Petrie2001

hey guys,
i was wondering has anyone done this and if so which tires you prefer. i've read that a lot of people like the michellin crossterrains. i'm thinking about getting those in a 235 width. the stock width doesn't corner very well. any thoughts?
thanks,
peter.

Lexmexico

I looked at Duelers, X-Terrains & LTS & Scorpions, but finally decided on X-Terrains with 235. That was a year ago. A year later, much better cornering and it feels like I am riding on top of a tank. I might have lost a tad in acceleration though.

kutscher

I agree.

I had them installed 2 days ago. And they are better than the bridgestones. Even my wife noticed a difference in the ride quality. Plus the RX looks more SUV like vs. the minivan look with the bridgestones that were stock on mine. No problems with the 235/70/16 size.

mikey00

Remember a 235 Cross Terrain from Tire rack only has a treadwear rating of 420, where a 225 Cross Terrain has a rating of 700 and should last 1.6 times as long.

gp1200x

That treadwear con is really ticking me off the more I think about it. I remember looking at the tires when they first came since I like to verify that stuff and I had assumed they were the 700 rating since they were not labelled. I don't recall this practice ever being done 10 years ago. I could see a difference in a 20 or so between tire sizes but not 280!! It should not be classified as the same tire model! I wrote letters to Michelin asking for an explanation and how the treadlife warranty is the same when the treadware indictors vary so much. Maybe the 235s will hit 65K with 2/32s left but the 225s would have a ton of treadlife left.

Lexmexico

I switched to the 235s after using the 225 No-Tegritys. However, here in Mexico the Michelin's sold here have 5 ply protection instead of 3, one of the layers being Nylon. I have heard this is a legal requirement. They cost me about $25US more a tire, but they are holding up very well given the conditions.

gp1200x

I suspect that the 235s in Mexico still have the 420 treadwear too which means that the 225 size has possibly 65% more tread depth than the 235 size. I don't think they list the treadwear on your tire either. I thought they passed a law about that a few years back.

Lexmexico

I would not be so sure about that as mine are made here in Mexico. I will have to check with Michelin Mexico to find out. However, there is something on my tire that does indicate it is 5 rather than 3 ply, as my boss has CTX on his Grand Cherokee with tires from the U.S., also 235-70-16s.

mikey00

Tread depth on the 225s and the 235s is essentailly the same (11/32ths vs11.5/32ths). It must be the rubber compound or something else that accounts for the wear difference.

Lexmexico

Probably correct. I understand that the Grand Cherokees use the same 235 size. Wonder if Michelin was not just bulk selling them over to Chrysler and hoping to make a lot of money due to the fact that people would be replacing them more often. I am going to check with a friend in the tire industry to get some sales figures on different sizes ... 225, 235, 245 to see if there is a pattern.