Michelin LTX M/S

[Tachdriver]

I replaced all my tires back in 2011 with four of these in a P235/75-R15 on my TV and have put 30,000 miles on them. This truck does sit outside. I have a trip to Florida in about 4 weeks and started doing an inspection and saw some weather cracking/dry rot.

:E

I did some research and found this website with a lot of complaints on sidewall cracking. I figured that all tires will do this on vehicles that sit outside but it seems that this type of tire has quite a few complaints.

Clicky

This is the first time I have noticed cracking as bad as i have it. Maybe before I bought a TT I never paid attention to it. I would assume that those of you on this forum would opt for new tires?

Listed below are some photos.

[MFthorn10]

I would put the blame on the EPA and not the tire itself. The LTX M/S has been reviewed a great tire in the past. The problem lies with the ever changing EPA regulations to manufacture the tire. They force regulations to reduce emissions at the factory as well as the harmful properties when the tire outgasses. This generally means the chemical makeup of the tire has to be compromised in order to "Go Green". I've noticed many products that you just can't buy anymore or the replacement product doesn't work as well. The reason is because the EPA has their hands all over it.

[kmfvfr]

You should be able to get Michelin to cover the tires at minimum prorated. I had a set of LTX AT/2 load range E tires on my truck that were 3 years old and looked similiar. I took them in and got about 60% of the cost of a new tire back. They have a 6 year treadwear warranty, and based on your mileage, the MS version should have alot of tread left. By the time I priced it all out, it was worth it to me to stick another set on and see what happens.

[Tachdriver]

All right, back on topic....

I am looking at the Yokohama GEOLANDAR H/T-S for the truck. For the money I can see that the ratings are above average and won't cost me an arm and a leg (compared to a kidney when I gas up.). I am staying with a highway tire and not an all terrain. Figuring that the gas mileage may be better as well as road noise.

The name brand tire company I normally frequent will give me a credit of $120 for the set of four. They quoted me on Coopers but the ratings are not good.

The tires were date coded no more than a year old when I bought them in 2011.

I used to be a Michelin guy, I loved the Pilot Exalto Sports I put on my car but now they have lost me. They usually produce a good quality tire but for the money if I have to replace them this often it is not worth it.

[macsplinter]

I have a set of Firestone transforce that are in the same shape.

[Desert_Captain]

hammer21661 wrote:

Desert Captain wrote:

hammer21661 wrote:
Aaah, it's a Michelin they all do it but if there is a recall get new ones.

What an utterly ridiculous, inaccurate statement. Where do you get this junk? :h

Yes, there is a major recall of the Michelin M/S's, check your production dates and then see your local dealer for a nice new set of Michelin M/S 2's which replace the 20 year old design of the original Michelin M/S. I got six brand new M/S 2's mounted and balanced for free a couple of months ago. Not many companies would have the integrity to stand up and replace 1.2 million tires free of charge.

I put a set of M/S 2's on my truck a couple of years ago and just like my new set on the C they are the best tires I've ever owned. BTW: they come with a 70,000 mile tread warranty from a company that clearly stands behind their products.

:R

I get this junk from the ones I own and have owned. They all start getting little cracks in the side wall. and again IF THERE IS A RECALL GET THE NEW ONES. Sorry to say I am a michelin fanboy. They still last with the little checks. You sound like a ford or dura max driver getting all offended. When I put the 19.5s on my fuzion they will be BFG who is owned by Michelin but $140 cheaper per tire. The next set on the truck will be Michelins.

Obviously we agree on the "If there's a recall get the new ones". What I objected to are blanket statements that typically feature the word "All". Pretty difficult to be anything close to accurate when one uses phrases like "they all do it".

Yep, been a Ford guy for the last 16 years but even when they are (foolishly), bashed I don't get "all" offended. :B

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

:C

[NHIrish]

Goodyear wrangler adventure at is an all new tire. So far, plowing over one winter and towing 15,000 pounds a few thousand miles it is about the best tire I have had on my truck. Although I am using the E rated version, they are available in multiple sizes.
BTW, I hated the Goodyear Wrangler OEM tires on my truck...this is a different breed of cat entirely.

ALSO, there is a good rebate right now.

http://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/wrangler-all-terrain-adventure

[catfishmontana]

midnightsadie wrote:
OK I,ve read all the stories about michilins cracking. has the problem been fixed?? I,m do for new tires.

No, they still make tires.

[midnightsadie]

OK I,ve read all the stories about michilins cracking. has the problem been fixed?? I,m do for new tires.

[catfishmontana]

Typical Michelin junk. My experience with them is bad.

[hammer21661]

Desert Captain wrote:

hammer21661 wrote:
Aaah, it's a Michelin they all do it but if there is a recall get new ones.

What an utterly ridiculous, inaccurate statement. Where do you get this junk? :h

Yes, there is a major recall of the Michelin M/S's, check your production dates and then see your local dealer for a nice new set of Michelin M/S 2's which replace the 20 year old design of the original Michelin M/S. I got six brand new M/S 2's mounted and balanced for free a couple of months ago. Not many companies would have the integrity to stand up and replace 1.2 million tires free of charge.

