docboy

Has anyone tried driving their TL w/SH-AWD with all season tires in the snow?
How does it drive and handle in the slush, compared to say a Subaru or MDX?

I've driven an 08 MDX and Subaru in the snow before (both with all season tires). They handled very well in the snow, and was able to go in areas where my 05 TSX could not.

How does the TL with AWD fare? All responses appreciated.

tsxcisa

Dude: If you're going to be driving in the snow alot (or in icy conditions regularly) you need to install 4 quality winter tires

PetesTL

I highly recommend dedicated snow tires for winter driving.....whether you have AWD or not. A lot of people mistakenly believe AWD makes your car invincible in the the snow....NOT! It's traction that makes all the difference. You can take a sports car and put snow tires on it and it will out-handle most SUV's w/all-seasons in the snow. Snow tires turns the SH-AWD TL into a bonafide "Billy Goat" in the winter.

MichiganRich

I took delivery of mine on January 1st, and as you can see in my pic I feel I'm qualified to say that it handles incredibly in the snow.

couch257

My wife drives an 07MDX and I have the TL. Both handle great in the snow. We had some good snow storms here in MA this year and the TL did really well. I dont have dedicated snow tires but I agree with PetesTL. Good tires make the difference

YetiTL

Sorry but do yourself a favor and buy dedicated snow tires. You bought a fine luxury sedan, buy the same quality for tires. Remember you have only what...8-16 square inches of rubber that keep you on the road.

Even if I pay 2k for wheels and snow tires (or whatever) I don't care. What's important is that me and my passengers are safe and that I don't represent a road hazard for other drivers.

In fact, in Quebec, we have a law that stipulates that between december 15 and march 15, you have to equip your vehicule with snow tires.

JD23

I've made it through winters in Illinois with FWD and all-seasons, so while useful, I doubt that winter tires are a necessity on the TL. I'm also curious about how the TL handles in snow with OEM tires and am hoping that the future posts can provide more than a lecture about winter tires.

danimal1968

So what do you guys recommend to someone in central Ohio where we might get 5 inches of snow all year or we might get 50? Switch on a weekly basis depending upon whether its 5 degrees outside or 50? It's easy to say if I lived in Quebec (or even if I lived in one of Lake Erie's lake effect snow areas such as Cleveland or Buffalo) I'd get a second set of tires, but I don't.

Olu

Not sure what the big deal is. Snow tires are SOOOO much better then they used to be and well worth it. I haven't had my TL in the snow yet, but I plan on getting snow tires. You don't change them every week, you leave them on during your snow season. I live in Boston so I have snow tires on from late November to April. I plan on doing the same with the TL. AWD only helps you when pressing the accelerator, otherwise you're in the same situation as everyone else. AWD will not make you stop faster (in fact the extra weight hurts you) and won't help you around turns unless you're on the gas.

McAcura

Any suggestions on a snow tire and rim combination?

PetesTL

I just used my stock 18" rims with Dunlop Wintersport M3's. Last year, I bought 19" rims and dedicated summer tires. To me, this is the best way to go.....that way, when the time comes, all you do is just swap rims with the appropriate tires on it. If you still need to get rims, go to tirerack.com for the right combo......just don't spend too much for winter wheels.

jangkai

I think it'd be perfect to use the AWD's stock 18" wheels with winter tires, which is what I plan to do.

danimal1968

If you change the wheels along with the tires, will that impact the TPMS?

blkaspec

i picked up these(michelin x-ice xi2) for this past winter and they worked great. never had snows before but they were well worth the $. i have a 3G with 18" in the summer with all-season pirelli p-zero neros, so i can still drive in a little snow, but when the sky dumps i get scared. i went with the stock 17" size and they worked great. i went with a cheaper OEM look-a-like rims and have been super happy. summer tires wont work for me because they wear so quick and i drive a lot, but a performance all-season in the warmer months and a dedicated snow/ice tire in the winter is the only way i will go in MI from now on.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....rtnum=16TR7XI2

PetesTL

You will need to get a whole new set for the new wheels/tires.

blkaspec

you dont need a new set, but you will just get some sort of warning every time you drive. they are not cheap so some choose to not install them, but if you do, you will need to buy a whole new set like PetesTL said...

danimal1968

Thanks. I was looking at that over at tirerack.com, and it said that a set of 4 sensors costs $164.

PetesTL

To me, it's worth it to get another set of TPMS sensors....just for peace of mind when driving. Without it, it's easy to forget to check your air pressure on a regular basis and riding on under-or over-inflated tires will hurt gas mileage and can be dangerous.

danimal1968

If I do it, there's no question that I'd get the sensors.

tman

Look for take off wheels for sale on ebay or Craigslist. I bought a set of 4 wheels with sensors for $500, then I bought set of snow tires. All kinds of sets for sale, unless you want a different look. The 17" fwd wheels will fit if you don't mind getting 17" snow tires.

tman

Here is sample, I do not know the reputation of this seller, but they have 100% rating.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2009-...Q5fAccessories