I hit up the Michelin North America (NA) communications team for further information and to see if this new tire has a place on our side of the Atlantic. Get An Extra Year Of Treadlife
The Michelin CrossClimate2 tire provides up to one year of additional treadlife compared to four leading competitive tires. New tread compound technology is specially formulated to provide excellent winter traction and year-round durability. This michelin cross climate certification designates that a tire meets the required performance criteria in snow testing to be “Severe Snow Service Rated”. It’s always best to fit the new tyres to the rear of the car, especially when changing tyre types as you are with the CrossClimate. While the balance in the dry should be fine, in cold wet and snow the car might have a tendency to oversteer which is far more difficult to control than understeer.
Final Verdict – Michelin CrossClimate2 Tires
After two years of use, we can report that the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire changes the landscape for many vehicle owners. No longer are winter tires needed for snowy commuting and normal winter driving. You can ditch your winter rubber for good and just use these tires. Noise levels are not increased, they handle great, they seem to last as long as any other all-season tire we have owned, and our mileage went up when using them.
However, the quality of tires from Michelin will never make you regret your choice to buy them. The other Defender tires, namely the Defender T+H and Defender 2, are both slightly less durable than the LTX. It is ideal to have a durable tire if you are driving on rough roads and doing some heavy-duty work. Let us look first at the Michelin Defender LTX vs Crossclimate 2.
Scott Clark, member of Michelin’s executive committee, said the CrossClimate2 “fits this moment in time,” as our country turns its attention to recovery, with its inherent features that ensure safety, freedom, tire longevity and more mobility with less impact on society. The culmination of science and innovation, and more than 630,000 miles of testing, the CrossClimate2 is “redefining the all-season tire,” said Alexis Garcin, chairman and president of Michelin North America, Inc. in his opening remarks at the virtual event. For sure, choosing any of these models will not give you serious problems. I hope that this Michelin Crossclimate 2 vs Defender tires comparison was able to help you in deciding what to buy.
I’ve had them in my Sienna van for almost 60k miles and the ride experience and traction have been exceptional in all conditions. My only gripe is I had to replace one and repair 2 due to punctures which is WAY too many in my opinion. I’ve never experienced a tire that picked up puntures this regularly. Is the discount based on the tires having the Three Peak Mountain Winter SnowFlake(TPMWSF) symbol? If it does depend on that symbol and rating then some of the Michelin Cross Climate directional treaded tires do have that TPMWSF symbol and rating.
After all the comparisons that were made, I could say that the Crossclimate 2 and the Defender tires are exceptionally good. The Crossclimate 2 is better in terms of comfort, while the Defender tires are more balanced and durable. Michelin tires usually have a higher price compared to the other brands.
Meanwhile, the V Ramp Chamfers increase lateral grip by increasing the road contact, further enhancing dry performance, and finally, the 3D Sipe Lock tech interlocks the blocks to increase the tread rigidity. Hence, it should perform excellently in rain and snow, even when the tread is worn down to 2/32-inch of tread depth. Ice braking is completed on a skating rink from 10 to 0 mph. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are some tires that do not have ice braking ratings. Wet braking is measure of stopping performance from 60 to 0 mph. Dry braking is measure of stopping performance from 60 to 0 mph.
“Most all-weather tires don’t necessarily offer the safety benefits needed in summer conditions or when conditions get warmer as far as dry braking or handling as well as wet braking and handling,” noted Carter. “The CrossClimate is defined as a summer tire homologated for winter conditions,” said Carter. “It carries the ‘Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake’ (3PMSF) symbol, showing that it’s fully winter capable. It is not, however, a winter tire like the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 or Pilot Alpin PA4, which are recommended for climates with severe cold and/or precipitation (snow).” If you live where it gets cold and snowy, you buy a second set of dedicated winter tires.
This measurement should only be used when called for on the vehicle’s tire placard or in the vehicle’s owners manual. Government standards for reaching and sustaining a specified speed. Typically, a tire with a higher speed rating results in better handling. Speed ratings apply only to the tire itself, and not to a particular vehicle. Putting a tire rated for a certain speed on a vehicle does not mean that the vehicle can be safely operated at the tire’s rated speed.
If you live where winters are harsh and want to quit using winter rubber for normal winter driving, the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire is the solution you have been waiting for. Inflation pressure increase must not exceed the maximum pressure branded on the tire sidewall. Exceeding the lawful speed limit is neither recommended nor endorsed. (4) Based on third-party snow traction tests using ASTM Test Method F , using michelin defender tires tires buffed to 3/32” remaining tread depth. Often confused with all-season tires, grand-touring tires take many of the benefits found in all-season tires, like wet- and dry-handling characteristics, and then blend those features with the capability of providing a comfortable, more capable driving experience. Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. has launched a new all-terrain light truck tire, the Nitto Recon Grappler A/T.