Socco
New member
I've taken my 3rd gen with MS2s on FSRs a bunch... I'd buy another set any day of the week.
Michelin LTX ms2
- Thread starter jca21
- Start date
I've taken my 3rd gen with MS2s on FSRs a bunch... I'd buy another set any day of the week.
I put the LTX on my 2011 TE a few months ago. Huge difference in ride quality over the Dunlops and my MPG has improved as well. They are expensive, but if they last it will be a good investment.
BTW - they have been solid on the snow and ice as well. I have had them on fire roads - I would buy them again.
BTW - they have been solid on the snow and ice as well. I have had them on fire roads - I would buy them again.
bluebullet
New member
I did not get the Michelins with my new 2011 TE b/c I was only going to get $75/tire for the stock Bridgestones from the dealer. A confusing issue was whether to get Load Range Cs or Es. I have always run Cs on my 2nd and 3rd gen 4Rs and gotten between 50K and 70K miles mainly on highway. LR Es might stiffen things up too much though I have seen some here recommend Load Range Es on other brands of tires. Based on my experience with Michelins on older 4Runners I think you will like the handling. Good tires=good insurance.
I expect to get 20-30K out of the stock Bridgestones. Then toss em.
I kinda think the 4Runner is too light to run Es. I run them on my Chevy Duramax but that is a beast relatively speaking. Es are stock on the Duramax.
I expect to get 20-30K out of the stock Bridgestones. Then toss em.
I kinda think the 4Runner is too light to run Es. I run them on my Chevy Duramax but that is a beast relatively speaking. Es are stock on the Duramax.
Dredging this thread up again to ask if anyone has used the Michelin LTX M/S2 in sandy conditions. I'm considering them for another of my vehicles that is used to take my toys to coastal, sandy, and loose dirt areas. I've read lots of reviews touting the M/S2s in wet and snowing conditions, but nothing about how they handle sand (as at the beach). Any testimonies for this tire in the sand?
Been to Daytona and other beaches, no problems. Also launch my water craft into local lakes on sandy shores where the sand was soft enough to cover the whole tire (up to the bottom of the wheel), no problems getting in or out. Good luck and be safe.
As long as you air down for sand (18-20psi) it makes for a great sand tire. I've used it on other vehicles but not on my 4th Gen nor my 5th Gen. Switched from the Mich M/S to GY SilentArmors and persoally prefer the to the Mich. Great on road in rain, snow and ice and more than adequate for most of my current offroad.
WindomEarles
New member
Why do u guys want the LT (E or C) rating for the ms/2? Seems like the Standard load rating is more than adequate and less stiff
In my case, C rating would have been just right, but the D rating was on sale. So, overkill being a bit better then not enough IMHO, I got D. What are you referring too when you say "standard rating"? LT tires or Light Truck tires, are designed for the vehicle's we have, an almost 5K body on frame 4 WD/SUV. The better question I think is why Toyota felt a Passenger Car rated tire was good enough for our 4 runners......rehtorical question, I already know the answer....money, better MPG, more money.. less weight, even more money. etc.
bamma
New member
A P rated tire is great for a suv like a 4runner. The only time you will need LT is if you are towing, as the LT has a much higher load range.
The downside to the LT is it will reduce your gas mileage. If you don't tow or tow very little, I'd recommend a P rated tire. I put LT's on my Tacoma because I often carry heavy loads and have towed quite a bit. With stock P rated tires I averaged about 19mpg with the LT rated MS/2's I average about 17mpg.
I have the MS/2s and they are great. I had BFG AT's and took them back after a month and 5 attempts to balance them. They never rode right on my Tacoma. Luckily Discount Tire was great about letting swap out to the MS/2s. The MS/2s are great for lighter off-roading, and are much better in rain and ice/snow in my opinion (even though the AT's are severe snow rated with the snowflake symbol ant the MS/2s are not).
bluebullet
New member
I did not know they had a load range D. I have always used the Cs thinking E was overkill for my use. I notice you went up 2 sizes to 285s. Can the computer be reset to adjust for the larger tire size so your odometer/speed will read correctly? I know some of the GM pickups could tho my 2002 Duramax could not be reset.
bluebullet
New member
I like the Michelin MS/2s for snow and wet roads. I am getting 20-21 mpg on my 2011 TE with the stock Bridgestones. Will be interested to see if it drops with the Michelin LTs when the time comes for replacement. Our highways in MT have gotten so beaten up with winter and patching potholes within potholes that a good off road tire is now needed for highway use. No money to fix the roads with anything more than pothole fill. Some of those fixed only last a week.
bamma
New member
Tirerack shows the actual weight of each tire. The difference between a P and LT (and even the weight difference between comparable LT to LT tires) can make a huge difference.
