Well, I guess it's time to count me among those who have made the switch to Michelin LTX M/S tires. I've been interested since last year in replacing the stock tires. I didn't have that much trouble with them, really...they seemed to do okay in snow and on dry pavement. I've always been a little concerned with them in the wet, however. Also, like many of us, I noticed that the outer tread blocks seemed to not have much tread depth left (although the center was fine). I guess those outer blocks weren't as deep to start, because I ran my tires at 32 psi for awhile, then upped them to 35 psi. I don't believe they were ever really underinflated and overinflation should have shown a treadwear bias in the center, not at the edges.

Anyway, I spent the last week and a half on a construction site as an acting construction inspector, and I was really impressed with the E, getting around in muck and mud and over gravel and up and down slopes and large tire tracks left behind by construction equipment. I found myself thinking I could keep going on the stock tires for awhile because the E and the tires were holding their own in the conditions. One of the contractors even joked about how they had accepted my Element in the sea of pickups as a sort of "mascot". I did catch him pulling on my rear window wiper wondering how to make the toast pop out, however...:D

Driving home last Friday night from Donnelly, Idaho back down to Boise, I was driving on windy roads in the rain. There wasn't *that* much water on the road, and I thought I was doing fine. Just south of Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, there is a grade that you have to climb to get over the foothills, and on that grade I found myself hydroplaning 3 or 4 times. Just driving along, and all of a sudden my front end is drifting a bit to the outside of the curve. Suddenly, my desire to replace the Wranglers went from a mild dissatisfaction to a safety issue! The center tread blocks don't move enough water when the outer tread blocks are worn down like mine were.

I managed to get 32002 mostly uneventful miles out of the stock tires, but I'm pretty happy with the LTX tires so far (all 25 miles or so). I took them on a test drive around Boise tonight, including a little bit of street driving, a trip down the interstate a little ways, and even some rough road driving through construction. I'll hit the unpaved roads later this week when I break out the MTB again. I won't make any outrageous claims about them being a bazillion gagillion times better than the stock tires or anything, but the siping that Michelin put into them from the factory does seem to grip the road better and they are quieter in the applications I tried than the stock tires. I'm definitely looking forward to my next chance to take on some rain or a good, mucky construction site.

I do have to say that Costco offering $60 off a set of 4 tires made these the best priced tire out of the ones I was considering (I also considered the Toyo Open Country A/T, Cooper Discoverer ATR, Nokian WR SUV, BFG AT KO--all in stock size). I think that for my mostly on-pavement driving style with excursions to MTB trails, camp sites, and construction sites, these tires should fit the bill for the foreseeable future.

Interesting post!

I, too, am sold on the Michelins but I will still run dedicated snow tires in the winter. Winter, in the Okangan Valley, is actually quite short (basically mid-November to early February and only a few snowfalls) but I travel into the mountains regularly from October until the end of April. Conditions can go from dry to rain to ice to deep snow in the matter of a few kilometres!

I will be interested in hearing about your experiences with the LTXs in the snow!

I've used my Michelins in light snow (2-4 inches), and they were superb. Made my E a little tracking machine. Steady and straight up hills where other cars were slipping sideways into the curbs, sidewalks etc. (OK, a lot of Portlanders do not know how to drive in snow). Just passed right by all their stalled carcasses and kept on going with absolutely no problem.

Congrats on your new tires. I have several instances of slippage in wet weather before replacing my stock wranglers also. I too felt replacement was required for safety issues. Like you, the centers of my Wranglers were just fine. The problem seems to be entirely with the sipes along the edges just plain wearing too fast or something. I mean, something is not right there.

That's the same tires my parents run on both of their Jeep Grand Cherokees and they seem to love them. They run them year-round through some pretty deep snow and never seem to have problems with them, even on their 1/2 mile unplowed exposed driveway. :D

I am looking to buy some new tires, but plan on going with 22570r16's. I was curious as to what size you went with. The last price I had was $800. for a set of the LTX Michelin. 215 were higher. No offer of the $60.00 rebate or gift card.