I put a set of M/S 2's on my truck a couple of years ago and just like my new set on the C they are the best tires I've ever owned. BTW: they come with a 70,000 mile tread warranty from a company that clearly stands behind their products.

:R

I get this junk from the ones I own and have owned. They all start getting little cracks in the side wall. and again IF THERE IS A RECALL GET THE NEW ONES. Sorry to say I am a michelin fanboy. They still last with the little checks. You sound like a ford or dura max driver getting all offended. When I put the 19.5s on my fuzion they will be BFG who is owned by Michelin but $140 cheaper per tire. The next set on the truck will be Michelins.

[CKNSLS]

There are widespread complaints about Michelins and dryrot. However, there are still those who believe they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Yea-they come with a long warranty-but they dryrot first. Where is the bargain in that?

[BenK]

Looks just like my last set of Michelin LTX-MS LT265/75R16E's that were
just a few years old. Ditto many other sets of LTX-MS and LTX-AT
LT class on both the Suburban and Silverado listed in my sig

Currently have Bridgestone Dueler Revo LT265/75R16E's on the same Sub
and ZERO cracks. Same house, same outside conditions, etc, etc on the
same rims, etc, etc. They are about 2-3 years old to boot.

The Silverado has Yokahama Geolander AT 33/12.5R15LT load range C and
ditto same house, outside conditions, same rims, etc, etc

Here is a clicky to the thread the below quote is from:

Craised side walls

BenK wrote:
quote from thread: Tire age

BenK wrote:
This topic comes up often and enough from varying folks that to me
confirmation that I'm not the only one out there that went through
about a dozen sets of LTX's (MS & AT) that initially were fine
but around the late 90's Michelin changed their formulation to have
them crack...






below quote from: Unsafe at any speed....

BenK wrote:
Thought to post the Timberline crack








michelin Tire splitting

BenK wrote:
Posted: 03/03/13 11:04pm

Used to be a fan of Michelin's, but no more...here is a link to why
below

Currently have Bridgestone Dueler Revo LT265/75R16E's on Alcoa alloy 16x10's
and are about 5 years old and don't drive my Sub but on weekends
to keep things lubed and tires worked. About 12K miles on them
and they look very close to new.

Best tires and the below quote
from that thread

Nit, but bought a new bike work stand ($350) and it has a digital
scale...my old alu frame bike is NOT as light as thought...it is
17.3 lbs...even with that $350 seat and carbon fiber fork...that old
'precision' fish scale was a bit off... :E

Moved that seat to the new Madone 6.5 and IT IS 15.7 lbs, based on
that nifty new scale... :B

BenK wrote:
Used to tell everyone who asked to consider Michelin LTX series...fine till Michelin
changed their rubber formulation. Quote below shows pics of many sets of Michelin
LTX (MS & AT) and my bicycle tires...they all cracked whereas they did not before
that reformulation

Currently have a set of Bridgestone Dueler Revo's that are about 5 years old. Same
Suburban. Same house, same driveway (not garaged), same city, same ambient, etc and
they are 'fine' with no signs of cracking whatsoever

Coopers are on the mini van and looking good. The Michelin's started to crack and
do not know how long they were on there, as bought the Odyssey used



http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/post/forum/41/thread/26414210/quote/26420168.cfm

BenK wrote:
Also depends on how long you plan to keep your TV

I plan to keep mine till the wheels fall off, then fix it or decide not to

I rotate tires on all 4 of my vehicles and even dismount to remount the tires on
my single speed bicycles to even out the wear

If you change vehicles every 2-3-4-5 years, then moot point. Do whatever

If you do keep them longer to need a new set of tires, then decide on what you
wish to do with the spare.

Dad didn't believe in rotating the spare and when he gave me the Silverado listed
in my sig, it had a spare tire that was over 12 years old. It looked 'fine', but
it had indications of rot all over it. The on the road tires had been replaced
a few times to boot.

Here is a thread and pictures of my experience on tires. From spares to on
the road sets. Also why I no longer recommend my old favorite...Michelin.

Since I no longer own the boat, I do not tow as much these days. Both my trucks
had tire rot and the thread linked below shows what happens to tires that do NOT
get enough usage.


This image is of a Michelin LTX-MS LT265/75R16E's which list $250/each



The clicky to that old thread which might help folks decide on their usage of
their spare tires

1/3 of tire strength gone after 3 years

BenK wrote:
All things age and part of that is degradation of it's strength

Like all metal will degrade over time. Steel will actually increase in hardness
and become brittle.

Organic based materials will degrade faster than coated metal, unless it has been some
how altered or enhanced. There are reasons for paint, plating, coatings, waxing,
etc, etc...

Do not delude thinking that seat belts last forever. There is a lot more safety
margin dialed in that it may seem to last forever...but how do you truly know
unless you either crash test it or have it tested in a lab...OBTW...
a childs seat belts are how wide/thick compared to the OEM seat belts
that hold it to the vehicle seat? Anyone ever look closely at any
child seat to see if there are juice spills, milk/poo-pee/spit/etc that
has an acidic component to it? Yes poo n pee, as diapers do leak, or
at least my kids did...

