f001

Hey,

I was wondering if anyone has looked into winter rims/tires for the 3G RDX. Would I be able to go down to 17/18 inch rims? Any recommendations for tires? My dealer wasn't sure, and I wont't get my A-SPEC until early September to do any measurements.

Thanks!

MTD

I have a set of Acura TPMS, 18" alloy wheels and a set of Blizzkcs all from my old 2017 RDX. Pending it all fitting and working lol, that will be my winter set up.

The spare is a 17" wheel, so its safe to guess thats the smallest size. Finding a set of 17" or 18" wheels from the last gen RDX would prob be the cheapest and easiest route to go.

Im curious how the Snow mode works. Splits the SHAWD up differently, locks the diffs, starts in 2nd gear, all of the above maybe.

MI-RDX

Deadens throttle response (a bunch), changes shift points - I've already tested that. Can't say if it starts in a higher gear or not, haven't played that much.

May change AWD but I'm not sure how but I'd bet it will kill all the performance logic because when roads are snow covered you definitely do not want the car to throw you around a curve like on dry roads. I doubt it will lock the diffs because that would defeat the ability to get power to the wheel with the most traction and spinning both wheels on the same axle is a sure way to get that end of the vehicle to go sideways.

MTD

Makes sense. The dead throttle will limit wheelspin. Sounds almost like ECO mode on my TLX lol. It would drift nicely in the snow with the TCS turned off.

The SHAWD MDX I had was a beast in the winter months, so Id suspect the RDX will be similar.

Wander

I test fit a 17 x 6.5 inch wheel, +45 offset, from a winter setup for a 1st-gen MDX, and it cleared the brakes. So 18 x 7.5 inch +45 from 2017 RDX should be just fine. I'll probably go this route myself. Unless I'm so vain I want the 19" wheels instead.

But I think your TPMS sensors from the 2017 RDX are incompatible, unfortunately. Amongst other issues, the old sensors transmitted at 315 MHz, and 2019 RDX requires 433 MHz. Correct part number is 42753-T6N-A01

Wander

Yes, "snow mode" changes throttle response. And it changes shift points.

No, it won't lock diffs. It couldn't lock the front diff if it wanted to, because it's fully open. But in addition to working the rear diff computer-controlled clutches, there is lots of magic that will be done by massaging the individual brakes, as needed. You will have to work at it to get the thing sideways, because of the very active traction control / stability control system. But it can be certainly be done, if you don't especially care where you end up.

fr4c

Does anyone know if we can register (2) sets of TPMS with the vehicle? In my previous vehicles I've always dealt with the TPMS light being on in the winter, so just curious to see if Acura is any different.

pgeorg

Acura registers the new sensors automatically. Every time you change wheels and tires, it will register the new sensors automatically. You just need to drive a couple of miles for that to happen.

MTD

Wander, great info. Not that Im doubting you, but how did you come up with that part#? I looked it up and it appears to be NSX specific, while all the other newer sensors seem compatiableon any newer Acura. My sensors are 42753-TZ3-A51 and 315 MHz. I know the RDX has tire fill assist, but so does the MDX and TLX and they all use the same sensors I believe.

Wander

My local dealer looked up the TMPS sensors, and Bernardi lists the same thing. https://acura.bernardiparts.com

But apparently there is a minor change, because 42753-T6N-A02 replaces 42753-T6N-A01. I'm being told either should work. I'll know more when I mount them up, because I ended up with three of the -A01 and one of the -A02 version. But these are definitely 433 MHz sensors; they say so on the housing. These appear to be the same physical sensors that I had for my 2016 Honda Pilot, but apparently the programming may be different for different vehicles.

As stated above, the vehicle should detect compatible sensors and pair them with no user intervention required. Just drive it a few miles and it "just works".

I ended up ordering refinished 18" 2nd-gen RDX wheels, and my local Discount Tire is getting ahold of the new Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV winter tires.

If our current rain were coming down as snow, it would be up to the rooftops!

MI-RDX

Yeah, you guys have been getting hammered pretty bad. My brother was up there last week and the hotel where he was staying flooded (12" of water in his room). His car was sitting in 3+ feet of water - insurance company totaled it. He was 1,000 miles from home with no car and no rentals available. Ended up spending a couple days car shopping.

Wander

Ouch. Maybe the Fairfield Inn in Middleton. It's still closed. I hope he found a car he likes; that's not the preferred method of car shopping.

We narrowly escaped floating a couple vehicles because we were out and about when the flash flooding first hit. We live on a hill, but getting there was "interesting". Many of the roads turned into rivers. The valley below us got hammered. Homes flooded, roads washed out.

