D*MN GUYS the z sucks in the snow. I learned that today. who had snow tires here. and how do they work in the snow. let me know thanks

 

Yes the snow tonight was the first for my z and could not drive.
I pulled out onto the side street and just spun. All i saw was
slip....slip.........slip......... every time just barely touching the gas,
even startgin in 2nd gear to slow the rmps did not help. I just turned around and parked and said not tonight. So yes do
snow tires really make a difference in lets say a .5 inch snow pack
or is it going to have to be a cab every time it snows.

 

Snow tires make a world of difference. The stock tires are "summer only" for a reason. The rubber compound almost turns to plastic in the cold weather with summer tires, whereas snow tires are designed for the cold weather. I have Blizzaks on my car and have no problems in the snow with traction. Of course my car has a lot of TQ and the TCS will kick in if I get on it at all, but the car is always in control with the snow tires.

 

The 350Z is a performance sports car and will be dangerous to drive in snow. The tires are performance dry summer tires and should not be driven in snow. Even with snow tires it will not be good in snow. Best to just put up for the winter and drive some other car. The salt will not be good for the car and could cause rusting of body after a year or two. I lived in Syracuse ,N.Y. for half of my life where we usually averaged 100 to 200 inches of snow a year so I speak from experience.

 

So does my motorcycle. What's the point ?

JMS in TX

 

You are correct about the snow tires, but I disagree with the statement that the Z would not be good in snow even with snow tires. I'll argue that it's every bit as good in the snow as ANY FWD with all season radials (99% of the cars out there). I don't know when everybody got so scared of RWD cars all of a sudden...

The Z has near 50/50 weight distribution (actually 53/47) which is a hell of a lot better than the old sports cars and Crown Vics the cops use, so there is a higher percentage of weight on the rear tires. The nose is just a bit heavier, so this helps in keeping the car pointed forward on slick surfaces. Plus, the biggest advantage: RWD cars don't use the same set of tires for driving as they do turning: you can theoretically drive a RWD car faster on slick surfaces than a FWD.

Bottom line: if you drive like an idiot, you're going into the ditch no matter what car (or truck) you have. ...I just wish drivers would wake up and realize that there's more to driving than just turning a steering wheel. When I get filthy rich and own my own state, I'm going to make a course in vehicle dynamics mandatory for anyone with a driver's license.

 

Very true, the R040's suck in the snow. I have Blizzak LM-22's and I drove to a party near Rockford Saturday night in the middle of the snow fall without any drama. Just watch out for all the idiot's out there!

 

you need one of these.....



dan

 

I can't believe you guys are driving your Z through the winter. I put mine away december 1st! I just don't want salt getting on it or people plowing into me.

But at the same time you guys still have your Z and I just daydream about it.

 

This was my first RWD, and I was suprised how well it did last winter. The VDC did save me from a couple careless moves. But definitely get winter tires right away. Plan on spending about $1000.

 

I have had several RWD performance cars, and my Z is bar none the WORST thing I have ever driven in the snow. I am thinking of buying some nylon chains. I could barely get the thing to move on flat ground. And Definetly have to turn the TCS off. Sucks, but I cant afford another car for the winter. Oh well... hello nylon chains.

 

You guys think the Z is bad, try a sentra spec V in the snow. You can go one direction. Forward. turn the wheel, brake, whatever.. its going straight. I personally cant drive front wheel drives in the winter to save my life. Best car ive driven in the winter was a 91 5.0 Mustang with lots of mods...and BLIZZAK WS-50's Those tires will make ANY car easy to drive in the winter. I think i paid 150$ for each one. They have terrible traction on dry pavement. My mustang spun out once, it was below 0. the roads were totally dry and i turned this corner and gave it less then 1/4 gas it i spun at least 90 degree's to far.

 

I have been in contact with my dealer and for the 2003 350's there is supposedly a recall that might be launched in january. the recall is due to the tire wear issue but it sounds as if nissan is going to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. what nissan is realizing is that the original bridgestones were a poor choice of a tire, way too soft and way too impratical. if someone wants that level of performance let them go out and buy those tires, the normal wear is supposedly 25-30,000 miles if you are lucky. so, in january with the toeing-in problem and the cupping nissan is going to supply 4 new tires on the appropriate vehicles and when they switch them, they are going to the all weather blizzaks. not bad. thats what they already put on mine because mine has accelerated mileage since i bought it used, it came up to ohio from texas.

 

Makdown, My Z bit the dust (Did you see the "Ouch" Post? I have a nearly new set of Blizzak WS50's and Milie Miglia alloys (HT3 - see Tirerack.com ) that I put on the Z a week before it got hit - they have all of 50 miles on them. They are 17" - as the Blizzaks WS 50's don't come in 18". I have used Blizzaks on 4 prior cars and swear by them. If you are intersted in buying them (I paid $1,200 - you get them for a bunch less) - I am in Naperville. E-mail me @ ki61i@aol.com.

 

Just got Pirelli Snowsports for the rear. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

I understand the whole chemical composition and tread differences that make the tire grip in the winter, but holy crap! It just baffles me at how much better the car handles now.

BTW: Thursday morning I couldn't get out of a FLAT parking lot that was all hard pack snow. No problems now.

 

I put on a set of 4 Pirelli Snowsports on my "Z" a month ago. The car handles great in the rain and snow!! Pirelli has the same size 17" tires that match my current tires. I went to the tirerack.com site, and looked at the comparison chart for all the performance snow tires. Dunlop was rated the best but didn’t have the right sizes. Pirelli was a real close second but has more sizes to pick from.

I would definitely recommend these tires for the winter.

 

I have a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin snow tires on some 17s..and the Z is GREAT in the snow...

 

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As always BriGuy is great at everything. Hes my idol......

 

Here in minnesota we just got hit with alot of snow.1-30-04. and i took the Z out. stock tires. Took VDC off. and was drifting everywhere. roads were horrible, but i managed to keep to car from hitting anyone or anycurbs.