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I bought a set of take-off Michelin all-terrain tires a few months ago. They have blocks in between the outside lugs about halfway down the depth of the lug. This seems odd because it would limit the usable Tire life but I figured maybe they were all that way. I had one replaced after an accident and noticed that it was not like this. Anyone ever hear of this or hear about any kind of recall? Date on them is 05/16. The newer one that is not like this was made in 17.
Last edited by frdbronco8; Nov 3, 2017 at 01:15 PM.
Reason: Forgot something
Looked at images of them online and they all seem to go all of the way down, but can’t tell what years they were made.
Maybe they changed the design in 2017. I’d think it would give it a longer life because you have a little more rubber in it. Less flexing of that lug, so less wear.
Does the 2017 tire have the same specs stamped on the tire as the other three? Same load rating? That is probably the only place to find a clue as to why it’s different (difference somewhere in the specs). I wonder if the country it was made in is the reason.
If you can find a new truck on the dealers lot I bet they will be the same as yours. OEM tires are often different than replacement tires even though the have the same nomenclature. I had a2000 Ranger that I bought new and when it came time to replace the tires I bought the same tire. Truck didn't ride the same after the new tires even though same name and tread pattern. When compared to the OEM tires there was a difference in the construction.
The blocks 1/2 way down look a lot like the wear indicators that are in my wife's winter tires, Blizzaks. The tires have 2 different rubber compounds. The soft compound on the lugs wears out fairly fast, which renders the tire unsuitable for winter use, although the tires are still legal. The wear indicators 1/2 way down the tread let you know that.
Like someone here mentioned the tire shop said some of the tires at this same model or made differently for different manufacturers. The three I have are built that way to maintain rigidity so they're probably better for towing but they won't do much for traction after another 10,000 miles or so
I used to run Goodyear RTS tires and they had a similar set up where if you ran the tires to the end you'd end up with a ribbed tire before it was all said and done.
My factory Michelin’s were the same, still ran em to 50k miles no problem, only noticeable difference once down to those blocks was snow traction , and that was the last year anyways..
While folks have posted products to cover up that nasty brown look the best way to get that stuff off is Brillo. You’re gonna need the whole box - you’re talking 2 - 3 pads per tire, the rubber chews them up, but it works. 1st time around you may have to Brillo them up, rinse, wait for the tires to dry and then do it again. Works though
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