I went with the stock size 215/70/16, and got out the door for $600 after the rebate.

Bobman79,

Keep me posted on how these do in the rain/wet pavement. Snow is not a concern, it doesn't snow much here. And when I did encounter snow and ice, the stock tires did well. But wet pavement is a problem because of the reason you and others have stated. I, too, have about 34000 miles on my E.

I have been wanting the Nokian WR SUV tires. But have just been talked out of them due to not having after-service should I get a defective tire (tires have to be sent back to online retailer). NO ONE around here (MD, DC, VA) has Nokians. So, I thought I'd consider the Michelin LTX (pricey :-( ).

Thanks for your informative post. The joke about toast popping out by pulling the lever (back wiper) was funny. :smile:

-g

I am looking to buy some new tires, but plan on going with 22570r16's. I was curious as to what size you went with. The last price I had was $800. for a set of the LTX Michelin. 215 were higher. No offer of the $60.00 rebate or gift card.

When I bought my Michelins they were somewhere between $550-600. Have they gone up THAT much in two years??

Gisele, if you want my $.02 (that's $.03 cents U.S. :) ) - the Michelins are a great wet weather tire.

Although I now live in a semi-arid region, I had the Michelin LTX M/S on a Ford F-250 when I lived in N.W. B..C for 5 years. VERY wet place. The tires made a HUGE difference to the stabilty of the truck - great cornering, they prevented hydroplaning on flooded surfaces and greatly reduced braking distance over the stock tires (again, interestingly enough, another Goodyear all-season variant). They are also very quiet for an all season tire.

Yes, the Michelins are pricey but they are very long wearing. I had no appreciable wear after 30k kilometers of hard use (lots of logging roads and heavy loads). Not one flat!

Unfortunately, I got a flat within the first few weeks of putting them on my E this spring! :mad: Can't blame the tires, though, it was sloppy clean up (a roofing nail) after having our roof replaced.

PVR,
Thanks for your inflated opinion :rolleyes:

It was VERY helpful.

In your honor, this:

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=497311&postcount=714

I've had my LTX's on for a couple of weeks and they have been great in both dry and wet weather. Of course I can only compare them to the Wranglers because that's all i've had on the car, but they were well worth the price.

Had my LT's put on today. went with 2257016, so far I feel a little higher off the ground, and like I have more tire. Anyway, they were about 731, I mailed the rebate in today, hope I can get it for Christmas. They sure seem better than the Wranglers. I'll keep everyone posted.

PVR,
Thanks for your inflated opinion :rolleyes:
...

Your deflated gratitude is truly touching gisele!

Had my LT's put on today. went with 2257016, so far I feel a little higher off the ground....

You are higher, about .3".

I knew I could see better being a little higher. :)

COSTCO pricing (as of 25 October 2007) on the LTX M/S:

225/70R/16 = $152.00 per tire
215/70R/16 = $154.00 per tire

Michelin Cross Terrain 225/70R/16 are $174 per tire.

Prices include everything but taxes. Through the end of Oct there is a discount of sixty bucks if you buy 4 tires. Membership is $50 a year.

(I'm not endorsing COSTCO, just passing along their pricing)

- Ted

Additional $50 Gift cheque rebate from Michelin for Canadian residents. Not sure what a gift cheque is but here is the link.

http://www.redflagdeals.com/click.php?id=28458&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.michelin.ca%2Fpdf%2FMIC_coupo n_en.pdf

I got mine yesterday. I had ordered 225's but changed back to 215's because I like the fit better. I noticed an immediate, positive feel, on the drive home.

