370Z in snow.

iwgl1981 · 04-21-2011, 06:48 PM

Hey everyone this is my first post here on this forum. I do not currently own a 370Z so don't hold it against me. My question pertains to using a Z in the snow with the right tires of course. I live on Long Island in New York so we get a fair share of snow some years more than others. We can get anywhere from say 3 inches to over a foot. I hate to bother you guys with this question bc I've seen other threads but haven't been satisfied with the answer. I'd like to get feed back from people who actually drive this car with some snow on the ground. I haven't ever driven a rwd car in the snow but have years of expierence with a front wheel drive car in the snow. I think the biggest issue with the Z is clearance as I think it's only 4.84 inches off the ground at it's lowest point. I have spoken to several people that I know and have had several different opinions on it. So here I go does this car have too much torque to be driven sanely in the snow? Chains are also an option. Does anyone use chains and if so can they cause damage to the suspension even if they're installed correctly? I'm very interested in buying this car in the very near future and this is really the deciding factor for me. All replies would be greatly appreciated. My other choice's are the Evo which I'm sure you could've guessed and the Maxima. Thanks again.

shadoquad · 04-21-2011, 06:53 PM

A RWD car is harder to drive in the snow, and this one certainly has enough power to make it trouble. As noted, yes, you'll need all season or winter tires. But even then, because the wheels providing the power are not the ones driving the car, you can easily fishtail. Completely different experience from FWD or AWD/4WD.

An Evo or a Max would handle the snow better, but the Z is nicer imo.

kenchan · 04-21-2011, 06:58 PM

Ask spearfish. He has mastered the art of snow dance in z.

gpolak · 04-21-2011, 07:01 PM

This has been discussed before, search and you'll find plenty of useful info.

As for my experience, I've driven in Boston this winter with snow tires and it handled better than my old (FWD, 140hp) Civic with all-seasons. VDC and LSD help as well.

brado · 04-21-2011, 07:12 PM

ill never risk it again. my Z slid into oncoming traffic last winter and scared the hell out of me. i drive the fiance's car in the snow now.

iwgl1981 · 04-21-2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpolak

This has been discussed before, search and you'll find plenty of useful info.

As for my experience, I've driven in Boston this winter with snow tires and it handled better than my old (FWD, 140hp) Civic with all-seasons. VDC and LSD help as well.

As I said in my post I have seen other threads and have not been satisfied with the answers. I appreciate your response. What tires do you have? Have you used tire chains? If so can they damage the suspension? Do you start off in second gear?

iwgl1981 · 04-21-2011, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brado

ill never risk it again. my Z slid into oncoming traffic last winter and scared the hell out of me. i drive the fiance's car in the snow now.

That's exactly what I'm afraid of. Appreciate the response man.

04-21-2011, 07:16 PM

I took my Z in them mountains with summer tires like a boss

BaneGrievver · 04-21-2011, 07:19 PM

1. Quality winter tires. I use Blizzak's which have been reliable so far, even though they're 19" 245/275. Thinner and skinny tires are usually the way to go but I wanted ones that looked good.

2. Always leave the traction control on. I've only ever turned it off to get my car out of a snow drift after leaving it outside overnight.

3. Be in the highest gear you can for whatever speed you're driving, it helps.

4. Take corners nice and slow, who cares if there is a bit of traffic behind you, at least you won't oversteer too badly.

5. Don't floor it from a stop, get a nice rolling start and then accelerate.

6. Move somewhere tropical.

My experiences are based on suburban driving in southern Ontario where our roads get plowed pretty quickly but they're still slick. I'm confident enough in my own driving to not really worry. What I do worry about is some goof in the car behind me who thinks he doesn't need new tires after twenty years.

iwgl1981 · 04-21-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaneGrievver

1. Quality winter tires. I use Blizzak's which have been reliable so far, even though they're 19" 245/275. Thinner and skinny tires are usually the way to go but I wanted ones that looked good.

2. Always leave the traction control on. I've only ever turned it off to get my car out of a snow drift after leaving it outside overnight.

3. Be in the highest gear you can for whatever speed you're driving, it helps.

4. Take corners nice and slow, who cares if there is a bit of traffic behind you, at least you won't oversteer too badly.

5. Don't floor it from a stop, get a nice rolling start and then accelerate.

6. Move somewhere tropical.

My experiences are based on suburban driving in southern Ontario where our roads get plowed pretty quickly but they're still slick. I'm confident enough in my own driving to not really worry. What I do worry about is some goof in the car behind me who thinks he doesn't need new tires after twenty years.

Has ride height ever been an issue? Love Ontario by the way as well as Toronto.

mikeSS · 04-21-2011, 08:02 PM

my friend uses winter tires on his 350, and it works very well for what the car is.

waaaasabi · 04-21-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwgl1981

That's exactly what I'm afraid of. Appreciate the response man.

I drove mine in the city and outer-boroughs these past two winters. No issues. Just get winter tires and don't drive like an idiot - you'll be fine.

TreeSemdyZee · 04-21-2011, 08:19 PM

I've driven mine for two winters with a decent amount of snow and have had no problems. I put Blizzaks on.
The best thing to do IMO is take your car into an empty parking lot and learn how to drive in the snow.
I'm going to guess that the person above who mentions sliding the car didn't have snow tires.
Go for it. You won't regret it.

