Z in the rain and snow

Mergnthwirker

I disagree with most of these opinions. There's really no reason not to drive the Z in winter if you and your car are prepared.

A number of the local car clubs run winter driving schools. I went with my daughter a couple of times and it was really worthwhile. We did skid pads on ice, and a road course, some braking exercises, and ice driving (with big snowbanks if you lost control). The one we went to in Franconia New Hampshire was sponsored by the Audi Quattro Club but there were a number of FWD, AWD and RWD cars there. A great chance to learn what you can and cannot do with your car in the winter.

Surprisingly, RWD with limited slip did quite well and was huge fun on the skidpad. The key thing is not to suddenly lift off on the gas when the rear end starts to slide out. Hard to do if you are used to driving front wheel drive, but once you learn to keep your foot in it and steer your way out of trouble, you can get great control. I strongly suggest that you get the feel for it before venturing out with the Z on roads with poor traction, especially if you are only used to driving FWD vehicles.

As long as you have the tires for it, the Z can work well in the winter. If you have it, the LSD on the Sport package is also a real advantage compared to traction control, especially when it comes to getting up hills. Traction control works by braking the opposite wheel to transfer torque, but you don't want any braking when you are trying to climb a slippery hill. Winter driving was the main reason we bought a Z with the sport package (and we wish the LSD was a bit faster-acting, more like a Quaife, but that's another topic).

If you do a lot of winter driving, you should carry some auxiliary stuff, like a nylon tow strap, and maybe some kitty litter for traction to help you get out of low traction situations like a driveway, or a ditch, if you do lose it

The other key thing for the Z is that you really MUST have full winter tires, and maybe even studs for the winter. Around here, where we get a lot of snow, we refer to all-season tires as "NO season tires." Size down and get some cheap 18" wheels and 225-18 snows and you should do well.

In fact, the only real problems (as others have said) are the other crazies on the road, and ground clearance on unplowed streets. With a bit of training and the right equipment, you'll be fine.

Hope this helps,

HJM

Robert_Nash

I disagreement with your disagreement.

I lived through a decade of winter one year in Chicago when I had a (at the time brand new) 1973 Formula 400 Firebird. It, and cars like it have to be about the worst possible vehicle to have in snow....rear wheel drive; lot's of HP/Tqu and with more weight on the front end than the rear (where you need it for traction)...I survived it but I'd never do it again; at least not willingly.

Can a 370 be a year-round car even in the snow belt? Of course.

It won't be fun but it can be done - if you've got other options I'd use them

Rain is also something people should be mindful of...the tires on the Z
are WIDE tires and really only truly good in dry, summer conditions...it doesn't take much water for you to hydroplane right off the road and what's even worst is that you'll probably never know until your in the ditch so please folks, SLOW DOWN when it rains and arrive alive (and without need of a tow).

__________________
Robert
-My Basset Hound Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student and Barack Obama -

Mergnthwirker

I know whereof you speak! Big power plus less traction over drive wheels equals white-knuckle terror in some situations. BTDT. I also agree with your comment about wide tires and driving in rain.

But if the Z were my only car, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it all winter. It's better balanced than muscle cars of old, and with skinny tires you get a pretty good feel for what kind of traction you've got.

The opposite extreme are the AWD SUV's. When I go skiing every weekend in the winter, nearly all the cars I see upside-down in the ditches are SUV's.

I think it's safer to feel the limits and drive accordingly rather than falsely feel invulnerable until you discover you've overcome the laws of nature. I'm sure I drive my Z more carefully in the winter than I do my Audi S4 Avant because it constantly helps me be aware of the pavement conditions and traction.

YMMV

kannibul

As my Dad told me many years ago...

Just because you have 4 wheel drive, doesn't mean you stop any better.

A *LOT* of people don't "get it" when they get a 4WD vehicle...