Customer reviews for Michelin Defender2 - 235/50R17 96H Tire forThe Defender 2 drives like a dream
I researched tires for my 2018 Nissan Rogue and read good reviews for this tire. I was looking for quiet and a smooth ride. I just drove home from the tire store and am hugely impreased with the ride! I don't know about longevity yet but am looking forward to the future.
Michelin Defender 2
Had to buy these Defender 2 tires a few months ago because the Premier LTX D/T tires were supposedly being discontinued. Tires are adequate but not as comfortable of a ride versus the Premier LTX D/T tires. Disappointed in the Defender 2 Traction and Temperature ratings of "B", they should be at least A or better yet AA. I will only buy Michelin tires as long as they have quality tires and strive to improve tire materials and traction control; especially, in wet weather where I live. Unfortunately the YOKOHAMA YK740 GTX were rated better (A traction and A temperature) than the Defender 2 tires ; however, I do not like Yokohama tires. I have not had the Defender 2 tires long enough to rate treadwear; however, I do not expect them to last even 50,000 miles. We shall see!
Sticks49, thanks for taking the time to submit a review on the Defender 2. We understand your concern and wanted to share a bit more information with you. The UTQG traction grade is a 40-year-old, locked-wheel wet braking test and is, in our estimation and in the estimation of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, a method that is outdated and inconsistent because all modern vehicles have anti-lock brakes. A braking test based on anti-lock brakes measuring peak adherence rather than slide adherence, which is better suited for today’s vehicle. Michelin has chosen to design tires based on anti-lock braking, not locked-wheel braking. This sometimes produces a lower locked-wheel result, even though our testing and independent testing used in claims show the MICHELIN® Defender®2 tire to have superior wet braking over leading competitors. This question is an excellent one and highlights why regulation needs to be updated and/or eliminated as technology changes and improves. Our testing and independent testing show that consumers will be very pleased with the wet braking performance of the MICHELIN® Defender®2 tire, not only in when the tire is new, but even as it wears.
Outstanding Performance
I would not drive my car without Michelin Tires (and I have two Cars) since I purchased the car new in 2006. I have all ways purchased the best tire they make for my cars and have had nothing but the best ride and performance I could get from tires. Never had a tire that was defective and I have outstanding mileage performance from the Michelin Brand.
Love these tires: good wet and dry traction, low noise
I bought Defender 2 tires for my 2014 Prius Five four weeks and 450 miles ago. I am thoroughly happy with the choice. These replaced some Continental SureContact units that had been scrubbed about a bit because of poor alightment. The dry traction of the Defender 2 is outstanding. I’ve had some opportunity to drive in wet conditions and the traction and braking is similarly impressive. Wet performance and noise characteristics were the primary drivers for my choice of this tire. Given that the Prius is a not well insulated car as the engineers wanted to keep the weight down, I am really impressed at how little tire noise gets into the cabin. That alone argues to put these things on my massive 2003 4,000-lb-plus Jaguar which will need new tires in the spring. The Prius’s mileage has dropped a little, but I really bought the car because it had cutting edge safety technology and I’m getting older. So trading a little drop in mileage for great dry/wet traction, exceptional handling and a low noise factor is just no biggie. As these wear a bit I would expect the mileage to slowly rise some. And at my age (75) and the amount I drive (~6000 a year) these tires should be just broken in by the time I trade the Prius in on what will likely be my last car.
Traction B???
I bought a set of four of the Defender 2 model earlier this month expecting them to be an improved version of my previous Michelin Defender tires. What I didn’t know until I got home and had a chance to look them over more closely was that the traction rating is “B,” unlike the previous model of tires which were rated “A” for traction. What a disappointment! Why would you have this mediocre traction design to the Defender 2, Michelin? My only other Michelin option for the size I need was the snow tire model, but I wanted year round, all season tires and that left the Defender 2 as the remaining choice. While it’s great to buy tires made in the USA, this traction B rating seems rather bush league coming from such a renowned manufacturer.
