NEW TIRE: Michelin LTX M/S-2

[Thai]

A real snow tire is superior. Period.

Yup...and thus, most (if not all) snow tires are snowflaked.

More on the snowflake debate: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42054

My view in a nutshell: Does this symbol gaurantee that a tire with it is the best in snow?? No. But, it gives me peace of mind that this tire has pass at least some control testing to assure that it is not a bad tire in the snow.

BTW, we're going a bit off-topic.

 

[ToyTech99]

But then what is the alternative?

A standardized test measures "something" in some situation. The snowflake gives us at least an inkling that the tire performs well in that situation (compared to non-snowflake tires).

Infinite conditions exist: Powder, wet pack snow, snow over ice, snow over asphalt, snow with slush, ice, etc. You're absolutely right. for one person (or group of people) to say XXX tires are the best, ignores a lot more variables than a standardized test.

So I do need to ask again: What other objective criteria / methodology is available? I'm getting ready to plop down $1000 on a set of new tires for the up coming winter season and if there are other alternatives, I'd like to hear them.

PS. Just gotta add this. I've spent the last few days poring over reviews and recommendations on soooo many sites. If there's a short answer for "whats the best all terrain tire mix for long highway commutes and high sierra nevada snow" I'd LOVE to hear it.

The alternative for you might be different than the alternative for me. Personally, I rely on my own experiences mostly, and somewhat on the experiences of others. I'll give you a good example right now---- I found a snowplower's message forum and I came across a few threads where they were discussing tires. Most, if not all of them were plowing with their personal vehicles, so they were able to research and choose whatever tires they felt would work well for them. Just about everyone that posted on the threads agreed that the Cooper Discoverer ATR worked very well on a plow truck. They all seemed to really praise the ATR's performance in snow. Based mostly upon that, I decided to purchase a set of ATRs for my 4Runner. This will be my 3rd winter with them and I think they are probably the best tire for snow that I've ever owned (not including dedicated snow tires). And guess what? That's right....no snowflake symbol on them anywhere. Yet now that I have my own experience with them, I'd rate them very highly in snow performance, snowflake symbol or not!

 

[EEtM33t]

It looks like I will have a set of the new Michelin LTX M/S 2 tires on beginning next Friday.
Best price and no issues with going from 265/65 to 265/70 came from Discount Tire. They even beat the Costco price where Costco has a $70 off coupon at the moment. The lack of rationale behind Costco refusing to install anything that is not factory size (according to their position on what is factory size) was too much hassle to deal with regardless...

 

[EEtM33t]

265/70 17 Michelin LTX M/S 2 tires were installed this morning. Thus far I like the filled out wheel wells and think that the 4Runner handles better. I am expecting and hoping for significantly better traction in the snow than what was provided with the factory Dunlops.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

265/70 17 Michelin LTX M/S 2 tires were installed this morning. Thus far I like the filled out wheel wells and think that the 4Runner handles better. I am expecting and hoping for significantly better traction in the snow than what was provided with the factory Dunlops.

:worthless:

 

[EEtM33t]

:worthless:

See here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=56640
The tires have been great and are definitely an improvement over the Dunlops.

 

[My1stT4R]

Hello,

Well after some careful consideration between Revo 2 and LTX M/S², I decided on the Michelins. I was able to get 62K miles out of the factory Cross Terrains and wanted to try Michelin again. Its a great tire.

No noise! Very quiet tire for a treadwear rating of 720. You would think the tire would be a little noisy for having a tough tread, but I am pleased. They handle well in dry or wet conditions, better than the CT's. The traction control has not activated since I installed these tires, and the CT's would activate it every time I turned a corner after a stop.

I don't offroad much so I wanted a tire that can go 80K without an issue. And frankly, I just don't trust Firestone. BFG T/A KO was another consideration but a little aggressive for my driving habits and I wanted a good non jaw breaking ride.

The LTX M/S² is a good tire worthy of consideration.

 

[ougrad1]

Hello,

Well after some careful consideration between Revo 2 and LTX M/S², I decided on the Michelins. I was able to get 62K miles out of the factory Cross Terrains and wanted to try Michelin again. Its a great tire.

No noise! Very quiet tire for a treadwear rating of 720. You would think the tire would be a little noisy for having a tough tread, but I am pleased. They handle well in dry or wet conditions, better than the CT's. The traction control has not activated since I installed these tires, and the CT's would activate it every time I turned a corner after a stop.

