gks

I'm trying to get snow tires on my old TL and I'm a noob when it comes to cars overall.
I was checking on tire rack and their website recommended the following setup 225/55/17 whereas the OEM setup is 245/50/17.
When I checked at Costco for the setup they told that the 225 setup has lower load rating 97, instead of OEM 98 and it won't be a good idea to install those.

So I wanted inputs whether it makes sense to go with 225 set as someone told me that narrower tires handle snow better.

Also, any recommendations on the cheap wheels which I can use to throw these winter tires on? I understand that I've to look for the bolt patter which I think is 5x120, but is there a recommended offset which I've to stick to? I tried to see if the owners manual had any inputs on this, but didn't find any.

While checking for TPMS sensors I found some on eBay for $20 or so, would I need any equipment or do they auto learn, search results were confusing.

Thanks!

csmeance

225/55/17 is fine and very close to the factory size, only 0.37% larger! As far as load rating, the load rating on factory 19" wheels is 94 so you should be fine with 97. As far as wheels go, you can find used stock wheels pretty cheap or go with some euro wheels and a hub ring to make sure they don't cause vibrations like BMW wheels!

gks

Thank you.

But is it recommended to go with Bigger and slightly narrower winter tires? TIA

csmeance

Depends on if it's hard pack snow or not. Hard pack snow requires wider tires! Softer snow will do best with narrow tires so the tires can bite into the snow.

Edward'TLS

On dry road, you are looking for much reduced handling performance and increased braking distance using the narrower-than-OEM winter tires.

Riboflavin

I've been running the 225/55/17 winter tire package from TireRack for 5 years with no problems.

I went with Blizzak WS80s on TireRack's cheap Sport Edition KM11 17x8 +40 offset, but I have absolutely no handling issues at all. Within the past 5 years, I've had to panic brake a couple times and/or suddenly swerve away from obstacles with no significant problems. Granted, they definitely don't grip like my Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/40/19s in the middle of summer, but I have yet to come close to finding the lateral wet or dry grip limits with them during normal driving situations (exception being hard acceleration onto a highway from a dead stop in the wet, TCS kicks in), even with the chunky sidewalls.

Speaking of chunky sidewalls, my coworkers jokingly say my car with my winter setup reminds them of the Viper TV show from the 90s when it goes into off-road mode, so that's the only downside I've seen but I like it lmao. I also like how the lower offset than OEM (+55) widens the stance slightly instead of giving it the UPS truck look.



If you get the tire/wheel package from TireRack, just get the TPMS sensors from them to be installed as they mount the tires. Otherwise, you'll have to pay a tire shop to unmount the tires, install TPMS, re-mount tires, and re-balance (i made that mistake the hard way.) Unless you get a homeboy hookup at a tire shop or do the work yourself, do the math to make sure it'll be cheaper to just get them installed from TireRack.

If you get the TPMS sensors from eBay and they're compatible with our TPMS system, no you don't have to program anything, just drive for 30mph for over a minute and the sensors should start transmitting.

csmeance

take a look at these in the black market:
https://acurazine.com/forums/market/984824

echodigital

Acura sold me a Steel 225/55/17 tire set. It's basically a Steel Honda rim that goes on Honda Ridgeline 2006-2014. This size really makes the ride super plush.

gks

That looks awesome.

Blipper

My 12 TL 6 MT - Pilot wheels and 235 55 17 Pirelli Sottozeros