The Winter Wheel & Tire Discussion & Questions Thread
12-20-2008 | 01:00 PM
#43
New Member
Hopefully you're not trying to drive in the winter with summer performance tires. 
When driving your Z in NY during the winter, all you need are studless snow tires mounted on all 4 wheels (preferably a dedicated set of wheels/tires for winter). About the only time you need traction cables is if you go into the mountains for skiing. The maximum speed when driving on traction cables is <40 mph, so you probably would be taking them on and off a lot more than you want for normal winter driving in NY.
Here is one source for traction cables (if you really think you need these).
http://www.jcwhitney.com/SECURITY-CH...3984_10101.jcw
--Spike
When driving your Z in NY during the winter, all you need are studless snow tires mounted on all 4 wheels (preferably a dedicated set of wheels/tires for winter). About the only time you need traction cables is if you go into the mountains for skiing. The maximum speed when driving on traction cables is <40 mph, so you probably would be taking them on and off a lot more than you want for normal winter driving in NY.
Here is one source for traction cables (if you really think you need these).
http://www.jcwhitney.com/SECURITY-CH...3984_10101.jcw
--Spike
12-20-2008 | 01:58 PM
#44
New Member
Thanks for taking time to post your comments. You make some good points.
Minnesota is mostly flat so I only occasionally deal with steep inclines (but the Z with studless snow tires handles hills just fine). I certainly won’t use the car in mountainous terrain during a snow storm (this type of driving requires 4WD and four snow tires, and even with FWD you need traction cables in some cases).
The Montero is old and it’s a manual 4WD (locking front hubs, 5 speed MT, and manually shifting in and out of 4WD). This truck is scary on the expressway when the road is slippery since the vehicle is high (15” wheels with wide and tall 32” snow tires). If this thing leaves the road and hits the ditch, it’s a rollover. I feel much more secure in my Z with 4 studless snow tires.
Of course the Jeep Commander (mine is equipped with Quadra-Trac II and Stability Control) is just fantastic on almost any road condition (not to mention it is terrific off-road as well). But again it has a high center of gravity and thus more prone to rollover.
As far as rust and winter damage is concerned, my Jeep is a more expensive vehicle than the Z, so which should I use in the winter if I’m worried about salt and sand damage? (And, I don’t want to drive a “beater” car to save a little bit of $$. I’ve worked hard so that I can avoid driving junk at this point in my life).
I guess it’s mostly an argument that comes from personal perspective and preferences. I love driving the Z and am not willing to garage the car during the 4 or 5 months of winter we have here.
--Spike
Minnesota is mostly flat so I only occasionally deal with steep inclines (but the Z with studless snow tires handles hills just fine). I certainly won’t use the car in mountainous terrain during a snow storm (this type of driving requires 4WD and four snow tires, and even with FWD you need traction cables in some cases).
The Montero is old and it’s a manual 4WD (locking front hubs, 5 speed MT, and manually shifting in and out of 4WD). This truck is scary on the expressway when the road is slippery since the vehicle is high (15” wheels with wide and tall 32” snow tires). If this thing leaves the road and hits the ditch, it’s a rollover. I feel much more secure in my Z with 4 studless snow tires.
Of course the Jeep Commander (mine is equipped with Quadra-Trac II and Stability Control) is just fantastic on almost any road condition (not to mention it is terrific off-road as well). But again it has a high center of gravity and thus more prone to rollover.
As far as rust and winter damage is concerned, my Jeep is a more expensive vehicle than the Z, so which should I use in the winter if I’m worried about salt and sand damage? (And, I don’t want to drive a “beater” car to save a little bit of $$. I’ve worked hard so that I can avoid driving junk at this point in my life).
I guess it’s mostly an argument that comes from personal perspective and preferences. I love driving the Z and am not willing to garage the car during the 4 or 5 months of winter we have here.
