Tires for AWD
02-12-2019, 11:29 AM
#1
2014 RDX AWD Tech
Thread Starter
Tires for AWD
One of the front tires was not holding pressure and we got it checked out at a local tire shop. Apparently it has a split which is very close to the sidewall and therefore not repairable. I just want to confirm that both tires on the axle need to be changed (or is it all 4 tires in an AWD model)? Thanks.
02-12-2019, 12:44 PM
#2
Instructor
You want to keep all 4 tires the same circumference size (outside diameter) to avoid car AWD overload. Tirerack offers new tire shaving to a specific diameter for extra charge.
02-12-2019, 09:58 PM
#4
Instructor
02-12-2019, 10:41 PM
#5
2014 RDX AWD Tech
Thread Starter
i did not understand fully your point. I thought RDX being FWD based, wouldn’t that be beneficial to have new tires on the wheels with most traction?? Could you explain please. Or is it the general recommendation for all such cars?
Last edited by Comfy; 02-12-2019 at 10:45 PM.
02-12-2019, 10:48 PM
#6
2014 RDX AWD Tech
Thread Starter
The local Firestone where we went were planning to replace tires with Firestone tires I guess, I asked them that I need the same brand (Michelin) tires and to put back the original tires for now. They said they will see if they can find one and will call me back.
My other option is to go to Acura dealer which is about 40 miles away.
We have an spare car to drive meanwhile and can wait if necessary.
Last edited by Comfy; 02-12-2019 at 10:54 PM.
02-12-2019, 11:53 PM
#7
By law, tire companies are mandated to put the 2 new tires on the front. Steering outweighs/trumps traction.
Last edited by charlie65; 02-12-2019 at 11:55 PM.
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02-13-2019, 08:59 AM
#8
mrgold35
How much wear do you have on the other 3 tires? If you are getting close to 5/32nd, I would just go for 4 new tires. I would also check out the other 3 tires to see if you have any unequal wear like feathering, scalloped, and/or inner or outer wear. Might be time for an alignment also. I've purchased a single used tire from eBay in my exact make/model on my vehicles a few times with wear at 80% to 90% for about $70 shipped. Perfect match treadwear wise with existing tires since I have sh-awd on my RDX and MDX.
02-13-2019, 11:11 AM
#9
Advanced
Funny, but I just went through this and put the two new tires on the rear per Michelin's recommendation. Having more traction in the rear keeps the car in an understeer setup, which is what most non-racing drivers are comfortable with. Alternatively, having new tires on the front and old on the rear would allow the rear tires to break loose first in a hard turn, causing fishtailing that would result in a spin with an average driver.
02-13-2019, 11:56 AM
#10
2014 RDX AWD Tech
Thread Starter
How much wear do you have on the other 3 tires? If you are getting close to 5/32nd, I would just go for 4 new tires. I would also check out the other 3 tires to see if you have any unequal wear like feathering, scalloped, and/or inner or outer wear. Might be time for an alignment also. I've purchased a single used tire from eBay in my exact make/model on my vehicles a few times with wear at 80% to 90% for about $70 shipped. Perfect match treadwear wise with existing tires since I have sh-awd on my RDX and MDX.
02-13-2019, 11:58 AM
#11
2014 RDX AWD Tech
Thread Starter
Funny, but I just went through this and put the two new tires on the rear per Michelin's recommendation. Having more traction in the rear keeps the car in an understeer setup, which is what most non-racing drivers are comfortable with. Alternatively, having new tires on the front and old on the rear would allow the rear tires to break loose first in a hard turn, causing fishtailing that would result in a spin with an average driver.
02-13-2019, 03:17 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
02-13-2019, 11:16 PM
#13
Personal experience. 4 or 5 years ago I bought two new tires at Discount Tire for my one ton Dodge 4 x 4 and instructed them to put them on the rear. I was told by the employee that by law, he couldn't do that. Huh? I asked for the manager and he confirmed what the employee had told me. I asked for the logic behind this train of thought and he couldn't provide any.
When I got home, I swapped the fronts and rears with each other.