Additional $50 Gift cheque rebate from Michelin for Canadian residents. Not sure what a gift cheque is but here is the link.

http://www.redflagdeals.com/click.php?id=28458&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.michelin.ca%2Fpdf%2FMIC_coupo n_en.pdf

Buggers...I bought mine in September....:rolleyes:

My wife (it's "her" car) and I have put 50,000 miles on the original tires :shock:. Same side sipe issue as you folks, but I guess we've pushed it for longer. Middle of the tire has plenty of tread though.
I'm afraid if I get Michelin replacements, that they'll be the last tires I ever get to buy for this vehicle.
My wife says don't count on it and that she'll drive it til the wheels fall off :rolleyes:. I say a Honda with Michelins (BTW my wife used to work at Costco) and a road hazard warranty is like a Diamond with a helmet on in a bouncy house. That is to say, even my wife will tire of this Element (and probably want to buy another) within the next 100,000 miles, which I'm sure she can squeeze out of those tires.
----------Andymon

Just had the Michelins installed on my E yesterday. I had 33K on the factory Wranglers and wanted to get them changed before the snow hits here in Northwest Ohio.

I was hesitant initially due to the cost which was a bit more than I thought I wanted to spend but after getting them on (yesterday it was dry, light rain today), I'm glad I did. It feels more secure on the road.

Michelin LTX M/S tires installed--great ride, soooooo much quieter. E had 35,412 miles at installation time (last Friday (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=504448&postcount=1839)).

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showpost.php?p=504448&postcount=1839

Well, I've had my LTX tires on for a couple hundred miles now, and we finally got some rain here in Boise (which doesn't happen all that terribly often, it seems). This was a pretty decent rain for around here, falling steadily. Lots of water was built up in the grooves on most of the main roads, so I figured I'd spend some time driving down the grooves and sticking my tires into as much water as I could.

I have to say with the old Wranglers, they used to sort of feel like pushing a toy boat into the water in a bath tub--there is some initial resistance and buoyancy takes over. They'd feel like they were bogging down and not feel terribly controlled. They'd also sound funny...I don't know how to describe it, but if you've driven your E in any rain at all, these feelings and sounds should be familiar to you.

The LTX is a different story. It just plowed right through the water. I didn't feel any of the bogging down of the Wranglers, and the only noise I heard was the sound of water spraying my side steps.

All in all, I feel like these tires were a fantastic purchase and the E feels so much more secure in the dry and now in the wet than I think it ever did with the Wranglers--even when they were new.

Winter is coming, so I'll be sure to add my thoughts and observations when I finally get to do some driving in the snow.

the ltx is a great tire. i've had them on the E for 60k now and they look half worn! great investment and good for the earth because they last twice as long as a traditional tire. i also like the way they handle under loads.

so, why can't honda stop putting those punk-ass dangerous tires on?

so, why can't honda stop putting those punk-ass dangerous tires on?

Because they're cheap and the Element is an entry-level SUV. Sad but true :(

Because they're cheap...:(

Ever priced a replacement set out. They are not cheap in purchase price, only in design and construction. But, I would venture to say that you won't find a tire that will get you better mpg.

After some significant soul & web searching, I am about to take the plunge & get the Michelin LTX M/S tires. My OEMs have only 20,000 on them, but I simply don't feel very safe with them! I have hydroplaned in very little water... doing nothing more than regular driving (which is "spirited" but not unsafe!) and using on/off ramps on the interstate.

Because we are moving over the winter & will drive across the country, I am tempted to invest in these now... but yet the frugal part of me (that is freaked out by the cost of 2 mortages & a remodel at present) wants to wait.

Thus I will be grateful to anyone with a good lead on prices or deals. Tirerack is looking like $145/ea. My dealer quoted $161/ea (I have yet to phone him back & point out that he said they get theirs from TireRack & yet there is a substantial price difference...).

Costco JUST opened here in Omaha a few weeks ago - they are $160/ea installed...

Thanks for any other leads!

E-vilqueen

I bought my 2003 element (front wheel drive) from my local Honda dealer and it had a new set of LTX's on some custom chrome rims. Over the last year and a half of driving I have to say, I'm not at all impressed.

