I live in Wisconsin and have a 2004 g35 rwd sedan. I have to spend one winter here, then I'm moving to Baltimore for business.

Anyway, I decided I mine as well be prepared for the worst. What do you guys recommend for winter tires / rims? Should I downgrade to 16" rims to get better traction? Stick with 17?

Any tips for driving in the snow? I have never had a RWD car in snow before, just a FWD SUV and a 4wd Audi.

I know I'm in for a wild winter, I'm kind of excited for the challenge. My commute is about 2 miles and I only have to make it twice a week (self employed), so I won't have to do too much driving.

 

just get cheap 17" winter tires and drive slower than normal and you'll be fine..
make sure you get all 4 tires.

I got some Kumho's last season in Denver and it worked out great

 

I also live in wisconsin and my .02 cents is to purchase some decent winter tires..at least for rear. I prefer the Blizzak brand of tires. Others around here like the Nokian Hakapaletta(spelling is way off but they are a great snow tire also). Also purchase a few heavy bags of salt(not table salt) or sand and keep them in the trunk for added weight over the drive tires.

My best advice is to keep it slow and steady and you will be fine.

 

counter steer

 

Thanks guys, I'll be sure to get some winter tires and drive a little extra cautious. Right now its almost Harley Fest in milwaukee and theres a cop around every corner. I haven't been able to go anything more then 5 over all week :-/

 

 

Wait until it snows and you are happy when you can go 5 under the speed limit!

It is not so much the starting that is a problem in the snow as it is the stopping. Plan ahead and keep distance between you and the car in front of you and you will be fine.

 

You could run 16" if you have the pre-05 brakes. 11.5" rotors vs the 12.6" rotors. Not sure if the 16s will fit over the bigger brakes.

Buy DEDICATED snow tires. FOUR of them. Not all seasons. There are people selling snows w/ and w/o wheels in the for sale section here. Good to buy now before everyone wants them come late OCT

 

^^^ Good advice.

 

some good cheap wheel options would be 300zx 16" wheels, or oem sedan 17" wheels. Both can be had for <$200/set

 

I have OEM 19s and I will be using OEM 17s with Blizzaks as my winter setup.
Heard from plenty of folks that I should be fine. I might throw some sandbags in the trunk if it's getting a bit squirrely.

 

Never, never, NEVER go with winter tires unless you're running one on each corner. Winter tires have so much better traction on snow, ice and even pavement (when it gets real cold) the difference will amaze you. And, if you're unfortunate enough to have them on only one end of the car, the difference can scare the he** out of you - if it doesn't kill you.

Trust me. Been there, bought the t-shirt, and lived to tell about it - but not something I want to go through again.

 

This is good advice but if the OP is on a budget i.e. college student than even just 2 winter tires on the drive wheels helps alot. I have also been there. I do agree that if possible purchase all 4.

 

Having experienced each of these, my personal preference (in descending order) is:

1. 4 winter tires
2. 4 all-season tires
3. 2 winter tires

'nuff said.

 

Has anyone tested with and without added weight in the rear end on the same snow day? Curious to hear whether or not your butt-slide-o-meter registered any noticeable difference.

I've got a 90lb lead "donut" (removed from a huge electrical inductor) that I'm planning to use along with one salt bag for about 130lbs total. My 19" rays will also come off in order to swap in 17" oem all season's. I've been starring at the 17's all summer in their tire rack totes and I can't wait for the snow to fly. Big wide open parking lots beware - I'm coming for you!