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Acura TL Tires and Wheels

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Comments

  • jdelabrejdelabre Member Posts: 57
    My 07 TL-S Tires are W rated. Thats 169 m.p.h. :)
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    Unless you plan on dropping your TL-S out of a plane, I wouldn't plan on the tires ever seeing that speed. :P

    W rated tires are more than enough for the TL.
    I hope they last you a while... they're not cheap.
  • jdelabrejdelabre Member Posts: 57
    The higher speed rating also means it will handle better at low speeds also. They came on the car (no choice)and yes they cost close to $300 each. :)
  • habitat1habitat1 Member Posts: 4,282
    "The higher speed rating also means it will handle better at low speeds also. They came on the car (no choice)and yes they cost close to $300 each."

    Which, with all due respect, is a horrific waste of money for tires on a FWD sedan with over 60% of the weight over the front wheels. I'm not a 3-series owner taking cheap shots at Acura. I own a 2004 TL 6-speed, which came with a suspension that is actually firmer (and flatter) than the 2007 TL-S automatic. I got 18,000 miles out of the original HPT tires. Switched to a Tire Rack recommended Tire (AvonTech) that is absolutely indistinguishable in handling at any speed, for a total cost of around $650 ($160 each) for a set of 4 balanced and mounted. That's still a lot of money for a FWD sedan that handles better than, but not monumentally so, my old FWD 2005 Nissan Maxima SE with $100 "H" series tires that lasted 50,000 miles a set.

    Again, let's be realistic. The TL or TL-S is a very nice sport-y entry level luxury sedan with a lot of excellent attributes. But it is NOT a serious sports sedan and some, including me, would question the wisdom of Acura putting even more horsepower in a FWD platform. Putting $300 tires on a TL-S isn't going to turn it into a BMW 335i. But hey, it's great for the tire industry that some people think otherwise.
  • sevosevo Member Posts: 4
    I'm thinking of buying a 2000 TL. The owner says it has premium wheels, but they look like the standard alloy wheels to me. Can anyone tell/show me the diffence? Thanks.
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    Who care if the wheels are "premium" -

    On a 6-7 year old car the difference in value of a car with premium wheels and one with stock wheels is no more than $100 - not per wheel - but total. It looks like you are trying to buy a car from a jerk - run while you can!
  • kwarnoldkwarnold Member Posts: 41
    Hi everyone. It's been a long time since I've been in here, so I hope someone can offer some advice on replacement tires for my '04 TL. I am heading into my last year of my lease so I don't want to invest a fortune on tires just to turn them in with the car. I want something decent without spending a lot. (Gee, doesn't everybody?!) In a quick online search of a couple of tire dealers I came up with some tires that I am curious if anyone has an opinion on:
    * BF Goodrich Traction TA
    * Sumitomo HTR+
    * Sumitomo HTR Z II
    * Potenza REO50A Pole Position

    I am finding these run $100 or less per tire, which would be perfect for what I want to spend. Does anyone have any feedback on these (or similar) tires? I am in Ohio so I will need something that can handle one more winter as well as provide decent handling in good weather and good performance in the rain.

    Thanks in advance for your feedback!
    Keith
  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    Check the fine print in the lease - all have a specific part that covers tires - that will talk about how much tread - and will also say that they must all match (can't have 2 different brands) - some will also put some wording that will require the same brand of tires that came with the car.

    Its worth checking this out before you buy new tires.
  • animalsrushanimalsrush Member Posts: 62
    Finally i got tired of the OEM tires on my TL and during the cold chicgao winters my wheels hit a pot hole and it cut my tire. So i replaced them ( all 4) with Michelin Pilot sport AS. These tires are awesome. It provides a nice ride and excellent handling. I am not sure why TL ships with those crappy El42 coz this car is a new machine now. At higway speeds it doesn't drift like my old tires. So don't wait , you will love TL even more..
  • dgeblerdgebler Member Posts: 19
    Like others, I am in the last year of a 4 year lease on a 04 TL MT. I live in Boston and use Vredestein snow tires but Direct Tire said that the Turanza EL-42s have given up. They recommended the Falken ZE512 as a summer tire. They claim that most TL drivers really don't need the highest performance tire and that since the MT suspension is stiffer anyway, these tires might soften the ride.

