Michelin LTX MS or AT2?

[gijoecam]

Just wondering if anyone here has had a chance to run the Michelin LTX AT2's yet? I'm on the fence... I've managed to pull 93,000 miles off the LTX M/S's I got as Firestone replacements, but now that they need to be replaced, I'm wondering if I can expect the same sort of life out of the 'new' AT2's?

Anyone know?

-Joe

 

[Dando]

I just bought some Nokian Vatiiva, excellent for snow/ice. More of an all-season, but just awesome all around traction. I was really suprised that they were not very loud either. 117.00 each

 

[btexpress]

I am running LTXM/S and like them, seems like every thing we see at our shop with ATs the wear is irregular or uneven, regardless of brand. Must be something about the tread pattern, not sure. 93,000 sounds like a LOT of miles on one set of tires, that alone would make me think about buying the same tire.

 

[gijoecam]

I am running LTXM/S and like them, seems like every thing we see at our shop with ATs the wear is irregular or uneven, regardless of brand. Must be something about the tread pattern, not sure. 93,000 sounds like a LOT of miles on one set of tires, that alone would make me think about buying the same tire.

Agreed, and that's exactly my dilemma. I can't complain about the life I got out of these, and to be honest, I can't see the truck lasting another 93K, but it looks like the AT2 is just a slightly more open-tread M/S, and it *should* lead to better traction in the snow, slop, and mud we get around here this time of year.

I dunno...

 

[Flandry]

Agreed, and that's exactly my dilemma. I can't complain about the life I got out of these, and to be honest, I can't see the truck lasting another 93K, but it looks like the AT2 is just a slightly more open-tread M/S, and it *should* lead to better traction in the snow, slop, and mud we get around here this time of year.

I dunno...

Tough decision. FWIW, I got 101,000 miles off my last set of LTX M/S tires. And I wasn't very regular about rotating them either. So when it was time to change them, I put on another set. This kind of mileage is not that uncommon for the LTX M/S. See here (click on "Most miles driven on") and here for examples.

On the other hand, the LTX AT tires have some good reports for high mileage too. There's not much available on AT2 life yet. But I'd tend to think it'd be comparable to the ATs. Having said that, I've also been warned by two different tire places about AT tire wear problems. But I have a 1st gen X which are considered to be tougher to keep aligned. You may not have this issue on your 98.

 

[Anime]

I've constantly been torn as to trying another tire when it comes time to replace them (which is when they're really worn and theres a Michelin rebate), and I keep going back to the LTX M/S every time. For daily driving, highway use, severe weather use in rain and snow, and even mild offroading, they are THE tire for mileage and ride, not to mention handling.

However, what tire to get depends on your needs. The AT2 would be in order if your ride saw offroad use more often, and/or you've ever been stuck in mud/dirt with the M/S. If you do mostly highway driving, the AT2 isn't likely to do anything for you. The old LTX A/T was consistently rated as an inferior "All Terrain" tire that was more like a lower mileage version of the LTX M/S, which is probably why they changed it to a slightly more aggressive tread. I seriously doubt you'll get 90-100K from a set of AT2's, and they almost certainly lack the "on rails" ability of the LTX M/S on pavement. The AT2's look kinda cool, but be careful in your decision. So far, the only popular All-Terrains that seem really good are the BFG AT's, and the Bridgestone Revo. The AT2 may yet prove to be a good All-Terrain, but it will be awhile before enough people have put miles on them to find out.

 

[Super Snake]

That is a tough one
I got 104,000 out of my LTX M/S and just put another set on after just over 50K with a set of Goodyears. I doubt you'll see that kind of milage from an A/T tire JMO
aside from the M/S rubber getting real hard the last 25K, I liked them the best

 

[gijoecam]

Tough decision. FWIW, I got 101,000 miles off my last set of LTX M/S tires. And I wasn't very regular about rotating them either. So when it was time to change them, I put on another set. This kind of mileage is not that uncommon for the LTX M/S. See here (click on "Most miles driven on") and here for examples.

