Wander

You sound like my dad: "Buy the cheapest rubber you can find."

When I tried to explain that performance depends on the quality of the rubber, he looked a bit puzzled.

DriverOne

I didn't buy the cheapest tires, it was sort of middle-of-the-pack. I just didn't really keep track of them, however. Like I said, on a car forum, I get that this would be considered to be stupid, but I'm not really into cars. Like when I see people obsessing on the Advance rims and how they're like "I'm embarrassed to be out in public with them," that doesn't register with me. I might see a really old beater car with hubcaps -- which I never really noticed stopped being used, but I guess they did, ha ha -- or a really low-end car with really really ugly rims and cringe, but that's about it. When I see detail videos about people dressing their tires, that's ridiculous to me.

mathnerd88

On a nice car like the RDX, I would definitely just get Michelin all-seasons and change them out when needed (2/10 or below). I generally change them out at like 3/10 or so. Defenders LTX or Premier LTX comes to mind. I wouldn't skimp when it comes to tires. You can easily hydroplane or lose control on cheaper tires. My dad was like you, and kept on riding on tires until they "go bad." One day on the highway, he hydroplaned and almost killed himself. He was lucky and his car slid into a ditch.

I just go on Tirerack and pick one of the top 5 best rated tires in the category.

Unless you had an extra set of rims or extra storage in the garage, swapping out tires seasonally is a waste of money. I lived in the snowy states- NJ and MA and I was able to get away with all seasons in my sedan before I got the RDX.

catalytic_ca

That's what everyone says until they get snow tires... it makes a big difference, and you yourself said "I wouldn't skimp when it comes to tires. You can easily hydroplane or lose control on cheaper tires". Same goes for sliding on snow or ice. When the temperature drops below 5-7 C (41-45 F), the rubber on all-season tires start losing their ability to grip. The softer rubber on snow / winter tires maintain their grip as the temperature drops.

Just think how much just one accident would cost you... if you avoid even one accident, the snow / winter tires would pay for themselves.

mathnerd88

Also, most of us at MA and NJ have learned when to drive out there when it snows. Even though I’ve been driving in 4-5 inches of snow in these states, it happens on rare occasions. Most of us plan ahead and don’t need to go out when there’s lots of snow on the ground.

When I was still driving my G37x before the RDX, I was pretty confident in the snow with Continental DWS06’s. I understand that snow tires are better, but truthfully, I perhaps only drive once a year on snowy days. Snow tires are extremely noisy and I have to find storage for them if I buy them. It’s not worth it to me.

DriverOne

This sounds like something that may be true but is simultaneously irrelevant. "Start losing their ability to grip" to what degree? I've never seen a car sliding around on the road wildly at 45 F.

DougWilsonsSlapper

Which HUD?

supafamous

Same. I live in the very mild climate of Vancouver and even in our conditions love the extra traction and safety of winter tires. It's not even about the accidents I could avoid but the confidence that I can drive with in the same way that when I get high quality summer/all-season tires that I'm not the least bit concerned about heavy rain etc.