--Spike
Well I dont know the land layout of minnesota but Vermont is all hills and mountains. Only point being they use tons of salt and sand here because of all the hills and mountains and dirt roads so the stuff gets everywhere and its nearly impossible to travel anywhere as its all up and down nasty hills. My previous car was a mitsu eclipse 03 modded which I drove year round, Id have to wash the car at least every other day with a pressure washer and it still started to rust a bit but suprisingly the car did well in the snow, tho it was fwd.
I dont get why you'd want to drive you Z in the winter when you already have two other vehicles well suited for winter driving. I cant see you saving much in the way of Gas money either by driving the Z over them, not alot anyway. Not to say you dont take care of you car, I'm sure you do but I dont care how well you wash and clean it, if you're driving it in the winter you arent going to stop corrosion.
I dont know, you mention driving anything like that here year round people will look at you funny and wish you luck. Im just saying in a situation where the Z is your only car and thus you're thinking about getting snows... for a few hundered more you can get a decent beater all together instead and save alot on your car /shrug and in some cases even lower your car insurance.
To each his own tho.
I dont get why you'd want to drive you Z in the winter when you already have two other vehicles well suited for winter driving. I cant see you saving much in the way of Gas money either by driving the Z over them, not alot anyway. Not to say you dont take care of you car, I'm sure you do but I dont care how well you wash and clean it, if you're driving it in the winter you arent going to stop corrosion.
I dont know, you mention driving anything like that here year round people will look at you funny and wish you luck. Im just saying in a situation where the Z is your only car and thus you're thinking about getting snows... for a few hundered more you can get a decent beater all together instead and save alot on your car /shrug and in some cases even lower your car insurance.
To each his own tho.
12-21-2008 | 10:06 PM
#45
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From: MN
If you plan to drive your Z in snow and on ice, you need 4 snow tires (you need to stop as well as go). That advice is whether you drive 4 blocks, 4 miles, or 40 miles. It only takes one slip (and that can happen one block from your house) to lose control and hit a curb or have something much worse happen.
I’m in Minnesota where the roadways remain frozen during the winter months. The only tire that works here during the winter is astudless snow tires. You don’t need to add weighting to the rear (as someone mentions). You only need to mount the right snow tire for safe winter driving.
If you are in a climate where there is continual freezing/thawing, you are probably OK with a winter performance tire.
I wouldn’t use an all-season tire in climates where the roadway freezes.
--Spike
I’m in Minnesota where the roadways remain frozen during the winter months. The only tire that works here during the winter is astudless snow tires. You don’t need to add weighting to the rear (as someone mentions). You only need to mount the right snow tire for safe winter driving.
If you are in a climate where there is continual freezing/thawing, you are probably OK with a winter performance tire.
I wouldn’t use an all-season tire in climates where the roadway freezes.
--Spike
Thanks!
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=(Y)&minLoad=S
The tires are the Blizzak LM-25
Last edited by mlbizzle; 12-21-2008 at 10:07 PM. Reason: Sorry... Link didn't work... The tires are the Blizzak LM-25
12-21-2008 | 10:33 PM
#48
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From: MN
Would these be good?? I have had my Z for about 6 months and have found the Potenza's to be absolutely worthless in the snow... I live in MN as well. What set do you have/should I buy...?
Thanks!
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=(Y)&minLoad=S
The tires are the Blizzak LM-25
Thanks!
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=(Y)&minLoad=S
The tires are the Blizzak LM-25
Sorry about my previous post.
12-22-2008 | 08:23 PM
#49
New Member
^^ For driving during the winter months in Minnesota (where roadways remain mostly frozen DEC-MAR) your best choice with Dunlop tires is a dedicated wheel /tire setup with 17” wheels and Dunlop Graspic DS-2 studless snow tires (225/55-17” all-square). The Dunlop Graspic DS-2 studless snow tire setup on 17” wheels will provide a better winter driving tire in Minnesota winters. Also an all-square setup (225/55-17” all-square) that this tire supports allows you to rotate your winter tires for added economy.