Now the river valleys just north of us are getting it. Not good.

MI-RDX

Sounds familiar so that's probably it. Was visiting relatives in Middleton and fortunately they had a car he could borrow for a few days so it could have been a lot worse.

Drive by and see if there's an older GMC Yukon in the parking lot (if the insurance company hasn't picked it up yet), that would have been his.

ssacuraho

I'm looking into winter tire options and am just now learning about the benefits of hub-centric vs lug-centric rims. Do we know if the OEM rims from the 2nd generation RDXs would give a hub-centric fit for the 2019s?

I'm trying to figure out what I need to get it right for the long-term.

Wander

AFAIK most (all?) recent OEM Honda/Acura wheels have the same center bore ( 64.1 mm ). 2nd-gen RDX wheels and 3rd-gen ( 2019 ) share this spec.

This site has lots of data, most of which seems to be correct:

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/acura/rdx/

Burger Steak & Eggs

That site thinks the 2019 RDX still carries a V6. Oh well, maybe they just did a cut and paste a few months ago and haven't gotten around to updating yet.

Wander

Let me fix that:

This site has lots of data, some of which seems to be correct:

Sadly, that describes most of the internet.

Newsy1904

I'm thinking of going with 235/60R18 for snows for my Tech package.

As for rims, a best as I can research, the offset of the OEM rims is 45mm. What are the issues around having an offset of 38mm or 40mm as is found in a lot of the 3rd party rims available at independent tire shops?

.

bluntman72

According to this, the OEM 19" rims have an offset of 50mm.

http://www.urvi.net/forumfiles/SB/BII07802-27.PDF

Choosing a rim with a lower offset (lower number) will only push your wheels out. There is a slight chance that rubbing of the fender will occur if you push your wheels out too much and your wheels are too big for the opening (and you have a soft suspension).

Choosing a rim with higher offset (high number) will push your wheels towards your suspension parts and may cause some rubbing of the inner wheel well lining.

I plan on using the OEM rims from my Platinum Elite as my winter rims and I will mount a set of Nokian R3 winter tires in 235/55R19. I have a set of summer rims (20x8.5 with a 35 offset) and tires (255/45R20).

Newsy1904

I'm looking at rims online that are stated as being +40mm and I'll be using 18 inch rims with correctly sized tires so that the overall diameter is pretty much the same as the OEM 235/55R19 tires.

235/60R18 29.10" -0.26% smaller than OEM (OEM 29.18")

When I go into the shop tomorrow I'll ask about the offset and see what they can offer that is not listed online.

PS... my figures come from the 1010Tire size calculator.

.

HotRodW

When you guys/gals are shopping for wheels and comparing offsets, don't forget to take the wheel width into consideration. A 7.5" wide wheel and 8.5" wide wheel with the same offset will fit differently. Good online wheel calculators should make that clear.

Wander

Another "feature" that is sometimes neglected is scrub radius. The suspension and steering are designed to pivot the front tire in a particular place relative to the centerline of the vehicle. If you change the offset, you change the effective scrub radius and that can alter the steering response, usually for the worse. The better wheel fit calculators will reveal this.

I have personally experienced this effect, ranging from barely noticeably to "a real handful", depending on how much I changed the offset, and the overall width and grip of the tires. It's not just obscure theory.

Newsy1904

Trying to find 3rd party 18" or 19"x8" with a +50mm offset has proven to be a waste of time and I'm in no way going to spend $2700+ CAD for genuine Acura rims. Even +45mm offset are hard to find.

The new TPMS monitors via Acura are about $92 each here. I have not found a generic but even then they range from $40 to $55 CAD typical.

For now I'm going to have a tire shop remove the all seasons and put on my new snows and hopefully in a year from now we will see more 3rd party options.

.

bluntman72

The tire shop that I always go to has yet to receive the "programming" for their aftermarket TPMS sensors for our vehicle. They said hopefully might have it, hopefully, by the time I need to put on my winter rims and tires. Apparently, they tried the 2018 RDX programming, but that didn't work.

qwxilvr

HotRodW

Like most OE fitments, +50 is a really conservative. Going to +40 or even a bit lower will open up a ton of aftermarket options. An 8"/+40 fitment will only poke out an additional .4". Most people wouldn't even notice that.

Wander

OEM wheel spec

The spec I trust is the one molded into the cast aluminum of the wheel on my car: 19x8J 50

Spec isn't just about being "conservative". The hub ( wheel bearings ), suspension and steering geometry are designed around the spec. As for why the wheels/tires don't "fill out the wheel wells" to the edge of the fenders, it's desirable for an SUV to have clearance for the inevitable build-up of frozen slush in winter.