When I got home, I swapped the fronts and rears with each other.
Last edited by charlie65; 02-13-2019 at 11:18 PM.
02-14-2019, 05:43 AM
#14
mrgold35
Discount tires tried to sell me 4 new tires on my 08 RDX when one tire was destroyed when I ran over road debris on the hwy. I just wanted two new tires and place them on the same axle. Discount was telling me I had to purchase 4 new tires because of sh-awd (they applied the same rule for all awd vehicles). I had to show them in the owner's manual that 4 new is preferred; but, 2 new is A-OK on the same axle. So glad I had a copy of the owner's manual pdf in my Dropbox.
02-14-2019, 07:55 AM
#15
2014 RDX AWD Tech
Thread Starter
Okay related question. Let’s assume two new tires are placed on the rear. What happens when you rotate them? Won’t they get totally screwed up with the tire diameters then?
02-14-2019, 10:01 AM
#16
Burning Brakes
Not an issue in my case since my tires all wear evenly and if I needed a new tire or pair of tires, if the other two are that worn, I just get a set of four. God, the amount of money spent on useless bling on cars and people can't afford what is really important...tires.
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SandwichViking (02-14-2019)
02-14-2019, 08:32 PM
#17
Hey all, sorry if this has already been answered but what if ya need new sets of tires what is the "recommended" go to?
I think the RDXs come with Michelin. Can any one suggest better ones in terms of thread depth / wear, mileage, ride, etc ?
I think the RDXs come with Michelin. Can any one suggest better ones in terms of thread depth / wear, mileage, ride, etc ?
02-15-2019, 11:11 AM
#19
Advanced
If your front and rear tires are different, you should only rotate onto the same axle. Left rear to Right rear, Right rear to Left rear, ditto for the front.
02-16-2019, 08:48 AM
#20
2014 RDX AWD Tech
Thread Starter
Tire shop called to say they have the tires ready. But mentioned something like Michelin Premier; but the RDX has M Primacy isn’t it. Are they close enough in characteristics so that it doesn’t matter if I use it for the other axle or should I insist on getting the Michelin Primacy?
02-16-2019, 01:38 PM
#21
Stay Out Of the Left Lane
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This may help - https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surve...S&sortValue=20
02-16-2019, 05:18 PM
#22
Instructor
I had the Michelin Premier LTX on My RDX.They were much better than the primacy's.Quiet and great in the rain or snow.They lasted about the same as the primacy,38,000 miles.
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trcollins59 (02-20-2019)
02-16-2019, 06:52 PM
#23
2014 RDX AWD Tech
Thread Starter
This may help - https://www.tirerack.com/tires/surve...S&sortValue=20
Anyway the tire shop ordered the correct ones this time and will call me sometime next week.
02-20-2019, 08:30 AM
#24
Intermediate
Will need new tires soon; only used OE Primacy up to now. Did you notice any increase in noise level on the Premier LTX as mileage increased?
Price being quite a bit lower has made me reluctant to try them.
02-20-2019, 05:29 PM
#25
Instructor
Premier's are quieter that Primacy's and better grip.No noise level change with mileage.
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trcollins59 (02-21-2019)
02-20-2019, 08:38 PM
#26
2014 RDX AWD Tech
Thread Starter
Update
Just want to keep you in the loop. I got the tires changed today with the OEM Michelin primacy MXM4.
It was ironic that even though the tire shop’s window prominently displayed the reason for putting new tires in the rear, the guy convinced me otherwise. He stated that my tires have very minimal wear and therefore that logic doesn’t apply in my case.
He stated that newer tires on the front would wear a tiny bit faster on the fronts and eventually all fours would end up with relatively same wear.
Now here’s a picture of what I found in my damaged tire. A screw. The head is barely noticeable outside since it sits so flush but inside was a different story.
Just to wrap up, I had requested my good tire back as I handed my keys earlier but they forgot and had to look for it when I asked. But I made sure I got it back before I left the place.
Later on I checked the invoice which stated scrap tire recycling fee 2:00 x 2 =$4:00.
Did they really intended to destroy that good tire?
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