Michelin LTX A/T2...new?

[Thai]

What a crock that review is... about as objective as a virgin in a brothel.

They guy starts the review saying he never drives a truck so why are we supposed to think anything he says is any more than a bunch of Michelin PR spoon fed to him on a nice press junket. He just regurgitated the press kit after a couple of worthless introductory paragraphs about the Alabama climate, of which he also admits to knowing nothing about.

Unfortunately, a lot of the initial reviews/previews of a new product is just that...regurgitation of the press clip. And it's really hard to review a tire because you need another tire to compare it to...and of course, you need to be a tire expert. You will have to wait till FourWheeler or Peterson's (or Truck Trend) to review the tire, which could take a few years. Consumer Reports usually does a good job with tire comparison, but they have not done any for truck/SUV tires (that i know of).

 

[Thai]

I disagree !! More geared to the hiway M&S rating than the AT Revo or Especially the GY Silent armor AT.

Just think about it Falls...why would Michelin design an AT tire for the highway only?? Michelin already has the LTX M/S for that purpose. Michelin old AT tire was getting really old...designed many moons ago. Michelin needed something to compete with the REVOs and GY SA where on-road appearance and ride comfort/safety are #1 but must also be fairly capable off pavement. Pirelli came out with a new AT tire too within the past year. This is the new hot trend in truck tires! BFG (a branch of Michelin) does offer BFG AT KO, but it's too off-road-oriented for some customers.

It doesn't matter how the tire may "look" like...it matters more how it performs. With super computers designing these tires and tons of special compounds, you just cannot judge a book by its cover. Just look at the REVOs, that thing has so many compounds in it that it's a chemistry book on wheels! Or look at the Goodyear SA, that sidewall compound (Durawall) is pretty cool! And all of these tires are advertised as being computer designed or optimized. Tires are very high-tech shit these days!

And IF Michelin is honest about the independent review where this new tire outperformed REVOs and GY SA, then Michelin is indeed aiming to beat out REVOs and GY SA...and it indeed belongs in the all-terrain category. Not my words Falls, just read the review/preview above and what TeryT wrote about the Costco guy...they confirm my initial gut feeling about who Michelin is going after.

 

[TeryT]

Ditto Thai - that's why the brochure the Costco manager gave me has comparison charts showing the LTX A/T2 against the Revo & Wrangler SA. They also specifically ID those competitors on their website: http://www.michelinman.com/michelin/productIdSubmit.do

In any case, the Costco manager did a good sales job on me. I was impressed by the 4 day Michelin school, complete with personal pix of all the tires, Range Rovers, mud, rain, etc. He was quite enthusiastic about the LTX A/T2. Doesn't mean I'm automatically going to get a set when the time comes, but I will definitely consider. Also nice to have a 60k mile rated tire, at a slightly lower price than a Revo.

And ditto on the lasting quality of the Revo. Mine has 40k and still look & handle well in all conditions. Better living thru chemistry!

 

[pipspeak]

Consumer Reports usually does a good job with tire comparison, but they have not done any for truck/SUV tires (that i know of).

Yeah the last time Consumer Reports SUV tire review was November 2005 I believe. Didn't even have the Revo in it but it did have the Dueler AT and a bunch of current models. Cross Terrains didn't fair too well. And the best tire... a Hankook. Go Figure.

Nice thing was they rated them for rolling resistance, too. Only review I've ever seen that did.

 

[Falls]

I should have stated that different , it looks like a hiway m&s tire to me , not an all terrain.

I put next to no stock in reviews published, especially when the company selling the product is doing the comparison.

I do agree in this day and age you can judge a book by it cover with the new technology and chemistry involved . Never thought that way , I'm to old and old schooled sometimes ....lol.

When anyone ever any tire dealer talks about tread life I'm like ....yeh whatever , its like comparing traction of a tire , the variables are so huge its virtually impossible to predict what works best and what does not. Personally if you drive in snow and off road a I would not be in a comfort zone with 50-60k on a set of tires.

Do you have any knowledge if BFG AT has changed anything in the compounds or tread at all. Although I like these tires , they might fall behind in the technology dept.

I wish more of the "P" rated tires had a deeper tread depth of 16/32 like some of the heavier rated tires.

