Advice in the snow - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

01-06-2002, 06:25 PM

it's my first year driving a RWD, and it's going to snow tomorrow, any way to stay safe besides not going out at all?

dave2u · 01-06-2002, 06:29 PM

keep changing up early. Drive round in low revs. Alternatively take your wheels off and sit in the street. I guarantee you wont slide anywhere. Unless of course you`re hit by a f****ng juggernaut.

hookedup240 · 01-06-2002, 06:30 PM

Well today was the first day it snowed here and i got out of work at like 6, and it sucked man i was sliding all over the place, not going fast at all i hate my car when it snows, i don't think any car can be worse than a 240sx in the snow it is so light, and slides, this is my second year with it in the winter, anyone else wanna add anything??

*AceInHole* · 01-06-2002, 06:43 PM

If you think a 240sx is bad in the snow.... try an early 80's BMW 635.
I think my 240's have handled snow well for FR format cars.  Maybe it's just me being a slow driver, right Drifting Ricer??

jupiterl · 01-06-2002, 07:17 PM

240sx is not that bad in the snow. compare to many other cars like mr2 or the older bmw. I think it is probably becasue our 50/50 weight disb. give us better balance.

Drifting Ricer · 01-06-2002, 07:21 PM

huh yes right I think <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>. I drive in the snow pretty #### slow.  So I don't slide anywhere. In the highway I drive around at 55 miles an hour when it snows.  No black ice is going to take me car away!

sspikey · 01-06-2002, 07:23 PM

just be very gentle in everything you do. if you can go out and buy two 25 pound bags of sand and stick them in your trunk its gonna help your traction a bit.

*transient* · 01-06-2002, 07:43 PM

mmmm, be careful of that. It can really hurt you going around corners. Pendulum effect.

NoTuchn · 01-06-2002, 07:44 PM

my old car was a 90 celica, and i much prefer my 91 240 when driving in the snow. add weight to the rear end like sspikey said, and take your time. otherwise floor it, and have fun! j/k. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

sspikey · 01-06-2002, 08:01 PM

i love winter driving in a car! its so fun drifting! at every turn >)

gh6o6 · 01-06-2002, 09:18 PM

i drove in the snow today and it wasent so bad i dident get very good traction but i went slow so i did ok and it was generally level.  i had to go uphill by my house and then i had to keep it going even though it wasent getting good traction i figured if i stoped id get stuck - i was doing S'es the whole way up - someone also said on this forum that the higher the gear you start in the better if you get stuck
good luck

*transient* · 01-06-2002, 09:29 PM

Yeah, that's cuz the engine can't put as much power to the road so there's less chance of spinning the tires

**West** · 01-07-2002, 03:05 AM

Driving FWD is the snow is scarry to me. RWD in the snow feels safer to me, but I have only driven RWD cars all my life so maybe thats why.

Its fun as #### drifting at every turn <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

240 2NR · 01-07-2002, 10:00 AM

When people say how bad their sports car drives in the snow, I'll usually ask what tires they are using.  I think sports cars get a bad rap for winter driving because they come with summer oreinted tires.  Sure they might say all season, but the season they are intended for is not winter.  Besides, if you only use your driving wheels for acceleration it is only one third of traction.  The other two being cornering and braking which can be completely independent of your drive layout and are equally if not more important than acceleration.

As for throwing some sand in your trunk, I think its a bad idea.  Especially if you're only putting in 25-50 lbs, kind of pointless.  Thats almost the same as having a full tank of gas instead of half a tank.  In winter having a full tank is much better since it keeps your tank from developing condensation when it gets cold, in addition to adding some more weight back there.  Only good purpose for having some sand back there is in case you ever get stuck on some ice.  Then you can bust open the bag and spread some out under your tires.  

01-07-2002, 07:49 PM

this morning, I was paranoid, I was so gentle with everything I did, I stopped completely before turning, and I didn't use the gas at all when going uphill, but then, I am not sure if the roads were frozen.  In school, I heard a couple of stories of people getting into accidents the night before, so that's just scarying the #### outta me.  This kid messed up his mom's new Benz, so that made me even more caution.
How fast do you have to go when you hit black ice for the car to lose traction?

