and hardly anyone is thinking about snow and ice.

--Spike

jcleary47

Don't buy a car like this if you HAVE to drive it in the winter. It isn't worth the risk, and regardless of what tires you put on it, a rear wheel drive sports car in the snow is still a rear wheel sports car in the snow.

Spike100

I read your message and consider it bogus. You should consider this:

When I learned to drive (40 + years ago) all cars were RWD, and I was able to drive very safely.

--Spike

jcleary47

All it takes is one time and it may be a time that you regret for a long time.

Perhaps some people can handle it better than others, but there are a lot of factors out of your control when you drive in the snow. From the limited experience I have driving the Z in slick/snowy weather, it doesn't seem like a vehicle that is designed to handle it well.

The Z may be relatively heavy for what it is, but it isn't heavy in the right places for parading in slushy weather.

iMikie

iTrader: (2)

Blizzaks saves lives

frankyB

You make a few valid point except for this one

I live in winter land, all season tires just don't cut it in any season, they are bad during winter (even tires vendors admit it) and they are bad during summer. FWD or AWD doesn't make any difference, they are just bad.

Actually, starting next year, winter tire will be required by law in my Province and already 90% of the population put winter tire, the last 10% are the noob that create traffic jam for 2-3 inches of snow.

CSF

iTrader: (1)

why was this thread resurrected in April? Enjoy the warm weather.
When it gets cold, get snow tires if you need to drive the Z in the winter

maxpowers

iTrader: (3)

+1

With the exception of accelerating through a corner and maybe straightline acceleration in heavy snow......a Z with winter tires will outperform any SUV with resepct to braking and steering/object avoidance.

Spike100

You are correct. I just “get by” with all-season tires on my 4-wheel drive vehicle. I use all-season tires on this vehicle to avoid swapping tires from winter to summer, but the handling and safety is marginal with these tires. It's a weak compromise at best.

During the winter months, I run studless snow tires on my Z, and in fact the Z is better with snow tires than the AWD with all-season tires. AWD makes-up for some deficiencies, but I notice the Z with snow tires turns and stops much better.
_______________
That is my experience as well. Turning and stopping is the most important feature you get with snow tires. Hopefully readers here understand the importance of mounting snow tires on all four corners. You need to stop as well as go.

I really think you guys in Canada have a lot more experience and knowledge about driving in snow and on ice than drivers in the USA.

--Spike

Spork

iTrader: (6)

Don't forget us far northern US citizens

cdaallison

I drive my 350 z all winter. Put blizzaks on snow wheels and the z works great. Do not drive with performance tires in snow. Mike

rythex

iTrader: (2)

lol, that reminds me back in early march I drove to work with the Z (I just pulled it out of the garage from over the winter) It was bone dry outside, no snow or ice. Then while at work.. it dumped snow... a LOT of snow..

So I drove 50 blocks home with about 20 centimeters of snow and ice on the street..... on some Toyo Proxes...... :O it was about -15 celsius too.. hah....

I almost **** a brick on the way home since that was one of the scariest things I've had to do hehe.

haeshik

iTrader: (36)

cant beat weather here in socal. talk about having a bad day, hope everything works out

Spike100

Good point! I did not intend diminishing our experience with cold weather driving (I’m in Minnesota).

My point is that the central/eastern Provinces (Ontario and Quebec) get really tough winters (lots of snow and very cold temperatures). Minnesota (and its northern cities) most resembles Edmonton. It’s very cold, but the snowfall is reasonable.

Toronto is actually more to the south (and warmer) than cities in Minnesota, but gets the lake-effect snow we see in upper-Michigan. Ottawa and Quebec get the snow as well as frigid temperatures. They also get ice storms.

Drivers in Canada are the best winter drivers in the world. They typically drive long distances, and consider the worst driving conditions as normal.

--Spike

Swimminggerman

??? HUH??? drive the Z in snow. What is that? I would never take mine out in snow or harsh weather. Yes I love it and baby it, but I dont think I could actually get through the weather in that car. I use this as my Daily driver.

<img src="http://a194.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/14/l_9862a77e8b88dcd33f772c06b9c16c99.jpg">
<img src="http://a293.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/54/l_7cabef814c4d573bdeb60bfae71f0c5c.jpg">
<img src="http://a592.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/30/l_c5ddf67a5c2b536f8a8fe743cd5f594f.jpg">

Oh yeah and I no longer live with snow.