[Z06] Z Owners - Some Snow Help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Z Owners - Some Snow Help
I live in Texas and have driven in the snow and ice before, including all my past vettes ( 77, 86, 89, 93, and 99). My current 2002 C5 is a Z and with the super car tires what should I expect? I know they are great on dry roads, but I have to drive to northwestern Colorado about March 1st, and am a little concerned. Please do not tell me to fly, stay home, take another car, its the Z, period. No choice. I drove this car from Mississippi to Houston a few months ago in driving rain the ENTIRE way with no significant problems. I am just a small bit uncomfortable it the weather conditions get dicey. Suggestions?? Thanks in advance.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Norristown PA
Re: Z Owners - Some Snow Help (ty)
I got my Z06 the last week in January and here in the Northeast temperatures have been 10 degrees colder than normal. 10 to 15 at night, many times never above freezing during the day. We just had 20" of snow. The Goodyears are not very happy in that type of environment. I haven't tried it in the snow and don't think I will. I notice that even when very cold the tires don't seem to hook up very well. The car is almost transformed when things warm up a little. Wev'e had a couple of days above freezing and I notice a great improvemnet in tracking and driveability. Of course I came out of a 99 hardtop with Michelin Pilot A/S tires. That setup is really a 12 month a year package. I'm sure you will complete your trip, but if the weather really gets bad you might be pretty busy. I'm seriously considering putting the Pilot A/S tires on the car next fall. I can get sizes close enough that it won't foul up the spedo calibration and the rim sizes are compatible. :steering:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Re: Z Owners - Some Snow Help (Grayvette2)
I got my Z06 the last week in January and here in the Northeast temperatures have been 10 degrees colder than normal. 10 to 15 at night, many times never above freezing during the day. We just had 20" of snow. The Goodyears are not very happy in that type of environment. I haven't tried it in the snow and don't think I will. I notice that even when very cold the tires don't seem to hook up very well. The car is almost transformed when things warm up a little. Wev'e had a couple of days above freezing and I notice a great improvemnet in tracking and driveability. Of course I came out of a 99 hardtop with Michelin Pilot A/S tires. That setup is really a 12 month a year package. I'm sure you will complete your trip, but if the weather really gets bad you might be pretty busy. I'm seriously considering putting the Pilot A/S tires on the car next fall. I can get sizes close enough that it won't foul up the spedo calibration and the rim sizes are compatible. :steering:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 0
Re: Z Owners - Some Snow Help (ty)
It's not the car that's the problem, it's the tires. The SC's are warm weather, dry track tires.
If you're going to drive it in all those conditions, another type of tire would perform better. I don't have an opinion on which type, but Michelin, Yokohama, Toyo and Kumho all make tires that owners have had what they termed 'good' experiences with.
Any tire's ability to deal with rain or snow decreases continuously as the tread depth lessens. Z's are a relatively new car, and a lot of owners haven't gotten into the higher mileage realms yet so these issues may become more common later.
[Modified by rwd, 9:13 AM 2/19/2003]
If you're going to drive it in all those conditions, another type of tire would perform better. I don't have an opinion on which type, but Michelin, Yokohama, Toyo and Kumho all make tires that owners have had what they termed 'good' experiences with.
Any tire's ability to deal with rain or snow decreases continuously as the tread depth lessens. Z's are a relatively new car, and a lot of owners haven't gotten into the higher mileage realms yet so these issues may become more common later.
[Modified by rwd, 9:13 AM 2/19/2003]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Re: Z Owners - Some Snow Help (Grayvette2)
I got my Z06 the last week in January and here in the Northeast temperatures have been 10 degrees colder than normal. 10 to 15 at night, many times never above freezing during the day. We just had 20" of snow. The Goodyears are not very happy in that type of environment. I haven't tried it in the snow and don't think I will. I notice that even when very cold the tires don't seem to hook up very well. The car is almost transformed when things warm up a little. Wev'e had a couple of days above freezing and I notice a great improvemnet in tracking and driveability. Of course I came out of a 99 hardtop with Michelin Pilot A/S tires. That setup is really a 12 month a year package. I'm sure you will complete your trip, but if the weather really gets bad you might be pretty busy. I'm seriously considering putting the Pilot A/S tires on the car next fall. I can get sizes close enough that it won't foul up the spedo calibration and the rim sizes are compatible. :steering:
:cheers:
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: White Plains NY
Re: Z Owners - Some Snow Help (ty)
My advice, rent a car. I drove my Z last Monday in the blizzard and after one block I returned home. The car is completely undriveable in heavy snow and even worse on the leftovers. Do yourself and your Z a favor and rent a 4X4. :nono: :nono: :nono:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
From: Bristol Ct
Re: Z Owners - Some Snow Help (bully)
My advice, rent a car. I drove my Z last Monday in the blizzard and after one block I returned home. The car is completely undriveable in heavy snow and even worse on the leftovers. Do yourself and your Z a favor and rent a 4X4. :nono: :nono: :nono:
I'm in Ct. and I'll second that :iagree: :smash: :smash: :smash:
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Daytona Beach Florida
Cruise-In I Veteran
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Re: Z Owners - Some Snow Help (ty)
I agree, the Goodyear SC are not the best tires to use in severe winter driving (rain, snow....and nothing really does well in ice). If you can avoid driving it, then do so. If not, just be mindful that it will be a handful in these conditions.
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