Michelin vs Michelin

[gowings]

I am wondering if anyone has any input into these 2 Michelin tires I am looking at for our 05 Pilot

Michelin LTX A/T 2 205.00
vs
Michelin Cross Terrains 195.00
Our weather here is winter from Nov to March snow to sometimes heavy snow and icey roads are the norm most of the winter.
The summers are hot getting into the 80's and 90's.
Our driving is 70% city-30% highway
I've looked at tirerack and it's ratings and they seem to rate the A/T 2 higher. Is there something I'm not seeing that makes the Crosses a better buy.
They seem to rate the A/T's better in all categories.

[robrecht]

Canadian v US dollar exchange rates are moving around lately, so I'm not sure, but those prices seem high to me. I looked at Tire Rack and they have some Cross Terrains for $147. Not too long ago, they had a great deal on them for $129/tire. This is an older tire but it is a great tire so if you can get a good close-out deal, I would go for it.

One thing I reall like about the Cross Terrains is their low weight. It's usually listed as 26 lbs, which is comparable to the 27-lb crappy GY Integrities. The LTXs are 32-33 lbs. Less unsprung weight will give you a little more comfortable ride and a little bit better traction on rough roads.

That said, the newer Michelins are no doubt also a fantastic tire. Noticably better? Don't know. But if you look around you may be able to find a really good close-out deal on the Cross Terrains. They have been a very popular tire for Pilot owners here.

[N_Jay]

LTX is more of a truck all weather tire

CT are an evolution of the tire they developed originally for the Range Rover.

The CT will give a better/quieter ride at slightly less mud/snow traction.

Both are great tires

[jl_ss]

Had CTs on our MDX. I would not recommend them if snow traction is a significant concern. They are adequate in the snow but not confidence inspiring. I've got the Fortera TT's on the Pilot and they are much better in the snow. I understand that the LTXs are also great in the snow (from forum member andyschneider in NH).

[Preludetundra]

We currently have CTs on our Pilot and LTXs on our Ridgeline. I also had LTXs on a 2002 Tundra Access Cab and a 2004 Tundra double cab. We have been very happy with both tires. The Cts seem to be much more quiet.

[gowings]

I guess when looking at the ratings. The A/T 2 are rated better in most categories. I get the feeling that the A/T 2 are for trucks. Yet the X's are for SUV's, though I notice that Michelin has put the Latitude as a replacement for X'terrains.
I went into Costco and they sold me on the Cross Terrains. Waiting for them to come in but haven't paid for them yet. I was set on the AT 2's. They said the AT 2 was for more off roading. Yet the Michelin site doesn't point me that way.
I did look at the Goodyears Fortera but they are another $145.00 for the 4 over the A/T 2.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by gowings
I guess when looking at the ratings. The A/T 2 are rated better in most categories. I get the feeling that the A/T 2 are for trucks. Yet the X's are for SUV's, though I notice that Michelin has put the Latitude as a replacement for X'terrains.
I went into Costco and they sold me on the Cross Terrains. Waiting for them to come in but haven't paid for them yet. I was set on the AT 2's. They said the AT 2 was for more off roading. Yet the Michelin site doesn't point me that way.
I did look at the Goodyears Fortera but they are another $145.00 for the 4 over the A/T 2.

Both are light truck tires. The CTs are optimized for a more car like ride and in my experience, traction suffers. The LTX is not an aggressive off road tire at all. Note the Cross Terrain description references light snow traction while the LTX references exceptional snow traction. Having spent 2 MA winters with the CT's and 2 with the Fortera's, I'd pay the extra $145 for the Forteras over the CTs without hesitation. Even the wet performance is much better with the Forteras. Haven't owned the LTX's, but the forum member I mentioned above rated the LTX snow traction and life as excellent.

From TireRack:

LTX:
"The Michelin LTX M/S offers optimal durability and traction in combination with exceptional mileage and the classic Michelin smooth, quiet ride for pickups, vans, sport utilities and other commercial light truck applications. If you, like most light truck owners, spend a lot more time on the road than off, the LTX M/S gives you the manners of a car tire, with the ruggedness of a light truck tire while maintaining an exceptional amount of snow traction due to the interlocking, full depth sipes."

X Terrain:
"The Michelin Cross Terrain SUV tire is a premium highway all-season light truck tire designed to complement the way most Americans drive their sport utility vehicles. The Cross Terrain SUV tire was developed to combine the looks of a light truck tire with the low noise and ride comfort associated with a luxury car tire.

