gstraw Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Hey Anyone use their car in the winter? How is it? I've come from only driving fwd cars and usually I get winter tyres on. Th 370z will probably become a daily driver and I'm thinking nows the best time to get winter tyres. So do you use your car in winter and what tyres do you use? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azure350z Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 It's ok in winter. You have to be careful when pulling off or turning on ice or snow but apart from that the car is fine. Last year I ran Michelin pilot super sports through winter and the grip on them in cold temperatures was very poor so this year I ran Michelin Alpin PA4's and the grip was a hell of a lot better. I use my car daily too. Overall it comes down to putting a set of winter tyres on and driving to the conditions, just take it very steady if conditions are bad (although this winter has been very mild). Be very careful when driving down hill as first and second gears don't appear to have speed limiters and turn the traction control off on steep hills as that nearly made me crash once (car was braking one side of the car due to one side slipping on ice). Overall, wit a decent set of winter tyres and careful driving to the condition you should b fine but watch out for others who may not be controlling there car as well as you on ice an snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Daily driver in my 350Z, usually run winters as soon as temps go below 7C, so usually mid October till March. Just changed back to my summers. IMO winters give better grip in the colder months which gives more overall driver confidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bounty Bar Kid Posted March 16, 2014 Share Posted March 16, 2014 Had my winters for two seasons and they're awesome! Michelin pa3s. Tread is now down to 6-7mm from 8mm new. Should last me a few more years. PS I do 12,000 miles a year. Daily driver so decent use on them too. I tend to replace my summers every two years, and that's pilot super sports, whilst only being on the car for 7-8 months a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstraw Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 Great. Can I run narrower rubber? Better for winter and also tyres are cheaper in 265:35/19 instead if 275/35/19. I'm 7mm smaller on diameter. If I get 265 on rear do I need to get one size smaller on front also? Stock fronts are 245/40/19 and 236/35/19 are 8mm shorter on diameter so more In line with the rear height Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BulletMagnet Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 I just run standard tyres sizes, since the treads are designed to run in colder weather anyway. Skinny tyres to cut through snow mostly applies to all weather/ summer tyres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerzed Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 I've run on PA3s this winter and had no problems. I'll change back in April though it's that bit colder up North! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstraw Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Hmm thing is I can get 265 rubber for less than half the price of 275! :s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstraw Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 Just a bump to ask if I should also drop the fronts to 235/40/19 if I'm going for the rears at 265/35/19. The reason is the rears will be 7mm less in diameter than stock. Should I also drop the fronts by a similarly amount so the car doesn't thibk my rears spinning faster and therefore I'm skidding? 235 in the front will drop my diameter by 8mm so it will be 1mm off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkylineV35 Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Havent had any snow yet but ran mpps2 all year round and no real traction issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstraw Posted March 29, 2014 Author Share Posted March 29, 2014 what size? the 265 size? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstraw Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share Posted April 3, 2014 Just bought the winter tyres. If anyone else is looking for some nows the time to buy and keep in the garage since it's the end of the season so there's plenty of stock. If you wait till middle of summer there will be no stock lol I bought 265/35/19 and 235/40/19. 265 is from tyre leader. Fallen euro winters for £122 a tyre. Very cheap. Other winter tyres are around £200-£300 a tyre. The front I got part worn off eBay- Pirelli with 5mm tread. £50 a wheel. So all in I'm Ready for winter for £340. Not bad at all considering the massive tyres sizes the 370 has! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmorg4 Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 Agreed that winters are a great idea. People complain about RWD in snow but with the correct tyres they are fine (better than a FWD with summers in general, and loads better under braking). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmorg4 Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 BTW I didn't use the Z in snow so can't comment specifically on this car, but my BMW had winters and combined with LSD was pretty unstoppable in typical snow found within the uk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstraw Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share Posted April 3, 2014 As in it was epic or when you applied the brakes it just wouldn't stop?? I'm not sure if your meaning unstoppable in a good way! Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmorg4 Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 lol unstoppable in a good way! I remember the fun when I overtook a land rover on a country road covered in snow, the driver was clearly enraged as he flashed the headlights about 20 times! I could no longer see him in the mirror within a few bends though so no idea if he kept flashing them all the way home in a rage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny A Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 I found both my current 370z and the 350z I had before it hopeless in snow and ice on the standard Bridgestones. I thought about getting Winter tyres for the Zs but in the end I bought a cheap 2004 Suzuki Jimny which has switchable 4 wheel drive. You leave it in 2 wheel drive (RWD)for normal use and engage 4WD or 4WD Low when the conditions require it. Great little car - in 4WD Low it can just about climb the side of a house! It's also a useful spare car for dumping in town, say on a night out. I'd never do that with the Z as I'm so paranoid about it being damaged or stolen but no problem with the Jimny - no ned would ever bother with it! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daryl Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 Iv had my car for 4 years in August, and used it all year round, even with 19"s on, it was alright. As long as you drive to the conditions, and dont expect miracles you will be fine. Yes winter tyres are awesome if you can get a set, but tried for 2 years and then gave up, not to mention the cost and storing them. This year il be taking a different approach which involves a Nissan Note on our company lease scheme, so i can keep the Z tucked up in the garage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstraw Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 Nows the time to get the winter tyres. I got all for corners for £340. It's a bargain in comparison! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmr1980 Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 If we lived in a snowy/icy country I think winter tyres are worth their weight in gold. When I lived in the SE of France, we had glorious sunshine and heat in the summer, but a lot of snow every winter. Most people are offered storage to keep their steel wheels with winter tyres on (or snow tyres depending where you lived). I had an old BMW (with no traction control) and survived every winter thanks to having winter tyres - going up roads that would leave even FWD cars struggling. However it comes down to learning and knowing HOW to drive in adverse conditions - when you do it daily with the right equipment it gets easy. In the UK we seldom get weather that warrants a significant change in tyre, but if you're going for a second set you might as well go for winter tyres, and don't bother with snow tyres, since the winter tyres get up to temperature more quickly and offer better grip at low temperatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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