Just had a set of Michelin LTX M/S tires installed on my Tundra last week. With the OEM Dunlops I use to run 31lbs front and 33lbs rear. I ran them at that pressure because I found it to be the best compromise between ride and steering response.
With the LTX's set to that pressure the ride is so harsh that the whole truck shudders and booms when hitting large cracks in the road. I've lowered the pressure to the 26lbs front and 29lbs rear that Toyota recommends but now the steering is sluggish.
Here's my question to those of you that have Michelin LTX M/S tires and said that you thought they have a smooth ride. What shocks do you have installed? My Tundra Limited has the OEM shocks and I was wondering if I upgraded that maybe it would help and I could run a higher pressure.
BTW
Had an alignment done after I got the tires and they didn't have to change a thing. As bad as the roads are here the Tundra must have one tough front end.
With my P series LTX M/S I would run 32 psi in all 4 and carry at least 200 pounds in the bed.
Now that I run E series LTX M/S I run 45 psi in all 4 and carry at least 400 lbs in the bed.
Both gave a real smooth ride.
I also had my OE shocks replaced with HD Bilsteins.
I wasn't aware that the tire came both LT and P so I checked. They are a P tire with a max pressure of 35lbs.
I asked about the shocks because I think a better shock has a multi-valve system that rides soft over cracks and tar lines but stiffens up when needed for things such as chuck holes.
The stock shocks in Toyota's are generally a softer ride than most shocks you'll find, in most cases anyways.
The MIchelin LTX M/S is an awesome tire for tread life and they have pretty descent winter performance despite not being winter rated (they have good sipes, but I Think the compound they use isn't as soft as more winter rated tires - probably why they never got the winter rating on these I'm guessing). They do have a stiffer compound but I don't think this would have anything to do with it.
I have a set of LTX M/S 10ply on and at 50psi the truck rides like a buckboard wagon.I have 40k at about 1/2 worn.Good in snow and rain and they handle turns very well.Bad pavement is rough.
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I've been driving for a few days now with the tire set to 26 front and 29 rear. While the ride is still stiffer than with the OEM Dunlops I suspose I can live with it. It's the steering response I don't like. Last night, on a city street, I got behind a slow driver in the left lane. When I moved to right to get around him I could actually feel the front of the truck move side to side like like it was on marshmellows. Haven't put on enough miles to see if it will have any affect on my gas milage.
I got the tires because I'm about ready to take my yearly fishing trip to Canada. Towing my boat and the truck packed for a 2 week trip, I know I'm going to have to up the pressure. Higway 17, in Canada, can have some bad sections. I just hope the pounding doesn't shake the truck apart.
As for the shocks. It was my understanding that premium shocks have special valving that smooth out the road but still give control when needed. Control is determined by the speed and distance of tire/rim deflection caused by the road defect.
Just had a set of Michelin LTX M/S tires installed on my Tundra last week. With the OEM Dunlops I use to run 31lbs front and 33lbs rear. I ran them at that pressure because I found it to be the best compromise between ride and steering response.
With the LTX's set to that pressure the ride is so harsh that the whole truck shudders and booms when hitting large cracks in the road. I've lowered the pressure to the 26lbs front and 29lbs rear that Toyota recommends but now the steering is sluggish.
Here's my question to those of you that have Michelin LTX M/S tires and said that you thought they have a smooth ride. What shocks do you have installed? My Tundra Limited has the OEM shocks and I was wondering if I upgraded that maybe it would help and I could run a higher pressure.
BTW
Had an alignment done after I got the tires and they didn't have to change a thing. As bad as the roads are here the Tundra must have one tough front end.
Don H
I have these tires and there pretty stiff but I think it's because the Trd edition shock's are made that way. These Tires are sooo much Better vs those Oem POs Dunlops. Michelin are the best tire out there for wear and tear and I'll replace back to them when these tires wear out..
At least I've got the steering response I want. Someone I work with said that Toyota wants 3 lbs less in the front to induce understeer which was what I was getting to the extreme. I brought the fronts up to 29 lbs and that improved the steering a lot. I will play around with the air pressure until I get the best compromise between ride and control. Maybe after the first time I drive in rain or snow I'll find they are so much better than the Dunlops I can justify the rough ride in my mind.
Have you ever replaced your shocks/struts? If they're old, replacing them will make a big difference in your handling. I just put a 2nd set of tires (goodyear fortera's which blow away the stock dunlops & my firestone destinations) and had to drive about 2 weeks b4 my shocks/struts came in. The new hardware improved my ride and cornering more than I could have imagined.
I went with those tires in a 6 ply, 265 75 16 size. Little bigger, I run around 32 psi, and they ride great! Little soft in the corners, but it is a pickup truck with 16" wheels . What ply are your tires?
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2008 Tundra Reg Cab, 5.7L
2007 Ford Edge SEL AWD, Black! (wifes)
Pulling 2001 288 Sunsation with a supercharged HP500EFI.
Michelin LTX M/S
. What ply are your tires?
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