370Z in snow.

2011 Nismo#91

IMO use winter tires in the winter and summer in the summer. But RWD will never be the same as a FWD/AWD car, in a situation where a FWD car in the snow/slush is fine a RWD can be very difficult to drive regardless of tires. You can still drive it in the snow but you'll be much slower then most other cars but who cars about how fast you get where you are going in a snow storm. In the end how ever you can drive in very bad snow storms and be just fine, you just have to be mindful of your car, the road ahead, and the people around you and you'll be fine in any car.

ChrisSlicks

I don't buy into that. I've driven both FWD and RWD and I prefer RWD in the snow, no question. With the right tire you can go anywhere. The Z's weakness in the snow is firm suspension, you need the weight transfer to assist in traction. As already stated find the skinniest wheels and tires that are practical.

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2011 Nismo#91

I prefer RWD too but unfortunately that doesn't change it performance characteristic. And I would rather have a firm suspension in the snow, a soft suspension is too unpredictable.

ChrisSlicks

Soft suspension is actually more predictable believe it or not. Firmer suspension increases responsiveness but in slippery conditions this is interpreted as nervousness and twitchiness. I tried driving at auto-x this past weekend with the suspension too stiff when it was 45F out, car was hellish. Once I softened things up the car became much more predictable.

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Pharmacist

True on the soft suspension. The hard suspension makes the z quite twitchy at times. The only time i spun out on the road was due to the hard suspension. There was a lot of snow on the road and the road had a slight curve to the right. As i was driving by, there was a very bumpy and uneven patch of asphalt full of potholes which i didn't see due to the snow covering it. As i went through it, the stiff suspension and the Z's light weight caused the back end to unload and the rear tires to lose grip. I steered to the left to correct the slide, but the back end then reverted and swung to the right side. I counter steered to the right but it was too late. The car did a 180 and spun out. Luckily there wasn't any traffic around as it was late at night.

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2009 370z Sport Touring/Nismo shift Knob/Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler

iwgl1981

How skinny of a tire can you throw on the Z with a sports package brakes?

gpolak

I put 18R225 wheels on mine. Just fit over the brake calipers.

ChrisSlicks

Yep, 18" is the minimum for the sport brakes. Minimum rim width would probably be 7.0-7.5" with a 215-225 fitted.

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iwgl1981

Just wanted to say thanks you've been so helpful. I know you guys get more snow than us so if you're doing it there I'm sure I could make it happen here.

DaveyG

Totally agree here, my rsx is garbage in the snow with all seasons on but I,ve been in my friends RWD cars with snow and they rip it up in the snow.

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Pharmacist

no kidding. every time there was thick snow accumulating, i'd be struggling for grip to accelerate from a red light, and i'd be badly out accelerated by those rusty 10 yr old minivans and SUVs.

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2009 370z Sport Touring/Nismo shift Knob/Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler

iwgl1981

So are you saying a 370z with snow tires isn't a good choice for snow?

Pharmacist

it's an ok choice. but if there's really deep snow like 10-15 cm of it, then your 0-60 will be measured in minutes.

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2009 370z Sport Touring/Nismo shift Knob/Z1 motorsports 34 row oil cooler

iwgl1981

It's just such a nice car I have this fear of the rear end swinging out and bumping someone else. Thanks