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Experience in the snow???

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Old May 23, 2007 | 09:35 AM
  #1  
DATSUNSOCAL's Avatar
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From: Denver CO
Experience in the snow???

I was hopeing to hear from some people who have driven there Z's in the snow. Im not worried about rust and Id rather sell my Z and get something else for this winter but no luck yet. So Im curious about how people have handled the snow with just slapping on some Studded Tires and going for it?
Old May 23, 2007 | 10:01 AM
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tickwon's Avatar
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Well, my Z was a bit low and decided to be a snow plow instead, so I turn around and went home. I don't drive me Z in the snow anymore.
Old May 23, 2007 | 11:32 AM
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two words..... "snow tires"

I bought a brand new turbo in '81.. The thing couldn't make it up a one percent grade with snow on the road with those potenzas. Snow tires and your good to go.
Old May 23, 2007 | 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by DATSUNSOCAL
I was hopeing to hear from some people who have driven there Z's in the snow. Im not worried about rust and Id rather sell my Z and get something else for this winter but no luck yet. So Im curious about how people have handled the snow with just slapping on some Studded Tires and going for it?

Did the weather suddenly change down there in So Cal? I didn't know you got snow...
Old May 23, 2007 | 12:49 PM
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hoov100's Avatar
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we get lotsa snow, but yea snow tires, maybe chains..
Old May 23, 2007 | 01:20 PM
  #6  
NismoPick's Avatar
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I don't drive my Z in the snow. RWD cars (without traction control) suck in the snow / slick conditions period.
Old May 23, 2007 | 01:32 PM
  #7  
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my dad claims his car drove really decent in teh snow bck in 78, just get snow tires and if the car is lowered, un-lower it, and if your worried about rust, clean your underbody and go out and buy a quart of underbody sealent and paint away!
Old May 23, 2007 | 01:38 PM
  #8  
hoov100's Avatar
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my z32 drives great in the snow, no TC required
Old May 23, 2007 | 01:55 PM
  #9  
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my Z32 sucked in anything over 2 inches on the road itself. but plows were invented for a reason.
Old May 23, 2007 | 01:57 PM
  #10  
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just dont expect to be doing 100+ uphill like your used too..
Old May 23, 2007 | 02:07 PM
  #11  
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my z32 was ok in the snow. pretty hairy going, but it made it home, well, to the bottom of my hill anyways, i wasnt going to risk that. ABS worked well for braking. had i not already been driving home though, i dont think i would have attempted it. LSD+RWD+snow dont mix at all. i moved it from the bottom of the hill to my parking spot after the plows came and left it parked 'till the threat of snow was gone.
Old May 23, 2007 | 07:47 PM
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A couple years ago it snowed 15" while I was at work, and I just happened to drive the Z that day. It wasn't like driving my truck in the snow, but I made it home safely. Just take it easy and drive slower. Snow tires will help and keep some chains in the hatch.

Now ice? That's a different story completely!!
Old May 24, 2007 | 05:00 AM
  #13  
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All of my Z's have always done pretty good in the snow. In fact, the only vehicles I've ever had trouble in were fwd! Totalled a Grand Prix last year actually....a 125' embankment will do that lol.
Old May 24, 2007 | 06:54 AM
  #14  
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aight here it is from the crazy canuck... these cars suck in the snow. even worse they suck on ice. no matter how much weight is in the rear and no matter how good a chain you buy, these things are dangerous. you really, really risk sliding into something and spinning out no matter how carefull you are. then there are the rest of the morons on the road thatll hit you. do what i do, buy a beater, and drive it. ive had my car out in the snow many many time (caught out at work) from anywhere from 2" to 12-15" of snow. it was pretty freaky getting home, and i CAN drive in the snow.
Old May 24, 2007 | 05:44 PM
  #15  
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From: Denver, Colorado
these cars aren't great in the snow but they're usually predictable which I prefer. During the winter I constantly drive to Vail and back for snowboarding trips. It does get pretty tough if the snow is wet though so be careful. That's a whole different story and I wouldn't suggest driving in that with these cars.

If you're willing to slow it down a bit and give ALOT more space to any maneuver you are going to do (braking, turning, accelerating everything) you'll be alright. Be weary of hills...
Old May 24, 2007 | 05:59 PM
  #16  
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yeah rethinkning it, the Z32 handled great during the snow, as long as it was already moving, stopped and turned good, but if your at a stop and have to start moving in deeper stuff or up hill, i was chugging and almost not moving lol, now with these cars with no ABS its not going to handel as well, but will probably move a little better not being a LSD rear and i had much beefier tires on the Z32
Old May 24, 2007 | 10:39 PM
  #17  
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huh? How can it move better without LSD? Only one tire turning is not going to be better than more than one tire turning, or we wouldn't have 4x4's!

Good snow tires, a very careful driving style, starting out in 2nd gear and gently slowing WAY before you need too and you'll be fine.

If you drive like an *** in the snow, it doesn't matter how good your tires are, you'll put it into the wall.
Old May 24, 2007 | 11:00 PM
  #18  
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From: Utrecht The Netherlands where owning a car is a CRIME!!
haha i go out sliding when it snowed . I have a beat up parts car for that WAY!!!! fun to go sideways on a an on ramp..
Driving in the snow is not hard at all just dont make sudden movements
Old May 25, 2007 | 12:08 AM
  #19  
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My 350z sucked so bad in the snow. When I got my z32 I sold the 350 and bought a yukon gt.
Old May 25, 2007 | 06:55 AM
  #20  
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everyone can be carefull, its everyone else around you that scares me the most. you gotta try and drive everyone elses car on the road to avoid being hit.
Old May 25, 2007 | 11:04 AM
  #21  
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From: Longmont, CO
Snow!

Old May 25, 2007 | 03:54 PM
  #22  
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From: lemont, Illinois
Originally Posted by lww
huh? How can it move better without LSD? Only one tire turning is not going to be better than more than one tire turning, or we wouldn't have 4x4's! .
my bad, i meant handle better, it wont be as squirly on yah and goin side to side.... plus they werent even winter tires till half way through the season, but it also sat on jack stands most the winter getting a new suspension. but i had potenza SO-3's in the snow once that sucked!!!!!!
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