Winter Wheel & Tire Setup Questions
10-30-2011, 07:37 PM
#61
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The cold
Posts: 1,671
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
goddamnit. fronts are more important than the rears, no matter what car. if you have sh*t fronts, your back end has more grip, thus pushing around the front more... not good on ice around corners or when you want to turn at all for that matter
Last edited by DB350; 10-30-2011 at 07:38 PM.
10-30-2011, 07:48 PM
#62
350Z-holic
iTrader: (16)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Scottsdale/coyote drophouse
Posts: 8,239
Received 411 Likes
on
235 Posts
if the front tires arent necessary to drive a car, why have them at all?
4 snow tires. Or better yet, dont drive a rwd sports car in the winter.. youre ruining your car. Get a beater truck for 1800 bucks and save your car and your pride.
.//thread.
10-31-2011, 01:15 AM
#64
Super Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
iTrader: (8)
Is directional stability and braking overrated to you?
that's why they recommend them
10-31-2011, 10:22 AM
#66
tire manufactures and sellers recommend having front and rear winter tires. I thought being the Z is rear wheel drive I only needed winter tires for rear. I need some advice from someone that isnt trying to sell tires. Can you chime in if you really know. Thanks in advance for any info Guys.
11-25-2011, 06:35 PM
#67
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CT
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New Snow tire option? Yokohama IG-20
hey guys, ive been shopping around for a snow tire set and tirerack seems to show only the micheling pa3 and bridgestone lm-60 in the stock size
(225/45r18fronts and 245/45r18rears)
i went to my local town fair tire and they show me a new option.
the new yokohama ig20.
he insists that they are better because of newer technology, and since yokohama make better tires AND theyre cheaper than the blizzak lm-60.
ive used the search function AND googled it and it seems no one has yokohama ig20 on the 350z before?
and yes i have vdc, so is there any advices on whats my best choice for a snow tire that can go through anything but wit a quiet ride on highway and long wear life.??
and also, do i have to go stock sizes? it seems 245 in the rear seems too wide for snow traction.
tire rack wont give me any 17 inch options.
thanks for the inputs guys!
(225/45r18fronts and 245/45r18rears)
i went to my local town fair tire and they show me a new option.
the new yokohama ig20.
he insists that they are better because of newer technology, and since yokohama make better tires AND theyre cheaper than the blizzak lm-60.
ive used the search function AND googled it and it seems no one has yokohama ig20 on the 350z before?
and yes i have vdc, so is there any advices on whats my best choice for a snow tire that can go through anything but wit a quiet ride on highway and long wear life.??
and also, do i have to go stock sizes? it seems 245 in the rear seems too wide for snow traction.
tire rack wont give me any 17 inch options.
thanks for the inputs guys!
11-25-2011, 11:08 PM
#68
You selection is limited because you are looking for 18 inch snow tires. 17 inches is more popular.
Some brands are better than others, but if your choice is limited, you have to go with what you have. That said any snow tire will be better than a all-season tire.
For VDC 225/45r18fronts and 245/45r18rears will work. So will 215/235. Problem is as you decrease sidewall height, you are also decreasing rear axle ground clearance. In snow you do not want to put the belly closer to the road.
A 40-series tire is also an option
BTW some time ago I sold OEM 17 inch wheels $99/4. This is also an option.
Some brands are better than others, but if your choice is limited, you have to go with what you have. That said any snow tire will be better than a all-season tire.
For VDC 225/45r18fronts and 245/45r18rears will work. So will 215/235. Problem is as you decrease sidewall height, you are also decreasing rear axle ground clearance. In snow you do not want to put the belly closer to the road.
A 40-series tire is also an option
BTW some time ago I sold OEM 17 inch wheels $99/4. This is also an option.
11-26-2011, 05:03 AM
#69
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CT
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wouldnt 17 inch snow tires set off my vdc?? My town fair tire tells me its a bad idea cuz it would mess wit my computers. As long as the stock sizes would work through snow, im happy. Town fair tire wouldnt install or touch any of the things that arent bought through them-.-
11-26-2011, 06:19 AM
#70
Wouldnt 17 inch snow tires set off my vdc?? My town fair tire tells me its a bad idea cuz it would mess wit my computers. As long as the stock sizes would work through snow, im happy. Town fair tire wouldnt install or touch any of the things that arent bought through them-.-
11-26-2011, 02:40 PM
#71
New Member
A 17” wheel isn’t a problem if the overall circumference of the tire is correct.
As David mentions, you have a larger selection in studless snow tires if you use 17” wheels. OEM sizes for snows: 225/50-17” front and 235/50-17” rear.
I actually run all-square with my studless snow tires (225/55-17”) on my VDC-equipped 350 Z with no problems. Notice I’m using the rear size on all four corners and not the front size (225/50-17”). My experience with VDC is it’s not OK to use the samller front size on all corners.
Narrow tires on the Z look ugly, but narrow snows work best.
--Spike
As David mentions, you have a larger selection in studless snow tires if you use 17” wheels. OEM sizes for snows: 225/50-17” front and 235/50-17” rear.
I actually run all-square with my studless snow tires (225/55-17”) on my VDC-equipped 350 Z with no problems. Notice I’m using the rear size on all four corners and not the front size (225/50-17”). My experience with VDC is it’s not OK to use the samller front size on all corners.
Narrow tires on the Z look ugly, but narrow snows work best.
