Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

Has anyone tried these tires?

Wonder how they compare to the Michelin Dender ltx m/s.

 

I just ordered the Costco version of these (a name change is the only difference). 265/70/R16 is the size I've ordered - the oem size. These look virtually identical to the Defender xtl m/s but they are 1/2 pound lighter in my size and are load rated XL rather than SL. The M/S 2s, according to reviews I have seen, actually last a little longer than the original defenders.

 

Aren't those car/SUV tires?

 

If you are wanting a Michelin tire , the LTX A2 is a truck tire.

 

Before you buy tires, perhaps watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LH2t9GqU6o For most of us, an LT tire is the wrong choice for a Tacoma.

 

i like the slightly more aggressive tread pattern on the defender m/s2. of the photos i have seen, the sipes extend the enter depth of the tread blocks.

should be a good all-around tire. i am leaning toward putting them on this coming fall.

 

Excellent choice. My go to tire for 30+ years. If it were not for looks and off road exploring, I would have gone with the Michelin's again.

 

^ I'm sure they're a good tire. I just can't bring myself to put those on an off road truck; they look too much like soccermom SUV tires.

 

This is a funny exercise that can give some insight into what we value most in our vehicles. For 90% of us (a number I pulled out of my ass, but I stand by it) our Tacomas spend over 90% of their miles on pavement, and 10% on gravel/dirt roads. The amount driven on slick rock, deep mud or sand is negligible. For most of us, Michelin Defenders are the best tires we can buy - purely from a functional perspective, mileage, durability, wet, dry, ice and snow, unpaved roads, minimal drive train strain . . . . Yet, most of us just can't get past the very mild appearance of these tires. Funny isn't it? We will spend hours looking at tires with aggressive tread, heavy weight, and E load rates to find something that isn't complete garbage for the way we actually drive.

 

All excellent points! Well done!

 

I wonder just how much an improvement one would see, if any, you switched to an SUV or on-road all terrain type of tire. Obviously, a 100% off road all terrain or MT will hurt mpg. But I wonder what difference you'd see when comparing an on-road AT tire vs an off-road AT (all else being equal; driving type, distance, etc.).

For example: Michelin Defender vs the General Grabber A/TX

 

I thought these were discontinued. If not, it's a great option. I had 2 sets and got 90k miles on my first set. Replaced them after 6 yrs. due to age and they still had 8/32nd's left on them.

 

Agreed. However, I do think my third gen looked awful with the Firestone Destination LE2’s from the get go as well.

Never had A/T’s my entire life so I thought my new 3rd gen would be a great start. The Michelins, as great and practical as they are would have made my 3rd gen sport look like an old mans truck IMO.

So, after one year, I opted for the Toyo AT3’s in one tire size up in the SL load range. Could the Michelins served me better? Definitely as a daily driver, light explorer off roader. But I love how it looks now.

However, I thought the Michelins looked good on my 1992 that I drove for 14 years from new. Always equipped with Michelins other than the Dunlop Grandtreck’s that came from the factory.

Here’s a photo circa 2005. They may have been the Costco version of Michelins though.



Toyo AT3’s

 

If there was a tire with tread like the Michelin's and sidewalls like the Toyo's I bet they'd sell. You could have the off road look with the practicality of a more subdued tread; which would serve ~90% of truck owners, especially those whose truck is a daily driver for commuting and running errands.