what's up all,

I have an 04 350Z Base and I am considering getting snow tires to make it through this winter (I got stuck several times on slight incline hills last winter), but I don't think that's the entire problem.

One reason I think my car is SO bad in the snow is the lack of an LSD. I could be wrong, but our LSD works by heating up a liquid when one wheel spins faster than the other, which gets more viscous until it more/less locks the axle, getting both wheels to spin at the same speed. This would be very important in getting grip in the snow or when one wheel is on ice right? It's also possible that the differential liquid won't heat up without the stress that an LSD goes under on hard road acceleration. what do you guys think? I auto-x during the summer and am planning on installing one at some time, but might get one earlier if it will help me get out of my driveway this winter =)

 

Come out to Berkeley, no snow and plenty of LSD.

 

haha. so I've heard

bump

 

I have an Enthusiast, which has the LSD, and it is useless in the snow. The Z is so bad that I take mine off the road from november until April. Snow tires will probably make the biggest difference.

 

The LSD will help tremendously in the snow, but it can be tricky. Both back tires will tend to break loose at the same time, so you have to be ready to shove in the clutch. Getting started is the hardest part, but once you're started, you'll be fine. If you have an automatic transmission, park it; it's the clutch that makes it work. My old '88 Supra does great in the snow, and it has a clutch LSD. The stock tires on the Z are crap once it gets below 50F. Get some snow tires and an LSD and you'll be fine.

Asterix

 

The LSD will help you in a straight line because only one tire needs grip to provide forward momentum. With an open diff. both tires need to have traction otherwise you will simply spin the tire that does not have any grip.

In a corner things are a bit different. The rear tires turn about different radii and therefore have to travel different distances in the same amount of time i.e. spin at different rates. In normal operation the LSD will allow this to occur without much ado; however, if the inside tire breaks free, which it is more likely to do in snowy conditions, the diff can lock-up, transferring more power to the outside wheel. At the same time more of the lateral load due to centrifugal force shifts to the outside tire. This combined effect can cause the rear end to completely break traction and fishtail. Driving skills can mitigate the issue but it is still a direct result of an LSD.

 

I drove my Z Enthusiast last winter (dailey driver) with winter rated, not multi season, tires. If the snow was under 4" deep I had no issues. If the snow was over 4" deep the Z did not like moving

 

Make sure you turn the traction control off in deep snow. Otherwise, the engine throttles down when the tires start to spin.

 

LoL.. Z? In the snow? Tried it last year, its such a hassle to dance this car down the road. Granted I didn't have snow tires, just the stock rubber but my Track was really skittish. It wont see much time this winter for the simple reason that I just dont have the patience to keep counter steering on every corner. 4-Wheel drive truck this winter while the Z slumbers.

 

I tired the original tires on the Z once in 1/2 inch of snow, an absoute disaster. With the winter rated tires the Z is as well behaved in the snow as my wifes SUV in two wheel drive, NOTE I said 2 wheel drive.

 

Thanks guys- I'm going to get some Yokohama Avid H4s for the fall/winter, I'll get the LSD and summer tires once it warms up a little

 

You beat me to it...

 

What have you guys paid for a set of snow tires?

 

Good snow tires don't come cheap. The best time and place to buy is in the springtime on Ebay. I got a deal on 4 Pilot Alpins for $100 shipped a couple years ago. Each tire normally sells for $175.

 

Murry's explanation is bang on.
Snow + LSD + OEM tires + corner = OMG
Snow + LSD + snow tires + corner = Tail Happy
If you are good at drifting on snow, you will have a ball. If not, be careful, just don't try to learn it the expensive way.

 

snow tires will make MUCH more difference than an LSD. the LSD requires slip to work, snow tires will prevent the slipping in the first place.

plenty of rwd cars navigated snowy roads for years. tires matter.