Advice on summer tires.

I just went through my first winter with my Taco and although I didn’t have too many snowy commutes, when I did I was glad I invested in quality snow tires. Winter will be over soon (I hope) so it's time to buy a set of tires to run for the rest of the year. Any advice or recommendations? I’m not looking for anything to go off road with. Just commuting ~30 miles/day. Looking for something reasonably smooth riding and quiet that’ll hopefully eek out an extra mpg or two.
‘09 5 speed manual, 2.7. 16” everything is stock.

 

You are going to mount your summer tires on different wheels, right?

It absolutely amazes me when I see people at the tire shop getting their tires all dismounted, winter tires mounted, and balanced, at the 1st hint of snow. Then in the spring, they go through the whole process again.

 

Michelin defenders

 

This

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For reals tho. Michelin Defender LTX MS's in a stock size on your truck will be the absolute best tire you can get.

 

I have a second set of alloy rims to put my “summer tires” on. I don’t want to pay for that twice a year and risk damaging my bead. I was thinking about the Michelin defenders. My fiancé has equivalent tires on her Honda Fit and they seem to ride pretty nice.

 

imperical evidence points to MICHELIN Defenders, if you got the cashDiscount tires

 

I got 86k miles from my oem Brigestone tires and went back with the exact same tire which I run year round and live in the Northeast.

 

This. Everything else is second best.
Though pricey, great premium tire.

 

Absolutely. Its the best dry, wet, snow road, slush, icy all around tire you can find.

Up front price might be a lil more, but you will easily come out with a cheaper per mile tire due to better mpgs (with less rolling resistance) and the MUCH longer life of the tire.

 

Michelin defenders if your budget agrees.

Bridgestone Duellers if you need a bit lower cost.

Either can be had at Costco with a great install package for 1 cent per corner if you catch a sale.

 

I put Bridgestone Blizzaks on for the winter and have been super happy commuting in WNY on mornings before plows have been out. Got them for a steal on Amazon, maybe I’ll get lucky in the next month or so with some Michelin’s. I kind of wish they made a true summer tire if it meant a little higher mpg or better ride quality. Don’t really need the all season performance with good snows on other rims.

 

I'd be tempted to just run the Michelins year round. They are a pretty good snow tire. The biggest problem with using 2 sets of tires is having them get old before wearing them out. They put a date stamp on tires now and recommend replacing them after 5-6 years. It isn't unusual for someone to get 70,000+ out of a set of Michelins and if you're only running them 1/2 the year it could take more than 5-6 years.

 

Yep, Defenders. And they are really good in the snow too. And if you want to save mpg's, don't go up a size. Stick to the factory recommended width or narrower. IF you go narrower, go to a taller aspect ratio to maintain your original, or close to it, diameter.

 

On my 07 xrunner, I went with a set of continental extreme contact sport tires, far from cheap. I have yet to get it to kick the rear out in a hard turn. I took a 90 degree turn at about 40, it let out a little sqe e e e noise but stayed in control. The only time it's actually broke traction was when I side stepped the clutch reving hard in first. Being a xrunner, it's not made for going offroad. It very rarely ever snows in socal so it's not something I have to think about.

 

Another vote for Michelin Defenders. All around best tire I’ve ever owned.

 

defenders here too...worth the money

 

I previously ran the Michelin Defender LTX and they’re the best of the best. Yokohama geolander g056 is a close second tho and a little cheaper.

 

After doing some more research I’m leaning toward Firestone Destination LE2. They are rated comparably to the Michelin defenders on Consumer Reports, and generally have favorable reviews online. Since I have good snow tires already I don’t need a/s tires that are as aggressive with snow and ice. Also I can pick them up currently on Amazon for $100 each. Has anybody ran these before?

 

If you don't go with the defenders I would take a serious look at either the Kumho Crugen or the General HTS 60. Depending on how much you trust TireRack ratings they are both cheaper than the firestone and better rated.

 

Just about anything all-season made by Michelin, though I must tell you that while the tires are quality and you get a smooth ride, you will probably be lucky if you get more than 25K-30K miles out of them before they wear out because the tires are softer...

I'm pretty sure I didn't even get 20K miles out of my Michelin Energy Savers! My dad has Michelin Energy Savers on his 2018 Yukon, and my mom has them on her 2013 Nissan Murano; My mom doesn't know much about tires and my dad handles that for her, but my dad said he is willing to pay for new tires more often if it means a smoother ride and less road noise; I disagree...

For an excellent all-around tire, I recommend Cooper Discoverer AT/3s! I have Cooper Discovers AT/3s on my 5-lug, installed in March 2019, and I've put almost 18K miles on them already; They show no signs of wear (where as two of my Michelins were pretty much shot after the same mileage).