My bicycle helmet is only good for a few years. My car and bicycle tires are
also only good for so long. The tire on my wheel barrows and hand carts are
way old, has cracks on them and know they need replacement...but their service
is at how many MPH ? Life and death duty placed on them? Nope, so they are okay
for my usage, but have purchased several new ones recently as I'm tired of having
to pump them up each time I use them...they lose PSI quickly

Okay, can see some self serving opportunistic marketing, but why
test it with a potential condition that might/will harm your child
or yourself? How much would be saved by not updating it vs the
potential of harm to your child?

Of the three classes of tires in this discussion, which is the cheapest? Which
costs more? Why do you think they have such a cost difference?

Check out this thread on tires...
http://forums.woodalls.com/Index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25105483/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

And a quote on my opinions and experience on that topic...

BenK wrote:
Update on another set that replaced the Silverado's Michelin shown
below...Think ALL of the tire OEM's have changed their formulation
on 'P' and 'LT' tires

Timberline 33/12.5R15LT load range C on the same alloy wheels as
the Michelin's. They have now cracked on the tread area. Here are
some pic's. Only drive the Silverado weekends and errands. Don't
tow anything other than an occasional utility trailer. Haul tons
of stuff...gravel, dirt, fertilizer, wood pellets, wood, etc They
are aired up to 30 PSI. Max sidewall PSI is 35
















Ancillary...my road bicycle tires...Michelin 700C/23 $79/ea. Less than
a year old and about 500 miles (have 4.5 bicycles, so the mileage
is spread out over them all). Air them up to 110 PSI. Sidewall
says 119PSI max. Do run up to 50MPH-60MPH going downhill, but
after checking and finding this...am going to check the more often

Got doored last week and after the EMT's, Ambulance, and cops
were through with me (not hurt bad, just a bruise about 8" dia
on the chest)...destroyed the road bike (got it down to just a hair
above 15lbs)....min $700 estimate from the bike shop...going to fix
as my daily and buy a new road bike...jinxed it...last month finished
some mod's, weighed it in at 15.7lbs and said out loud...this is almost perfect

BenK wrote:
I'm very loyal to what I've checked out, tested (empirical) and low on my list...what
buddies/friends/etc recommend (really factored by how much they know, or what
I think they know)

Was a huge Michelin fan, till about 6-10 years ago when my sets started to crack
on the sidewalls

Took them in and the Michelin rep accused me of using ArmorAll. Told him no way
as the previous rep told me not to and would void the warranty. Named him and
described the discussion at Costco. He retracted and said they were out of warranty (time)

Used to recommend Michelin truck tires to anyone asking. NO more. This
is "MY" experience and know some who still have no problems, but again
this is MY experience and recommendation on Michelin 'TRUCK' tires. I
still recommend their 'car' tires for 'cars'...not trucks.

Here are some pictures of several sets of LTX-AT (LT265R16C) and LTX-MS (LT265R16E...$250 ea list)
4 sets of 5 tires for my 1980 Silverado and 1996 Suburban















Woke up one morning to find this on my Suburban









Aired them back up several times and they leaked down in less than 10 minutes
from the sidewall cracks.


Here are some more of different sets...yes, "WAS" very loyal on Michelin till
this experience








And this LT265/75R16E's (first set, second set above pics). Too many sipes for
my type of driving...HARD braking testing buddies proto brake pads on one +80
mile session. The tread blocks folded over to feather the sipe edges.

[Lessmore]

I had 12 Michelin LTX M/S tires over the years on my tow vehicle. Never, ever saw cracking like this. Wonder what age the tires were when you got them. I buy from a heavy volume large tire company...that usually brings new tires in from the manufacturers distribution centre. I would call Michelin.

I generally replace all my factory tires with Michelin. Excellent product in my experience.

[Tachdriver]

Thanks all for the feedback.

My serial numbers are B3DD....the recalls are not these and I have Googled like crazy.

I thought (lol) that by buying this name brand I would have some service time but now it does not seem that way....

Time to open the pocket book

[The_Texan]

Desert Captain wrote:

hammer21661 wrote:
Aaah, it's a Michelin they all do it but if there is a recall get new ones.

What an utterly ridiculous, inaccurate statement. Where do you get this junk? :h

Yes, there is a major recall of the Michelin M/S's, check your production dates and then see your local dealer for a nice new set of Michelin M/S 2's which replace the 20 year old design of the original Michelin M/S. I got six brand new M/S 2's mounted and balanced for free a couple of months ago. Not many companies would have the integrity to stand up and replace 1.2 million tires free of charge.

I put a set of M/S 2's on my truck a couple of years ago and just like my new set on the C they are the best tires I've ever owned. BTW: they come with a 70,000 mile tread warranty from a company that clearly stands behind their products.

:R

Tell that lie to all the folks Michelin screwed with the XRV sidewall zipper blowouts. Michelin refused to stand behind any of them, as it was ALWAYS the owners fault.