Z's in the rain
A couple of weeks ago, I pulled out of a hotel to drive back home, and TPMS lights up on the dash - I pulled in to a gas station and pumped up the tyres to over 35 psi. Drove over a couple of miles and TPMS switched off. 
My tyres are probably over-inflated and I need to check this again.
There a couple of things I follow on public roads - I give up well-before any mechanical disaster. I cannot believe what happened today for two reasons - the speed was way too low for me to have pushed the limits of tread and traction (I have over 8/32 tread still left on all of them) & secondly having driven the Z in the rain and at higher speeds I never felt the car literally being shaken like a rag-doll
On the other hand, it did rain today after quite some time, so I guess it just was the worst surface on offer. Either way I have learnt a lesson without having to wreck the Z - just chill.
My tyres are probably over-inflated and I need to check this again.
There a couple of things I follow on public roads - I give up well-before any mechanical disaster. I cannot believe what happened today for two reasons - the speed was way too low for me to have pushed the limits of tread and traction (I have over 8/32 tread still left on all of them) & secondly having driven the Z in the rain and at higher speeds I never felt the car literally being shaken like a rag-doll
On the other hand, it did rain today after quite some time, so I guess it just was the worst surface on offer. Either way I have learnt a lesson without having to wreck the Z - just chill.
New Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,382
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From: New York
People are so quick to blame the car, but tires are a MAJOR factor when it comes to traction in all conditions.
My car is just fine in the snow with my snow tires and my car is just fine in the rain and dry with my KDW-2, however, when my potenza were nearly bald, it felt like my car was on ice in the rain. I had the same feeling in my civic, so it is about the tires, not the car.
Perhaps the biggest factor for the car itself is the power, as I have caught myself a few times going a little sideways, but that can be controlled with your right foot (I have a base so no traction control)
My car is just fine in the snow with my snow tires and my car is just fine in the rain and dry with my KDW-2, however, when my potenza were nearly bald, it felt like my car was on ice in the rain. I had the same feeling in my civic, so it is about the tires, not the car.
Perhaps the biggest factor for the car itself is the power, as I have caught myself a few times going a little sideways, but that can be controlled with your right foot (I have a base so no traction control)
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 229
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From: Cincinnati, OH
I will admit that the Z has freaked me out a bit in the rain once and a while. But honestly, as everyone says, it is probably due to me pushing a little too much. Plus the traction control on the Z is a freakin wizard, always keeps the car in control even when the driver focks it up.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 64
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From: USA
Going back and thinking about it - The oil and water combination on roads (especially after rain that is just enough to coat the entire road surface) is just bad news for most cars. On dry surfaces the Z is boss.
Traction Control is so friggin' intuitive. Even when I careened off with the throttle being cut-off faster than I could re-act, it just helped a lot in steadying things - when I was almost headed side-ways
Noticed TCS kick in again when I floored it from a standing start, but I was kinda pissed as a t$rd in a Tuscon just pulled away in the left lane
SQualZ is right - you can't entirely blame the car, and the tires are the only thing keeping you on (or off) the road. However with enough tread and traction left on my above average continental's, and low speed I smugly believed that I was covered.
Traction Control is so friggin' intuitive. Even when I careened off with the throttle being cut-off faster than I could re-act, it just helped a lot in steadying things - when I was almost headed side-ways
Noticed TCS kick in again when I floored it from a standing start, but I was kinda pissed as a t$rd in a Tuscon just pulled away in the left lane
SQualZ is right - you can't entirely blame the car, and the tires are the only thing keeping you on (or off) the road. However with enough tread and traction left on my above average continental's, and low speed I smugly believed that I was covered.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 63
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From: Vancouver
Was driving to work today in the rain got stuck on a super long and steep incline for a minute. Tires wouldn't grip the ground and I would do a burn out. After stalling once and 2 attempts later I finally got it. Been only driving manual for 2 months self taught so maybe just need more practice.
Was driving to work today in the rain got stuck on a super long and steep incline for a minute. Tires wouldn't grip the ground and I would do a burn out. After stalling once and 2 attempts later I finally got it. Been only driving manual for 2 months self taught so maybe just need more practice.
As a side note, ordered Blade Runner this weekend online. Due in today. Pretty stocked.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 64
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From: USA
They should re-name on-ramps as death traps for 350z's. 
With barely a touch of rain on the 101, accelerating up to 35mph(yea sad isn't it - I was trying to merge not be squished by a truck) the tyre caught a wet uneven bumpy surface on the on-ramp and violently shuddered for a fraction of a second. I don't recall why I was both smiling and paying obeisance to the big man upstairs at the same time.
I hate this car when it rains - PERIOD. On my way back took a right turn on to an on-ramp for 87 and the frigging slip light came on at oh 15 mph. Why does the Z behave like skates on ice? I have nearly 8/32 tread still left!
With barely a touch of rain on the 101, accelerating up to 35mph(yea sad isn't it - I was trying to merge not be squished by a truck) the tyre caught a wet uneven bumpy surface on the on-ramp and violently shuddered for a fraction of a second. I don't recall why I was both smiling and paying obeisance to the big man upstairs at the same time.
I hate this car when it rains - PERIOD. On my way back took a right turn on to an on-ramp for 87 and the frigging slip light came on at oh 15 mph. Why does the Z behave like skates on ice? I have nearly 8/32 tread still left!
They should re-name on-ramps as death traps for 350z's.
With barely a touch of rain on the 101, accelerating up to 35mph(yea sad isn't it - I was trying to merge not be squished by a truck) the tyre caught a wet uneven bumpy surface on the on-ramp and violently shuddered for a fraction of a second. I don't recall why I was both smiling and paying obeisance to the big man upstairs at the same time.
I hate this car when it rains - PERIOD. On my way back took a right turn on to an on-ramp for 87 and the frigging slip light came on at oh 15 mph. Why does the Z behave like skates on ice? I have nearly 8/32 tread still left!
With barely a touch of rain on the 101, accelerating up to 35mph(yea sad isn't it - I was trying to merge not be squished by a truck) the tyre caught a wet uneven bumpy surface on the on-ramp and violently shuddered for a fraction of a second. I don't recall why I was both smiling and paying obeisance to the big man upstairs at the same time.
I hate this car when it rains - PERIOD. On my way back took a right turn on to an on-ramp for 87 and the frigging slip light came on at oh 15 mph. Why does the Z behave like skates on ice? I have nearly 8/32 tread still left!
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 68
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From: New Jersey
Leave the traction control on, don't floor it, brake/shift like a sensible person driving (and not as though you're racing in F1) and...Viola! You've successfully driven your RWD sports car in the rain...don't be stupid, or is that asking too much?
Last edited by Godzirrra922; Nov 18, 2012 at 08:24 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 42
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From: Philadelphia
A lot of you guys are talking about people making mistakes when their car starts to slide, from my experience if you don't drive like an idiot you won't even need to know what to do when it slides. I've had my Z for a year now and it rains here quite a bit and haven't had a problem at all. Just gotta drive slower than normal.
