Replaced Stones w/Michelin LTX M/S

Just wanted to share my Firestone Observations.

I just put 4 Michelin LTX M/S P23575R15 105S (to match the stock Firestone rating) on my 97 AWD V8. I went with the P rated instead of LT because a)I don't go off road b)smoother ride, having had LT tires on my other SUVs c)matches P23575R15 105S rating of Stock Firestone Wilderness AT (which is just a Passenger rated P tire, despite the AT acronym).
Got the tires at Costco with their $40 Michelin coupon, so $79 each plus $7 each for mounting, etc. Costco gives you lifetime rotation and balance.
I'm very happy with the performance of these Michelins so far. The Firestones had various issues. 3 out of 4 had a shallow crack line around the outer circumference of the tread sidewall, 2 were worn unevenly (previous owner neglected to rotate), 1 had a bad plug (slow leak), and all 4 had the beginnings of old rubber cracking; all with only 48000 miles on them. I've gone 60000 miles on other brands with 2 other SUVs with legal tread depth & no cracking!

-KBC

 

[GlassRover]

Firestones with shallow crack line

I was interested to read that you saw shallow crack lines on the outer edge of your Firestones... because I was just told by my dealership that my Firestones (Wilderness AT)are not from the batch of duffers that are out there. When I got home I was examining the front tires and saw the cracks you describe... these tires are a year old and have never seen a rough road! What are these shallow cracks about?

 

[kbc60]

I don't know if the shallow cracks around the tire circumference is related to tread separation or not.
My old tires were the same as the spare tire (which is still underneath the Explorer), DOT W2HL, which is not part of the Wilderness AT recall. Since I replaced my Stones with the Michelin LTX M/S over a month ago, before all this official news came out, and before Michelin & Ford recommended LTX AT's, I will be sticking with my M/S tires, till they wear out. I contactd Michelin, and they just repeated, like a recording, the Ford recommendation of LTX AT, not M/S. I've seen plenty of M/S on 97-99 Explorers in parking lots, so I believe these will be fine. Michelin will not say either way.

-KBC

 

[Jim F]

Check the table at the bottom of this link. It shows replacement tires that Ford recommends for 4x2 and 4x4 vehcles.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/consumer/autos/mauto744.htm

Hope this helps

 

[kilroy]

What are your tires set at?

I looked at the pressure ratings ao the tires, and they state 50 PSI. The tire store put in 26 PSI, seems a bit low to me, and they feel mushy and they make squishy sounds.
What are you guys with the LTX putting in for air pressure?

 

[DC]

I'm running 30psi in my LTX AT's.

 

[kilroy]

I found that 35 works just fine for my rig. I did the chalk thing, and it came out even on the first try.

 

[Blaine Cooper]

Pardon me Kilroy, or anyone else that knows, but what is "the chalk thing" you mentioned?