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Consensus on Michelin LTX M/S2 or AT2 in snow?

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32K views 32 replies 20 participants last post by  wh20crazy  
#1 ·
Hi all. For those of you running the Michelin M/S2 or AT2, how do like them? How is the road noise, and tread life? I realize the M/S is more of a road tire, but how does it perform in snow conditions?
 
#2 ·
I have them on my truck they don't see snow because it travels from So Cal to AZ lake
Mead and back they are the smoothest and quietest tires i have ever had. They have about 15000 on them and still look new. Truck had two sets of BFG KO'S and would get 15.8 mpg @ 75 and 80 mph each trip , when the LTX were installed same trip same speeds mpg went to 16.2 mpg. Very quite tire compared to BFG.
 
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#5 ·
I try to not run in the snow but have, they worked alright for me and I was Towing. With the windows up I don't have any tire noise to speak of. Last set went 92,000 miles and had 6-7/32's wear left, sold them on Craigslist for $200.
 
#6 ·
The first 25K on mine seems to wear rather fast but I understand the reason and maybe it will slow down. My rears tend to wear faster when towing.
Got almost 70K from the ones in my signature and they were a little used when I got them.
I like them smooth and quiet. Good traction also
 
#7 ·
The MS2 is an ok snow tire, but the tire is best for highway manners. I drive many miles on snow packed roads and prefer dedicated snow tires for winter travel, there is no comparison. I oversee a fleet of vehicles and have dedicated snow tires for most of them. My choice for snow tires are general altimax artic, hankook rw11, mastercraft msr , Goodyear Duratrac and firestone winter force. All are pinned for studs. The general grabber a/t2 is also an excellent snow tire that is pinned for studs. The Michelin A/T2 is an ok tire for what it is, but it lacks the needed siping for good snow traction on hard packed roads and it isn't quite aggressive enough for good performance in deeper snow. I have A/T2's on my 15 work truck and they are due to come off next month for the winter and will be replaced with Goodyear Duratracs that are studded.
 
#8 ·
A/T2's great all around tire. M/S2's are crap in the snow.
 
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#9 ·
I'm on my 3rd set of M/S2's. I live in Wisconsin and they are on my daily driver. I have gotten about 75k out of each of my previous sets. I can't say I have had any problems with them in the snow at all. They are quiet and seem to perform well.

Just my .02
 
#10 ·
x2 here. I've had both. I put a set of AT/2's on my 03 and didn't care for them as much as the MS2's. The MS/2 is quieter, rides better, lasts longer...and in my opinion is better in the snow. I ran the MS/2's about 75k miles and they still looked decent when I pulled them. The AT/2's looked and felt worn out after about 40k. I've got a set of Cooper's on now and will be switching back to MS/2's when they're done.
 
#13 ·
At2 , noisiest tire I ever owned, smooth and seemed OK had for short time then sold truck , I would guess better in snow than MS2 just cause it was a more aggressive tread but never had a test, have had a lot of MS and MS 2 and by far best all around tire ever, period. I am going to do 20's on my dually and will for sure get MS2 Defender , has MS2 on it from the factory and they are GREAT tires.
 
#14 ·
AT2 tires absolutely sucked in the mud, rain, and snow on my fleet trucks. Completely useless. MS2 do alright in the snow, but, I only have them in p metrics on a few SUVs.
 
#16 ·
Mastercraps? I run MSRs on a few. No issues other than drivers with heavy right feet.
 
#19 · (Edited)
Their AT is the noisiest tire I've ever driven. Before they were redesigned about three/four years ago, I had no problem with them. I think they were actually one of the best products on the shelf for the value. Unfortunately they abide by the old "If it ain't broke, keep fixing it 'till it is!" approach to manufacturing. Should have never changed it in my opinion.

Not only were the ones that just came off my truck noisy as all heck from day one, they became useless in snow and rain with a little over a 1/4" of tread left. Snow I can understand, but no wet traction? No thanks.
 
#17 ·
LTX AT2 came on my last 2 trucks as far as a a winter tire or on
wet grass they suck
they are fine on dry roads
when my 2015 came in I had the dealer take them off and put on cooper
AT3 great tire
now I don't have have it locked in 4X4 most of the winter or on wet grass to get around
another person I know got a 15 2500 w/6.0 with the same tire had the truck 2 weeks and he also made his dealer change them
 
#18 ·
As nice as the AT3 is, I would've thought you snow belt guys would run the Cooper ATW.
 
#20 ·
My 15 work truck has A/T2's from the factory, they still have 75% rubber, and I have a dedicated set of winter tires, goodyear duratracs that are studded. Two weeks ago I had to make a road trip with an enclosed trailer. 50 miles north of where I work, the road turned to a solid sheet of ice. The wind was blowing and the trailer was moving side to side about a foot. I broke traction in 2wd and shifted to 4wd, and broke traction some more. I was down to 30 mph. These tires are one of the worst winter driving tires I have ever used! When I returned to my shop, I told the mechanic that works for me that he was lucky to still have a job for not having my winter tires on. Michelin A/T2 SUCK!
 
#21 · (Edited)
I really like the MS, not so fond of the MS2. Either of these are scary bad on slippery roads. Summer tires for sure. Smooth, quiet ride.


I also like the AT/2 but it is not as smooth a ride and wear is not quite as good. I ran the AT2's winter 12,13, and 14 on my 2012. I do some snow plowing and never added ballast. They are good solid tires for the first 15-20k but then they lose their siping and the grip goes away. By winter 14 they were worthless, but not as bad as the MS. I now have 55k on them. They don't do anything in the snow, but I can't throw them away as they have probably 15-20k left in them. Going to a dedicated wither tire this season Nokian LT2's.

Michelin rubber is great, BUT it is hard and not made for winter roads. Even their winter stuff is hard.
 
#22 ·
LTX M&S were the worst tire I had my truck. I got stuck in places where I had driven before with GY Wranglers W/ Silent Armor with no problem.
Only got 40k out of them. Thankful the place I bought them pro-rated them & I put GYears back on. Haven't been stuck since.
The LTX M&S should be called P&R. (pavement & rain)
 
#25 · (Edited)
GY Wranglers W/ Silent Armor with no problem. I put GYears back on. Haven't been stuck since.
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Pro Grade - LT265/75R16E 123/120R OWL
I bought 4sets of these and can't seem to find them anymore. Where did you buy them from?
 
#26 · (Edited)
Let us know what you think of them. I think there may be a difference between the 16" and larger wheel size tires. I've really had great luck with the AT2's on my sixth set now. 527k miles. My sipes were a lot deeper on my 16" wheels than on Kennedy's larger wheels.
 
#24 ·
Had the LTX MS on my 2002, really liked them. Now LTX MS2 on my 2007 not so much! They are a harder rubber with less traction and stiffer ride.
 
#27 ·
I'll stay mostly on topic and mention the Michelin XPS Traction I have on my 2500 HD longbox.........we have formidable winters in Ontario and these work well in deep snow or heavy rain, and are reasonably quiet. The rubber doesn't freeze up and go hard. BUT, they only come in skinny sizes which aren't popular in big truck circles.(I like it). I use 215-85 R16's, and the steel belted side walls pumped to 80 psi are solid for towing.
Regards, Gerry
 
#29 · (Edited)
You have 16" wheels? What size did you buy? How many miles so far? I still think it's possible that the larger wheels now used force a different rubber compound to be used and the doesn't work as well as the compound used for the 16"s. Any one by have insight or knowledge of this?
 
#31 ·
I still wonder what version of Mastercraft tires you were running. As I said before, the MSRs are pretty awesome, both in quiet and traction.