Robert Rausch

I just bought some Michelin LTX MS2 LT245/75 R16 tires to replace the old Michelin LTX MS tires that were on my truck. I was told by at least two dealers that Michelin stopped making the LTX MS tires because "the molds were so old" but then they made new molds which made almost an identical tire which they called the LTX MS2. Both tires are load range E, 10-ply rated supposedly. Sounded reasonable. But look at the photo. The treads are noticeably narrower in the new MS2 tires. Anybody know about this?

SIXSLUG

The tire on the right is very similar to my Mich's I have from a 2004 2500 on 17" rims.

IIRC dad's original Michs looked like the ones on the left from '94.

I heard Sears still carried the MTX/LTX version for our trucks in stock form but aren't sure if this is factual.

Not sure about the molds wearing out but imagine there is some advanced computer aided design to the new ones. Just a step forward.

Robert Rausch

But why are the middle 3 treads all 1/8th inch narrower than in the old LTX MS? Seems to me they will wear out sooner because there is 3/8ths inch less rubber on the road.

Busboy

The old style tire is exactly that old style thinking. Look how narrow the grooves are to displace water and look how there is now (after a little tire wear) no way for the water to escape to the side of the tire to avoid hydroplaning. Even the siping on the new tire looks better although tread depth looks shallower and that was one thing I liked about the Michelin MS's. My 2011 came with tires like the worn one, now after only 8000ml the rear tires have worn enough that there is now no way for the water to escape to the side, not that I'm about to go out and buy Michelin's though.

Robert Rausch

I've generally gotten 90,000+ miles from my Michelins. This will be my 4th set.

SIXSLUG

The new ones still look nice on our trucks.

And they wear like iron, so mine will last a long time since I only run them in the summer months.

Robert Rausch

I got an email back from Michelin. They said they still make the LTX MS, but I couldn't find any anywhere.