Forum Discussion
atwowheelguy
Jun 26, 2016Explorer
Some anecdotal reports on the forums indicate lower MPGs with LT tires than P tires because of higher rolling resistance. Some say they found no difference in fuel mileage. An LT tire requires a higher pressure to carry the same load as a P tire, so expect it to have a stiffer ride.
On my '13 F150 Ecoboost 2WD, I recently replaced the OEM Michelin LTX A/S P265/60R18. At 77,000 miles, they still had 5/32" on most of the treads. One edge of one of the tires was down to 4/32", so I had them replaced. They had been rotated every 5,000 miles. They could easily have gone to 80,000 miles. It's hard to go against success, so I went with the Michelin Defender LTX M/S in the same size as a replacement. When you look at tires, look at the mileage, traction and temperature ratings. The Defender LTX M/S are rated at 800/A/A. I didn't find any rated higher. TireRack.com has a good web site to compare UTQG ratings.
I haven't towed with LT tires, so I can't compare the experience. I have never had an uncomfortable experience towing my 6700 lb. toy hauler with the P Michelins, and I have been loaded to within 50 lbs. of the rear GAWR.
Only about 15% of my annual mileage is towing the camper, so I went with the P tires for better ride and fuel mileage for the other 85% of the miles. I really had no compelling reason to change to an LT tire.
On my '13 F150 Ecoboost 2WD, I recently replaced the OEM Michelin LTX A/S P265/60R18. At 77,000 miles, they still had 5/32" on most of the treads. One edge of one of the tires was down to 4/32", so I had them replaced. They had been rotated every 5,000 miles. They could easily have gone to 80,000 miles. It's hard to go against success, so I went with the Michelin Defender LTX M/S in the same size as a replacement. When you look at tires, look at the mileage, traction and temperature ratings. The Defender LTX M/S are rated at 800/A/A. I didn't find any rated higher. TireRack.com has a good web site to compare UTQG ratings.
I haven't towed with LT tires, so I can't compare the experience. I have never had an uncomfortable experience towing my 6700 lb. toy hauler with the P Michelins, and I have been loaded to within 50 lbs. of the rear GAWR.
Only about 15% of my annual mileage is towing the camper, so I went with the P tires for better ride and fuel mileage for the other 85% of the miles. I really had no compelling reason to change to an LT tire.
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