Republican TL

I have noticed recently with the cold weather that my tires (the HPT Bridgestone RE030s) have been breaking loose on acceleration when they are cold. In 1st and 2nd. Once they are warmed up though they are ok...but it seems that I do not think its wise to ride these babies through the winter. Anyone else notice this? I think I may be going to my local tire man to get some new rubber.

A-TLvic882

My friend with 2004 Acura TL - SSM 6MT w/HPT got M+S tires for winter

6mtV6

HPT takes longer to warm up when the weather is cold. Change the tires before it snows. In the snow, HPT won't have any traction.

EmuMessenger

Aside from the standpoint of safety, the compound will wear much faster. As I understand things, you should not use summer tires when the surface temperature is less than 40 degrees.

3PUTT

i got rid of my HPTs. i practically slid while turning at an intersection.
you're better off getting either a winter set or a very highly rated all season tires with M+S rating...

avs007

I have Michelin Pilot Sports on my car right now. These tires have crap for traction when it is less than about 50 degrees outside. I scared the crap out of my wife, when I fishtailed onto the main road, a few days ago... They are called Summer Tires, becuase the tread compound is suited for a summer climate, which the tire shop described to me as being > 60 degrees. When it gets cold out, the tread compound becomes hard, loses it's adhesion characteristics, and will actually wear faster (vulcanize?), at least that's what I was told. I'm driving very carefully right now, as my Pilot Sport All Seasons haven't arrived yet, and I know of a few people on these boards that totalled their car, because they were driving in about 20-30 degree weather, slid off the bare pavement.

In fact, just yesterday on the news, a guy flipped his Vette and died on the freeway. They estimated he was doing 100+ when he lost control of his car. Having driven on that exact same stretch of freeway, I'm pretty sure he lost control of his car, because the Vette had summer tires, and despite it being 35 degrees outside, thought he could take the curves as aggressively as during warmer weather.

Oh... And don't event think about trying to drive on any type of frozen precipitation with summer tires...

Republican TL

Wow, that is a sobering story. I ordered the A-Spec suspension and it arrives sometime next weak. I think I'll get some high performance all seasons before the install and just keep the RE030s in the garage.

PoochaKannInc

If you are keeping the RE030's may I suggest you get some dedicated snow tires? They offer a better grip in the snowy climes than high performance all-seasons (they are a compromise), and you can change back to the HPT's in the summer.

I have the EL42's now. I'm planning on driving them through the winter (VERY CAREFULLY), and getting some summer tires & wheels in the spring. Maybe by the time it is the winter of 05/06, I will invest in some dedicated snows.

geminis2

All I Can Say Is Blizzak

New2004AcuraTLman

BLIZZAK = BRIDGESTONE = SUCK

geminis2

Ok then get Blizzak

cM3go

actually this is one tire that Bridgestone makes very well. Blizzacks do not suck

soljc

I bought my 04 TL last March and figured the HPTs would get me through the remainder of the winter, but a few weeks later I nearly sideswiped a parked car driving 10mph in just a dusting of snow. I absolutely recommend anyone with HPTs switch to a dedicated snow (or at least an all-season) if you live in winter conditions. Your safety is surely worth the extra $500.