The Z-Unit

Hey guys!
This will be my first winter with my z and I'm wondering if you guys have any tips for driving. I don't plan on driving it very much, but just in case I have winter tires on it. Thanks guys!

1LightBrick

iTrader: (7)

10 Best Ways to Improve Your Winter Driving

350ZZJoe

iTrader: (2)

...I was going to give you some tips for what I do but the link above^^^ pretty much sums it up!

VMRWheels

Get some dedicated snow tires, pay attention to your driving, and be cautious!

cgkp0925

iTrader: (14)

What they said.

And do not pull a Dugan!

Suwaidi

a) Get dedicated snow tires. I use Blizzaks and have no complaints, but I've read there are better
b) Control your foot/throttle - Anything above 3000 and I slide around
c) Watch for clearance - If it looks like a pile of snow, avoid it
d) Ice? You'll slide no matter what. If you have no choice, make sure you're sliding to dry or snowy pavement
e) Find a parking lot that has fresh snow and learn how the Z feels with snow tires on the snow
f) Remember these are snow tires. Stopping distance on dry or snowy pavement are both poor.

Good luck!

bmccann101

iTrader: (16)

or DO..

i mean.... we could certainly use the entertainment/blood in the water.

bmccann101

iTrader: (16)

actually being from Alaska and having a Z32 all winter there.. blizzaks and STIFF sway bars especially the rears make a HUGE difference.
Ea as much as the other.
I wouldnt tell you how to spend your own money if it werent night and day.
dont just get the tires...
do the sway bars youll thank me later.
The Z32 had 16 in wheels btw.. that helped alot having some sidewall.
I literally drove my z32 down fresh snowy driveways ( trails) in rural areas of town.. driveways that were much more like trails.. no problem w that set up.

whatZheck

Traction control needs to be off if you are trying to climb a hill, and you may want to disable it with snow on the ground.

QuintonC

iTrader: (2)

Park it and buy a beater

Spike100

Keep a close watch on your tire pressures during the cold months when there is a greater variation in temperatures. Low profile tires are more difficult to maintain in freezing weather. --Spike

Jennifer 2

Further to what WhatZheck mentioned about the traction control, (although I don’t quite agree with him about permanently disabling it in snowy weather). Starting from a stop on a steep, slippery, or icy hill can be a challenge. The Z’s traction control is permanently tuned to full nanny mode, with three wheels stopped and one wheel spinning, it freaks out and immediately kills engine power. Unfortunately the viscous fluid, limited slip differential on the Z needs some wheel slippage to warm up and work effectively. Obviously the guy who tuned the VLS and the guy who tuned the TC didn’t talk to each other. Because in this condition, (starting from a stop) the TC intervenes a split second before the VLS can apply a degree of lock-up between the rear wheels and start the car moving on the slippery snow/ice.

Winter mornings I had to climb up a steep un-shoveled driveway to get to the street. I would first try to lightly finesse the throttle to gain enough momentum. If that wasn’t working, I would use the brute force method of switching off the TC and spin the hell out of the rear tires to dig down to the pavement to git-r-done. Once I’m under way, I like to switch the TC back on to save myself from my own folly though.

If you have a ‘base’ model Z without a limited slip diff, it’s extremely hard to keep from getting stuck in the snow. A trick my dad taught me was to lightly apply the hand brake before letting out the clutch. If you’re light enough on the hand brake, the engine power will easily overcome it. However, the drag of the rear brakes will be enough to fool the wheels into thinking they have equal traction, thus the differential will lock up, spinning both wheels together. (Release the hand brake once you get moving).

The first time my dad let me drive his 52 Chevy pick-up on one of our fishing excursions I got it stuck half way across the creek ford. One tire solidly on rock and the other tire spinning helplessly in the mud. That day dad taught me (at age 14) a new swearword and also the hand brake trick. The little truck walked right out of the creek straight away on the first try, without so much as spilling a drop of dad’s driving-whiskey.

pro_350z

iTrader: (3)

snow tires = great
just dont be an idiot while driving around and you'll be fine

Bret86944

iTrader: (4)

This, and don't forget to get snow tires at least one size narrower than OEM.

WeightLimit

iTrader: (5)

This..especially if they salt the roads there.

TEF

Living in a snowbelt area and attempting a short drive with my "Z" (from the driveway into the garage), the car is best left in storage. Without snows, the car is stuck in an inch of snow. Even if one were to add Blizzaks, its wheel width makes it a real problem in snow and/or slush covered roads, as the wide tires "float" on the snow's surface. One has poor steering and no braking and this gets worse at speed. In addition, road salt and sand ruin the paint and alloy wheels. If can you swing it, save your "Z" for the dry sunny weather and use a beater. On snow-covered roads, a Chevy Cavalier will out perform a "Z" (not designed for winter driving), even if the "Z" has snows. Probably why grand prix racing is scheduled for summer and WRC events are often run in snowy conditions on skinny rims with studded snows.