I don't offroad much so I wanted a tire that can go 80K without an issue. And frankly, I just don't trust Firestone. BFG T/A KO was another consideration but a little aggressive for my driving habits and I wanted a good non jaw breaking ride.

The LTX M/S² is a good tire worthy of consideration.

Thanks for your review. My wife's CRV has the bridgstone duelers that came with my urban runner that I replaced for CTs, but her's, after 2 years are balding. I was looking to replace them with CTs but considered the MS2s since they look to be a good replacement for the CTs as far as all-season and good on reducing road noise.

How is the driving comfort compared to the CTs? To me, the CTs are awesome and seem to really make the truck drive much smoother - are the MS2s pretty similar?

Thanks!

 

[92TXT4R]

Well, the snowflake does get certain Texans excited:violin:


:lmao::lmao:

that's because it snows in Texas. :cowboy:

 

[My1stT4R]

How is the driving comfort compared to the CTs? To me, the CTs are awesome and seem to really make the truck drive much smoother - are the MS2s pretty similar?

The ride of the M/S² is similar, if not better than the CTs. The M/S² is a little stiff due the threadwear rating, the ride is smooth but a little stiff, a little bouncy at times, like a truck which the T4R is. The ride is good and better than I expected.

The CTs were the best wearing tire I have driven on. They did not bald on me and after 62000 miles with rotation every 5000 Miles, there was enough tread for another 5-10K miles.

The M/S² is about $40 cheaper per tire than the CTs which was another consideration. If properly rotated, I should get 80K miles from the M/S² easy.

 

[EEtM33t]

I agree, the ride is incredibly smooth on these tires and from past experience with the prior generation I am expecting them to last damn near forever before showing wear.

 

[jon55nj]

I just rotated my MS2's again today after 20,000 miles since October. I have driven half way across the country, driven through heavy rains, light mud, and a lot of the deep snow we got in the northeast this year. I am no tire expert, but believe these to be the best I have owned. They are better on snow/ice than my old CT's. I also find them to be a bit more quiet. As someone else mentioned, they seem to be just a little more stiff than the CT's, but I wonder if that could be related to the aging 4Runner instead of the tires. Regardless, the tires have been great and showing very little wear.

 

[simplemind]

Any updates on the LTX M/S2?

 

[bayarea4x4]

I would like to chime in with my review. I've had these tires since Jan and have put about 8k on them. All I can say is I absolutely love them!! I do mostly highway driving but have mixed in mud, snow and fire roads. My truck is totally stock but I feel I can get through pretty much and condition out there. This year in the bay area we had some horrible rain storms and this truck felt so solid on the feeway it was unbelievable. Btw even with this 8k they look brand new! If these ever wear out, I know I'll want to lift the truck and I just hope they make this in the size I want when I'm ready. I really encourage everyone to take a look at these they are worth every penny!

Josh

 

[audiqtr]

Anyone have pics of M/S2's with a lift preferably on a 4th Gen?
Thx.

 

[Jason B]

How about some pics with them shined up?????

 

[Jason B]

265/70/16

 

[Jason B]

Just got these on my truck. Super quiet, and I really like the updated sidewall. The MS1's were very generic looking and the MS2 looks the part. Much smoother than the Duellar HL's I had on there.

 

[Bulltaco]

Michelin LTX 4Runner Limited Air Pressure

Just had my new Michelin LTXs rotated and balanced in Vancouver, Washington. I always ask them to adhere to the recommendations on the door panel with regard to air pressure. By the way, I got these a few months ago, and they performed superbly on the drive from Southern California to Oregon. Anyway the guys at the tire place tells me that they put 35psi in the tires, which is several psi above what Toyota recommends. He said this particular tire, when put on a 4Runner performs best at 35psi. Has any out there heard about this?

 

[Barry694]

Michelin LTX MS2 tire.

Had LTX MS tires previously. Sold vehicle with 57,000 miles and tires still had enough tread for another 20 to 30 thousand. Handling in all kinds of weather was superior. I lived in Northern California then and traveled through the Sierra Nevada mountains in winter with no problems. They handled well in the hot valley on the freeways flawlessly. Just purchased a 2011 4RUNNER, and it came with Bridgestone Dueler H/T. They do not handle well at all and in my opinion are an unsafe selection. Sold them to a dealer and purchased Michelin LTX MS2 tires and they seem great. Have a 70,000 mile warranty.