Michelin Defender tires ? - Toyota Yaris Forums

Yaristeve · 12-05-2014, 01:05 AM

I have had a set for about 10,000 miles now. To be frank, I don't like them.

I bought them at Costco. I would have preferred the Bridgestones but at the time, Bridgestone was backordered or something so were unavailable but I needed new tires ASAP. I like Costco tire mounting service (6 or 7 sets on various cars so far and no problems) so I thought I would try the Defenders. After all they are Michelins...

Anyway, initially they had very little grip. Breaking traction everywhere and ABS kicking in often. Perhaps the slipperiness was due to left over mold release or maybe tires needed a few thousand miles to break in?

Because of the early slipperiness, I don't really trust them to push them hard in corners or ramps. Maybe I should try testing them in a large parking lot. However, they seem to be gripping okay in the dry, lately. I haven't been breaking traction lately. During the recent rains, I didn't have any issues such as loss of grip or hydroplaning. But I tend to drive conservatively (relative to when it is dry).

The only reason I brought up the Bridgestone tires is because I've never had the slipperiness experience with them and so I never really distrusted them either. The last set of tires prior to these Michelins were Bridgestones.

I haven't really checked my fuel mileage with them so I can't comment on that.

Oh, and one last thing, they are quiet on the freeway.

I hope this was of some help, however little...

Yaristeve · 12-05-2014, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yaristeve

I have had a set for about 10,000 miles now.... ...I haven't really checked my fuel mileage with them so I can't comment on that....

I just remembered, on a recent trip to Las Vegas (from LA), I did get a little better fuel mileage. It usually takes me 5 bars on the fuel gauge but this last trip with the new tires, I only went down 4 bars. I had the tires inflated to 31 or 32 PSI.

ebaut · 12-05-2014, 04:42 PM

These are what came with my 09. I bought my 09 roughly about 5 weeks ago.. They had 70% thread according to the Toyota dealership I bought my Yaris from. I drove through the first 2 snow storms we had 2 weeks ago, and didn't wait for a third one. On dry pavement they're pretty good. In rain I felt some hydroplaning once while on the highway doing about 110 km/h

12-05-2014, 04:42 PM	#3
ebaut Drives: Yaris 09 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: KW, ON, Canada Posts: 39	These are what came with my 09. I bought my 09 roughly about 5 weeks ago.. They had 70% thread according to the Toyota dealership I bought my Yaris from. I drove through the first 2 snow storms we had 2 weeks ago, and didn't wait for a third one. On dry pavement they're pretty good. In rain I felt some hydroplaning once while on the highway doing about 110 km/h Last edited by ebaut; 04-26-2015 at 08:18 PM.

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12-05-2014, 01:05 AM	#1
Yaristeve Drives: 3-door hatch Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 519	I have had a set for about 10,000 miles now. To be frank, I don't like them. I bought them at Costco. I would have preferred the Bridgestones but at the time, Bridgestone was backordered or something so were unavailable but I needed new tires ASAP. I like Costco tire mounting service (6 or 7 sets on various cars so far and no problems) so I thought I would try the Defenders. After all they are Michelins... Anyway, initially they had very little grip. Breaking traction everywhere and ABS kicking in often. Perhaps the slipperiness was due to left over mold release or maybe tires needed a few thousand miles to break in? Because of the early slipperiness, I don't really trust them to push them hard in corners or ramps. Maybe I should try testing them in a large parking lot. However, they seem to be gripping okay in the dry, lately. I haven't been breaking traction lately. During the recent rains, I didn't have any issues such as loss of grip or hydroplaning. But I tend to drive conservatively (relative to when it is dry). The only reason I brought up the Bridgestone tires is because I've never had the slipperiness experience with them and so I never really distrusted them either. The last set of tires prior to these Michelins were Bridgestones. I haven't really checked my fuel mileage with them so I can't comment on that. Oh, and one last thing, they are quiet on the freeway. I hope this was of some help, however little...