    Any thoughts or experience out there? Thanks
  • kwarnoldkwarnold Member Posts: 41
    I was the person who posted back on #170. I ended up getting Pirrelli P-Zero Nero tires. I was going to go with a different tire but the tire store was out and up-sold me to these and cut me a deal in the process. I spent about $680 out the door, which I guess is not too bad for good performing tires.

    So far I am very pleased with their performance. They are very smooth and quiet riding, which is a very nice change from the Fuzions that I had on there before. (When the OEMs wore out I replaced them with the Fuzions at the suggestion of my father in law who was in the tire business. They were OK, but I was never crazy about them.)

    So far I am very happy. Also, these are year-round tires which should serve me well here in Ohio and our winters. I have one more winter to get through on my lease, so I wanted something that handled bad weather better than the old tires.

    So there is the solution I came up with and so far they seem to be working very well.
  • tampajay1tampajay1 Member Posts: 4
    You should be ashamed of wasting your brother's time and energy.
  • tlhatertlhater Member Posts: 23
    Actually I'm going to court in two weeks as I sued my dealer and Accura. I post the results but I am already getting calls for a settlement.

    A company like Honda should not be putting defective tires on my car. Further delivering an expensive car that's not aligned properly from the factory is a serious quality control issue. Not informing me that these things are defective is negligence.
  • voxboyvoxboy Member Posts: 30
    I had assumed that after reading these posts + TireRack.com + CR.org, I would be an expert by now. But I guess I just don't have the head for this stuff.

    If someone could read my criteria below and give me some bottom-line guidance, I'd be much obliged.

    (a) I have an '04 TL and live in CT. My annual mileage is low, so I'm not overly concerned with tire-longevity.

    (b) I'm not a very aggressive driver but I'm not a bargain-shopper either. Said another way, I want to get the most from my driving experience while remaining extremely safety-conscious.

    (c) My goal is to get the best possible all-weather traction and handling without sacrificing too much in the other categories.

    What class of tire do I belong in? Which brands do you like for that class?
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    If you called TireRack and spoke to someone, they could answer these questions and advice you on you best options.
  • dgeblerdgebler Member Posts: 19
    I did my research and tried a set of Toyo's T1R's on my 04 TL MT. Since I have winter tires for Boston I thought summer UHPs would be great. However, my experience confirms what I was told in that unidirectional tires don't work well on this car. While the tires held beautifully in tight turns, they shuddered on braking and were generally too noisy. Based on reviews and suggestions i'm ordering a set of P-Zero's for 3-seasons and will still use the Vredesteins for the winter.
  • slzweibelslzweibel Member Posts: 33
    I live in the New York area and needed to buy new tires for my 04 TL. After much research I decided on the Pirelli P Zero Neros. What a great tire! The car drives like a different vehicle compared to the piece of s--t Bridgestones that came on the car. Have had no problem in rain or snow with them - much superior to the stock tires. Highly recommend them - you will not be disappointed.
  • voxboyvoxboy Member Posts: 30
    So although the P Zero Neros is technically a 3-season tire, it's safe enough in the snow under most conditons?
  • njvikenjvike Member Posts: 56
    I really like this car but I cannot understand why Acura would equip this car with wheels that look like they have brake dust on them? Can someone recommed a 17" chrome wheel? The ones that Acura sell are too expensive, IMO.

    Thanks in advance

    Ken
  • dgeblerdgebler Member Posts: 19
    true winter tires have a softer compound and more siping to disperse water. I think you would find the limits of the P Zeros when driving over several inches of unplowed snow or better traction on really icy conditions. Driving over plowed roads should be fine on the P Zeros.

    For me, I like the solid feeling of driving the TL with snows. it makes the car feel more secure on the road than our AWD Pilot. I will use the P Zeros up until December 1 here in Boston and switch over April 1 when the snow is softer and less likely to freeze solid.
  • voxboyvoxboy Member Posts: 30
    dgebler & slzweibel:
    What would lead you to choose the Neros over TireRack's top-rated all-season Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position?
  • dgeblerdgebler Member Posts: 19
    What I learned in this process is that the same tires that garner high ratings generally can ride poorly on the TL. I looked at Tire Rack ratings only for the TL and weighed the positive ratings for the P-Zero. After trying unidirectional tires and being unhappy, the tread on the P-Zeros made sense and I have been very happy since.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    What I learned in this process is that the same tires that garner high ratings generally can ride poorly on the TL. I looked at Tire Rack ratings only for the TL and weighed the positive ratings for the P-Zero.

