csj0952

So I'm looking at purchasing snow tires in the near future for my new RDX ASPEC.

When I go on Tirerack putting in the paremters, I get only 3 options:
Michelin Latitude Alpin LA2
Pirelli Scorpion Winter
Yokohama Bluearth Winter V905

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...inLoadRating=S


Should I be looking at a different tire size like a 245 rather than 255? What's my best option?

RDX10

Your best option would be to buy a set of dedicated winter wheels and tires (17" is best). Partially because 20" wheels are super expensive and partially because larger rims with smaller sidewall means they will wear faster and have less tread to bite into the snow. Also it would be annoying to have to change the rubber each season.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Do you know if 17" rims would fit? I have a feeling some 17" rims might not clear the brakes...not sure though.

Otherwise, for sure getting a set of smaller rims would be your best bet. Narrower tires also do better in the snow in general as they can "dig" deeper.

RDX10

Sorry yes I should have clarified, make sure they will clear the brakes too. I was trying to say that 17" rims are the standard, should not have said they were best.

ssacuraho

Much discussion here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-rdx-...s-rims-972627/

Madd Dog

RDX10

The problem with doing that on the RDX is that the smallest size are 19" iirc and that's still pretty expensive. My neighbor has a 2019 RDX Elite-platinum and she is using the same 17" winter wheels she was using on her 2017 RDX fwiw.

csj0952

Guys, I can't buy new rims at this time due to my budget. What's my best option to use existing rims?

Marty790

RDX10

You don't have to buy actual rims, you could buy steelies (usually like $50 each) and the rubbers are much cheaper so you save money by going that route. You also keep your OEM rims in better condition. You should calculate the cost of 20" winters plus cost of switching the tires over vs the cost of smaller diameter steelies plus tires. I have a feeling the second option would be cheaper both short term and long term.

RDX10

I cannot get over how absolutely gorgeous the A-Spec wheels are. There is no way the designer of the Elite model wheels designed the A-Spec wheels.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

This.

Since 17" rims would fit, I also think 17" steelies + winter tires would be cheaper than 20" winter tires.

RDX10

Not to mention more effective!!!!

EFR

Thanks for posting. I have a few weeks left to get winter tires and definitely more options in that size than 255's, and better options in brands, etc, with the 245's too. I was worried, as I always am, about any rubbing issues with the 50 ratio but assume they fit fine for you. Goodyear has a $200 rebate on their Ultra Grip Ice WRT, which nets a pretty good price.

cheffip

RDX10

My neighbour uses the same 17" steelies off her old RDX on her 2019 RDX, I'm fairly certain they will fit.

Colorado Guy AF Ret.

Didn't see it mentioned here, but, you have to stay with the original tire diameter that came on the vehicle. Or VERY close to it. Tire Rack will give you the info.

The 20" tire diam on the RDX is 29.1". IF it has the factory 19's, the tire diam. is still 29.2". You can go with '18's, tire size 235-60-18 and the diam. is 29.1" I've never checked IF there are any 17" tires that can give you that diam. you need.

IF you mess with the diam. then all the "nanny systems" on the RDX....or any vehicle....will be messed up...your mileage info. will be off....speedo off, etc. NOT a good thing to do. Stay within approx. .3" of the factory tire's diam.

Read the supplied "tire info" on Tire Rack's web site. It will explain all this and more.

csj0952

I'm thinking you guys may have persuaded me to go with the 18 inch and 235-60-18.....what would be the best tire at this size?

Colorado Guy AF Ret.

If you are talking about a "Winter snow tire"....I'm not sure, but, I do know that the Bridgestone Blizzaks have been known to be one of the best for many years now. I only need/use All Season tires, and try to always buy the best out there.

A call to a very helpful company like Tire Rack...discussing your vehicle and your needs is what I have done many times. Tire Rack does not have " a dog in the hunt"....they are honest about every tire they sell. They will tell you IF a
certain tire is not as good as another and why. They have test tracks for dry driving, wet, and have a winter test track in Norway I believe.....and the tire folks have to drive every new tire that comes out using their fleet of BMW's.

They compile data from all their own testing, plus, put on their web site what customers think of a certain tire....with the vehicle they are driving, where they are located etc. I generally stick to what Tire Rack has come up with since
they are more objective in their analysis vs everyday folks who are more subjective.

RDX10

My favorite snow tires are Michelin X-ice 2 tires, had them on my 2007 RDX and it was like glue to the road!!! Also great call going with 18's, looking at the cost of tires, it's like half of what you were showing for the 20's!!

csj0952

Is there a rim that looks slightly better than the steelies? They just look like poop really. Can one put an interesting hub cap on them or something to make it look somewhat more interesting yet maintaining a dark black look rather than silver? Or is there some kind of black rim that is slightly more money than steelies but not $2000 either. Would want 18"

cheffip

csj0952

How would I know what "width rim" I would need for the Blizzak DM-V2 235-60-R18
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...wtpackage=true

I was just looking at this as cheap rim but I'm not sure what width and offset I would need?
https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Whee...odClar=#survey


Or if I go steelies route, how do I know they would fit the above tire? What things do I need to consider?

BLEXV6

I assume they would work. I put the snow tires from our 11 RDX onto my 14 RDX. The only issue is the TMPS had to be changed.

