We just had two snow storms in the past two weeks here in Northern Virginia, 6"of snow one storm, 14" the other. The Michelins were superb in both of them. The 14" deep one was a drive on open farm country roads, and unplowed parking lots. The 4 wheel drive kicked in only a few times in the parking lot. I'm from Buffalo and for 64 years drove through some incredible storms off lake Erie. Freak U right out. So.....14" is hardly a barn burner, but my 13 limited sure did very well. I just read my Consumer Reports April magazine, and they rated The Michelin LTX M/S2 as the top dog for SUV's and light-duty pick ups. I can only say I do agree with CR. I just purchased the tires just before Christmas so they should do a good job. Still quiet and smooth at highway speeds. I certainly would recommend these tires.
We just had two snow storms in the past two weeks here in Northern Virginia, 6"of snow one storm, 14" the other. The Michelins were superb in both of them. The 14" deep one was a drive on open farm country roads, and unplowed parking lots. The 4 wheel drive kicked in only a few times in the parking lot. I'm from Buffalo and for 64 years drove through some incredible storms off lake Erie. Freak U right out. So.....14" is hardly a barn burner, but my 13 limited sure did very well. I just read my Consumer Reports April magazine, and they rated The Michelin LTX M/S2 as the top dog for SUV's and light-duty pick ups. I can only say I do agree with CR. I just purchased the tires just before Christmas so they should do a good job. Still quiet and smooth at highway speeds. I certainly would recommend these tires.
I have the Quadra Trac II 4WD system. Its full time rear wheel drive till slippage is detected then transfers power to the front wheels and becomes 4 wheel drive. You can definitely hear the transfer as it changes to 4WD, and you suddenly feel the strong pulling forward. Of course you can put it in 4WD Low which locks up all four. When I lived in Buffalo I had a Chevy Blazer with a similar drive system on it, and used the 4WD Low quite a bit. Never did get stuck in 24" of snow but sure as hell came close. LOL!
No that's not what he said. If you are in Aero mode is favors the rear (he didn't say how much). Otherwise it's 50/50.
What you heard was the ABS/Traction control kicking in and out (pulsing wheels that are slipping) which transfers power away from the wheel that slips to the wheel with grip. If front slips it will go to rear. If rear slips it will go to front.
The Electronic Limited Slip of QD-II won't kick in unless you are in 4-Lo.
You were in 4x4 while driving in 14". A rwd would have had difficulty. Thanks for the report on the tires. I know the M/S2s are great tires, but I take CR's ratings like a grain of salt.
Do they supply these from the factory at all? If not, what does the GC generally come with (depends on wheel size, I suppose)? Actually I really would wish for some AT tires, but I'll probably just run whatever comes on the GC until they wear out.
OEM on 18" wheels in Michelin ALtitudes and on 20" wheels are Goodyear Forteras. For winter driving get a set of winter tires either Bridgestone Blizzaks or Michelin Ice's. ATs and MTs just dont perform as well as winter tires in the snow and even in dry on road when the temps are 45 degrees or below.
OEM on the 2012 Laredo X package was the Michelin Latitude Tour. Basically a couple steps down in price and performance from the Michelin LTX M/S2.
As someone else pointed out, I like the look of an All Terrain tire, but I'm not sure I wish to give up the quiet ride and fuel mileage that a street tire offers.
I keep coming back to the Continental CrossContact LX20 tire.
Check them out on TireRack.
Great UTQG ratings, decent price, and the TireRack survey points are pretty high also.
Just turned over 20k on the OEM Michelins. Not great in the snow, but much better than the Bridgestone tires on my Subaru (total crap tires). With my driving style, I figure I have about another 20K on them and it will be time to replace them.
Selecting an all season highway or even an AT tire for the snow/ice season is always a compromise. Do you want the longer tire wear or safety is more of a priority? Can you live with some noise or you like a touring type of tire? Unless you need the maximum grip, then a dedicated snow tire is the way to go. A lot more of the European tire technology including the AT tires has been making it's way over to us.
The M/S2 is very good tire and covers a lot of different categories. ICE is ICE and you have to deal with it with respect. Thus, a softer tire compound or even studs is the requirement.
I consider a snow tire to be a compromise. They are softer to deal with the snow and ice but try towing a big trailer behind you, you are praying that a semi doesn't pass you and blow you off the road. I believe a a/t tire is perfect for all around driving in everything but ice, and for the 1 (maybe) time per year I drive in ice I think I can manage. I am much more afraid of the people who drive 30 mph down the interstate and 20 mph down main roads in 2 inches of snow than I am myself losing control.
I've had both, and I'd take the Forteras over the Latitudes any day. Forteras are better in snow. Neither are great tires. The old Michelin Cross Terrains were much better than Latitudes. Michelin should have kept them. The only WK2 that had good tires, were the Trailhawks. Very few cars come with decent OE tires. Cost and rolling resistance are the main characteristics manufacturers care about when picking tires.
I just read my Consumer Reports April magazine, and they rated The Michelin LTX M/S2 as the top dog for SUV's and light-duty pick ups. I can only say I do agree with CR. I just purchased the tires just before Christmas so they should do a good job. Still quiet and smooth at highway speeds. I certainly would recommend these tires.
Thank you for the review and the info about CR. I just had my Michelin Latitudes rotated this past Friday and it won't be long before they'll need to be replaced. I discussed options for new tires with the shop owner and although several tires were mentioned he had really good things to say about LTX. Then he walked me outside and proceeded to show me his personal SUV which had LTX tires on it. Think I'm sold when the time comes. :thumbsup:
Thanks for the tire info. I have like past Michelins I've owned (though it's been a while), so I'm glad I will be getting 18s.
As for the snow tire advice... guys, I'm in Oklahoma. Occasional ice, sometimes a couple inches of snow. Some pretty good rain downpours, too. For constant towing with 4WD or AWD I have enjoyed the grip of Firestone Destination AT's for several years on my vehicles and am currently trying some Cooper AT3's. I'll take a bit of tire noise and somewhat faster wear, when it might make the difference between safe travel and an accident. Towing a trailer puts a premium on traction IMO.
I had the M/S2's installed on my '14 when I purchased it. I had these on my previously GC and loved them. I found nothing but bad reviews for the OEM Goodyears.
I also put the LTX M/S2 on mine back in the fall. Very satisfied with them, had them through all the snow this year and they're a nice upgrade from the Lattitudes, sidewalls look more substantial too while retaining the great ride of the Latitudes.
I ran the old LTS M/S on my old Explorer and these M/S2s seem just as good. I had a set of them on the Explorer that had over 100k miles on them and STILL had life.
Probably the best tires I've ever had overall...
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