The Cross Terrain SUV features a silica-enhanced tread compound molded into a tread design optimized for car-like ride comfort and responsiveness in dry, wet and wintry conditions. The tire’s sidewall offers rugged good looks to complement the vehicle’s image while its continuous shoulder tread ribs maximize wear qualities while minimizing noise levels. Full depth, interlocking zigzag sipes are integrated into the tread design to provide the extra biting edges that enhance year round traction and driving confidence in light snow. Internally, the Cross Terrain SUV features twin steel belts, a two-ply polyester cord body and Michelin’s Bead Tension Structure to increase ride comfort and provide predictable handling."

[mbright]

I believe you got it wrong jl_ss.

They were talking about the LTX A/T, which is for off-road driving.

While you refered to the LTX M/S, which is light truck high-way tire.

My take is this, for a Pilot owner, you can't go wrong with either.

If you have to pick one over the other, then your location will be a key factor.

For states with quite some snow in winter. get the LTX M/S.
For light snow places, go with CT.

I don't think the LTX A/T suit for daily driving though.

Originally posted by jl_ss


Both are light truck tires. The CTs are optimized for a more car like ride and in my experience, traction suffers. The LTX is not an aggressive off road tire at all. Note the Cross Terrain description references light snow traction while the LTX references exceptional snow traction. Having spent 2 MA winters with the CT's and 2 with the Fortera's, I'd pay the extra $145 for the Forteras over the CTs without hesitation. Even the wet performance is much better with the Forteras. Haven't owned the LTX's, but the forum member I mentioned above rated the LTX snow traction and life as excellent.

From TireRack:

LTX:
"The Michelin LTX M/S offers optimal durability and traction in combination with exceptional mileage and the classic Michelin smooth, quiet ride for pickups, vans, sport utilities and other commercial light truck applications. If you, like most light truck owners, spend a lot more time on the road than off, the LTX M/S gives you the manners of a car tire, with the ruggedness of a light truck tire while maintaining an exceptional amount of snow traction due to the interlocking, full depth sipes."

X Terrain:
"The Michelin Cross Terrain SUV tire is a premium highway all-season light truck tire designed to complement the way most Americans drive their sport utility vehicles. The Cross Terrain SUV tire was developed to combine the looks of a light truck tire with the low noise and ride comfort associated with a luxury car tire.

The Cross Terrain SUV features a silica-enhanced tread compound molded into a tread design optimized for car-like ride comfort and responsiveness in dry, wet and wintry conditions. The tire’s sidewall offers rugged good looks to complement the vehicle’s image while its continuous shoulder tread ribs maximize wear qualities while minimizing noise levels. Full depth, interlocking zigzag sipes are integrated into the tread design to provide the extra biting edges that enhance year round traction and driving confidence in light snow. Internally, the Cross Terrain SUV features twin steel belts, a two-ply polyester cord body and Michelin’s Bead Tension Structure to increase ride comfort and provide predictable handling."

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by mbright
I believe you got it wrong jl_ss.

They were talking about the LTX A/T, which is for off-road driving.

While you refered to the LTX M/S, which is light truck high-way tire.

My take is this, for a Pilot owner, you can't go wrong with either.

If you have to pick one over the other, then your location will be a key factor.

For states with quite some snow in winter. get the LTX M/S.
For light snow places, go with CT.

I don't think the LTX A/T suit for daily driving though.

Right, sorry, I wasn't reading close enough. Everything I said applies to the LTX M/S. The OP is listing their location as the great white north and alludes to a heavy snow season - the CT's aren't the best for that situation.

[gowings]

So what's the difference between the Cross Terrains SUV and the M/S's.
Are the M/S more of a truck tire, say heavier fit for loads, etc. Where as the CT's are more SUV like in a manner of car like ride and quieter.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by gowings
So what's the difference between the Cross Terrains SUV and the M/S's.
Are the M/S more of a truck tire, say heavier fit for loads, etc. Where as the CT's are more SUV like in a manner of car like ride and quieter.

Read the descriptions I posted above. The CT will be more car like at the expense of some snow traction.

[gowings]

on it
Thanks we get 5 months of snow here. I'm thinking the M/S might give me more security just have to suffer a little more road noise.

[jl_ss]

Originally posted by gowings
on it
Thanks we get 5 months of snow here. I'm thinking the M/S might give me more security just have to suffer a little more road noise.

Our Forteras are a bit louder than the cross terrains were. But I prefer the significantly better traction they provide in both the snow and the rain. I'm willing to make that trade-off for more secure handling.

[xGS]

Originally posted by gowings


Our weather here is winter from Nov to March snow to sometimes heavy snow and icey roads are the norm most of the winter.

You might be better off with a set of winter tires.

The greater density of sipes coupled with a tread compound that remains flexible in sub-freezing temperatures will allow the tires to grip much better on snow and ice covered roads.

[gowings]

Love to have winter tires and summers. But finances don't allow it. Unless I can drive on winters all year long.