Michellin Tires - POS

[MaximaGuy]

I had Michellin LTX on my Highlander and they cupped 25K into its warranty and drove those [censored] tires for another 30K (with my tires roaring and spending money getting my hub/bearings changed) driving it to get my 60K out of them.

With mileage warranty they were replaced with Michellin Premier (WTFF names they get) and they are cupping and flashing in 12K miles.

I made Discount Tire replace those [censored] tires with Bridgestones for FREE, I am almost lost it talking to their area manager and telling them how much money I have spent on Michellins to proving my Highlander is in top notch shape (3 alignments done in the past 100K miles).

I am freaking done with these Michellin garbages

 

[nap]

It is unusual for the Michelins to do so, if cupping reoccurs across brands too, I would suggest a thorough suspension and AWD system check.

 

[2009Edge]

Tire cupping could be cause by bad shocks/struts.

 

[CourierDriver]

Maybe this will help

https://www.utires.com/articles/cupped-tires-reasons-repair-prevention-faq/

 

[Rat407]

Odd that has happened. My LTX on my 2002 Silverado 4x4 have 55k miles on them and are in great shape. Just rotate every 6k miles. No wheel alignment needed.

I'm curious as to how a different brand tire would wear on your Highlander.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Funny to hear as we buy a few sets of these every year or so. Always LT for our Silverados and E range for the heavy service vans.

No cupping, nothing at all unless there is a suspension problem. Outlast OEM by 3 times!

Odds are the platform is unable to hold the tire in position and is deflecting on the bushings, but shocks and many other components can aggravate/cause this.

 

[MaximaGuy]

The Highlander is babied all over - rotations, alignments, and others changes. The BFG prior held up quite well.
The same happened with Michellins on my Lexus (replaced the OEM at 20K and replaced the Michellin at 60K), they are bad bad tires.

 

[charbaby]

How are the Bridgestones wearing?

 

[OVERKILL]

If the tires are cupping, you have issues that are not the tire. We've had six sets of LTX's spanning two Expeditions and a Ford Explorer and none of them ever wore abnormally. It doesn't matter if Bea Arthur is driving it, if there is a geometry or alignment issue, it will affect how the tires wear.

If the BFG tires (also a Michelin brand, albeit made differently) held up fine, then the odds are that whatever is causing the cupping happened after those were removed.

 

[nickaluch]

LTX load range E are the only tires on my Ford HD vans. Any other tire on the front is worn at 20k. Big fan of the LTX

 

[Broo]

Strange, the LTX I had on a previous SUV were excellent. They were on it when I bought the vehicle (used) and were still on it when I sold it 3 years later with just a little more wear but still good for a few years.

 

[supton]

I ran LTX's but not in LT rating. Dry rot after 3 years and like 40k. Rode ok, did have a balance issue, but just did not last. IMO not worth the money to me. I might think of buying again but I'd want to be putting 30k+ per year onto them, for fear of rotting away.

Maybe LT versions are just that much better?

 

[UncleDave]

My Michelin energi's were junk. Hard riding, loud, and slippery wet and dry - sidewalls were cracking in 3 years.

My Premiers are really nice wearing well super quiet and best wet traction Ive ever had. No cracks yet in 2 years.



UD

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: MaximaGuy
proving my Highlander is in top notch shape (3 alignments done in the past 100K miles).

I am freaking done with these Michellin garbages


3 alignments does not mean everything is ok on your highlander.


I figured this thread would be a rant about some OEM michelin tire or the old defenders..

I'd be suspicious that something in the suspension is loose,wearing out or bushings,shocks etc.

 

[Gebo]

I have called Michelin 3 times in my 40 years of driving due to my dissatisfaction and every time they have exceeded my expectations in satisfying me. Maybe give them a call. I know they are overpriced but I don't think there is another tire that surpasses their overall quality.

As an example of their customer service, this month I had a Michelin set wear out in 40K with warranty for 60K on my GS300. (But note, they have to go to the wear bar and some people aren't comfortable with that) Anyways, I am getting a nice check in the mail from Michelin. What's interesting is the same tire on my LS400 has lasted 50K and is still good. Go figure....

 

[IndyIan]

Even in spec alignments can cause wear if its the rears are near the maximum allowable toe in and negative camber.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

you need shocks

 

[The Critic]

Are the front lower control arm bushings in excellent shape? I commonly see them worn out on that vehicle.

 

[BeerCan]

Never been a huge Michelin fan but in this case I think the problem is elsewhere. Cupping is usually not the tires fault.

 

[MaximaGuy]

LCAs bushing are old OEM ones with 180K on them and shocks were replaced 5K miles ago with OEM in the fronts and rears 30K ago with KYB.

The Bridgestones from Costco on Lexus are wearing nicely, the ones on the Highlander are 6 months old in the rear and 3 days old in the front (Bridgestone LTHs)