*AceInHole* · 01-07-2002, 08:03 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from Azn GTR on 7:49 pm on Jan. 7, 2002
How fast do you have to go when you hit black ice for the car to lose traction?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Black ice claimed my S13..... you don't need to be going fast at all.... a decent sheet of black ice will send your car sliding into whatever as long as your in motion.

wyldchyld7x · 01-07-2002, 08:29 PM

Black ice is the devils creation, trust me it will send your car spinning no matter what kind it is or what speed you are driving at if it really wants to.  It's like it has a mind of its own.  I know cuz I was riding shotgun going about 10 miles an hour in a military humvee in a parking lot and next thing I know we're sideways in a snowdrift.  Luckily black ice isn't very common, just try and be cautious.

*AceInHole* · 01-07-2002, 08:37 PM

baaah..... i was just out driving in snow.... Khumo Ecsta Supra 225/45/R17 tires do not make good snow tires....

misnomer · 01-07-2002, 11:10 PM

I've gotten pretty good at winter driving. Keeping your traction is all about being gentle and smooth in your actions. Oh, and uh make sure you know how to countersteer properly if you're in a hilly area. Last month my car spun 90 degrees going down a hill on snow, lucky I managed to get it back in control. #### that scared the shit outta me, going sideways down a long, rather steep hill.

JeffNJ · 01-07-2002, 11:16 PM

Advice in the snow?

Get a ride.

The truth is, yeah, if you take it slow and are careful, it's not all that bad. But I mean, you have to take it really slow and be really careful. RWD and snow have had issues with each other for generations, and I don't forsee them settling their differences anytime soon. So, if you really love that "fenders where they belong" look, seriously considering bumming rides until the next thaw.

I actually moved closer to work so I could leave my 240 in the lot (when I had one) and walk to work in the snow. No, wait, that was because my license was suspended. Nevermind.

(Edited by JeffNJ at 1:17 am on Jan. 8, 2002)

01-06-2002, 06:25 PM	#1
Guest Posts: n/a	it's my first year driving a RWD, and it's going to snow tomorrow, any way to stay safe besides not going out at all?

01-06-2002, 06:29 PM	#2
dave2u Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: uk Age: 53 Posts: 499 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	keep changing up early. Drive round in low revs. Alternatively take your wheels off and sit in the street. I guarantee you wont slide anywhere. Unless of course you`re hit by a f****ng juggernaut.

01-06-2002, 06:30 PM	#3
hookedup240 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NJ Age: 40 Posts: 1,149 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well today was the first day it snowed here and i got out of work at like 6, and it sucked man i was sliding all over the place, not going fast at all i hate my car when it snows, i don't think any car can be worse than a 240sx in the snow it is so light, and slides, this is my second year with it in the winter, anyone else wanna add anything??

01-06-2002, 06:43 PM	#4
AceInHole Autox Technician Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New Haven, CT Age: 43 Posts: 3,961 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: AceInHole Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you think a 240sx is bad in the snow.... try an early 80's BMW 635. I think my 240's have handled snow well for FR format cars.  Maybe it's just me being a slow driver, right Drifting Ricer??

01-06-2002, 07:17 PM	#5
jupiterl Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Markham, Ontario Posts: 310 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	240sx is not that bad in the snow. compare to many other cars like mr2 or the older bmw. I think it is probably becasue our 50/50 weight disb. give us better balance.

01-06-2002, 07:21 PM	#6
Drifting Ricer Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Boston MA Posts: 608 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	huh yes right I think <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>. I drive in the snow pretty #### slow.  So I don't slide anywhere. In the highway I drive around at 55 miles an hour when it snows.  No black ice is going to take me car away!

01-06-2002, 07:23 PM	#7
sspikey Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 394 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	just be very gentle in everything you do. if you can go out and buy two 25 pound bags of sand and stick them in your trunk its gonna help your traction a bit.

01-06-2002, 07:43 PM	#8
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 40 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	mmmm, be careful of that. It can really hurt you going around corners. Pendulum effect.

