Driving in winter... (mild 56K warning)

SeattleLion · 01-11-2011, 11:41 AM

Since I bought the car last September, I have been amazed that Nissan would sell the stock Z with summer tires. Yes, other ($100+k) sports cars also do that, but the Z is priced to sell to less affluent people, especially young people who might not understand the limits of summer tires or who can't afford another $1,000+ for a set of all weathers or snows.

I am also surprised that Nissan doesn't have a warning with the car that the stock tires become stiff and lose traction when cold and the outside temp is under 50 deg F.

While it is possible to drive in the winter on stock summer tires, it is at best, a big risk. The stock tires are tricky in the summer on wet roads. While they stick to dry pavement, they hydroplane very easily at speed.

I drive my car all year round (except when the snow is on the road). My first "mod" was a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/W Plus tires. They are designed for both speed and safe driving in cold weather and on wet or moderately (less than 3") snowy roads.

Since this forum gets a wide variety of Z owners (age and interest), it is a useful view of the people who buy and drive Z's. Clearly, at least based on our postings, many Z owners drive their cars in all sorts of weather and road conditions. Dealers, at least my dealer, didn't know anything about the limits that the stock tires put on using the car. Nissan also failed to point out this issue.

The Bridgstones are expensive tires. They are not really cheaper than the ultra-high performance all-weather tires. I think it would be a service to all of us for Nissan to install A/W tires on Z's. Those owners who plan to agressively track their cars will buy race tires anyway. We would all be better off an safer year 'round if the cars came with tires that work in winter.

Just my 2 cents.

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01-11-2011, 11:41 AM	#11 (permalink)
SeattleLion Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 226 Drives: '13 Mustang GT Prem. Rep Power: 234	Since I bought the car last September, I have been amazed that Nissan would sell the stock Z with summer tires. Yes, other ($100+k) sports cars also do that, but the Z is priced to sell to less affluent people, especially young people who might not understand the limits of summer tires or who can't afford another $1,000+ for a set of all weathers or snows. I am also surprised that Nissan doesn't have a warning with the car that the stock tires become stiff and lose traction when cold and the outside temp is under 50 deg F. While it is possible to drive in the winter on stock summer tires, it is at best, a big risk. The stock tires are tricky in the summer on wet roads. While they stick to dry pavement, they hydroplane very easily at speed. I drive my car all year round (except when the snow is on the road). My first "mod" was a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/W Plus tires. They are designed for both speed and safe driving in cold weather and on wet or moderately (less than 3") snowy roads. Since this forum gets a wide variety of Z owners (age and interest), it is a useful view of the people who buy and drive Z's. Clearly, at least based on our postings, many Z owners drive their cars in all sorts of weather and road conditions. Dealers, at least my dealer, didn't know anything about the limits that the stock tires put on using the car. Nissan also failed to point out this issue. The Bridgstones are expensive tires. They are not really cheaper than the ultra-high performance all-weather tires. I think it would be a service to all of us for Nissan to install A/W tires on Z's. Those owners who plan to agressively track their cars will buy race tires anyway. We would all be better off an safer year 'round if the cars came with tires that work in winter. Just my 2 cents.