Having said that, in the past I have ended up with aftermarket winter wheels with an offset 5-10mm or so less than stock, and they have worked fine. Same with "mismatched" OEM wheels from different models. But those tires were the same width as stock, no wider.

Consider refinished/remanufactured OEM wheels as an alternative to paying sky-high prices for new OEM wheels ( from any appropriate model of car ). But I suggest steering clear of clear-coated machined wheels because they corrode relatively quickly from road salt ( been there... ). Painted is better. No shiny clear-coated surfaces. Same applies to aftermarket wheels.

Also, OEM TPMS sensors are available online, probably for less $ than you would spend at a tire shop. It just takes some advance planning to get ahold of them. Local shops will be happy to use them.

qwxilvr

SUVGuy

Is there any harm going from the OEM 20" wheels on the A-Spec down to 18" wheels for winter? Dealerships near me are starting to clear out 18" winter wheel&rim packages from the 2G RDX and I was thinking of saving some $$$ as long as it doesn't compromise anything in terms of handling/safety with the car.

bluntman72

There is nothing wrong with that, it is quite common as you will usually end up with a thinner tire, but with a taller sidewall. The thinner tire will enable you to cut through deep snow. The only thing you will need to ensure is that the smaller rim clears the brake caliper.

crash1977mtl

I originally had 17" wheels on a 2013 RDX - Blizzak DM2 - P235/65/17 - about 1 year old.

I picked up a Canadian 2019 RDX Platinum Elite (i guess equivalent to SH-Advance package).

My dealer told me the 17" wheels would be "too small" for the 2019 RDX.

Any thoughts around the safety of using 17" wheels on a 2019 ? TireRack does list this as an acceptable tire but the dealer has scared me away from it.

bluntman72

A -2 tire package may not clear the brake caliper/rotor. A third party may not have all of the most up to date information on the 2019 and may simply be going by the 2018 specs. Case in point, when I had my summer rims and tires installed, the tire dealer used the 2018 RDX TPMS programming, it didn't work. So instead of waiting for the up to date programming, I opted for a OEM sensors.

HotRodW

Tire Rack test fits everything they sell before they okay it. But just because Tire Rack offers 17's that fit, it doesn't mean all 17's will fit. Personally, I think 17" is too small for the RDX. You'll save a few bucks and likely a few pounds of unsprung weight as well, but you'll also sacrifice some handling and dry road grip. Some might disagree with me, but believe there is such a thing as too much sidewall.

Wander

I'm old enough to remember when 75 or 80 was the standard profile ratio for light truck tires. And nobody in their right mind would have put a 50 series on an SUV. It's a good thing suspension and shock absorber technology has progressed, or we would all be beat to crap, and so would our cars or trucks.

Having said that, I'm going with 18 inch winter wheels for my RDX, even though I demonstrated that 17 inch 1st-gen MDX wheels would fit. The handling of the 3rd-gen RDX is so crisp it would be a shame to lose too much of it to sidewall flex. Although winter tires aren't necessarily the sportiest handlers anyway. I'll be assessing whether Nokian's marketing claims for their new Hakka R3 SUV tires have merit, or if they are pure spin. ( pun intended )

Burger Steak & Eggs

Its been a while since I had Hakks but from my experience they are unbeatable in deep snow but not quite as stellar on ice or hard packed snow. The rubber tends to be harder.....you could feel the difference pushing your thumb into the tread on the Hakks versus Blizzaks for example. Blizzaks are soft like gum rubber, which is what gives them better stick on hard packed surfaces, but they also wear out much faster.

HotRodW

ssacuraho

I am also curious about the ability to use 17", specifically 235-65-17. My tire place claims that the wheel fitment specifications are unchanged in the 2019 RDX compared to the previous generation, and they offer a hubcentric 17" wheel, but not 18". Can anyone confirm the hub size on the RDX - both 2019 and previous? (Some websites claim 64.1mm, but they also claim that the 2019 has a V6...)

ssacuraho

After much searching, I think I found an OEM-like 3rd party winter wheel.

https://fastco-canada.dcatalog.com/r...gDemo/#page=68

C$700+tax for a set from my tire place.

Newsy1904

1010tire.com has the Gunmetal Gray version listed but not the gloss black - search for Replika R191 or just R191. One thing your page shows me is that this wheel is hub centric which 1010 does not show. Thanks!
.

Spiller

Good find! Looks like 1010tires does have both Gunmetal Grey and the Gloss Black?

What would look better on the A-Spec?