My stock tires on my tacoma (BFG Rugged "Fails" Trails) weighed 40 lbs and the MS/2s weigh 47 lbs. That's 28 pounds extra the car has to turn in the wheels (more strain on the engine than 28 lbs in your trunk).
I'd check the weight differences when you go to upgrade, and be prepared for a loss in mileage if you have a large weight difference.
Width/tread can also make a difference as more road friction=loss in mpg.
That said, the MS/2s ride so great, are awesome in rain, and I feel 1000x safer on the road, I'd happily buy them again. I loved the look of the BFG AT, and would have kept them if they could actually get balanced (I understand this is a common problem with this tire).
My stock tires on my tacoma (BFG Rugged "Fails" Trails) weighed 40 lbs and the MS/2s weigh 47 lbs. That's 28 pounds extra the car has to turn in the wheels (more strain on the engine than 28 lbs in your trunk).
I'd check the weight differences when you go to upgrade, and be prepared for a loss in mileage if you have a large weight difference.
Width/tread can also make a difference as more road friction=loss in mpg.
That said, the MS/2s ride so great, are awesome in rain, and I feel 1000x safer on the road, I'd happily buy them again. I loved the look of the BFG AT, and would have kept them if they could actually get balanced (I understand this is a common problem with this tire).
bluebullet
New member
I had a similar experience as you did with the BFGs but with Cooper tires on a 94 4Runner SR5. I wanted Michelins. My tire dealer insisted I would be just as happy and would save $ with Coopers. We could never get them balanced even tho they had success with many Tacomas. After 10K miles the dealer sold me Michelins and gave me full credit for the Coopers. I have never gotten a bad Michelin in 10-12 sets of four over the years. Some have not given the mileage I expected (40K on CrossTerrains on a 99 SR5, and usually about 55K on GM pickups), but I always feel safe on wet or snowy roads.
Tires can be out of round. I had 7 Goodyear tires replaced on a new 1970 Triumph TR6. There was a tire strike at the time and they were throwing anything they could get their hands on to make a car roll. 3 out of 4 of the tires on the ground were replaced b/c they were so far out of round they could not be balanced. Then 4 of the eventual replacements had to be replaced for the same reason. Things improved dramatically when the strike ended.
Tires can be out of round. I had 7 Goodyear tires replaced on a new 1970 Triumph TR6. There was a tire strike at the time and they were throwing anything they could get their hands on to make a car roll. 3 out of 4 of the tires on the ground were replaced b/c they were so far out of round they could not be balanced. Then 4 of the eventual replacements had to be replaced for the same reason. Things improved dramatically when the strike ended.
bamma
New member
Yeah, I actually think the Discount Tire I went to didn't know what they were doing. They said they used to the proper "Haweka" adapter for my lugcentric wheels, but I'd never seen so many weight plates on a rim. Either the tires were out of round, or they didn't know what they were doing. I had them road force them three or four times before I finally demanded a new tire.
I was very close to going with BFGs as replacements, but didn't want to deal with the same issue again, so I went to Michelins. This is the third set of Michelins I've had, and like you said Blue, I've also never had problems with Michelins. Even though they are a bit more expensive, I think I'll stick with Michelins going forward.
I was very close to going with BFGs as replacements, but didn't want to deal with the same issue again, so I went to Michelins. This is the third set of Michelins I've had, and like you said Blue, I've also never had problems with Michelins. Even though they are a bit more expensive, I think I'll stick with Michelins going forward.
WindomEarles
New member
Looks like i'll be getting a set of M/S 2!
While I fully agree with you regarding towing and such, and yes, I tow boats, Jet skis, haul some heavy equip sometimes etc, IMHO, P rated tires, DEPENDING on who and what materials were used in their manufacturer, can be fine, or can be a real disaster. As for cost, weight, MPG etc, for me, easy trade for safety or at least the feeling of being safer.
I guess we can just agree to disagree.
Be Safe.
No, as far as I know. At least the dealer says no way for them to do it. There has been a fairly recent thread here where some of the forum members are attempting to use a aftermarket tool to change the ECU.....I have been waiting for the results to see if it worked. If you do a search, you should find that thread. Just an FYI, going to a 285, I think it was said only a 3 percent different in speedo reading etc.
Be Safe.
bamma
New member
I agree with you. You need a p rates tire that will properly support the GVWR of the vehicle. Most p rated SUV sized tires will meet this requirement.
And the materials do make a difference. My rugged trails had unsafe tire rot after 3 years.
A poor quality lt could yield the same poor results. My only point is a good p rated tire will be safe on a t4r.
