Michelin X-Terrains

[M1911]

no offense to your choice but you have a 4wd or all wheel drive and you have two sets of tires for the vehicle. why not just use a good set of all around tires(bfg all terrain, general grabber at2, michelin m/s2 or a/t2) or whatever company you prefer. i live in ma too and i have never run two different sets of tires on any 4wd or all wheel drive i have owned or currenty own(3 presently).

I've run snow tires on all our vehicles for the past 10+ years. 4WD helps me go, but it doesn't help me turn or stop. The first year I had my truck, I used the OEM Dunlops in the winter, and had a couple occasions where they just didn't turn or stop as I wanted them to in the snow. Given how the idiots around Boston drive, I want to be able to turn and stop as well as possible.

The only offroading that I do is on the beach, where a smoother tire is better than a more aggressive tire. So I have no need for an offroad tire, and I appreciate the quiet ride I get from the Cross Terrains.

In terms of cost, the only real added cost for a set of snow tires is the wheels, as when I'm running the snows I'm not running my summer tires, so the summer tires last longer. I picked up a set of 4 almost new 4Runner aluminum wheels for $400 delivered.

Do I need snow tires? No. But I sure do find they perform a heck of a lot better in the snow than all season tires. YMMV.

all i stated was i have listened to people who deal with tires 8-12 hrs a day 6 or 7 days a week including people who have actually had them on their vehicles and they have not been happy with the latitudes in any driving conditions. how many people do you know who go into a dealer and buy a brand new SUV and bring it back within weeks to change out the tires for whatever reason.

Sorry that I wasn't clear. I wasn't questioning you about issues with the Latitude, just commenting that lack of performance in the snow isn't an issue for me. The rest of the issues that you mentioned are important to me.

 

[inscarguy]

I've run snow tires on all our vehicles for the past 10+ years. 4WD helps me go, but it doesn't help me turn or stop. The first year I had my truck, I used the OEM Dunlops in the winter, and had a couple occasions where they just didn't turn or stop as I wanted them to in the snow. Given how the idiots around Boston drive, I want to be able to turn and stop as well as possible.

The only offroading that I do is on the beach, where a smoother tire is better than a more aggressive tire. So I have no need for an offroad tire, and I appreciate the quiet ride I get from the Cross Terrains.

In terms of cost, the only real added cost for a set of snow tires is the wheels, as when I'm running the snows I'm not running my summer tires, so the summer tires last longer. I picked up a set of 4 almost new 4Runner aluminum wheels for $400 delivered.



Do I need snow tires? No. But I sure do find they perform a heck of a lot better in the snow than all season tires. YMMV.

Sorry that I wasn't clear. I wasn't questioning you about issues with the Latitude, just commenting that lack of performance in the snow isn't an issue for me. The rest of the issues that you mentioned are important to me.

understandable. no problem here.

 

[eschnabs]

does the vehicle feel like its dragging, pulling, does the steering wheel shimmy @ highway speeds, does it feel like the tires are out of balance?
could you have been on a bad road on the way home? how did the vehicle feel before the new tires and now(compare ride, handling etc...)

the x-terrains are a bit softer than alot of other tires. it might feel a little mushy compared to what you were used to.

That's the weird thing, the truck doesn't drag, pull and actually rides pretty smooth. The noise is there all the time regardless of road, however,it is quieter on blacktop surfaces. My old Duelers were quieter(sad to say). It sounds like I have 32 inch tires with a 2 inch lift. I lowered the tire pressure down to 32 psi and no luck.

Guess my next step is to call the Service Manager.

 

[ALLEGRO]

That's the weird thing, the truck doesn't drag, pull and actually rides pretty smooth. The noise is there all the time regardless of road, however,it is quieter on blacktop surfaces. My old Duelers were quieter(sad to say). It sounds like I have 32 inch tires with a 2 inch lift. I lowered the tire pressure down to 32 psi and no luck.

Guess my next step is to call the Service Manager.

It has to be tread-pattern

 

[Climb14er]

At first, my 2007 V8 Sport 4Runner liked the X Terrains. Being a Michelin man for forty years, I've come to appreciate their quality ride and performance.

However, the 4Runner did not like the excessive wearing of the frequently rotated tires whose tread was one-half gone at less than 20K miles.

I contacted both Michelin and Discount Tire and they replaced all four of the X Terrains at no cost to me with a brand new set of LTX M&S-2 tires and all is now well.

I had the latter tires, original version on my previous Toyota 4 x 4 pickup and they performed incredibly well.

The LTX M&S-2's are heads and tails far superior than the XT's IMHO.

 

[M1911]

However, the 4Runner did not like the excessive wearing of the frequently rotated tires whose tread was one-half gone at less than 20K miles.

Odd. I've got about 60,000 miles on mine. I wonder if they changed the construction of the Cross Terrain.