Just think about it Falls...why would Michelin design an AT tire for the highway only?? Michelin already has the LTX M/S for that purpose. Michelin old AT tire was getting really old...designed many moons ago. Michelin needed something to compete with the REVOs and GY SA where on-road appearance and ride comfort/safety are #1 but must also be fairly capable off pavement. Pirelli came out with a new AT tire too within the past year. This is the new hot trend in truck tires! BFG (a branch of Michelin) does offer BFG AT KO, but it's too off-road-oriented for some customers.

It doesn't matter how the tire may "look" like...it matters more how it performs. With super computers designing these tires and tons of special compounds, you just cannot judge a book by its cover. Just look at the REVOs, that thing has so many compounds in it that it's a chemistry book on wheels! Or look at the Goodyear SA, that sidewall compound (Durawall) is pretty cool! And all of these tires are advertised as being computer designed or optimized. Tires are very high-tech shit these days!

And IF Michelin is honest about the independent review where this new tire outperformed REVOs and GY SA, then Michelin is indeed aiming to beat out REVOs and GY SA...and it indeed belongs in the all-terrain category. Not my words Falls, just read the review/preview above and what TeryT wrote about the Costco guy...they confirm my initial gut feeling about who Michelin is going after.

 

[Thai]

Yeah the last time Consumer Reports SUV tire review was November 2005 I believe. Didn't even have the Revo in it but it did have the Dueler AT and a bunch of current models. Cross Terrains didn't fair too well. And the best tire... a Hankook. Go Figure.

Nice thing was they rated them for rolling resistance, too. Only review I've ever seen that did.

Wow, i did not know that they did SUV tire comparo in 2005. Well, at least, we know that CR doesn't favor the big companies!

I actually bought my Corolla tires based on CR's test of highway tires...Michelin X-Radial. I had Goodyear Assurance Comfortred and found CR's criticism/ratings spot on. And now, after 10K miles on the Michelin, i agree with everything CR said about the Michelin.

 

[Thai]

Do you have any knowledge if BFG AT has changed anything in the compounds or tread at all. Although I like these tires , they might fall behind in the technology dept.

Well, BFG AT KOs are relatively new by BFG standards...i think that they came out in the late 1990's (1998 or something). BFG does not update their tires often (similar to Michelin). As far as i know, since the update, nothing has changed. Remember, part of the reason why BFG AT KO rides rougher than other mild-mannered AT's is because it has a strong sidewall and that all their tires are LT-rated. As for the tread design, it was done that way to actually provide true all-terrain traction. The outside shoulder design (wide shoulder lugs), for example, is made that way for mud traction and lateral rock traction. Of course, as we all know, BFG AT KO is not that great in mud (as compared to MT), but it is slightly better than your average AT.

As with everything in life, there is a compromise at some point in every design. If you want amazing performance off-road, then you will need Mud Terrains, but that will penalize you on-road (road noise, poor handling, poor braking, etc.). For me, i am not going back to AT anytime soon because the M/T's do so much better off-road over all terrain (that i have encountered).

 

[Falls]

I agree , the MT's are excellent off road . Mine gets double duty and drive a lot on road and try to go off road every illegal chance I get.....lol. If it was not a DD then I would have to go MT's.

I agree there are always compromises. The new GY SA really tweeks my interest though , with the durawall sidewall and the Kevlar on the tread portion and in a "P" rated tire yet , very interesting.

 

[Thai]

I agree there are always compromises. The new GY SA really tweeks my interest though , with the durawall sidewall and the Kevlar on the tread portion and in a "P" rated tire yet , very interesting.

Yeah, maybe i can put those on my wife's 2wd Highlander just to see how it is. I have heard good things about them!

 

[pipspeak]

And now, after 10K miles on the Michelin, i agree with everything CR said about the Michelin.

What's the problem with them after 10K?

 

[Thai]

What's the problem with them after 10K?

Oh no, i meant that after 10K miles on them, i agree with the positives that CR said about the tires. These Michelins are indeed quiet (quieter than when brand new) and has very low rolling resistance! My Corolla just glides down the highway. My old Goodyear Assurance Comfortred had more rolling resistance (& heavier feel) from driving feel and also at the gas station.

