One of my many Renaissance-Man interests is tires and wheels. The look of a good tire and wheel combination can make or break the overall look of the entire car. Though heels might seem to be the lion’s share contributor to the look of a car’s “feet”, I think it is subtler lines and tread of the tire that make the shoe.
What is even more significant to me is the amalgamation of look and performance specifically for the tire. Other than a larger diameter and perhaps the material, wheels do not contribute as much to performance as the tire. For it is where the “rubber hits the road” that one’s 2 or 3 ton metal chariot moves you forward, stops before you hit the dime or spins you out.
As an owner of about 20 cars since I began driving and the resident chief influencer and advisor for my friends, family and business associates for most things automobile, I have examined, used and purchased over 200 tires. In this pile of tires have been those made by Continental, Toyo, Cooper, General, Bridgestone, Firestone, Kuhmo and Michelin, to name a few. Over this time I have garnered strong opinion as to what a good tire is in
look, performance and value. While each tire manufacturer has their pros and cons, IMHO, the all-time looser is Michelin.
As a matter of fact, the only Michelin tires I have ever owned where those that came on a new car. The moment the Michys wear out (which is really fast and in a unique way compared to other manufacturers) I dump ‘em and get one of my favs. So why my personal distain for this particular manufacturer? Not just a particular model, but the manufacturer itself? I can answer this in two words, Hockey Puck!
Of all the qualities, and lack thereof, Michelin rubber products offer, their propensity to wear by solidification is the most unique. Most tires wear by losing rubber in the tread as well as maybe hardening a bit over the life of the tire. But all the Michelin’s tires I have used harden to an unacceptable point within ten to twenty thousand miles. I have literally
tossed out Michelin tires that had viable tread but were so rock hard; they would slip in a slow pull out from a stop sign in a rural area on a dry sunny day with no cars coming the other way. You want to know what it is like to drive on hockey pucks? Pull up a chair my friend.
Recently, I purchased a pair of Michelin Stealth wiper blades. Put em on my 2011 Toyota Avalon (thankfully with Bridgestone tires). They worked great for about a week. Then I started getting streaks. I cleaned and adjusted them to no avail. Then I brought them back to Wal-Mart and traded for a brand new set. Again, one week, streaks. Tossed that second set of Michy wipers in the trash (just like I have done with their tires) and bought a set
of Rain-X Latitudes. It has been blissful windshield wiping ever since.
Next my wife’s GTI gets a flat tire. Her summer tires are Continental ContiPro Contacts. But the flat happened after I put on her General Altimaxx Artic snow tires (the best snow tire ever!). when I when into the trunk, thetemporary spare was a Michelin. What a GREAT spare tire. Rock solid seeming like it was airless. So I thought, ok now I see a good use got Michelin tires. Much like medications that have off-prescription uses or were morphed into a completely different healing trajectory (like Rogaine whose humble beginnings and main ingredient were to treat high blood pressure as a antihypertensive vasodilator), Michelin rubber products have a particular property of hardening with use that should be explored for other products, like hockey pucks. Unlike the eureka discovery of the hair regrowth properties on Minoxidil, the original use of Michelin rubber products, tires, should not be continued. But one promising spin-off product for Michelin’s time released rubber hardening technology is the Tweel. Now here is where we might witness the evolution of Michelin from its own primordial ooze, or should I say puck? While there are certain arenas even in tire deployment that a harder rubber is a plus, (ei RV and tractor trailer tires), for the civilians we like softer rides and a better grip on the road. So the Tweel might be the best thing since the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Hmm, peanut butter cups and hockey pucks do look alike. But do they tase the same?
