How many here drive J30 in the snow?

Post by **Ray G** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:36 pm

Hello all,This is my first post here. I just purchased a J30t and although I have a QX-4, I was wondering how good the J30 is in the snow and how many of you actually drive it in the snow? Thanks!

Post by **Elisha** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 2:32 am

i did it last year.we have crazy winters here in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Post by **elwesso** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:25 am

With snow tires, a J30 or Q45 (since it has LSD) even without traction control will do better in the snow than a FWD car with all season tires...

The tires are what makes or breaks it..... You GOTTA have winter tires.

Post by **driverdriver** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 6:16 am

I have driven my J in the snow and snowstorms in the past. The key is either a set of premium all season tires or dedicated snow tires with patience and technique. I've never been stuck.

If you don't know rear-wheel drive technique on snow or ice, I would suggest the BMW winter driving course. Most places have it. You don't need a BMW too take it. They show you how to drive a rear wheel drive vehicle with or without traction control in both premium all-season and winter tires in heavy snow, slush and ice. When I took it it was $250 for two days of training. Its an invaluable course. You can inquire about it at any BMW dealer.

Post by **1993TanJ30** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:48 am

Ok well I'm going to go with Bridgestone Blizzaks - anyone hear anything negative about these tires? They are about $90 a piece - so probably almost $400 mounted, balanced and ready to roll.

I'll probably pick up a set of 4 mid-late October.

What type of pressure do you run in these tires in the snow, is it a little better to run less pressure, or just all the same stuff?

Driver what MAJOR tips can you give me - I've never driven any car except AWD in the snow, that had an LSD in the back also!

Thats why I'm a bit worried, so used to AWD for the past four years 16-20yrs old

Thanks!

Post by **driverdriver** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 5:29 pm

1993TanJ30 wrote:Driver what MAJOR tips can you give me - I've never driven any car except AWD in the snow, that had an LSD in the back also!

Thanks!

Have patience, drive slow when it starts to snow. Don't worry about the idiot in the SUV behind tailgating. If he/she is in such a hurry they will pass you in another lane. Only worry about yourself and your safety.

A few tips.

-Keep a car and half length with the vehicle in front off you.-Don't pass on snow/ice covered curves/switchbacks.-Be wary of nervous "white knuckle" drivers. They cause a lot of winter accidents. If safe, pass them allowing as much room as possible.-Anticipate stopping. Take your foot off the accelerator. Gently pump to slow down before an intersection and than come to a stop.-Use gentle acceleration to "take off' from stop. One neat thing they taught me a BMW winter driving school was how to "take off" on black ice. Take your foot off the brake, don't depress the accelerator. Let the car move on its own and then gently accelerate.-If you get into a skid DON"T BRAKE, ease off the throttle, look where you're going and steer. Use your accelerator to manouver.

Blizzaks are pliable tires. Meaning run them 2-3 psi below normal, the micro treading that comes from using a pliable rubber will give you phenomenal grip in ice, sleet, snow.

Post by **1993TanJ30** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:14 am

Sounds good! The J30 is getting some Blizzaks then!

About 90% of those things I already do when there is snow on the ground, so thats a good sign!

I'll run the Blizzaks 3PSI below that they say, and hope for the best!

Thanks for those tips, I'll remember them while driving this winter! Driver: What would you say is TOO much snow to head out into with the J, somewhere around 4-5 inches or...?

Thanks, nice write-up!!!

Post by **1993TanJ30** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:27 am

One more ?

I was just talking w/someone who's telling me my J30 is going to absolutely SUCK in the snow, they said that you can manage on flat roads... But hills is where they totally FAIL. I live in a very hilly area, every damn turn is a hill... To get to my house, I have to up a pretty good incline (one way street no other way)...

I remember when I was a little kid, my dad had one of thoe 5.0 Cougars haha he tried for like 30min trying to get up that hill, and could never get up it... Is this where RWD does suck, even with great tires?

Post by **driverdriver** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:06 am

My first car was a '82 Mustang in the '80's(Oh crap I just dated myself). It was the 4cyl with RWD, no traction control, lots of low end torque. In the winters I put on snow tires, a couple of bags of gravel in the hatch on the sides to weigh down the wheels and ensured my gas tank never fell below half a tank. My parents lived in a valley. For me to get out of the neighbourhood. I had to drive uphill either way on the road. It was a steep road. I never had an issue.

Post by **1993TanJ30** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:20 am

Nice man did it have an LSD?

Ok so Bliazzaks aired doen 3PSI, at least a 3/4 tank of gas for some extra weight, maybe a few bags of sand in the trunk, any other tricks to get through as much as possible?

How much snow is feasible to drive through? Around 4-5 inches or so?

Any other tricks?

Post by **driverdriver** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:26 am

1993TanJ30 wrote:Nice man did it have an LSD?

How much snow is feasible to drive through? Around 4-5 inches or so?