OldGuy · 04-21-2011, 08:29 PM

My Z is garaged December through March---car's way too pretty for salt and cinders. Also, very scared of the other drivers who don't know how to handle snow and ice. Be very, very careful if you're going to drive the Z in snow and ice. It's can get very dicey.

BaneGrievver · 04-21-2011, 08:44 PM

Nah, ride height hasn't been an issue, mind you I haven't driven through thick snowy roads that haven't been plowed.

04-21-2011, 06:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
iwgl1981 Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Long Island New York Posts: 31 Drives: 2006 Volkswagen Gti Rep Power: 14	370Z in snow. Hey everyone this is my first post here on this forum. I do not currently own a 370Z so don't hold it against me. My question pertains to using a Z in the snow with the right tires of course. I live on Long Island in New York so we get a fair share of snow some years more than others. We can get anywhere from say 3 inches to over a foot. I hate to bother you guys with this question bc I've seen other threads but haven't been satisfied with the answer. I'd like to get feed back from people who actually drive this car with some snow on the ground. I haven't ever driven a rwd car in the snow but have years of expierence with a front wheel drive car in the snow. I think the biggest issue with the Z is clearance as I think it's only 4.84 inches off the ground at it's lowest point. I have spoken to several people that I know and have had several different opinions on it. So here I go does this car have too much torque to be driven sanely in the snow? Chains are also an option. Does anyone use chains and if so can they cause damage to the suspension even if they're installed correctly? I'm very interested in buying this car in the very near future and this is really the deciding factor for me. All replies would be greatly appreciated. My other choice's are the Evo which I'm sure you could've guessed and the Maxima. Thanks again.

04-21-2011, 07:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
BaneGrievver Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 20 Drives: 2009 Blue 370Z Rep Power: 16	1. Quality winter tires. I use Blizzak's which have been reliable so far, even though they're 19" 245/275. Thinner and skinny tires are usually the way to go but I wanted ones that looked good. 2. Always leave the traction control on. I've only ever turned it off to get my car out of a snow drift after leaving it outside overnight. 3. Be in the highest gear you can for whatever speed you're driving, it helps. 4. Take corners nice and slow, who cares if there is a bit of traffic behind you, at least you won't oversteer too badly. 5. Don't floor it from a stop, get a nice rolling start and then accelerate. 6. Move somewhere tropical. My experiences are based on suburban driving in southern Ontario where our roads get plowed pretty quickly but they're still slick. I'm confident enough in my own driving to not really worry. What I do worry about is some goof in the car behind me who thinks he doesn't need new tires after twenty years. Last edited by BaneGrievver; 04-21-2011 at 07:22 PM.

04-21-2011, 08:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
mikeSS Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: MI Posts: 205 Drives: performance Rep Power: 14	my friend uses winter tires on his 350, and it works very well for what the car is. __________________ 11 GT 432WHP. 10 SS 460WHP

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04-21-2011, 06:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
shadoquad A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: . Posts: 42,608 Drives: . Rep Power: 3886	A RWD car is harder to drive in the snow, and this one certainly has enough power to make it trouble. As noted, yes, you'll need all season or winter tires. But even then, because the wheels providing the power are not the ones driving the car, you can easily fishtail. Completely different experience from FWD or AWD/4WD. An Evo or a Max would handle the snow better, but the Z is nicer imo.

04-21-2011, 06:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	Ask spearfish. He has mastered the art of snow dance in z.

04-21-2011, 07:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
gpolak Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 55 Drives: 2010 370Z T/SP 6MT Rep Power: 14	This has been discussed before, search and you'll find plenty of useful info. As for my experience, I've driven in Boston this winter with snow tires and it handled better than my old (FWD, 140hp) Civic with all-seasons. VDC and LSD help as well.

04-21-2011, 07:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
brado Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 216 Drives: 09 touring w/ sport Rep Power: 14	ill never risk it again. my Z slid into oncoming traffic last winter and scared the hell out of me. i drive the fiance's car in the snow now.

04-21-2011, 07:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
blue660r01 Guest Posts: n/a	I took my Z in them mountains with summer tires like a boss

04-21-2011, 08:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 59 Posts: 4,880 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	I've driven mine for two winters with a decent amount of snow and have had no problems. I put Blizzaks on. The best thing to do IMO is take your car into an empty parking lot and learn how to drive in the snow. I'm going to guess that the person above who mentions sliding the car didn't have snow tires. Go for it. You won't regret it.

04-21-2011, 08:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
OldGuy Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Greensburg PA Posts: 899 Drives: '09370Z Red Base A7 Rep Power: 16	My Z is garaged December through March---car's way too pretty for salt and cinders. Also, very scared of the other drivers who don't know how to handle snow and ice. Be very, very careful if you're going to drive the Z in snow and ice. It's can get very dicey.

04-21-2011, 08:44 PM	#15 (permalink)
BaneGrievver Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 20 Drives: 2009 Blue 370Z Rep Power: 16	Nah, ride height hasn't been an issue, mind you I haven't driven through thick snowy roads that haven't been plowed.