    How many miles do you have on the P-Zeros and how would you rate with regard to noise (any yet) and comfort compared to OEM? Did you consider Pilot Sport or Turanza LS-Z? Thanks.

    Have an 04 TL with 80K and original Turanza EL42 (use Dunlop snows in winter).

    The EL42's have decent handling and are still quiet and relatively comfortable over all the miles. Seems like its been a "good compromise" type tire for all seasons. Having snow tires, I can go to a better handling summer tire for better handling and turn-in but do not want to put up with noise after 10k or so miles nor buckboard ride.

    Have Pirelli directional snows for another vehicle and they are very good. Have had other Pirellis over the years and they were all very good "except" P6000 that I tried in 2002 on a Maxima SE. Had trouble with pulling in one or another direction. Tire dealer replaced 2 tires and could not get rid of various pulling and moved tires around to different corners of car. Maxima had recent 4-wheel alignment and was perfect mechanically. Dealer finally gave up, pulled off the Pirellis and refunded my money and I bought another brand from him which were perfect.
  • dgeblerdgebler Member Posts: 19
    I have only about 500 miles on the P-Zeros so far (on my 04 TL MT). I have been happy with the ride and the low noise level. Noise is obviously very subjective. The ride is amazing on smooth asphalt but it's hard to gauge on most New England roads. The car doesn't pull and I don't spin out when accelerating as I did with the EL-42's.
  • strokeoluck1strokeoluck1 Member Posts: 37
    I'd like to thank everyone for their comments, thoughts and reviews of TL tires. It's been incredibly helpful to read through all these and find answers to my tire questions.

    I own a 2005 TL with ~19,000 miles. Recently I was driving down a dirt road (had no choice, son was invited to a b-day party in the country and my wife's minivan was already in use) and I was squeezed between an oncoming truck on one side, and a corn field on the other...and hit an amazingly large pothole. In fact I'm wondering if an asteroid hit earth in this spot - it was that big! Anyway, as soon as I hit pavement I knew something was wrong. My local tire guys confirmed that the rim was damaged (gotta love those soft rims!). They found me a refurbished rim for $200, then rebalanced and rotated all the tires. It again rides like a dream.

    But they also told me I should replace the tires this fall, and I've noticed that the tread is looking weak. While I'm not crazy about replacing tires at ~20,000 - 25,000 miles (I'm used to ~50k miles on OEM's) I knew this was a sporty car...and I absolutely LOVE it. Based on what I've read it sounds like I should be asking my tire shop to check into these three tires:

    - Michelin Pilot Sport AS
    - Pirelli P Zero Neros
    - Kumho ASX

    I also noticed that many of you thought it made sense to go with 245/45 tires to avoid scraping the rims when parking near curbs (this NEVER happens to me :) , but it's happened to my wife).

    I'd mainly like to improve the "comfort" of the ride going forward. The current tires are a little too firm for me. I'd like to pretend I drive this thing hard, but the reality is that my fear of getting an excessive speeding ticket means I sometimes "gun it" on starts to give me or the kids a little exciement, but that's about as wild as I get.

    If anyone has anything else to add, please do. Otherwise I'll be shopping this fall.

    Thanks, Rob
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,071
    Hi, Rob:

    Sorry about that asteroid thing. Probably created by an alien landing. If you can find 'em, maybe they'll reimburse you? Or, being that this is the good 'ol US of A, you could sue...

    Have you visited tirerack.com? Much information... Conti ExtremeContacts also highly rated, especially for snow performance, if that's germane...

    '21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)

  • z71billz71bill Member Posts: 1,986
    When my Bridgestone tires wear out - I plan on putting A set of Kumho ASX on (my TL) - and I DON'T CARE that they only cost about $100 each - If they were $150 I would still buy them.

