Anyone had any balancing issues with these? A local shop near us said they've seen some balancing issues with Michelins lately.
So I think the Michelin Defender is the perfect all-terrain tire... (For most of us) (24 Viewers)
- Thread starter chriscosta416
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I’m running new Defenders and they’re perfectly balanced.
Funny you say that...sorting through which "Defender" tire is which/better was no easy task...and I'm still not 100% WTF I bought :/
The invoice reads "Mich Defender LTX MS/2" The store manager, again really awesome experience, just told me these are the latest greatest from Michelin. When I called her to follow up on the tire pressure she advised that "it was our mistake to pressure at 40, if the door jam says 33psi, go w 33"
Might you know for sure?
bloc
SILVER Star
I just checked the spec sheet and they don’t make that model in a LT tire in your size, so sorry for the confusion. Yes 33 would be the correct pressure.
gray rider
SILVER Star
I was told by a tire guy that LT tires should be run generally at 40 psi on this weight vehicle. Who really knows?
Hi - just a highway/gravel traveler in a 2019 LC. Switched the OEM's to Michelin LTX M/S2 at 38k miles this week - seem "stiffer" (can feel the frost gaps more at the same OEM recommended 33#). Chicago guy so the coming season is of interest to me - no snows. For what it's worth...
bloc
SILVER Star
That’s not a bad ballpark number, but there is an industry-recommended way to calculate the new pressure based on the old and new load ratings.
Thing is, even then there’s some nuance. It has all been talked about a -lot- on this forum.
Thanks, whats weird is that during my search, Tire Rack advised that I could get an LTX (maybe they got the size wrong?) but that the Defender LTX MS/2 was the latest/greatest. Kinda bummed if 18MPG is now mt "best" mileage. It is what it is.
bloc
SILVER Star
18 is the published highway number for our vehicles using the OE dunlops.. to match that on an objectively better tire would keep me happy, personally. But I’ve never seen 20 except driving downhill…
I think there's some unintentional miscommunication going on here. By "LT" the other poster means "LT" or "Light Truck" tire construction, as opposed to Passenger... not the brand or model name of the tire. The Michelin Defender LTX MS/2 comes in both flavors. Some sizes can even be had in both LT and Passenger varieties. The Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 is currently the latest tire in that series from Michelin.
LT tires are generally heavier and stiffer, capable of greater durability under sustained towing or heavy loads. Passenger tires are generally lighter, longer wearing, and give a more comfortable ride.
Last edited:
No problems with mine.
FWIW, the particular trip where I typically was in the 20ish MPG (again, Mich Latitude) is just shy of a tankful of fuel...not an interstate and relatively flat. Excepting one 15 mile portion, the posted speed limits range 55 - 60 so I'm really running in a bit of a sweet spot.
I haven't yet made that trip but when I do. I'll report on the mpg.
Also, I'm running 0/20 vs 5/30 so not sure if that's contributing.
I have ran (drove?) on Defender LTX M/S since 2021... love them... they do everything I need and then some.
That said, I've been look at getting a dedicated set of winters and am interested in the Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3 (non-studded)... but am curious if anyone can comment on whether I could expect a big upgrade in winter/snow/ice/etc performance vs the LTX
Like where on the scale of 1 to 10 does each tire lie when it comes to winter performance?
That said, I've been look at getting a dedicated set of winters and am interested in the Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT3 (non-studded)... but am curious if anyone can comment on whether I could expect a big upgrade in winter/snow/ice/etc performance vs the LTX
Like where on the scale of 1 to 10 does each tire lie when it comes to winter performance?
Last edited:
I'm actually going the other way. I've been running dedicated snows for the past 5 years, Nokian R3s on the factory rims, saving my Rock Warriors with KO2s for summer. My R3s are pretty worn out, not really safe for winter, but with the Michelins installed now I'm gonna give then a try for the winter, which will avoid having to buy yet another set of new tires, the swap, etc. I've pulled all the button head screws and rings off the RWs so the don't get the salt exposure.
The R3 tires (non studded) really were amazing in the snow, all types (rated 9-10). They ride nice and smooth, but got pretty noisy at the end of their life as the tread got thin. I would say the only gripe I had was they were a directional tread, which really messed with rotating. I would avoid buying a directional tread tire from now on with all my cars.
From the few times I have driven my Defender LTX MS2 in the snow, I did not find them to handle as well as I expected. I hit some slush on the first snow of the year recently and it sent me sliding.
I run the Blizzak DM-V2 in the winter here in NW Montana. They have been rated as good or better than the Hakka's on ice and snow but not quite as good on wet and dry pavement.
It's night and day between the two. The Michelin's are great tires but can't compete with a dedicated winter tire if you have really cold temps and icy roads.
I run the Hakka R3 SUVs on my 200. Blizzaks on a few other vehicles. Based on my experiences, the Blizzak is a better tire on packed snow and ice, which we get a lot of here in Idaho. I went with the Hakkas on the 200 mainly because I was curious how they would perform. They’re just fine in fresh snow and they do ok on packed snow and ice. They’re just not as good when it comes to stopping on snow and ice. Blizzaks are just better.
Appreciate the response!
Unfortunately I've never had a dedicated winter set on my 100 series so I don't have anything to compare it with. But I will say, as my profile picture indicates, I've done some legit winter driving over the years and I've never had the kind of experience you described.
Not trying to detract from your experience. Sounds like you've got the LTX as 5-6 out of 10 and the Hakka's at an 8-9 out of 10.
Right on... stopping on packed snow and ice is probably the most important factor when it comes down to it. I don't do a ton of driving in those conditions. If I did I'd be looking at studded instead.
Last edited:
Got my set of Michelin Defenders for my 2015 LC.
