I hate when people say that summer tires "CAN'T be driven in the snow" or "it's a deathtrap". The first problem with these cars it they are rear-wheel drive. That is enough to make people afraid to drive in the snow. To them I say LEARN TO DRIVE. The second problem is summer tires (if you chose that option or 6MT), which, to me, means drive carefully in the winter.
Knock on wood, but I have had a Ford Mustang, Lincoln Towncar, BMW 325Ci, and now a G35 and I have never had a serious problem. No accidents. A little slip here and there when I first learned to drive in my Mustang, which I learned from. Since then I just drive extra cautous. People have to understand you can't drive like its summer time. Take your time around corners, and don't ever floor it.
I drove the BMW 325Ci for 3 years with ONLY summer tires, again - no problems. I live in Philadelphia. We don't get snow everyday but the last couple of years we have gotten enough. And I live in a hilly area (Manayunk). I see people crash all the time. If they would just take their time - no problems.
I undestand that the physics of summer tires, and the soft rubber compound, is not designed for snow. But if you just drive cautious it is not as bad as some of you lunatics put it. You scare people into buying a 4WD or spend thousands of dollars on rims and tires.
Can someone side with me on this one? I know there are some of you who suck it up with summer tires through the winter.
Actually there bro i totally disagree with ya I think it borders on insanity to make a practice of driving a G, or any type of front or rear wheel drive vehicle with high performance summer tires on it in the wintertime. I have bridgestone Potenza pole positions (Z rated summer tire) on a MX6 that i also own (which is front wheel drive), and have found even small amounts of snow and particularly ice render them pretty much useless.
I must be the luckiest driver in the world? I am not trying to jinx myself, but someone out there please agree with me on this one. I can't be the only one who feels this way..am I?
I must be the luckiest driver in the world? I am not trying to jinx myself, but someone out there please agree with me on this one. I can't be the only one who feels this way..am I?
Sorry bud - but Pa is down south. Your winter is a shadow of a Michigan or Upstate NY winter. Its not as cold, the roads aren't as cold, the tires aren't as cold.
When you live somewhere cold enough that road salt just makes the snow lumpy - post again.
Randy
BTW - back when I started driving, all cars were RWD and everyone drove in the winter - so I don't buy that part either.
The idea that the G35 coupe (particularly with the Michelin Pilot Sports) is somehow a perfectly safe vehicle to drive in wintry conditions is just absurd. When I had to drive mine in just an inch of snow on the road last winter, it absolutely, positively refused to go in a straight line - excepting if you think that going sideways qualifies.
No matter what gear I selected, how light a touch I used on the throttle, the car just cannot be trusted on ice or snow with the stock tires. It ISN'T just a RWD thing - the sedan handles perfectly well in the snow - it's the Michelins, and they simply aren't designed for driving in wintry weather.
I will have to disagree. There is a reason why tires are called highway (summer) tires. They were not engineered to perform in the snow. Winter Traction is listed as N/A. To ignore the manufacturer's warning, no matter how good of a winter weather driver you are, could be a costly or fatal mistake. The cost of a set of rims and some tread would make the G much more safe in the snow.
There is no question that you will be able to get the car moving with the summer tires on snow in certain conditions, but, it is not safe or sensable.
Some more info on winter tires is available at the following link. The article does not address summer tires because they should not even be used in the snow at all:
Matt, I would love to agree with you, but am afraid that I cannot. One day last winter I was driving to work with around 1-2 inches of wet snow. I did perfectly fine on the turnpike and other mid-sized roads. However, I got impatient with the slow speed of the turnpike and got off at another exit to take a "shortcut", but soon got stuck going up a ~35 degree incline that had only around 1 inch on the road. I had to back down the road into someone's driveway where I again got stuck because it was on a slight incline. I was eventually able to shovel the snow out from in front of the tires and go back down the hill and stay on larger roads to get to work. My tires were somewhat worn, but I still would not be confident in their ability if they were new. For the record, I grew up near the Poconos and am very comfortable driving in snow. I plan on buying designated snow tires very soon.
I understand that this may me a financial issue for some, but you should never use the pilot sports in the snow. I live near Buffalo, NY and last winter got caught by an early snow fall in my Audi S4 (traded it for my G). Even with all wheel drive those tires are useless in the snow. I couldn't imagine what it would have be like with rear wheel drive. In my opinion the best way to go is to by a winter car. I'm talking about a $1000 piece of crap that you only drive when its snowing. This is cheaper than another set of wheels and snow tires especially if you have a 6mt and can't put 17's on.
2004 G35 Coupe 6MT | Laser Red/Graphite | Premium Pkg. | 4 Piece Aero Kit | XM Radio | Trunk Mat | Clear Corners | K&N Air Filter
I understand that this may me a financial issue for some, but you should never use the pilot sports in the snow. I live near Buffalo, NY and last winter got caught by an early snow fall in my Audi S4 (traded it for my G). Even with all wheel drive those tires are useless in the snow. I couldn't imagine what it would have be like with rear wheel drive. In my opinion the best way to go is to by a winter car. I'm talking about a $1000 piece of crap that you only drive when its snowing. This is cheaper than another set of wheels and snow tires especially if you have a 6mt and can't put 17's on.
2004 G35 Coupe 6MT | Laser Red/Graphite | Premium Pkg. | 4 Piece Aero Kit | XM Radio | Trunk Mat | Clear Corners | K&N Air Filter
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">There are some 17" wheels that you can use on your 6mt coupe with snow tires. I can't remember which wheels at this moment, but I'm sure a search will point you in the right direction. You could also call the folks at tirerack.com for advice. I plan to buy a set soon.
The Michelin Pilot Sports are completely useless in the winter snow.....
No one can or will tell me differently.....My car did not move for more than six feet in the snow with out the VDC kicking on and shutting down the throttle....
I also managed to slide into a curb and "F" my front rim as a bonus...
I live in Central New Jersey, and I can honestly and fairly state that anyone who can afford this car should or must buy a second set of snows and rims to prevent any serious damage to yourself, your car, or some innocent party that may be around you.....
Just look at the ratings for the Michelins...they donot even rate the snow perfomance on the tire.....why............because it has none!!!!!
Sorry guy, maybe your some kind of guru with summer tires, but to tell anyone else they are safe in the winter is simply wrong.......
I have Dunlop winter sports M3........and they will go on first threat of snow....I can then at least feel confident to drive the G in the snow...
04 cpe ivory pearl/willow/5at/prem/sport wheel pkg/clear corners/Piaa's/MTEC super white H4's
Well Matt, it sounds like you've struck out.
I live in Chicago. Every great once in a while it gets a little cold and snowy here. The Michelins suck on this car in the snow. Bottom line. If you want to drive that way go ahead. I hope you have good insurance.
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
my feeling on SUMMER tires in the snow...
I think it borders on insanity to make a practice of driving a G, or any type of front or rear wheel drive vehicle with high performance summer tires on it in the wintertime. I have bridgestone Potenza pole positions (Z rated summer tire) on a MX6 that i also own (which is front wheel drive), and have found even small amounts of snow and particularly ice render them pretty much useless.