    I put a set of these on a ruff riding Mazda3 and the ride is now smooth - I am sure I gave up some handling - at the limit - but the car still handles fine.
  • armandarmand Member Posts: 178
    I put the Conti ExtremeContacts on my '04 and am very pleased with them.
  • tlhatertlhater Member Posts: 23
    As everyone here knows from my earlier posts, I sued Acura for my tires as my 2005 had cheap tires and bad toe. You should be happy to know I won.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    As everyone here knows from my earlier posts, I sued Acura for my tires as my 2005 had cheap tires and bad toe. You should be happy to know I won.

    Did you have Turanza EL42 tires? I noticed that they are still putting these on 2007 TLs. I have these on my 04 TL. What were the results in court, the judgements?
  • tlhatertlhater Member Posts: 23
    yes I had those tires. The court was interested in the tire problems listed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on the tires having problems as well as the Acura bulletin that came out last January. They ruled in my favor in that since Acura only paid half the costs, they are now responsible for the other half.

    How I'm going to collect, I've got to figure out. I'm waiting for the NY Sheriff's office to contact me.
  • dshedshe Member Posts: 3
    I have just bought a brand new 2007 Acura TL Type-S with about 700 miles on it now. Somehow the steering wheel started pulling to the right side since yesterday. Did any TL owner have experienced the similar problem? My tire pressure monitor system has provided almost perfect number except the front passenger tire has 2 psi lower than the rest of the tires. Please help me figure out what is wrong with my TL. Thanks.
  • jme470jme470 Member Posts: 5
    I posted this same question a few weeks ago, except for my brand new TL Type S was pulling to the left..Took it to the dealer, they said the car had a bad tire. Still pulled. Took it back and they sent it out for an alignment. I think it is still pulling slightly to the left on the highway especially in the left lane. Service manager said the car does this in the left lane especially due to the road. ha. I still don't feel like it is right. The service techs said if you are in the middle lane of the highway and the car doesnt move over in less than 6 seconds its fine. They said that most acuras pull to the left. Is this true? this is my first Acura, but I have owned a Honda before this and it did not do this!!
  • taxesquiretaxesquire Member Posts: 681
    A sharp pull (I think to the left) is from torque steer. Anything else sounds like a tire pressure or alignment issue.

    To the initial poster who noticed a 2 PSI diff - keep track of that tire. Maybe it's got a slow leak in it - try manually checking the pressure every once in awhile to make sure your TPMS is accurate.
  • dshedshe Member Posts: 3
    I just balance all the tires today at the local gas station. However, I can still feel the steering wheel pulling to right while driving on the express way. I am going to take the car back to the dealer once I return to Chicago. Hopefully the problem can be fixed and covered by warranty. Thanks for your information.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Keep us posted - good luck!
  • jme470jme470 Member Posts: 5
    Everything I have read about Torque steer, it can pull either left or right, but does so consistently in one direction. This must be what we are experiencing. Its annoying though!! Is it only occuring at high rates of speed, on the highway? Let me know what the dealer says. Good Luck!
  • planes31planes31 Member Posts: 5
    I live in the New York area and I"m on my second Acura, one terrific car but I can't say the same for those %%$##%* Michelins. I've had nothing but sidewall blisters form on the sidewalls and although they have 47K on them they have plenty of tread. I had the problem with one of them after about 27K and now two more have the same problem. I spoke to the Michelin people and you can imagine how far I got even thoughI've had this type of problem back with my '87 Acura Legend also. I'm replacing the tires with Bridgestones and I told the Michelin repo that I'm buying another Acura in the near future but will refuse delivery if it has Michelins. Am I the only Acura owner with this continuous problem??
  • kennyg8kennyg8 Member Posts: 225
    Michelins tires on my 06 TL are fine and they are highly rated by many mags. I don't know what you have on your CL, but I do know that the stock Bridgestone EL-42s that came with pre-06 TLs are not so good and many people complained about them. They were not bad for moderate (not spirited) driving, but did not perform up to par in snow and rain. Also, if your tires have 47k miles on them, you should think about getting new ones, particularly if you have driven them in the not-so-great roadways in New York.
  • zeakzeak Member Posts: 24
    I have a 05 TL; purchased new with Michelins XSE p235/45r17. Being at 22K miles I was going to rotate for the second time. Upon examination the tires I noticed the rear tires are down to the wear bar with tread outside of channels bald. The front tires look great with about 50% tread remaining, “I would expect the front to wear faster being front wheel drive”.

