20" Michelin Defender LTX Platinum Tires review -- For all of you thinking about a 20" tire! Your wait is over!

[mkhuffman]

In this thread, we've had people describing the LTX platinum with both increased and decreased efficiency. Considering their increased weight, they can't be more efficient than stock ATs, right?

This is really the only thing holding my order back.

They can definitely be more efficient than the stock ATs if they have lower rolling resistance. Rolling resistance has a much bigger impact than weight.

That said, the ATs might actually have similar or lower rolling resistance since they were designed for the R1. Rolling resistance is impossible to know unless the tire manufacturers start rating them or a entity like Tire Rack tests them for that.

Generally tires designed to have low rolling resistance, like the ATs, will be more efficient than tires that are not. Tire manufacturers will say if a tire is designed for low rolling resistance, but still you don't know how good it is compared to others that are also marketed that way.

It is very frustrating. One day I think a standard will emerge to help us figure it out.

BTW, it is known that for every percent rolling resistance decreases, wet traction decreases by the same percentage. So a 10% reduction in rolling resistance means a 10% reduction in wet traction. Fun!

Sponsored

 

[RWerksman]

FWIW - I purchased at non-EV AT tire that I read prior was pretty meh regarding rolling resistance. My calculated loss was 4% over the stock AT. I'd imagine these will be equal or potentially better, likely 22" area, I'd hope.

 

[BendR1S]

FWIW if you are going with this setup: I purchased these wheels for my R1T (and used them as a winter set with Blizzaks mounted on them). I purchased TPMS sensors from Amazon (because I'm cheap), had Discount Tire install them, and they worked great. Didn't require programming and the car picked them up before I got home (<5 miles). I'm happy with this setup, and it looks sharp too.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09W81D636/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[JJE]

As I mentioned elsewhere, I switched to Pirelli Scorpion AS 20s on my R1S from the ATs. These are an alternative to the Michelin, and I paid $224 each installed.

I love the AS - much better tires. Super quiet, significantly improved ride and handling. And the efficiency jumped to be identical to 21s. I now get an average of 2.4 m/kwh, adjusted for the slight difference in diameter (Rivian won't calibrate a non OEM tire). The AS has a very slightly lower maximum weight rating that the AT but it is by far within the safety margin. Diameter is essentialltly the same as the 21s.

The AS is significantly better on the snow that the AT. The AT was surprisingly not great in snow.

 

[Jim4]

As I mentioned elsewhere, I switched to Pirelli Scorpion AS 20s on my R1S from the ATs. These are an alternative to the Michelin, and I paid $224 each installed.

I love the AS - much better tires. Super quiet, significantly improved ride and handling. And the efficiency jumped to be identical to 21s. I now get an average of 2.4 m/kwh, adjusted for the slight difference in diameter (Rivian won't calibrate a non OEM tire). The AS has a very slightly lower maximum weight rating that the AT but it is by far within the safety margin. Diameter is essentialltly the same as the 21s.

The AS is significantly better on the snow that the AT. The AT was surprisingly not great in snow.

Which scorpion AS did you get for your 20s? Seems like there are like 6 different versions.

https://www.pirelli.com/tires/en-us/car/catalog/season/all-season

 

[JJE]

AS +3

 

[Voronbrg]

Got some miles on the ltx platinum. Range is only a tiny bit better than the stock 20 at tires. Grip is somehow much worse than the all terrain tires. However the comfort, noise, wear are all much better.

 

[Zorg]

Got some miles on the ltx platinum. Range is only a tiny bit better than the stock 20 at tires. Grip is somehow much worse than the all terrain tires. However the comfort, noise, wear are all much better.

Guess I'll stick with the Pirelli then. Noise doesn't bug me and mine have 17k miles

 

[Voronbrg]

Guess I'll stick with the Pirelli then. Noise doesn't bug me and mine have 17k miles

The noise gets worse over time, it was really hard to get any sort of longevity out of those tires. I had purchased 3 sets and just gave up on them as they don't last and the noise just drove me insane.

 

[av8or]

Guess I'll stick with the Pirelli then. Noise doesn't bug me and mine have 17k miles

Get ready to start disliking the Pirellis, that’s about when they start getting loud. By 30k they like super swampers.

 

[Zorg]

They're definitely getting louder but since we're moving to the mountains I will stick with the more aggressive tread and 3 peaks rating.

 

[Ronimal]

Got some miles on the ltx platinum. Range is only a tiny bit better than the stock 20 at tires. Grip is somehow much worse than the all terrain tires. However the comfort, noise, wear are all much better.

Do you happen to have any miles on snow that you could comment on in terms of grip? I can guess that if the ltx has generally worse grip than the stock ATs, snow traction would also be worse.

I am beginning to think a good cold climate combo is ltx platinum in warmer weather months, dedicated snow tire in winter. Although the latter wasn't necessary in MN this year lol.

 

[Voronbrg]

Do you happen to have any miles on snow that you could comment on in terms of grip? I can guess that if the ltx has generally worse grip than the stock ATs, snow traction would also be worse.

I am beginning to think a good cold climate combo is ltx platinum in warmer weather months, dedicated snow tire in winter. Although the latter wasn't necessary in MN this year lol.

I'm in south Texas, no snow.

 

[goldburger]

As I mentioned elsewhere, I switched to Pirelli Scorpion AS 20s on my R1S from the ATs. These are an alternative to the Michelin, and I paid $224 each installed.

I love the AS - much better tires. Super quiet, significantly improved ride and handling. And the efficiency jumped to be identical to 21s. I now get an average of 2.4 m/kwh, adjusted for the slight difference in diameter (Rivian won't calibrate a non OEM tire). The AS has a very slightly lower maximum weight rating that the AT but it is by far within the safety margin. Diameter is essentialltly the same as the 21s.

The AS is significantly better on the snow that the AT. The AT was surprisingly not great in snow.

What size tire?

 

[JJE]

275/60/20

Sponsored