Up North, The UTQG traction grade is a 40-year-old, locked-wheel wet braking test and is, in our estimation and in the estimation of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, a method that is outdated and inconsistent because all modern vehicles have anti-lock brakes. A braking test based on anti-lock brakes measuring peak adherence rather than slide adherence, which is better suited for today’s vehicle. Michelin has chosen to design tires based on anti-lock braking, not locked-wheel braking. This sometimes produces a lower locked-wheel result, even though our testing and independent testing used in claims show the MICHELIN® Defender®2 tire to have superior wet braking over leading competitors. This question is an excellent one and highlights why regulation needs to be updated and/or eliminated as technology changes and improves. Our testing and independent testing show that consumers will be very pleased with the wet braking performance of the MICHELIN® Defender®2 tire, not only in when the tire is new, but even as it wears.
New tires Defender 2
I had the primacy ltx standard issue. These are a little louder, a little less gas mileage, but the cornering is better. I haven't driven in rain yet. The ride is slightly rougher but these should last way longer. I only got 41000 out of the primacy ltx.
Concerned for safety
Had 2 incidents in one month. 1st incident tire only months old, apparently picked up a screw somewhere, no warning and tire blew. Covered under warranty and then a second incident with no nail or any apparent damage to the tire and the low pressure light came on. In seconds the tire ripped along the rim on both sides leaving about 2inches rubber and the rolled off the car. I was on a 4 lane freeway both times and it this could have been disastrous. Thankful no one was injured. I did get to the shoulder of the freeway as my tire rolled past me and rested on the concrete barrier
Long trouble-free life
The best thing to say about Michelin tires is--there is nothing to say. No problems, no tracking issues. Last a long time on my Cavalier, Pontiac G5, and Cruze. I have been buying them since a set lasted 115,000 miles on a Rambler American, but have never achieved that lifespan since. However, they outlast Goodyears, Firestones and Pirellis on my other cars.
A mixed bag ...
Put these on my 2019 Honda Accord, 225/50/17. They Mileage actually increased by 1.5mpg, they are quiet, and ride decently. But, they have poor on center feel. The tires wander so much on the highway that it feels like the car is being blown around by wind. The tires are perfectly balanced, the car has perfect alignment, and pressures are right on 32psi. I'm guessing it is tread squirm. Regardless, it is fatiguing to drive due to the constant corrections required. The lane keep and assist feature of my car is MUCH busier trying to keep the car centered. The ride is generally smooth, especially over more rounded bumps. But on square edge, sharper bumps (like 1" high peaked cracks), there is a harsh spike transmitted to the cabin. Super weird. I'm also a little concerned about wet and snow traction in SE Michigan. Interestingly, the same tires on my wife's 17 CRV feel brilliant. We've had 6 sets of Defenders over the years, and they were always a great choice. I'm a former master mechanic, and have never considered returning tires before. I have 1 more week left on the 30 day trial period, and I'm not sure I'm going to keep them. May have to try Pirelli or Continental.
Roberto, thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're sorry to hear of your disappointment in the Defender2 tires. As part of the Michelin Promise, we do offer the satisfaction guarantee.
Defender2 has poor traction
The Defender2 tires were a safety problem for my Rav4 Prime SE. The cars ABS periodically began to engage shortly after the Defender2 was mounted. Reference Michelin case numbers 03727059, 03673882 and others. I cannot recall the ABS ever engaging with the OEM tire (not Michelin) nor since replacing the Defender2 with Michelin Primacy Tour A/S tires. I've now had the Primacy Tour A/S tires mounted for nearly a thousand miles, no ABS engagements or dashboard warnings, I am happy with the Primacy Tour, but the Defender2 seems defective to me. The Defender2 would easily skid on dry roads, hence the ABS, dash lights and warning sounds from the car. First time I have ever used the "Michelin Promise Plan of a 60-day satisfaction guarantee", and am glad Michelin stood behind their product. Note that I did bring the car to a Toyota repair facility, who inspected the car and found it functioning properly. The dealer pointed out the Defender2 only had a B traction rating on the sidewall, suggesting the Defender2 was not a high traction tire and likely the culprit for the ABS activating. Thank you Michelin for standing behind your product and satisfaction guarantee. However, I feel the Defender2 is a bad product, at least for my Rav4 Prime SE. One last note, I tried to contact Michelin after the tires were replaced, to find out if they tested the Defender2 tires that came off my car. I was not successful in getting information. If someone at Michelin can contact me with any failure analysis, I would like to learn what was found. I hope the problem was isolated to the tires I had, not to all Defender2 tires