350Z safe in the SNOW?
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: MD
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
350Z safe in the SNOW?
Winter is coming up...
And I just wanna to know If 350Z is dangerous in SNOW?
Because It's RWD. Isn't RWD's are weak on Rainy/Snow days.
So Is 350Z fine? to drive around in the winter?
or is it gonna slip alot?
And I just wanna to know If 350Z is dangerous in SNOW?
Because It's RWD. Isn't RWD's are weak on Rainy/Snow days.
So Is 350Z fine? to drive around in the winter?
or is it gonna slip alot?
#4
Veteran
iTrader: (2)
you atleast need snow tires, most RWD cars are of a higher level... think about it, you know any crappy beaters with RWD? as a not quite direct result, rwd cars also tend to have wider tires. Z included of course.
so first thing it needs is thinner tread, let it cut throught the snow to the pavement. as far as rwd... yeah not great, but not exactly a curse either. just have to be more cautious, instead of the wheels just not pulling the car, they may push it sideways. with all the power the Z has you will also want to start in 2nd gear to limit the power.
so first thing it needs is thinner tread, let it cut throught the snow to the pavement. as far as rwd... yeah not great, but not exactly a curse either. just have to be more cautious, instead of the wheels just not pulling the car, they may push it sideways. with all the power the Z has you will also want to start in 2nd gear to limit the power.
#5
Registered User
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Posts: 5,753
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
I have driven mine in the snow but it was only about 1/2" deep, not much. Like ares said, start in 2nd and use the gas pedal very sparingly. I wouldn't recommend taking any long trips in it with snow on the ground but, trips to the store would be OK.
#7
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do not attempt to drive the car in the snow with the stock tires!!! I did this last year and was scared for my life. The rubber compound turns very hard, almost like plastic which does not work well with snow. I now have a set of Blizzaks for this winter so it will be interesting to see the difference. RWD cars are fine in the snow with good tires, and proper winter driving. I also put some weight in the hatch last year which helped a little, but should help even more with the winter tires. We get a lot of snow here in northern Iowa and I am not worried at all about this winter. I drove my RWD 240sx in the winter for years. I personally like RWD cars in the winter because they are easier to predict and control when you loose traction. With a FWD car, if your front tires break loose, you lose you stearing!!!
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hummelstown, PA
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would definitely not drive the Z in the snow on the stock tires, as stated above it is very dangerous. I was out with just a dusting on the roads and I barely made it home. I also drive a 240SX in the snow for two years and never had a problem with the right tires on the car. I would recommend getting a winter beater though, you won't have to worry about your new Z getting plowed by an idiot driver or getting the salt/cinders/sand all over the paint.
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Queens, NYC
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It also depends on what type of areas you live in... Im in NYC or at worst, the city of Nashua, NH, so the roads do see good and frequent plowing. But yeah, no cars are "good" in the snow, some people think SUV's are because they can get moving really quick, but try stoppin those ugly mothers...
#10
Registered User
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: MD
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
its rainning like crap today in MD...this is my first rwd car.
I drove 65 at most today. Took the 795 exit to Owings Mills and there are some uneven pavements..going 45 and man I was scared...slid quite a bit....
Definitely get a beater for winter but if not,,,just drive really slow at 60 or below and look out for those uneven pavements and stupid drivers with beaters themselves going 80mph and cutting everyone else.
I drove 65 at most today. Took the 795 exit to Owings Mills and there are some uneven pavements..going 45 and man I was scared...slid quite a bit....
Definitely get a beater for winter but if not,,,just drive really slow at 60 or below and look out for those uneven pavements and stupid drivers with beaters themselves going 80mph and cutting everyone else.
