2007 TL-S OEM Tires

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nobody@nospam.org - 09 Jun 2009 15:57 GMT

I have a 2007 TL Type S, and while I like the car very much I think the
traction of the standard Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires on wet or snowy
roads is very poor. I live in the snow belt, and that's why I prefer
front-wheel drive cars. But this car has the worst traction in snow of
any front-wheel drive car I've ever owned.

I'm wondering why Acura chose these tires to begin with? I'm seriously
thinking about replacing them, possibly with either Michelin Pilot Sport
A/S Plus or Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Season.

I was comparing tires at www.tirerack.com, and both of these tires are
rated MUCH higher than the more-expensive OEM tires by customers.

You can see the comparison at this link:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/CompareTires.jsp?sortValue=1&filterType=all&result
sNumberSelected=Y&displayResults=16&compare=true&compareList=2%2C4%2C10&RunFlat=
All&goWhere=%252Ftires%252FCompare1.jsp&sortCode=&width=235%2F&ratio=45&diameter
=17&manufacturer=Goodyear&manufacturer=Michelin&startIndex=0

Suggestions and comments from other TL owners would be appreciated. Thanks!

John

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Tegger - 10 Jun 2009 20:00 GMT

> I have a 2007 TL Type S, and while I like the car very much I think
> the traction of the standard Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires on wet or
> snowy roads is very poor. I live in the snow belt, and that's why I
> prefer front-wheel drive cars. But this car has the worst traction in
> snow of any front-wheel drive car I've ever owned.

All-seasons aren't terribly good in snow and on ice.

> I'm wondering why Acura chose these tires to begin with?

Low bid from the vendor? What you pay as a consumer isn't remotely what the
automaker pays as a bulk buyer.

One thing at which Michelins do excel is tread life. They are hard as rocks
and wear like rocks. Unfortunately they also seem to have about the
traction of rocks.

> I'm seriously
> thinking about replacing them, possibly with either Michelin Pilot
> Sport A/S Plus or Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Season.

If you really want good traction in snow and on ice, choose dedicated
winter tires and keep your all-seasons for summer use.

Last fall my mechanic recommended Yokohama Ice Guard iG20s for my Integra.
I was very happy with them this past winter.

Signature

Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

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ACAR - 11 Jun 2009 12:25 GMT

On Jun 9, 10:57 am, nob...@nospam.org wrote:

> I have a 2007 TL Type S, and while I like the car very much I think the
> traction of the standard Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 tires on wet or snowy
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> John

you may want to pay some attention to the "would buy again" rating and
the measure of tread depth besides the performance ratings.

it's pretty hard to get good dry, hot weather and icy, cold weather
performance out of the same tire. many manufacturers are now using
multiple tread compounds and tread patterns to improve all season
capability but any all season tire is going to be a compromise and the
higher performance tires are the most compromised.

that said, you need to get rid of your current tires due to poor wet
traction, never mind winter traction. after you select some good wet
traction tires you get to decide whether to go for higher performance
and less winter traction or vice versa. Tegger's suggestion re.
dedicated winter tires is the best way to go. Winter compounds deal
much better with cold roads.

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