**This is my first post, so please tell me if I've done anything wrong**

I just bought my 2013 TSX Tech within the last month, it currently has I'm guessing the original all season tires because they aren't great.

Anyways I am currently looking at the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 winter tires and the Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II winter tires.

Here is my situation: I realize there is a fairly large price difference between the two tires, but the kicker is my girlfriend drives my car from time to time and she is used to driving a van and the difference in the gas pedal sensitivity is hard for her to get used to lol. We live an hour and a bit Northeast of Toronto, On, Canada and we get pretty decent winters. I want my TSX to make it through the winter unscathed if possible. Anyones experience with either of these two tires would be greatly appreciated or others types as well?

 

No experience with those but one more resource you can use to see how they do is the test ratings for different tires on tire rack. Really good accurate stuff. Reviews are always subjective based on a person's experience but the numbers in those tests don't lie.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ertesting=true

 

X-Ice have great reviews, you likely won't be disappointed. Check out Bridgestone Blizzak WS tires too. I hear they're good too. And this is coming from a guy who lives in Toronto , so I know what you mean by "decent winters".

 

+1 to blizzak's.

I had them on my Si last year. Looking for a set for the TSX this year.

 

Thanks, for the replies. My last question is, do I stay with the stock 225/50R17/XL size tires? The reason I ask is because I know some people go for a thinner tire for better traction, but I'm not sure if that applies on the TSX.

 

I had Pirelli Winter Sottozero 2's in the stock size for the past couple of winters. They performed great in the snow. I am probably going to buy Sottozero 3's this year.

 

Don't go wider than stock size. And yes it's common for people to run thinner tires with a thicker side wall.

 

i got the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 for my tsx v6 and gf's nissan altima. It was really good... never slipped yet and we both drove thru that polar vortex storm this year [ located in New York]

 

If you are purchasing rims too, then you can try to get thinner tires. just fyi.. u can get steel rims for cheap but they only go up to 15" wheels

 

You can get steel rims above 15" in diameter. Unless you meant 16"+ will no longer be considered cheap...

 

thanks for the correction.. 16x6.5 (not sure if this fits) are about $60 (non-sale price) at tirerack. maybe you can find cheaper ones on craigslist or something

 

Approximately how many kms do you think you got out of the Pirelli's?

 

been running blizzak ws70 for the past two winters with no issues. i drive to vermont for my snowboarding trips from new york

 

I got about 9,000 miles (3 winters) out of the Pirelli Sottozero 2's. I hit a pothole at the end of last winter and tore the sidewall on one of them.

 

Wow, that must have been a big pothole, thanks for the info, good to know.

 

This is my third season with X-ice 3. Great tires for both snow and dry weather. Great on ice. A bit pricey, but well worth it.

 

For "best" winter handling you would want a thinner tire with a taller sidewall, so the smaller the wheel, the better - but it still needs to clear all of the suspension and brake bits.

A narrower tire will put more weight per square inch on the ground and the taller sidewall will be more compliant over bad pavement.

However, in reality you'll probably see far fewer bad weather days than dry pavement so the theory discussed above is mostly immaterial.

What is important is to have decent winter tires. Either the Michelin or the Blizzak (or the ContiExtreme Winter, or...) are fine tires that will serve you well in most driving conditions

 

Good to know, I'm definitely leaning towards the Michelin X-Ice's. Thanks