01-06-2002, 07:44 PM	#9
NoTuchn Leaky Injector Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 126 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	my old car was a 90 celica, and i much prefer my 91 240 when driving in the snow. add weight to the rear end like sspikey said, and take your time. otherwise floor it, and have fun! j/k. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

01-06-2002, 08:01 PM	#10
sspikey Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 394 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i love winter driving in a car! its so fun drifting! at every turn >)

01-06-2002, 09:18 PM	#11
gh6o6 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Dirty Jersey Posts: 550 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i drove in the snow today and it wasent so bad i dident get very good traction but i went slow so i did ok and it was generally level.  i had to go uphill by my house and then i had to keep it going even though it wasent getting good traction i figured if i stoped id get stuck - i was doing S'es the whole way up - someone also said on this forum that the higher the gear you start in the better if you get stuck good luck

01-06-2002, 09:29 PM	#12
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 40 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah, that's cuz the engine can't put as much power to the road so there's less chance of spinning the tires

01-07-2002, 03:05 AM	#13
West OMNOMNOMNOM Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Denver, CO Age: 43 Posts: 6,456 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: West Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Driving FWD is the snow is scarry to me. RWD in the snow feels safer to me, but I have only driven RWD cars all my life so maybe thats why. Its fun as #### drifting at every turn <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

01-07-2002, 10:00 AM	#14
240 2NR Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Denver Posts: 1,131 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	When people say how bad their sports car drives in the snow, I'll usually ask what tires they are using.  I think sports cars get a bad rap for winter driving because they come with summer oreinted tires.  Sure they might say all season, but the season they are intended for is not winter.  Besides, if you only use your driving wheels for acceleration it is only one third of traction.  The other two being cornering and braking which can be completely independent of your drive layout and are equally if not more important than acceleration. As for throwing some sand in your trunk, I think its a bad idea.  Especially if you're only putting in 25-50 lbs, kind of pointless.  Thats almost the same as having a full tank of gas instead of half a tank.  In winter having a full tank is much better since it keeps your tank from developing condensation when it gets cold, in addition to adding some more weight back there.  Only good purpose for having some sand back there is in case you ever get stuck on some ice.  Then you can bust open the bag and spread some out under your tires.

01-07-2002, 07:49 PM	#15
Guest Posts: n/a	this morning, I was paranoid, I was so gentle with everything I did, I stopped completely before turning, and I didn't use the gas at all when going uphill, but then, I am not sure if the roads were frozen.  In school, I heard a couple of stories of people getting into accidents the night before, so that's just scarying the #### outta me.  This kid messed up his mom's new Benz, so that made me even more caution. How fast do you have to go when you hit black ice for the car to lose traction?

01-07-2002, 08:03 PM	#16
AceInHole Autox Technician Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New Haven, CT Age: 43 Posts: 3,961 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: AceInHole Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from Azn GTR on 7:49 pm on Jan. 7, 2002 How fast do you have to go when you hit black ice for the car to lose traction?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Black ice claimed my S13..... you don't need to be going fast at all.... a decent sheet of black ice will send your car sliding into whatever as long as your in motion.

01-07-2002, 08:29 PM	#17
wyldchyld7x Zilvia Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 205 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Black ice is the devils creation, trust me it will send your car spinning no matter what kind it is or what speed you are driving at if it really wants to.  It's like it has a mind of its own.  I know cuz I was riding shotgun going about 10 miles an hour in a military humvee in a parking lot and next thing I know we're sideways in a snowdrift.  Luckily black ice isn't very common, just try and be cautious.

01-07-2002, 08:37 PM	#18
AceInHole Autox Technician Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New Haven, CT Age: 43 Posts: 3,961 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: AceInHole Feedback Score: 0 reviews	baaah..... i was just out driving in snow.... Khumo Ecsta Supra 225/45/R17 tires do not make good snow tires....

01-07-2002, 11:10 PM	#19
misnomer Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 2,293 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've gotten pretty good at winter driving. Keeping your traction is all about being gentle and smooth in your actions. Oh, and uh make sure you know how to countersteer properly if you're in a hilly area. Last month my car spun 90 degrees going down a hill on snow, lucky I managed to get it back in control. #### that scared the shit outta me, going sideways down a long, rather steep hill.

01-07-2002, 11:16 PM	#20
JeffNJ Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 550 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Advice in the snow? Get a ride. The truth is, yeah, if you take it slow and are careful, it's not all that bad. But I mean, you have to take it really slow and be really careful. RWD and snow have had issues with each other for generations, and I don't forsee them settling their differences anytime soon. So, if you really love that "fenders where they belong" look, seriously considering bumming rides until the next thaw. I actually moved closer to work so I could leave my 240 in the lot (when I had one) and walk to work in the snow. No, wait, that was because my license was suspended. Nevermind. (Edited by JeffNJ at 1:17 am on Jan. 8, 2002)