So I've always been a Michelin guy and am currently running the Michelin LTX M/S's on my truck. Love this tire and have over 70,000 on them. I was going to get the same thing but read that Michelin has "upgraded" them to the Defender series and some of the reviews are less than flattering. Lots of road noise and a rough ride. Can anyone confirm this to be the case.
Also what tires do you guys currently recommend? I'm looking for a smooth ride with low noise and high mileage. These will be almost all highway miles. Thanks in advance for the help.
Going through the exact same thing with research on this new tire, only its for my dually and later for our 4X4 Explorer. Looked for and read every review from every source I could find. On the sound issue some said more noise, but some others said quiet. I think it depends some on the vehicle and the comparison with their previous tire. On my dually I'm not to concerned with the noise issue. My Sirius/XM is always cranked up a bit. The one thing I key in on living in snow country, is how is it rated in snow/ice. For a "non dedicated winter tire," its snow rating seems to be at the very top of good rated A/S and M/S tires suitable for all year highway use. ------ Tip--Also in my area R2 road conditions require 4X4 with M/S tires (not A/S) or you must install chains. These M/S marked tires fit that requirement but are still good highway tires.
By the way my current dually tires, are like you, the older Michelin LTX M/S2's. Glad you got 70,000 on them I'm at 28,000 and they are on the wear depth indicators. But that is still about the best I have ever got on any of my truck tires.
The LTX Defender M/S2 is supposed to be made of a newer Evertread compound advertised to improve tire life "under severe conditions such as "towing" and their tread is slightly different. They have wider channels which are advertised to channel water more effectively. If you look side-by-side the new Defender has less rubber surface area meeting the pavement. Perhaps this extra channeling ability is good for guys who drive fast but I drive slow and prefer more rubber on road and less ability to channel water.
The good thing about a new compound being used is the LTX M/S and M/S-2 were notorious for weather "checking".
At a minimum the cracks were unsightly but could be dangerous if too severe. (Although Michelin told me the checking is only superficial).
The confusing part is the Defenders are advertised as offering "improved tire life"; however, the 265/75-16 Load Range: E is only rated for 50,000-miles. My old LTX M/S-2 were warrantied for 70,000 miles.
You can still find some of the old LTX M/S-2 available but the Michelin website does say they are "discontinued".
As for snow: Michelin gives both the LTX M/S-2 and the Defender tires a high snow rating but every review I read states they are terrible on snow in actual experience. My own experience is these are not good tires in snow even with alot of tread remaining.
For dedicated snow tires I love the General Arctic Altimax.
"The confusing part is the Defenders are advertised as offering "improved tire life"; however, the 265/75-16 Load Range: E is only rated for 50,000-miles. My old LTX M/S-2 were warrantied for 70,000 miles."
I agree on your reduced warranty comment I'm really getting tired of paying big for what I think is Michelin quality and mileage only to be disappointed every time. One of my front Michelin's has a chunk out of the tread.
My research has led me to these Yokohama Geolander A/T G015 tires. Check out the tire info and read the reviews and let me know what you think. Qualifies for snowflake symbol plus has good highway wear. ---- FordWilly
I have no personal experience with the Geolanders but I have read good reviews on lighter vehicles.
The warranty appears to be 40,000 miles so 80% of the Michelin Defender...but the price point is comparitively lower as well...although I do not see them on the Discount Tire website and that is my go-to tire shop.
The tread is more aggressive than the LTX M/S-2 and probably more similar to the LTX A/T.
I wonder how road noise will be on dry pavement?
Definitely look to be a better snow tire and the snowflake rating supports that...but its also why the rubber compound is slightly softer and rated for fewer miles.
Sidenote:
I see the LTX M/S-2 (not Defender) are now $232/each at Discount Tire...last year I paid $208
before a further $70 discount.
I cannot see paying that amount for the Michelins regardless how much I would like to get one last set.
I put a set of LT295/70 R18's on my 2015 F350 SRW. before going to west Texas in February. They are quieter than the Conti's that came on the truck. I have a better load rating with the bigger tires. They handle great on dry and wet roads. I had them match-balanced and "round-tired".
Well I just got back from a 3,000 mile road trip. All of my concerns were unfounded. I'm not sure if the bad reviews were from a bad lot of tires or what. I didn't notice any increased noise and as far as the ride at one point I found myself doing over 90 mph and didn't realized it until I looked down because the ride was so smooth.
What weight load are you looking for? I run the Hankook Dynapros on my F150 and see they are rated to 3750 pounds of weight. They are a pretty decent tire that I have about 20k on in the last year with no issues. Great in the rain and snow. Pretty mellow tread but with a little tread on the sidewall for snow and some light mud etc. The other option is to find someone selling new takeoffs from a new 2017 when they upgrade to bigger tires. Thats how I picked up my new Hankooks, ended up paying 1/2 for brand new tires.
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