[Folsom]

I picked up a set of 4 LTX M/S tires at Costco, and the first thing I noticed with these tires is that I feel the road quite a bit through the steering wheel. I thought the tires weren't balanced, but after 4 balances I still feel a lot through the steering wheel compared to the stock tires. A lot of people have said the ride is much better with these tires than stock. To me, my old stock tires (which lasted to 50k before under 5/32") ride a lot better. Of course, the Michelins handle much better in the rain. Is this feel through the steering wheel common with those who have the LTX?

Thanks!
Folsom

 

[Tim Vance]

What do you mean by 'feel the road'?

i found that my Michelin's were a much better ride that the stock tires...better feel, and handling. Compared to the stock tires, the Goodyears were quite mushy, while the Michelins are much firmer...maybe that's what you mean...?

 

[GaryS]

What pressure are you running in these new tires?

 

[Folsom]

I'm running 32 in the front and 35 in the back. I did kick the front to 35 to see if that made any difference; I didn't notice any difference.

I guess the stock tires insulated me from vibrations in the steering wheel. I feel every bump through the wheel, and there is a low rumbling that I always feel.

 

[David Jones]

I have had good and bad results with Michelin tires over the years. We've owned a 2000 Odyssey and currently have a 2005 Odyssey. On both vehicles the OEM Michelins were shot at around 35K miles. The Michelins on the 2005 were absolutely unbearable for the last 5 thousand miles. Noisy. Rough. Acted for all the world like a belt was broken in all four. They were replaced with Yokohama AVID TRZ's and the transformation was and after 35K miles on the Yokohama's continues to be amazing. Quiet and comfee. Plenty of miles left. I have Michelin Cross Terrain SUV's on my Tundra and they have been great so far and very even wearing.

The LTX M/S is geared more towards the LT truck crowd and I would suspect that they aren't quite as smooth and quiet as a tire designed for a passenger car. They also carry a fairly "blocky" tread pattern that could be causing the rumble you are experiencing.

 

[Bowzer]

I've had the LTX's on a couple of different vehicles but nothing as light as the E. I could believe a bit of vibration could be coming through when compared to what I consider some pretty soft OEM Wranglers. The sidewalls on the LTX are very stout and that alone could contribute to what you are sensing. Maybe you should try backing off the air pressures a bit just to see what kind of difference it makes. The handling should maintain pretty well but if your mpg drops more than you like you can always just air back up. I never ran over 32 psi on these...and I remember there was always a prominent radial tire wide spot for the bottom of the tire but they all wore evenly and forever.

I'm a big fan of these but not necessarily all Michelins. THe best passenger car tire I run with is Bridgestone.

 

[DIG 5050]

LTX's

I have had OEM size LTXs on my since 5K miles. I run them at the pressure suggested on the door edge label. I have almost 30K on them now.

They were noisy at first, and I noticed that the MPG dropped about 15% for the first couple of tanks of fuel. I talked to a rep at Michelin about them. They said to give it a little time. After that they became quieter and the MPG came back to normal 22-23 range in the city.

I have noticed very good traction in the winter snow in OH, and better stability on the highway in windy conditions. I didn't then and still don't miss the OEM GoodYears.

The LTXs have a much chunkier look and squarer look than the GYs. Overall I am happy with them. If I have it to do again, I might look at CrossTerrains in the next size-width up.

Give it a little time for a break-in.

 

[Folsom]

Thanks for all the replies! I'm going on a long road trip this weekend so I'll have a better feel for the tires after that.

Folsom