    Not thinking a alignment problem due to both right and left rear are wearing poorly. I hate to buy another Michelin; also I don't want to mix brands. Going to approach tire dealer and car dealer next week.

    Any suggestions appreciated? Thanks in advance
  • planes31planes31 Member Posts: 5
    My CL3.2Type S came with Michelin P215/50 VR 17 tires. They are low profile, high speed tires on 17" rims. When I told I the Michelin rep that I had the same problem with my '87 Acura Legend Coupe I had hoped that after all this time they would have solved the sidewall problem----he had no answer. By the way, I rotate tires every 7000 miles and check pressure regularly (32 psi).
  • drewg68drewg68 Member Posts: 1
    Owned: 2005 TL no nav
    OEM tires: Bridgestone Turanzas
    Replacement tires: Pirelli P6 'happy!'

    I too was plagued from the get go with vibration and bent rims, which was never resolved with multiple dealer visits. I suffer through not willing to spend to replace the rims as suggested by the dealer.

    Needless to say I was extremely disappointed with the handling of the car, front end vibration, nervous handling, unstable at speed, etc. I recently replaced the OEM tires with Pirelli P6's, and low and behold I drove out from my tire dealer with a completely different car. My TL is now a proper sport sedan, smooth, stable and extremely confident at speed. I just slogged through the recent Nor'easter driving from MA to NJ in record downpours and it was smooth confident motoring.
  • scottm123scottm123 Member Posts: 1,501
    He mentioned that the car is pulling while driving on the expressway.
    Torque Steer is something that is experience while the car is under heavy acceleration.
    Cruising at highway speed, this should not be the cause.

    I've had cars that pull to one side or the other, due to the crown in the road, but if it's pulling to the right, no matter what lane he's in, then there's another cause.
    Most likely, and alignment or suspension issue that only appears while the car is at a higher speed.
  • animalsrushanimalsrush Member Posts: 62
    TL recommends tire pressure of 33 PSI front and 32 rear. However this has to be set when tires are cold. However depending on climatic conditions and driving the pressure osicllates between 37 PSI on hot days to 30 PSi on cold days. So what is the ideal setting: Should i set to 33 and 32 when tires are cold or should i set it 33 and 32 when tires are hot
  • capriracercapriracer Member Posts: 907
    All tire pressures are reference as cold pressures (tire not exercised) at current ambient temperatures - except when pressure buildup is discussed. So set your pressures at 33 / 32 cold and adjust the pressures as the ambient temperature goes up and down.

    You don't have to be anal about this, but you should never let the pressure fall below the placard value and no more then 5 psi above the placard - COLD. A 10F change in ambient temperature results in about a 1 psi movement in the same direction.
  • animalsrushanimalsrush Member Posts: 62
    Thanks much
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,071
    Greetings: I'm going to have to replace the Turanzas on my '05 TL soon. I've used the Tirerack.com for research/reviews: Continental ContiExtremes, Kumho Ecsta ASX, Pirelli PZero M+S, Bridgestone Pole Postions, Michelin Pilot A/S... all seem to get good reviews.

    Does anybody have any experience/reviews of the tires they've purchased to replace the OEMS? The Turanzas stink in the snow, I'm looking to improve on that while seeking a relatively quiet tire with good ride and handling characteristics.

    Thoughts?

    '21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)

  • dgeblerdgebler Member Posts: 19
    There's been a lot of good discussion in this thread over the months. It's well worth combing through.

    I have been very happy with the Pirelli PZero Neros on my 04 TL (MT). They handle great and are quiter than than the Turanzas
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,071
    Thanks, any snow experience with the PZeros?

    '21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)

  • dgeblerdgebler Member Posts: 19
    No, I bought Vredestein Wintracs when I had the Turanzas and will still switch over the Pirellis until the winter tires are bare. With global warming imminent the timing should be fine!
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