Michelin tyres: tried and tested

In an occasional series on car tyres, Paolo Rossetti puts a set of Michelin tyres to the test to find out what makes them stand in a league of their own.

Continuing my quest for the perfect tyre for UAE conditions, and having already reviewed an aggressive off-road tyre as well as a dedicated sand tyre, I came around to thinking that perhaps there's a very good reason some brands of tyres cost more than three times what others do.

Being something of a sceptic, I immediately rationalise that it's probably the marketing costs we are helping subsidise with the extra price – all those flashy ads and billboards.

Then, of course, there's the brand's investment in research and development, which copy-cat companies need not shoulder, though there already I start to feel that would be money well spent on my behalf if the product is indeed technologically more advanced, and therefore safer, longer-lasting and just plain better. You get what you pay for, right?

I thought I should find out, and so I went straight to a major player in the tyre sector: Michelin. These are the people who invented the radial tyre, and who for 140 years have been producing the next generation tyre before anyone else.

I tested a set of Michelin LTX M/S after the salesperson recommended them as excellent for SUV on both highways and sand, and I was flabbergasted!

Even before they were mounted onto my truck, the quality of the build and the materials used were clearly superior to any other tyre I have driven.

The rubber itself was softer and stickier, the sidewall flexed like a ballerina warming up – truly in a league of their own.

I drove over sand, and they deflated to the right pressure with an excellent treadprint shape. I tore around sharp rocky wadis (the Achilles' heel of sand tyres!) to see if I could scuff them but the tyres were too tough to notice.

Perhaps the very best feature was the silence on the road at speed. As an avid off-roader, I tend to drive pretty noisy cars and performance always comes before comfort. But with the Michelin LTX M/S I was cruising like a VIP diplomat going to a key summit meeting!

From first-hand experience in the UAE, you will definitely get what you pay for when it comes to tyre selection. And my Michelins, after almost 5,000 km now, look as good as new.

Curious to know more about the company and the tyres they make, I spoke with Pierre Ménendes, director of technical communication for the Michelin Group. Excerpts from the interview:

What is so special about Michelin tyres that separates them from other brands?

Over the years, Michelin has built its reputation of providing the best longevity and endurance in the industry. This is recognised, not only for SUV or light trucks, but for passenger and heavy truck tyres as well.

In fact, the Michelin tyre brand systematically comes on top of the famous JD Power customer satisfaction index in both the US and Europe.

As an example, in February 2007, Michelin introduced the new worldwide Latitude Sport and Latitude HP tyre line for SUV and light trucks. They are already homologated on the new Porsche Cayenne Model! The independent and famed German TÜV Sud rated the Latitude up to 35 per cent better than competitors for mileage.

At Michelin, endurance and mileage are never compromised and the consumer indeed expects excellence from the Michelin brand.

Yes, the Michelin tyre may cost a little more but offers the best running cost, taking into account the longevity and trouble-free experience.

This level of quality is the result of four per cent of the group net sales devoted to development and research in three R&D centres worldwide – this is the highest in the industry!

Particular care is assured in the area of quality of materials and conception with extensive testing both on machine and in the fields under all extreme weather conditions.

We systematically also follow the performance of current tyres sold. So you can rest assured that you are getting the absolute best value a tyre can offer.

I routinely see pieces of destroyed tyres at the sides of our highways; it looks very dangerous to me – why does this happen and how can I make sure it won't happen to my family car?

It is difficult without analysing precisely every case, but, quite frequently, a tyre that is under-inflated and running for a long time will over-heat with temperatures that can suddenly rise to a point where the different rubber compounds will deteriorate with a blow-out as the ultimate result.

It is why Michelin recommends that tyre inflation pressure be checked at least once a month.

Also, the quality of material used in tyres differs from one brand to another and some brands may be less robust.

For example, the air retention in a Michelin is outstanding because 100 per cent Butyl rubber with substantial thickness is used for the inside liner and this provides the best seal.

There is a shared feeling among some drivers in the UAE that it is better to run cheaper tyres and change them yearly, rather than purchasing expensive tyres and keeping them for several years. As an expert in the industry, what is your analysis of this common knowledge?

We believe in the following:

A Michelin tyre lasts significantly longer than its competitors, so the actual total cost is in fact lower than our first tier competitors. You are saving money in the long run. It is true that some second tier or third tier brands may be much cheaper, but would you take the risk of jeopardising the overall performance of your vehicle or safety?

It takes on an average 18 months of work with a car manufacturer to technically approve a tyre as standard fitment, and Michelin is routinely chosen by car manufacturers the world over.

The tyre must satisfy extreme rigorous requirements: comfort, damping, contact, noise inside vehicle, noise outside vehicle, handling medium speed, handling high speed, braking, both lateral and longitudinal traction, top speed certification, mass, and of course longevity and endurance.