They hydroplane so badly that they almost throw me off the road. They are so dangerous that my Wife refuses to even drive it.

In even the slightest rain/wet pavement when I go to take off from a full stop, with just normal acceleration they spin so badly they throw the whole car to the right.

In snow they are awful, can only go about 10 mph constantly slipping sideways.

Personally, I can't get rid of my LTX's quick enough.

From reading this forum, I have to wonder why I seem to be the only one having these problems. Could there be something wrong in the front end of my Element or what?
Any suggestions?

I bought my 2003 element (front wheel drive) from my local Honda dealer and it had a new set of LTX's on some custom chrome rims. Over the last year and a half of driving I have to say, I'm not at all impressed.

They hydroplane so badly that they almost throw me off the road. They are so dangerous that my Wife refuses to even drive it.

In even the slightest rain/wet pavement when I go to take off from a full stop, with just normal acceleration they spin so badly they throw the whole car to the right.

In snow they are awful, can only go about 10 mph constantly slipping sideways.

Personally, I can't get rid of my LTX's quick enough.

From reading this forum, I have to wonder why I seem to be the only one having these problems. Could there be something wrong in the front end of my Element or what?
Any suggestions?
Wow, I dunno. Is the tire pressure correct? Are the wheels balanced? (:confused: don't know if that would effect it).

I've only had mine one week, today was heavy down pouring of rain. The tires performed beautifully. I floated through the water, puddles, etc. Before with the stock tires it felt like I was pushing through water. Also, I was very impressed with how well the E stopped, and pulling out fast taking a turn I didn't slip at all. Car held firmly to the road. (I don't drive like a maniac, it's tough to get out of my neighborhood, no stop light, lots of cars going both directions at 50-60 miles an hour on a two-lane road:mad: I have to be quick.)

Ever priced a replacement set out. They are not cheap in purchase price, only in design and construction. But, I would venture to say that you won't find a tire that will get you better mpg.

And that is why they put them on Elements. My mileage went down 1-2 mpg after switching to LTX's, but I'm not sorry. It's a much better tire in virtually every respect. It looks really good on the car, it handles and stops very securely and they wear amazingly well. I've got 30K on mine and there is hardly any wear.

I bought my 2003 element (front wheel drive) from my local Honda dealer and it had a new set of LTX's on some custom chrome rims. Over the last year and a half of driving I have to say, I'm not at all impressed.

They hydroplane so badly that they almost throw me off the road. They are so dangerous that my Wife refuses to even drive it.

In even the slightest rain/wet pavement when I go to take off from a full stop, with just normal acceleration they spin so badly they throw the whole car to the right.

In snow they are awful, can only go about 10 mph constantly slipping sideways.

Personally, I can't get rid of my LTX's quick enough.

From reading this forum, I have to wonder why I seem to be the only one having these problems. Could there be something wrong in the front end of my Element or what?
Any suggestions?



Just out of curiostity, what size are they?

I've now got about 1000 miles on my LTX tires. I took another trip from Boise up to Donnelly Idaho, repeating the trip that made me want new tires in the first place. For added challenge, it snowed overnight leaving the roads with packed snow.

The drive up was great. The tires make a difference over the stock tires in light snow for sure. They certainly did fine driving around the construction site again, plenty of uneven terrain made of mud and gravel, all covered in snow. I had no problems, and had a great time.

On the way home, it began to snow heavily in central Idaho, and the LTX kept a firm grip on the road in fresh snow. As I got closer to Boise and went up the grade where I hydroplaned before, the road was wet instead of snowy. This time, the new tires cut right through the water on the road and felt firm and responsive.

Overall, I still believe these tires are fantastic. I'm happy that I had the chance to retry the trouble trip in worse conditions with the new tires. They definitely are living up to my expectations, and I'm looking forward to many years and lots of miles of confident driving. If any other situations come up that are pertinent, I'll add more comments, but I'm definitely satisfied after my first 1000 miles.