If you decide to remain with your 18” OEM wheels, the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 tire is a good compromise. If you go this route, mount the stock sizes (225/45-18” front and 245/45-18” rear). This setup will not deliver as good performance in snow and on ice and is $$, but it looks better and does well in most winter driving conditions.
--Spike
If you decide to remain with your 18” OEM wheels, the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 tire is a good compromise. If you go this route, mount the stock sizes (225/45-18” front and 245/45-18” rear). This setup will not deliver as good performance in snow and on ice and is $$, but it looks better and does well in most winter driving conditions.
--Spike
12-22-2008 | 08:37 PM
#50
New Member
Right... and some people do drive the Z during winter, and thus, they wisely ask questions about the best tire setup, safe operation, etc
12-29-2008 | 08:10 AM
#52
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I need help w/snow tires....
I tired to order/buy Bridgestone Blizzaks from various stores (size F 225/50-17) and (size R 235/50-17), but I've had no luck. Either they are out or when they try to order from their suppliers don't have it. I also checked tirerack w/out any results. I was just wondering what else are you guys running besides Blizzaks that work? Also, does someone know between what sizes my350Z will work? Maybe I can try another size (ie 245 or 265). I have a 2005 Auto Touring edition 17 stock rims....thanks...
12-29-2008 | 01:00 PM
#57
New Member
iTrader: (17)
I believe there are some folks on here using the same size front and back. The benefit is that you can rotate them front to back. What I'm not sure of is how that will affect your car's VDC (if it is so equipped), because the VDC system likes to see a stagger in the tire diameters front to rear (i.e. from the factory the rear tires are larger diameter than the front tires). Maybe someone else can chime in on that topic.
Also, what davidv said is true, thinner is better when it comes to snow tires. The smaller your contact patch, the more the tires will sink into the snow meaning increased traction. It's like stepping on fresh snow versus laying down on it. When you step you sink all the way in, when you lay down on it you only sink a little. Thinner tires are analogous to stepping on the snow.
Also, what davidv said is true, thinner is better when it comes to snow tires. The smaller your contact patch, the more the tires will sink into the snow meaning increased traction. It's like stepping on fresh snow versus laying down on it. When you step you sink all the way in, when you lay down on it you only sink a little. Thinner tires are analogous to stepping on the snow.
Last edited by sry110; 12-29-2008 at 01:02 PM.
12-29-2008 | 04:12 PM
#60
New Member
I have a 2003 Performance model (and thus VDC).
I’m running Dunlop Graspic DS-2 studless tires (these are similar to Blizzaks). My setup is a winter-dedicated all-square (225/55-17”) front and rear on 17x7.5” wheels. I went “all-square “ to allow rotating my winter tires.
Mercifully, I have not experienced and problems with VDC.
What I have tried in the past that didn’t work well:
As David mentions, a narrow tread is better in snow. 225 is as wide as you should go with snow tires if you have significant snowfall in your area (and certainly Chicago gets plenty of snow). 215 is better than 225 in this case, but I went with 225 only because 215'as looked so ugly on the Z.
Hope this is helpful,
--Spike
I’m running Dunlop Graspic DS-2 studless tires (these are similar to Blizzaks). My setup is a winter-dedicated all-square (225/55-17”) front and rear on 17x7.5” wheels. I went “all-square “ to allow rotating my winter tires.
Mercifully, I have not experienced and problems with VDC.
What I have tried in the past that didn’t work well:
- 225/50-17” all-square (I occasionally experienced unwanted VDC activation.)
- Winter Performance tires (they did not provide as good grip during very cold weather and in deep snow)
As David mentions, a narrow tread is better in snow. 225 is as wide as you should go with snow tires if you have significant snowfall in your area (and certainly Chicago gets plenty of snow). 215 is better than 225 in this case, but I went with 225 only because 215'as looked so ugly on the Z.
Hope this is helpful,
--Spike