A Couple of Tire Questions

[thetoad30]

Okay,

Been searching and reading the forum here for about a week. Trying to get different views on the LTX M/S and the Goodyear Silent Armor.

I have a 2010 EX-L. I live in the Denver, CO area. So we get snow, the roads are horrible, then a few days later at most they're usually clear. I want really good traction on the ice and snow, but don't want separate tires for winter. So a good all-season or on/off-road tire. I want to stay away from Bridgestone/Firestone. I will be driving 500 miles to/from Omaha, NE during the winters on I-80 so some dry highway driving is more than expected.

My biggest concern between the two tires is that the Michelin states it is 15% better in snow traction than the Goodyear, but the Goodyear has the M+S Mountain/Snowflake symbol.

I've used tirerack.com to look them over and still can't tell what the better tire is. Road noise is a concern to me with the Goodyear, but I've read here that they are usually pretty silent.

Help!

Thank you

[xGS]

If you aren’t going to venture off-road, don’t get an on/off-road tire.

If you want something from Goodyear, look at the Fortera TripleTred, instead.
Like the Wrangler Silent Armor, it also has the severe snow service rating.

The Michelin LTX M/S has proven itself to combine excellent winter traction (for an all-season tire) with low noise.

Since you plan to do long drives in the dead of winter, but don’t want a dedicated winter tire, perhaps the best choice would be the Nokian WRG2 SUV.
It’s essentially a winter tire design that’s been adapted to work year-round.

Nokian WRG2 SUV

Nokian Tyres 2009 Winter Tire Infomercial - (Part 2) The World's Leader in Winter Tire Technology. - YouTube

Nokian Tyres 2009 Winter Tire Infomercial - (Part 2) The World's Leader in Winter Tire Technology. - YouTube

(WRG2 section starts at 3:30)

[thetoad30]

Originally Posted by xGS

If you aren’t going to venture off-road, don’t get an on/off-road tire.

I should clarify this - I plan to be up in the mountains off of some gravel roads (nothing with ruts/back country, but gravel mainly). Does this change anything?

I am leaning to the M/S, I just wanted to make sure it has a track record before I put down a lot of money on it.

I only looked at the Goodyear Silent Armor because it had the M+S symbol and I figured it would be better in the snow here in Denver.

[Offtrac]

consumer reports..... all season truck

[xGS]

Originally Posted by thetoad30

I should clarify this - I plan to be up in the mountains off of some gravel roads (nothing with ruts/back country, but gravel mainly).
Does this change anything?

...and now we know the rest of the story.

Winter tires have a softer tread compound that might get chewed up running on gravel roads.

If more of your driving will be on gravel, get an on/off-road tire like the Wrangler Silent Armor.
Otherwise, get a on-road/highway tire like the Fortera TripleTred.
Both have the severe snow service rating.

[Discount TIre]

From what you have described thetoad, the Wrangler Silent Armor would be a great pick for your needs.

Right now Goodyear is offering an $80.00 mail-in rebate with the purchase of a new set.

Details: http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=false&cs=245

[thetoad30]

Originally Posted by xGS

...and now we know the rest of the story.

Winter tires have a softer tread compound that might get chewed up running on gravel roads.

If more of your driving will be on gravel, get an on/off-road tire like the Wrangler Silent Armor.
Otherwise, get a on-road/highway tire like the Fortera TripleTred.
Both have the severe snow service rating.

Sorry to cause confusion. I will only be on these roads at most a week or two out of the year - mainly family camping trips. My main concern is still roads with snow and not chewing through a tire in 25K miles (like my Fortera HLs did at this point).

Thank you.

[xGS]

Originally Posted by thetoad30

I will only be on these [gravel] roads at most a week or two out of the year.
My main concern is still roads with snow and not chewing through a tire in 25K miles (like my Fortera HLs did at this point).

OK - so long treadlife is important, too.

The LTX M/S has the best combination of excellent winter traction, quiet ride, AND long treadlife.
Get those and a set of cable-type tire chains in case you encounter really horrendous conditions.

Before you completely dismiss the idea of getting a separate set of winter tires,
have a look at this video which compares the performance, on a Honda Ridgeline,
of the LTX-M/S and a true winter tire, also from Michelin:

Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 2 of 6 - YouTube!

[thetoad30]

Originally Posted by xGS

OK - so long treadlife is important, too.

The LTX M/S has the best combination of excellent winter traction, quiet ride, AND long treadlife.
Get those and a set of cable-type tire chains in case you encounter really horrendous conditions.

Before you completely dismiss the idea of getting a separate set of winter tires,
have a look at this video which compares the performance, on a Honda Ridgeline,
of the LTX-M/S and a true winter tire, also from Michelin:

Winter Tire Demonstration - Module 2 of 6 - YouTube!

Thank you. I do understand a winter tire is best for winter driving, but an example of why I don't want them is that three weeks ago we had a winter storm, the roads were horrible that morning (6"+ on the roads), but by afternoon/evening most of the roads were clear, and by the next day or two all of the roads were clear just from melting. I don't want to purchase a winter tire and rims and wear them out on dry pavement. So this is why an all-season or on/off road tire is what I was looking at.

I'm definitely thinking I'm going to be getting the LTX M/S when it comes time to change the tires. I may also end up getting a cheap steel rim and getting a full-size spare.