This article is being written to express the concerns our technical staff have involving some Honda and Acura vehicle owners who are opting for tires that have a lower speed rating than what the manufacturer specify, just to save a few dollars. This is not wise. The tire size and tire speed rating on all Honda and Acura automobiles, trucks and SUV’s  has been determined by Honda engineers and is based on several variables. These variables include the weight of the vehicle, the weight capacity of the vehicle, the performance capabilities of the vehicle and the average driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely in all weather conditions. This especially hits close to home here in Middle Tennessee because of the amount of rain we receive during the winter months.

When you were younger, you probably tried out the merry-go-round at the local playground. As you were spinning around on that equipment, if you were going fast, you were holding on for your life because the natural tendency was to fly outwards in the same direction as the merry-go-round was rotating…This is one example of G-Force and it is consistent with a vehicle’s tendency to skid off of the road while going around a curve.

Whether dry or wet, the faster you go around a curve, the more G-force will always be applied on the inside of the vehicle pushing out. When a road is wet or icy, the precipitation on the road simply acts as a lubricant between the tire and the surface of the road.  This is one reason tire selection is so critical. When shopping for tires, always consult your owners manual or the label inside the driver’s door of your Honda or Acura automobile. Never deviate from the tire size or speed rating indicated, regardless of tire price.  It simply isn’t worth it. If your brand of tire is not available in the correct size or speed rating, select another brand. If the price of your brand of tire is more expensive than you want to pay, change brands or pay more……But please, do not risk the lives of you, your family and everybody else on the road, not to mention possible collision damage to your vehicle, just to save a few bucks on tires….After all,  you should get some of that tire money back in the form of increased MPG (miles per gallon) because new tires have been known to reduce gasoline consumption in some circumstances.

At Accurate, our customers can be confident knowing that our Service Department here in Nashville, TN always install tires that are the the correct size and speed rating. This includes not only our service customers that come to our shop for repair and maintenance but also the patrons that purchase Honda and Acura automobiles from our dealership.