Tried three different sets of tires in two weeks. Observations. (1 Viewer)

[KenB]

I’ve been running Michelin Defender LTX M/S tires (LT, E load rated, 18”) for around 12 months on my 2013 LC. Two weeks ago I bought a set of 18” 2016 LC wheels with nearly new Bridgestone Blizzak tires (P rated) off of Craig’s List, and yesterday I bought a set of Falken Wildpeak tires (LT, E load rated, 18”) for a Spring break trip to Moab in two weeks and for the Ouray LCDC event this summer. I’m in Minnesota. It’s been cold with plenty of snow recently. My opinion is this:

Best in snow and ice:
Blizzak - by far the best of the three. It’s fun to look for snow and ice knowing you’ll be planted and not sliding around.
Defender M/S - 75% as good as the Blizzak. Good enough for a year round highway tire if you didn’t have a set of snow tires.
Wildpeak - not scary bad like the stock tires, but not great compared to the other two. Spun the tires and had to back down and take another run in the snow to get up my steep driveway last night. Wouldn’t have been a problem with the Blizzak or Defender tires.

Least amount of noise:
Defender - a very quite tire
Blizzak - some noise, not bad
Wildpeak - more noise than the other two, still not bad.

Best ride:
Blizzak - the best ride. Should it be expected? It’s a P rated tire. The other two are E load range LT tires.
Defender/Wildpeak - Can’t really tell the difference. Both ride nice, but harsher than the Blizzak. Slight edge to the Defender?

Haven’t tried the Wildpeaks anyplace other than on pavement and in the snow. Hopefully they’ll shine off road once the snow is gone.

Future tire plans? Find one more set of five wheels. End up with three sets of mounted tires/wheels (I don’t have wheels for the Defenders right now). Run the Blizzaks in the winter, run the Defenders most of the time. Put the Wildpeaks on for trips off the pavement.

Thought I’d share. Most don’t get to try three different kinds of tires back-to-back like I did.

HTH, Ken

 

[JohnPW]

Why did you get the Defenders in E rated? I would imagine the Defenders in P or XL would be the best ride, if you’ll use the Wildpeaks off-road.

 

[bloc]

Thanks for this post.. back-to-back is rare because it's difficult/expensive to do.

What pressures did you run on each set of tires?

 

[TeCKis300]

Great feedback. And yes, always hard to get a back to back relative comparison.

Curious since you just got the Wildpeaks. Have you you given them a chance to scrub in? Break them in with a few hundred miles of asphalt travel that is? New tires generally have a bit of coating and superficial carcass that needs to be worn in first before they achieve normal performance. Wonder if that's harder in the cold, and with snow-cover?

I ask as the Defender M/S is not a three-peak mountain snowflake rated tire whereas the Wildpeaks are. Michelin's are always awesome and more broadly competent though so I'm still not completely surprised they'd be awesome.

 

[KenB]

Why did you get the Defenders in E rated? I would imagine the Defenders in P or XL would be the best ride, if you’ll use the Wildpeaks off-road.

I tow a 6,000# camper in the summer.

What pressures did you run on each set of tires?

36 psi on the Blizzaks, 42 psi on the Defenders and Wildpeaks.

Curious since you just got the Wildpeaks. Have you you given them a chance to scrub in? Break them in with a few hundred miles of asphalt travel that is?

No. I just got them yesterday and everything is snow covered right now.

 

[gaijin]

So... what size were the tires? Might help...

 

[TeCKis300]

No. I just got them yesterday and everything is snow covered right now.

If your impressions change at all, I'd love to hear a follow-up.

 

[KenB]

So... what size were the tires? Might help...

Blizzak 285/60R18
Defender LT275/70R18
Wildpeak LT285/65R18

(I had to go outside and look to make sure I was remembering right. It's dark, 3 degrees, 20-30 mph winds with gusts to 40mph. - Enjoy the data!)

 

[40Man]

FWIW-the LT Wildpeak and P-rated Wildpeak have a completely different tread compound. The p-rated has a silicate compound that is better on snow and ice.

 

[gaijin]

36 psi on the Blizzaks, 42 psi on the Defenders and Wildpeaks.

Blizzak 285/60R18
Defender LT275/70R18
Wildpeak LT285/65R18

(I had to go outside and look to make sure I was remembering right. It's dark, 3 degrees, 20-30 mph winds with gusts to 40mph. - Enjoy the data!)

I didn't have to go outside in the windy cold and dark, but since you did, I'm happy to share the data:

FYI:

The Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressures for these tires on your 2013 LC200 are:

Bridgestone DM-V2 Blizzak 285/60R18 116R 33psi
Michelin Defender LTX M/S LT275/70R18/E 125/122R 41psi
Falken Wildpeak A/T3W LT285/65R18/E 125/122S 42psi

If you want, it looks like you could run your Blizzaks at a little bit lower pressure - might improve the performance of an already great tire.

HTH

 

[Markuson]

I didn't have to go outside in the windy cold and dark, but since you did, I'm happy to share the data:

FYI:

The Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressures for these tires on your 2013 LC200 are:

Bridgestone DM-V2 Blizzak 285/60R18 116R 33psi
Michelin Defender LTX M/S LT275/70R18/E 125/122R 41psi
Falken Wildpeak A/T3W LT285/65R18/E 125/122S 42psi

If you want, it looks like you could run your Blizzaks at a little bit lower pressure - might improve the performance of an already great tire.

HTH

This is why I always find @gaijin ‘s psi posts interesting. The psi differences are often huge and surprisingly varied. Such a difference from the typical shop guy... constantly pointing to the door panel psi listings as gospel.