 

[pipspeak]

Good to know... the CR test didn't rate them too highly for dry handling or comfort, which is odd becasue everything I've heard suggests they are pretty comfortable drivers.

 

[Thai]

Good to know... the CR test didn't rate them too highly for dry handling or comfort, which is odd becasue everything I've heard suggests they are pretty comfortable drivers.

I think that handling and comfort were good, but rain braking or something was average.

 

[Kmvreter]

It's about time that Michelin updates the A/T tire. I like it. It is probably made to compete more with the REVOs, the Nittos, and the GY SilentArmor than the BFG AT KO. There are many choices out there in the AT department. It reminds me of the Bridgestone Dueler AT (non-REVO).

Just catching up on this thread.
All I can say is damn!
I'm a Michelin fan and replaced my Doneflops with the CT this spring. My regular tire dealer didn't know of any new Mich's coming out at that time because I specifically asked and we talked about it. The Mich Canada website doesn't have them yet nor do any dealers. I would have tried these in a heartbeat because I had good experience with the original Mich LTX A/T. Unfortunately I already have a winter set of BFG A/Tko's (next to no wear) so I'm good for tire's for the foreseeable future. I may go back to my tire guy and see if he'll make a deal to swap the BFG's or CT's once this tire hits this market.

(ps. I'm getting better mileage (ie. saving $) with the upsized CT's.)

 

[terry874R]

The LXT-A/T2 is at Costco... it has a third steel belt and if you pick it up its a much heavier tire than the original A/T model. Costco wants $140 each with $80 off a set of 4.for my 235 75 15s. Could a much heavier tire cost gas mileage? Where do you look for Nitto Terra Grapples? Thanks

 

[Thai]

Yes, heavier tire will cost you at the gas pump, and also during acceleration/braking and handling. You can get Nittos at Discount Tire Co. shops.

 

[Thai]

I just checked out this new tire today at Discount Tire Co. It is actually more aggressive than the pics suggest. The lug space is bigger than highway tires...it is not that different from Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor. The sidewall is a bit plain looking, but i can see where this AT tire can be good for many people. BTW, it has a lot of gripping surfaces.

I like it.

 

[TeryT]

Just got a e-coupon from Costco for $60 off a set of Mickeys. Good for the month of September. My Revos still have good tread, but I will take a look at these to see if they might be good for the near future.

BTW - I think Costco runs their specials twice a year - should come up again in late spring.

 

[big04runner]

I love these tires!

I purchased 4 Michelin LTX A/T2 265/65/17 from Costco in September and love these tires so far. I used the $60.00 off coupon that Costco seems to always have going and the tires ended up in the $170's after all was said and done. That's also before I get 2% back on the purchase in the form of a yearly rebate with the Executive Member deal. I think that worked out to another $15.00 off.

My driving is usually 90% paved, 10% off road. I also mainly drive highways and country roads with minimal City stop and go. These tires are incredibly quiet and the ride is extremely smooth. They really seem to grip the road and are very responsive. Wet traction has been excellent so far. I haven't been through snow yet and haven't done any major off roading yet; with my new tires.

My stock Dunlop AT20's made it to just over 58,000 miles and I didn't want to go through winter with the tread depth at what it was. Even with the traction control, I was able to spin the Dunlops, but not the Michelins now.

I like the look on the 4Runner; they are an aggressive pattern and have very deep tread. Lots of biting action.

I was initially worried because my gas mileaged dropped from around 22 MPG average to 19 MPG average. Even after I did my own 60,000 mile maintenance (for less than $75.00 thank you). Well tonight I checked the tire pressure on my Nitrogen-filled tires and it was only 28-29 PSI. I inflated them to 35 PSI so hopefully that will help. The max PSI on the tire is 44.

On a side note, when Costco installed my new tires, the installer gouged and marked all of my stock 17" Aluminum wheels. Some worse than others, but very obvious to the watchful eye. I do have a claim in with Costco though regarding the cosmetic damage. The damage appears to have come from removing the wheel weights. There are distinct gouges below all the old locations.


Anyways I highly recommend these tires!

 

[big04runner]

Damaged rim.