Any other tricks?

No LSD, No ABS, Back in the 80's that was only available in the highest end cars.

I drove the 'stang regularly in a foot or more of snow. Depending on depth, sometimes I would shift the auto tranny and drive the vehicle in a lower gear(I've done the same thing with the J). Never managed to get stuck. I always slowed down and kept speed according to road conditions. My brother used to own a Buick Regal GNX T-type. He had no LSD, rear wheel drive, gobs of power, drove the car year-round. He used the same technique. Never got stuck.
Modified by driverdriver at 1:59 PM 9/12/2005

Post by **1993TanJ30** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:29 am

Ok so it seems like its all about...

TECHNIQUE

I used to do that in my MT Talon - always keep it in a very high gear, to keep the RPMS extremely low...

I'm learning a ton here, thanks!

Post by **Elisha** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:43 am

i drove thru winter with Toyo TPT tires. and they werent the best for winter but i never had issues even with 6 inches of snow.like Driver said its all about patience and not slamming on the breaks.i also had 2 10kilo bags of kitty litter in the trunk.

Post by **1993TanJ30** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:25 am

Thanks for the input, you guys are raising my confidence about this winter!

Post by **driverdriver** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 9:51 am

Elisha wrote:....i also had 2 10kilo bags of kitty litter in the trunk.

Actually kitty litter is a smart idea, if you ever get stuck you can put it under the rears wheels to get traction. It absorbs moisture and clumps.

Post by **1993TanJ30** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 11:42 am

Always thinking driver!!

Post by **Elisha** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:23 pm

yeah forgot to mention thats why i have it in the trunk......i actually used it to get unstuck once with my girfriends Cavalier.i used to carry sand and then 2 years ago i swithced to kitty litter.

Post by **1993TanJ30** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 3:39 pm

Haha sounds good, I brought it up in front of a few other guys at work, they all told me that RWD sucks in the snow haha, and said I need AWD or FWD car... One guy was like "I didn't even know they made just RWD cars still"

Post by **1993TanJ30** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:48 am

Hey I've spoken to a few people up here, they all SWEAR by studded tires - can someone help me find a nice set?

Anyone use studded tires of their J30?

Thanks!

Post by **driverdriver** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:19 am

Make sure they can legally be used in your state before you buy em. Stuuded tires are outlawed in a bunch of states since they can damage dry road.

Post by **driverdriver** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:24 am

Here's a little info on studded tires from http://www.apa.ca

What is best: studded tires or other winter tires?

Studded tires are otherwise regular winter tires fitted with a high number of sharp metallic or ceramic claws meant to enhance traction on icy roads. Not all winter tires can be fitted with studs; only those which are rated "studdable" (an inscription found on their sidewall) by their manufacturer are designed with the possible fitment of studs in mind.

For the vast majority of motorists, modern, non-studded winter tires are the preferred choice. In addition to offering plenty of grip on both snow and ice, they perform much better on asphalt and are significantly quieter. They are also not subjected to the restrictions affecting studded tires.

For a few motorists who frequently drive under very difficult conditions, studded tires can offer an added margin of safety on ice. Consult a specialist to know if you are among those who need studded tires. Regulations aimed at these tires vary from one province to another.

Post by **kwaskow** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:52 am

I'm in Iowa and we get ice and snow all winter, off and on. Blizzaks are OK, but we get by with very good M+S radials too. Also keep two softener salt bags in the trunk for wieght as well as traction on the rare occasions it is stuck by sprinkling salt under the tires.

Probably will not get another rear drive car, but I really willl miss the J.

Also, I disagree that the J with proper tires will perform as good as front drive.....not so in my experience.

Post by **driverdriver** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:24 pm

I lives and worked in Cedar Rapids Iowa during the technology boom with "Worldcon". I had the J with premium all seasons. Never had an issue on driving on the unplowed Iowa roads. Made countless trips in snowfall to both Coralville(parked in the unplowed mall lot many times) and Wiiliamsburg and even to Jordan Infiniti in Johnstown. If you got technique, a rear wheel drive J will meet or exceed the driving characteristics of any front wheel drive vehicle.

Post by **joojoo2915** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 6:55 pm

I live in Montana and I drove my J last year during the winter, with cheap all weather tires. It was interesting. It wasn't really that bad, it just had a lot of tail swing. Very controllable really. I would say I prefer fwd to rear while driving in the snow, but I can live with either. I'm sure good snow tires help a bunch too.

My dad has Blizzaks on his truck and from my limited experience with them, they were pretty amazing. I would totally recommend them.

Post by **VimyJJ** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:30 pm

Save yourself some money and get snows for the drive wheels only.

How many here drive J30 in the snow?

How many here drive J30 in the snow?

Re: (Elisha)

Re: (1993TanJ30)

Re: (1993TanJ30)

Re: (Elisha)

Re: (joojoo2915)

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