Shironeko

I don't like the steelies as well, so I go with these wheels this time. You can find the details in the following thread.

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-rdx-...inters-973809/

Shironeko

If you are going with 18", get the 18x8J for 235/60 R18 tyres. Your choice of rim in 18" should fit fine with offset 40. My rim is with offset 42 with a couple mm to spare from the edge of the fender.
Check out my previous post and the link to another thread.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Not sure if you can buy these in the US, but I just bought a set of Momo SUV Pole W-4 Winter tires in 235/55R19, which is the same size as the OEM 19" tires:
https://www.quattrotires.com/tires/m...-pole-w-4/2046

Got these because they are hella cheap vs the others ($650 CAD for the whole set). I will have these mounted next weekend. Being in Vancouver, I probably won't see much snow. But I can comment on the ride, NVH, etc, once I have them mounted. And for grip level in the wet stuff, I can compare to the the previous Micheline X-Ice XI3 that were mounted on my previous RDX.

RDX10

All this time I thought you were from the US, lmao had no clue you were from Canada too! And my favorite city to boot!! Currently living in Edmonton but have plans to relocate to Vancity permanently in the next 5ish years hopefully!! :fingerscrossed:

csj0952

Do i need to worry about tire pressure sensors? My buddy who works at a dodge dealership claims I may need to worry about installing them so the tire light doesn't come on everytime I enter the car.

Wander

Good points, but of course there are 17" tires with about the same overall diameter as 235/60R18. Try 235/65R17. I have Bridgestone Blizzaks and Nokian Hakkapeliittas in that size on two different members of the family fleet.

Having said that, check brake clearance carefully if you use 17" wheels on 2019 RDX. When I test fit a 17" 1st-gen MDX wheel I found that the clearance was a bit tight to the electric parking brake cable at the rear. Not touching, but something to check. Depending on their construction, wheels don't all have the same inner diameter at the rim ( the rim is that part of the wheel to which the tire attaches... ).

I ended up going with 18" 2nd-gen RDX wheels ( 18 x 7.5 inch, 45mm offset ) with 235/60R18 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV tires. I just mounted them up and they are fine. Ride quality and road noise seem to be OK, and they don't seem as squirmy in the corners as the Blizzaks. The R3s are new and they are supposed to be a little bit quieter, more efficient, and better handling than the R2s, but that may just be marketing spin.

The "nanny systems" couldn't care less about the tire diameter, as long as all 4 tires are roughly the same. Besides, how would they know?

( Don't say "air speed" )

Having said that, the "nanny systems" may care about TPMS sensors, because that's how they know that the tire diameters are roughly the same and a "compact spare" isn't mounted. And even some quite useful systems like vehicle stability assist may be adversely affected, although this is strictly conjecture on my part.

BTW, I believe those Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV winter tires are available in 20" sizes; they are just darn expensive.

Wander

Yes, the Nokians are available in 245/45R20, and 245/50R20. I think 245/45R20 will be closer to the stock tire diameter, but I haven't found detailed specs on them.

https://www.tiresbyweb.com/p-12642-n...suv-tires.aspx

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tir...r3-suv/p/29569

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tir...r3-suv/p/49580

Wander

28.7" for the 245/45R20

29.7" for the 245/50R20

csj0952

Midwestuser1

Wander

You can get the OEM TPMS sensors for a reasonable price from online OEM Acura Parts sources. I got mine for about $30 each, including the required special aluminum nut and washer, plus shipping and handling, for a total of $138.

But if you're using the stock 20" rims, you would just have them reuse the stock sensors. They may want to use a "rebuild kit" that includes a new polymer seal and aluminum nut and washer.

Having said that, I recommend getting a dedicated set of winter wheels. You can get some basic painted aluminum wheels from Discount Tire for about $140 each, or refinished OEM 2nd-gen RDX wheels for about $145 each.

Or get the whole package from Tire Rack. They have been doing winter wheel/tire packages for decades.

Madd Dog

csj0952

Guys, what benefit do you get from Acura OEM TPMS sensors versus the TireRack pre-installed ones? Is it worth going acura OEM?

Also, when I look at rims from tirerack, what offset rating can I have and can't I have? What range should I be in? I'm looking at 18 inch rims and tires.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

hahaha! That's why I have a EP instead of Advance

Yup....the TPMS error would come on every single time you start the car, until you install the correct TPMS sensors.

Wander

Acura doesn't make TPMS sensors. The one for the 2019 RDX is made by Continental/VDO. Apparently, it is a modern "smart sensor" that has protocols for many vehicles stored in its memory, and it automatically pairs with any vehicle in its compatibility list.

( I learned something new today... )

TPMS Sensors, Service Kits and Wheel Bands

As long as a 3rd-party such as Tire Rack selects the right flavor of the sensor, there should be no issues.

Tire Rack has been doing this for a long time ( I think I ordered a winter tire/wheel package from them in 1985 ). I trust them more than most. You can always call them if you have questions about fitment.

OEM offset is +50 mm. If you stray too far from that, you may have tire clearance issues ( rubbing ) and/or risk premature damage to wheel bearings. The closer to 50, the better, and I wouldn't go lower than 40mm. For winter wheels, you should probably be looking at 7.5-8" width.

cheffip

I'm a snow tire size dummy. Will 225x65R17's work with the 2019?