Hello,

So I'm in the process to pick up a set of winters and a friend has recommended Michelin X-Ice Xi2. The same friend also recommends going to Costco to get tires because of their warranty, pricing and use of nitrogen to inflate vs. compressed air. Anyway, when I went to Costco to get a price on the X-ice,the guy working asked what car I have and then went to check up on the specs of the car and the X-Ice. He said it is recommended I go with a V rated tire, which would be the Michelin Alpine PA3, since the stock MXM4 is V-rated and that is what should be used. The X-Ice is T rated (I think) and he said it is a 2 level jump down which is totally not recommended. The funny thing all the Acura dealerships here in Toronto are selling a winter package with the X-Ice. The guy at Costco said tire shops and dealerships just get a big shipment and try to sell it to the masses without really looking at the specs.

So my question is, how important is the speed rating to the performance of the car?

I did more research and found out that the PA3s are stiffer so it's more durable(X-Ice is a hard core ice/snow tire, PA3 is a more overall winter tire..supposedly) which would suit my needs since I commute a fair distance. The other kicker is the price....the PA3s are about $200 more for the set.

Thanks and sorry for the long winded post.

 

Everyone of the 5 Acuras we've had/have came with V rated tires, but I never replaced them with V rated tires. I did replace them with H rated tires, though. The reason for the V rating is the supposed top speed of the car. I don't know where you live, but where I live (NYS), you'd have a hard time making the 130 mph of the H rated tires. The first 3 Acuras we had were leased & the H's were never an issue on turn-in. H's should also be better in the snow than V's unless you're going with winter tires, which usually have their own set of speed ratings. Just MHO, FWIW.