On the other hand, the LTX AT tires have some good reports for high mileage too. There's not much available on AT2 life yet. But I'd tend to think it'd be comparable to the ATs. Having said that, I've also been warned by two different tire places about AT tire wear problems. But I have a 1st gen X which are considered to be tougher to keep aligned. You may not have this issue on your 98.

When I first saw the reviews on The Tire Rack web site, there were only 6. It's good to see they've added a few in the last few weeks, and reassuring to see they're not all bad. I'm sold on the M/S's, no questions asked, but I really think the tread design on the AT2 lends itself to better performance in teh snow, slush, and mud I see a few times a year, and those were the only conditions the M/S's struggled with (especially in the last year).

I've still got to get a price from the local tire dealers... looks like they might be about $100 more for the set, but I'm still on the fence... I wish there were more reviews for the AT2 out there...

Just for comparison, here's the LTX AT that got lousy reviews across the board...

Here is the LTX M/S that I have currently with 93,000 miles on them:

And here are the new LTX AT2s:

The pic of the AT2 doesn't show the shoulder lugs very well, but every other lug is off-set, like the sidewall of a good mud terrain tire... I think that's what'll make a huge difference in the snow and mud.

Also, notice the tons of siping in the M/S... I suspect that's what gives it such good traction on ice and in the rain, and when it wears down past the siping (which mine did a while back) that's when the wet weather starts to suffer....

I dunno... I wish the AT2s didn't exist... That would make the choice much easier.

-Joe

 

[calisoundmix]

I put on a full set of AT2's on my '98 2WD about 2 months ago and they've worked great so far, I do mainly highway driving with the occasional light off-roading for certain job-sites and trips, hence my decision to get the AT2's.

Other than slipping for less than a 1/4 second during a heavy rainstorm (they gained traction again quickly and didn't lose it since) I have had no problems, even running them at just under 40PSI. I took it up into the mountains onto a few rough dirt roads and had no problems whatsoever. they have also rode fairly well on the highway with no tracking or noise problems, not quite as good on tracking as the m/s but close. (I did get it aligned with the new tires). I got mine from Sears for about $150/ea.

 

[gijoecam]

I put on a full set of AT2's on my '98 2WD about 2 months ago and they've worked great so far, I do mainly highway driving with the occasional light off-roading for certain job-sites and trips, hence my decision to get the AT2's.

Other than slipping for less than a 1/4 second during a heavy rainstorm (they gained traction again quickly and didn't lose it since) I have had no problems, even running them at just under 40PSI. I took it up into the mountains onto a few rough dirt roads and had no problems whatsoever. they have also rode fairly well on the highway with no tracking or noise problems, not quite as good on tracking as the m/s but close. (I did get it aligned with the new tires). I got mine from Sears for about $150/ea.

That's great to know... the more I think about it, the more I think I'm going to end up with the AT2s... It's kind of a chance, but I think it'll be worth it...

 

[ProjectAviator]

I had Michelins on my 95 when I got it. fine for on road but off road they sucked. I know Michelins are one of the best wearing tires. I got almost 92K out of the stock Michelins that where on my 90 Aerostar.

Tim

 

[Flandry]

That's great to know... the more I think about it, the more I think I'm going to end up with the AT2s... It's kind of a chance, but I think it'll be worth it...

Time will tell. But I don't think you can go far wrong trying them. The softer rubber in AT-type tires means they'll likely not last quite as long as your M/S tires. But Tirerack clearly shows the original AT can rack up some good mileage. And that new tread pattern looks a lot more like the one on the M/S tires.

 

[camm0n]

Rehashing same question I know, but curious about a diffrent aspect as I have done searches and reading fourums here and elsewhere.

Big question I am still looking for is how these tires LTXat2 and now the MS 2 are working in the LOWER half of their tread Depth. As all tires wear down traction drops sure, but how bad? Ive had some tires great at the start,, 1/2 depth they get super hard and minimal traction. or they get loud....... How about these contenders?

Anyone running the LTX at2's in a 10ply rating? The outside lugs link up at about 1/2 tread depth , if so how does that drop traction, hydroplaning.....