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Plano, Texas
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In Texas, the only snow we see is in pictures, but it does like to get icy every once in a while. All I could suggest is forget that your car even has brakes (don't use them) unless you are completely sure that you are not on ice, or can just barely touch them to the point that the tires don't lose traction. Use the transmission to downshift in order to slow down - just do it smoothly. Oh yeh, and extremelly gentle and small steering inputs. - Good luck
#13
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Mount Laurel, NJ
Posts: 708
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I live in Syracuse, NY where we get like 110 inches of total snow accumulation during the winter time. I made the mistake of driving my Z in the winter. OMG, this thing would slide on less than 1 inch of snow. I propably did a 90 degree slide about 5 times. One time I did slid and was facing the opposite traffic, but thank god no one was coming. This happened while I was doing 15mph! I will never drive my Z in the winter ever again. I have a crappy winter beater now. The good thing about storing your car in the winter (in a garage) is that the salt won't mess your paint up.
In short, do yourself a favor and store the Z for the winter
In short, do yourself a favor and store the Z for the winter
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In short, do yourself a favor and store the Z for the winter
If the roads aren't dry and clean, I don't drive mine, cause I won't have fun in it anyways.
I find it easier and more relaxing to drive my 93 Probe. Here are the advantages of it.
---I don't have to park a mile away from the shopping mall entrance worring that someone will ding my door.
---I get to follow cars without worring that they will spit rocks at me
---I don't have to wash my car
---I can see out of my rear view mirror
---Cheaper to insure.....it actually justify the cost of having a beater and having to buy snow tires if I drive my Z
#15
Registered User
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 2,774
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very simply, if you value your life and your car, just don't drive the Z in the snow.
This may sound a like exaggeration, but it's not. The Z is really just not safe in the snow. You will easily slide while going at very low speeds.
If you have to drive in the winter, buy some winter tires or get another car.
This may sound a like exaggeration, but it's not. The Z is really just not safe in the snow. You will easily slide while going at very low speeds.
If you have to drive in the winter, buy some winter tires or get another car.
#16
Charter Member #82
iTrader: (1)
Read this thread by Zboy and I doubt that you will drive your car in the snow. This was written about a year ago and was one of the the first experiences anyone with a 350Z had with snow. The snow won!
Last edited by Anyone2u; 11-12-2003 at 04:43 PM.
#17
Registered User
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 2,774
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ha, I was hoping somebody would dig that thread up.
I haven't heard from Zboy in a long long time.
He was one of the first people on this board to have wrecked his car.
I haven't heard from Zboy in a long long time.
He was one of the first people on this board to have wrecked his car.
#19
Re: 350Z safe in the SNOW?
Originally posted by lemonjihwan
Winter is coming up...
And I just wanna to know If 350Z is dangerous in SNOW?
Because It's RWD. Isn't RWD's are weak on Rainy/Snow days.
So Is 350Z fine? to drive around in the winter?
or is it gonna slip alot?
Winter is coming up...
And I just wanna to know If 350Z is dangerous in SNOW?
Because It's RWD. Isn't RWD's are weak on Rainy/Snow days.
So Is 350Z fine? to drive around in the winter?
or is it gonna slip alot?
Forget driving in snow if there's more than 6"s, the Z's nose is too low. You should be fine on graded roads Just go slow at first, until you see how the Z handles in snow, and adjust accordingly.
NEVER, EVER, DRIVE WITH THE OE TIRES IN SNOW, THEY ARE UNSAFE EVEN ON A DUSTY ROAD UNDER 50 DEGREES, THE TREAD TURNS INTO SLIPPERY ROCKS W/O TRACTION!
Last edited by Boomer; 11-12-2003 at 03:04 PM.
#20
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Mequon, WI. 53092
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aside from the fact that the Z sits low to the ground the key is the tires. If you plan on driving on snow and ice get much softer tires.
Being from Wisonsin I will not drive my Z on snow because they salt the roads so heavily. You folks in other states might want to consider the salt issue. Bottom line is if you State uses salt it is best to keep the car in the garage.
Being from Wisonsin I will not drive my Z on snow because they salt the roads so heavily. You folks in other states might want to consider the salt issue. Bottom line is if you State uses salt it is best to keep the car in the garage.