I've read plenty of threads about the G's performance in heavy snow, and sub-zero degree weather, but I live in the NYC area and was curious as to how it performs in rain, and light snow conditions. From reading all those threads it seems like the G is totally undrivable in anything but dry conditions and it has me dreading this week's (and future) forcast of rain/snow showers. If it snows heavily I'm definitely leaving it home, but reading all the comments about the Summer performance tires that comes with the sport package has me a little scared about even driving in rain/light snow... any advice would be welcome!

 

The car comes with summer performance tires, anything below 40 degrees, and the tire compound turns hard and looses it's grip.
As for snow, don't.
Your best bet is to get winter tires, or a wheel and winter tire package from Tirerack, and not take any chances with your new car.

 

Congrats on your new G. Please post some pictures when you get it. From what I recall, summer performance tires are useless in temperatures under 40F . They are also completely useless in snow and ice, and would be a huge hazard. Winter tires and wheels can be had, but they will NOT come cheap. So, your choices are either don't drive it, or get some winter tires on it.

 

Congrats as well! As these fine comrades have pointed out the COLD is your enemy with summer tires. Literally they feel like you have 4 rocks attached to your axles when it gets cold. The lack of traction is because they become bricks. I did plenty of rain driving in the late summer and fall before I put the G away for the winter and the Bridgestones handle quite well in the wet.

Get winter tires or an all-season tire and save yourself some agravation.

 

It's been sunny and dry roads where I am but bitter cold, around 15F when I headed in for work. I have to say that the car handled well when I was short stopped and had to brake hard. No skidding, no VDC light came on. Haven't taken it out in the rain yet.

 

Car does fine in dry/rain but horrible in snow with the stock summers. Common sense in less than idea condistions will get you a long way IMO.

 

i drove it in the rain with my Michelin ps2's and it does quite fine. anything more than rain though get winter tires for.

 

I have found the summers to be fine in Toronto if I apply a little common sense.
1. Cold/Dry asphalt (14F is about the coldest we get) - no problem at all
2. Cold/Wet (salt)- yes the tires loose traction, keep off the gas and you are fine
3. Light snow - i found the summers to be ok; better than others I have run in the past
4. heavy snow - forget it, as soon as the asphalt disappears you are not going anywhere.

One word of caution, the tires aren't linear in their traction. What I mean is that there is a fine line between light and heavy snow. One minute you are ok and the next there is next to nothing. Once the blacktop disappears under the snow, the tires simply can't bite through the snow and ice down to the asphalt.

I have the luxury of parking the car on snow days, and taking transit, the other ride, or staying at home. If you drive daily you are going to need snows

 

i live in NYC and even my OEM 20's on my FX45 w/ are "all season" suck. it 's the best investment to get a set of snow tires.... around $2k u can get some for the G37.... better than paying $500 or $1000 deductible and having ur car insurance go up

 

get snow tires. most people don't know what to do in an emergency situation (me) and it would be safer to have the proper gear. its not cheap to play but its not fun to not play!!

 

Well, I ended up NOT getting it, I bailed out , it was going to be a 3 year lease, and for an awesome price... but I can't bear doing it, I drive to work everyday and I've had bad experiences in my 2003 G35 sedan with it's rear wheel drive. I'm opting for a black on graphite G35xS fully loaded with every option , will probably make more sense for me, but still a little dissapointed about not getting a '37, but I didn't wanna do something I'd regret once it starts snowing/raining hard, thanks for the feedback guys!

 

The stock summer tires are really good in the rain actually. Snow on the other hand is a baaaaaaaaaaad idea.....

 

Performance should be similar. Exhaust and intake might get it up to G37 power range - not sure, but maybe. You still need winter wheels/tires for the G35xS - summer rubber isn't going to get you anywhere come snow.

With winter wheels - 17s should work - according to tire rack. If you are on a budget - Winterforce M+S tires in 225/55-17 are $83/each There are 8 options for 17" wheels for under $110. ~ $772 for a set of 4 wheels with winter tires from tire rack. Free Hunter Road Force™ Mounting and Balancing and add $72.71 for shipping.

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The G35xS actually comes with "Summer all-season" tires from what it says on the website, where as the G37 coupe comes with just "All summer performance" tires. I really doubt Infiniti would put tires on an AWD vehicle that are just for the Summer and not for the snow, which the car is made for. I drove home today in the snow, in the ol' 2003 G35 sedan (AWD) with all season tires, and it was fine. You had me scared for a second lol.

 

The commute home today was dicey with sleet and freezing rain covering the roads. My G37S with summer tires did just fine but I took a couple of detours to avoid hilly areas. The car started drifting once on a turn but the VDC kicked in and kept me on my course. I don't recommend driving with summers in this kind of weather, but can be done with common sense and low speeds.