Thanks for helping my quandry of what to get

 

[kkreit01]

You can't go wrong either way. I think the LTX M/S will be just as good in the snow. Have you seen the AT2 in person? They really don't look very beefy for an AT tire. They look better in pictures (honestly). I'm sure the M/S will last longer. You can tell Michelin likes the LTX M/S as well -- and they are proud of it (based on price). I'd try the M/S2 before them all.

 

[jrford]

cool since the original poster i've mounted the LTS A/T2 on my '04. So far very impressed over the last 15k or so. Great Rain, Snow, ice traction, haven't been in the mud. Some noise with the tread pattern but its very minimal, 245-65/17's. My LTX A/T's (org) had over 70k on them and traction was the same at the end as the start.

 

[Anime]

Part of the reason I've stuck with the LTX M/S is because they still have a ton of grip and ability even when worn down, since the water channels still have plenty of void area, and the sipes are full depth. This doesn't just mean pavement traction, either.
The worst conditions I ever put them in, going through giant mud holes, filled with water and much in an area rutted by full size trucks running 44" mudders, I thought for sure I'd get stuck, but was able to drive out and up a very slick bank like there were brand new mud tires on there, and that was on worn down half tread P-rated M/S's before I had any off-road mods.

The M/S2 and A/T2 aren't really the same, the M/S2 is a tire designed for the new "crossover" SUV's.

It's also worth noting that the "A/T2" only comes in a P-rated passenger car tire, and not an LT-rated truck tire like the M/S.

Either of the tires should do fairly well, but for an Explorer that sees a fair bit of on and off road use, the M/S is very tough to beat.

 

[97sprt4x4]

well i'm not sure you'd exactly need a LT rating for just driving around normally, but if you bump to a 31 you can get a LT rating.

Justin

 

[boothemu78]

I have had them on my 07 explorer for about 3,00 miles quiet great traction and ride nice. would recommend.

 

[Joe Dirt]

K, so I'm waking this one up from the dead. I just picked up a nice set of 16" stocker rims at the j/y today, and will be tossing on some new tires for Wedgie, and put the Goodyear RTS's down the basement as spares.

My Dad has the LTX A/T2's on his new 2010 F150, and they seem to be a nice quiet tire, and seem to perform well in the limited off-road work we did while deer hunting this season. My use would be pavement and snow. Anyone have more recent thoughts on the LTX A/T2's? gijoe? Or thoughts from someone that put something else on recently over the LTX's, and why?

I'm going from 15" to 16" rims, so I assume from reading that I need to either recalibrate or go by GPS for speed, if it's a couple MPH off, I probably wouldn't care. I also assume that I won't have an issue with the drivetrain since all of the tires would be new. Lastly, I am picking up a 16" spare at the j/y soon...

Size thoughts on a tire?

 

[Anime]

Pavement and snow sounds like LTX M/S to me. The only possible reason I can see for going with A/T2's is a preference for the tread design, or on the thinking they are better for off road. I still don't see it though, to me, the A/T2's are simply a street tire with cosmetics to make it look rugged, and their P-rated nature offers no evidence to the contrary. They will not outperform the LTX M/S in snow and rain due to the minimal sipes, and three narrow water channels instead of four wide ones.

If you're going to be driving on pavement and in rain/snow, you aren't going to beat the LTX M/S for performance, and price/mileage. If you want a 50/50 on/off road tire, the BFG A/T is really good...and also made by Michelin. If you can get a heck of a deal on the A/T2 and think it will be suitable for your purposes, there's nothing wrong with that.


As far as size, going from a 15" to a 16" rim makes no difference. It's the outer diameter/circumference of the tire that causes differences. You can have a 15", 16", 17", whatever, and as long as the outer diameter stays the same, the speedometer and odometer won't be any different. You can just "plus size" and get a slightly lower profile sidewall if you want, but as long as it has the gearing, getting a slightly larger size isn't a problem.

Thing about 16" and larger tires is, they cost a heck of a lot more than 15" sizes. Some are popular enough that the differences are getting smaller, but many sizes, especially those used when going from 15" rims to 16", can be pricey.