Those of you who know me know that I consider any tire that won't last at least 50,000 miles a POS. Having said that I changed to 16" rims because there were no high mileage 18 tires. Now there is.

MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN SUB

P275/55R18 Discount tire price $144.00 ea. + tax

This tire has a UTQG Rating of 420 which when compared to the F1 rating of 300 means it will probably last 60-70,000 miles.

This is an S speed rated tire which means its rated at 110 MPH; however, the cut sheet says you can drive it at substained speeds of 130 mph by increasing the air pressure 5 psi with no loss in load rating.

The load rating is 2064 compared to the F1 rating of 1687.

Cut sheet says they are good on rims from 7.5 to 9.5.

Diameter is 30.1 compared to our 28.4? which means your speedo will show 2-3 miles an hour less than you are actually going at 70.

Since I drive about 25K a year longevity is more important to me than whatever the F1 benefits are and I use MT ETs when I race anyway.

noelvm

 

This sounds like a good piece of info for the FAQ.
on another different but similar (sp) topic. A question for the chip tuners. Is any way to tune the L to increase MPG!? If so how much do you think you could cut it by? This sounds like something noelvm and others, including me, would be interested in. What do you think?

 

Caution: the Tire and Rim Association (the organization that establishes standards for load and speed ratings of tires) shows the maximum rated speed of an S rated tire at 112 mph when inflated to 35 psi. It then DECREASES the rated capability if the tire is inflated at less than 35 psi. For example, if the tire runs at 29 to 31 psi, subtract 4 mph.
T&RA does not make allowances for increased tire pressure, but to assume an increase in capability of 20 mph for an increase of 5 psi sounds VERY WRONG.
Do not tempt fate with high speeds on marginal tires. Speed related failures of tires can happen very quickly and violently.

To say to a tire that doesn't last 50-60K is a POS is a little rediculous. To each his own but tires with great wet and dry grip tend not to last as long as tires with hard compounds and low grip. Don't expect the handling capabilities of the Lightning to stay the same with a high mileage tire.

You want long tire wear? Keep your foot off the fun pedal!

 

HEY LURKER--I didn't say a tire that won't go 50-60K is a POS. I said in my opinion, any tire that won't go 50-50K is a POS.
I'm entitley to my opinion.

As for the speed rating with increased air pressue, I would suggest that Michelin is not about to publish something like this on their website if it were not true. In "lawsuit heaven" America, the'y get slaughtered.

If I want to drive something that handles I drive my corvette. If I wanted a truck that handles, I'd have kept my Gen 1.


noelvm

 

Noel, you always have cogent arguments like about spark plugs and things like that, but don't expect L owners to agree with your non-performance tire selection.

 

Lightningbolt I agree, this option is only for a few not the majority. My rat racing days are behind me, I hope.
noelvm

 

Perhaps you missed the "To each his own..."

If it's on Mich's website, it'd be good if you'd provide a link...

 

I can do that

http://www.michelin-us.com/us/eng/ti...log/cat_08.htm


Under Michelin® Cross Terrain™ SUV click on blue "click here to download". You will need Adobe Acrobat reader installed on your computer to read the spec sheet.
noelvm

 

Since the tires last so much longer, the rubber is probably alot harder than the f1's. Hard rubber=no traction.

 

11 SEC. Brilliant deduction, and since, with regard to drag racing, the F1 have no traction either, whats the difference? You can't have it both ways, but with a set of Mt ETs in the back to change to at the strip, you can.
noelvm

 

I've been running the Nitto NT404 Extreme for 25K miles now and they are holding up real well. I expect to hit 45 or 50K on these, even with my driving style (which has included a few burnouts).

They have a treadwear rating of 420, and are V rated up to 149mph. The 31in tire height fills up the wheelwells better than the stock tire and gives you the added benefit of a slightly more efficient rear end ratio for better highway mileage. Also, the additional height means that you can clear curbs and parking guides without scraping. And, they fit my truck even with the 2in shackle drop I have in the back.

The tire is a 305/55/18.

 

Nitto 555 - new tire in 295 / 45 /18 ---

does anyone know the rubber compound on this one or the cost and performance?

 

11 SEC. Brilliant deduction, and since, with regard to drag racing, the F1 have no traction either, whats the difference? , the F1 have no traction either, whats the difference?

I turn mid 13's on my F1's and several trucks are in the 12's on f1's,, No traction,,yea right....

 

The Toyo Proxes S/T's have a wear rating of 420 too and come in the 295/45/18 flavor, and they actually look half decent.

 

Who asked that this be added to the FAQ ?

Done !
http://www.svtlightnings.com/faq1/faq.htm

Doug