--Spike
Wouldnt 17 inch snow tires set off my vdc?? My town fair tire tells me its a bad idea cuz it would mess wit my computers. As long as the stock sizes would work through snow, im happy. Town fair tire wouldnt install or touch any of the things that arent bought through them-.-
11-26-2011, 07:09 PM
#72
Registered User
People have been driving rwd cars long before fwd and awd cars were common. Good snow tires will be the safest option for your 350z. Not only are the treads optimized for dealing with snow sticking to them, they also stay softer at lower temperature which additionally helps with traction. I remember the first time I got snow tires, it was a fairly snowy day and I spun in an intersection. No damage or anything but it was a close call. I turned right around and drove directly to a tire shop to get winter rims and tires. It was a night and day difference over the all seasons on that car at that time.
For summer tires I remember I was running some falkens and pushing my luck with not switching to my snow tires because I liked the rims I had and didnt want to change them just then. Ended up getting snow a month earlier than normal and I got caught at work. It was probably the most dangerous and scary 30km home I've ever experienced, doing about 20-30km/hr on the highway. And that was an fwd car.
If you can't afford a winter beater do not sacrifice safety and pick up some snow tires.
For summer tires I remember I was running some falkens and pushing my luck with not switching to my snow tires because I liked the rims I had and didnt want to change them just then. Ended up getting snow a month earlier than normal and I got caught at work. It was probably the most dangerous and scary 30km home I've ever experienced, doing about 20-30km/hr on the highway. And that was an fwd car.
If you can't afford a winter beater do not sacrifice safety and pick up some snow tires.
11-28-2011, 05:33 PM
#73
New Member
I agree with your wise post. I learned to drive in the mid 1960’s when all cars had rear wheel drive. During that period, we used rear snow tires, but kept the regular tires on the front (which was not so smart, but we didn’t know better then and were way too practical).
Today you use four snow tires since you need to stop as well as go, and of course need to steer. If you drive in snow and on ice in a very cold climate, you need studless snow tires for the reason you mention in your post (a tire made of a compound that stays soft in subzero temperatures). If you drive in an environment where you have alternating freezing and thawing, performance winter tires are a good choice.
--Spike
Today you use four snow tires since you need to stop as well as go, and of course need to steer. If you drive in snow and on ice in a very cold climate, you need studless snow tires for the reason you mention in your post (a tire made of a compound that stays soft in subzero temperatures). If you drive in an environment where you have alternating freezing and thawing, performance winter tires are a good choice.
--Spike
People have been driving rwd cars long before fwd and awd cars were common. Good snow tires will be the safest option for your 350z. Not only are the treads optimized for dealing with snow sticking to them, they also stay softer at lower temperature which additionally helps with traction. I remember the first time I got snow tires, it was a fairly snowy day and I spun in an intersection. No damage or anything but it was a close call. I turned right around and drove directly to a tire shop to get winter rims and tires. It was a night and day difference over the all seasons on that car at that time.
For summer tires I remember I was running some falkens and pushing my luck with not switching to my snow tires because I liked the rims I had and didnt want to change them just then. Ended up getting snow a month earlier than normal and I got caught at work. It was probably the most dangerous and scary 30km home I've ever experienced, doing about 20-30km/hr on the highway. And that was an fwd car.
If you can't afford a winter beater do not sacrifice safety and pick up some snow tires.
For summer tires I remember I was running some falkens and pushing my luck with not switching to my snow tires because I liked the rims I had and didnt want to change them just then. Ended up getting snow a month earlier than normal and I got caught at work. It was probably the most dangerous and scary 30km home I've ever experienced, doing about 20-30km/hr on the highway. And that was an fwd car.
If you can't afford a winter beater do not sacrifice safety and pick up some snow tires.
Last edited by Spike100; 11-28-2011 at 05:50 PM.
11-29-2011, 07:24 PM
#74
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Boston
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anyone know what the largest sidewall I can\should run with 18 inch rims? I have the track edition and I am trying to find snow tires but the 50 and 60r sidewalls are easier to find than the 45r. Will 50 or 60 work?
11-30-2011, 05:01 PM
#76
New Member
50-60 series sidewalls are meant for 17" rims on a Z. This size (something like 225/55-17") is more common and less costly than a studlees snow tire sized 245/45-18".
If you mount studless snow tires on a Z, you have more choices and less expense if you go with 17" wheels.
--Spike
If you mount studless snow tires on a Z, you have more choices and less expense if you go with 17" wheels.
--Spike
11-30-2011, 06:58 PM
#78
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Boston
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
50-60 series sidewalls are meant for 17" rims on a Z. This size (something like 225/55-17") is more common and less costly than a studlees snow tire sized 245/45-18".
If you mount studless snow tires on a Z, you have more choices and less expense if you go with 17" wheels.
--Spike
If you mount studless snow tires on a Z, you have more choices and less expense if you go with 17" wheels.
--Spike
08-23-2012, 12:52 PM
#79
Registered User
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Colorado Spring, CO
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Newb winter set up question
So I have an 07 Grand Touring with the stock Rays wheels which are 19 in the rear and 18 in the front. My question is, is it possible to put a set of 4 18" wheels of even width on my car for my winter set up with winter tires so I can rotate them, or will I need spacers or something? Or at a minimum, is it possible/safe to put on a set of 06+ base 18" model wheels on my Grand Touring? Sorry if this is obvious, I'm pretty new at this.
Last edited by coops808; 08-23-2012 at 12:56 PM.