 

[eschnabs]

It has to be tread-pattern

I agree, it has to be tread pattern. I am beginning to think the tread noise I am hearing is normal due to the depth and style of the tread pattern. I am curious as to what tires you guys had before you had the Cross Terrains?

 

[M1911]

I agree, it has to be tread pattern. I am beginning to think the tread noise I am hearing is normal due to the depth and style of the tread pattern. I am curious as to what tires you guys had before you had the Cross Terrains?

I had the OEM Dunlops. I thought they were miserable. Very bad tracking on the highway and performance in snow was miserable.

 

[Climb14er]

I had the OEM Dunlops. I thought they were miserable. Very bad tracking on the highway and performance in snow was miserable.

I agree!

Changed the Dunlops out on my previous Harley to Metzelers with great success and satisfaction.

On my new Road King Classic 103 cu inch, will also change out to either Metzelers or Avons when the Dunlops are no longer trusted.

 

[M1911]

I had plenty of tread left on the Dunlops when I bought the CrossTerrains. I hated them so much that I got rid of them long before they were worn out.

 

[KB084RUNNER]

I just installed a set of Michelin Latitudes on my 08 4Runner. They are as quiet as my OE tires were. But I have had tires in the past make noise for about the first 100 miles as they break in and then run quiet.

You might consider a second opinion on your alignment/balance.

FWIW, the Latitudes have a 8> rating on Tire Rack.

 

[webby]

However, the 4Runner did not like the excessive wearing of the frequently rotated tires whose tread was one-half gone at less than 20K miles.

That is really odd. My T4R had OEM Cross Terrains on it when I bought it used, they obviously hadn't been rotated in quite some time, and in spite of that, they have 47K on them now, and look to be headed for 60K in spite of lack of proper rotation. I am thinking of buying another set of them when these get thin. They ride and handle very well and are quiet. I'm impressed with them.

I keep hearing that the Cross Terrains are a discontinued tire, but I find multiple tire sources, both online and brick and mortar, that still offer them.

Re the LTX MS/2's, in reading many reviews at Tire Rack, I find quite a few complaints of road noise from them, and some complaints of a decrease of gas mileage. Neither of those features interests me.

 

[M1911]

I keep hearing that the Cross Terrains are a discontinued tire, but I find multiple tire sources, both online and brick and mortar, that still offer them.

I just noticed that the Tire Rack still has them in stock.

 

[Climb14er]

That is really odd. My T4R had OEM Cross Terrains on it when I bought it used, they obviously hadn't been rotated in quite some time, and in spite of that, they have 47K on them now, and look to be headed for 60K in spite of lack of proper rotation. I am thinking of buying another set of them when these get thin. They ride and handle very well and are quiet. I'm impressed with them.

I keep hearing that the Cross Terrains are a discontinued tire, but I find multiple tire sources, both online and brick and mortar, that still offer them.

Re the LTX MS/2's, in reading many reviews at Tire Rack, I find quite a few complaints of road noise from them, and some complaints of a decrease of gas mileage. Neither of those features interests me.

I notice absolutely neither! The 4Runner runs smooth and quiet, gas mileage hasn't changed and these are the best tires... a continuation of the earlier model M&S's... on my Toyotas!

 

[webby]

I just noticed that the Tire Rack still has them in stock.

So does Costco, Sams Club, Discount Tire, and everywhere else I have checked. I don't know why the rumor is out there that the Cross Terrains are discontinued, but I keep running across it. Someone already stated the rumor on this thread, as a matter of fact.

 

[webby]

Have you tried the latitude? What makes it not as good as the Cross Terrains? I'll probably have to replace my Cross Terrains late this year and was considering the Latitude.

A couple of years ago, I had a set of Latitude tires on a Buick sedan that we owned, and they did not last as long as Michelin tires normally last and didn't even last the length of the warranty. I was very disappointed in them. Personally, I like Michelins, and love my Cross Terrains, but I won't buy any Michelin with the Latitude name on it now.

 

[Kmvreter]

So does Costco, Sams Club, Discount Tire, and everywhere else I have checked. I don't know why the rumor is out there that the Cross Terrains are discontinued, but I keep running across it. Someone already stated the rumor on this thread, as a matter of fact.

The CT is discontinued in the majority of sizes. It used to be available as a high volume tire but is only available in a few limited sizes now. Check the Michelin site for details.

 

[howieb]

Back on the 1st of December I installed a set of Michelin LTX M/S 2's.

I too thought they rode a bit rough and seemed loud.

I found that the installer had put nearly 40 lbs of air (32 is the recommended). It still seemed to vibrate a bit, so I had them re-balance and all is GREAT now. No more noise, no vibrations and the ride is great.

Good luck with your situation.

I bought the same tires and the tire shop filled them with nitrogen. Not sure if it is the nitrogen or the tires, but they are VERY smooth. Probably a combination of both factors.