Michelin has just released the successor to both the popular HydroEdge with Green X and Harmony all-season tires: the all-new Defender. The Defender features Michelin's Green X technology to help drivers save fuel without sacrificing mileage. IntelliSipes enhance rain and light snow traction by maximizing the number of sipes in contact with the road at any time. As always, Michelin has tuned the Defender to provide a comfortable and quiet ride.
Defender tires also feature a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and 3-year flat changing service at no cost through Michelin for the ultimate in peace of mind. Review all warranty details here.
While we haven't had the opportunity to test the tire yet, customers have been providing positive feedback. We are certain the tire will be a future best seller.
To see if the Defender is a good fit for your driving style, shop by vehicle.
Thanks for your question. Out test results are being compiled and should be posted shortly. From my experience, the Defender will carry on the long Michelin tradition of being among the quietest tires available, so no concerns there !
thanks.
Michelin has given the Defender an asymmetrical tread pattern to minimize road noise. The Hydroedge's directional tread pattern was very efficient in shedding water, but that kind of tread pattern always seems to create more road noise
When testing both tires, I felt the Primacy model had much better wet traction, so I'd be more inclined to recommend the Primacy given your concerns.
The Michelin Defender is availble in your size, so I'd recommmend them hightly for your application !
While we have yet to test the Defender in winter conditions, I can say for certain that the Primacy model has proven to have better wet traction (regardless of temperature). Hope this helps !
Sorry for the trouble ! I'd recommend having the balance checked by a shop with a RoadForce balancing machine to check the tires for any defects. The Defender model has had a very high level of build quality, but any tire manufacturer will have issues on occasion. Fee free to call our Customer Service department for help in finding another shop to check the tires.
Nissan requires an H speed rating to maintain proper handling characteristics on your Maxima, and the Defender is only available with the lower T rating so it cannot be used. For best results, consider the Michelin Primacy MXM4 or the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus.
Any recomendations?
Like Matthew's Maxima, you'll have to do an H rated tire (or higher speed rating) for the Camry. Best bet is the Primacy MXV4. The Defender might yield a little better fuel economy, but the harder rubber compound needed for that benefit would have a negative affect on wet traction.
The Michelin Xi2 is a dedicated snow tire, so we would not recommend it for all season use (above 50 degrees (F) the rubber gets very soft and would wear very quickly). Any all season tire (like the Defender) is a compromise that gives you some light snow capability and still let you leave the tire on all year long.
Our internal tests have shown the Primacy to be a better tire for wet traction, and we have yet to test the Defender in snow so assuming the two models are similar I'd lean in the direction of the Defenders if you are more concerned with long life over high speed wet handling.
Thank you kindly.
Michelin does not yet offer the Defender in your 215/70R16 tire size (unless you are using a different size), so consider the Goodyear Assurance CS FuelMax or the Bridgestone Dueler HL422 Ecopia as great options.
Feel free to email me direct or call in with your tire size, as the Defender is not available in neither 13" or 14" wheel sizes...
I'd prefer better handling in the winter and thus have been looking at winter tires (specifically Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D). Would you not recommend using any winter tires all year long?
Thanks so much for your input!
The Defender will give you the longest mileage warranty (90,000 miles)of any other Michelin in your size. If 65,000 miles of life is acceptable, I'd have you look at the Michelin Energy Saver All Season as I flet they were a little better in wet conditions.
Even the best all season tire will not be able to beat a good "dedicated" winter tire for snow and ice traction, as the rubber compounds used for the snow tires are designed to stay flexible to below freezing temperatures. As a result, they can be too flexible and soft in warmer weather (above 50 degrees)which caused them to wear very quickly and handle poorly at higher speeds.
I'd say that if you are comfortable switching wheels/tires back and forth seasonally, a dedicated snow tire is the best way to go.
Lincoln requires an "H" speed rating or higher for replacement tires,and the Defenders have a lower speed rating that recommended. I'd have you take a look at the Michelin Primacy MXM4 as our most comfortable option in your size.
Assuming you have 18" wheels and tires (as the Defender is not available in the stock 17" size. As mentioned above, the Defender is not great in wet) but should wear like iron....Great choice !
The Defender will have longest life and will be the quietest, but the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred will have better snow and wet traction. You may have to decide which benefit is most important....
I'd say either the Michelin Defender or Primacy would be great options.
I have a 2003 Chevy impala that uses 225/60/R16 and I live in miami... I was looking at either the pirelli p6 four season plus tires or the michelin defender. There is a minimum price difference but i am not sure which to choose...
Thank you for a response
bradley
Based on our survey results and tests, either the Defender or the Primacy MXV4 would be great options for your Chevy, but the Primacy would be a little better in wet traction
Thanks
I'm driving a 2000 Honda Accord EX V6 (4-door Sedan), and currently have Michelin Primacy on all 4 wheels. I've gotten differing opinions on what I should replace them with - 4 more Primacies or the Defenders. Is the Defender replacing the Primacy? Or is it a clear-cut case of safety and speed rating for my car, limiting my choice to the H speed rating only?
Thanks for your response!
Since Toyota requires the H speed rating as a minimum for replacement tires, the Defender would not be an option due to the (lower) T speed rating. For a long life, consider the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus or Michelin Primacy MXV4
The TripleTred has a very aggressive tread pattern that generates quite a bit of road noise compared to either Michelin. The Goodyear would do a little better in snow, but either Michelin would be quieter and more durable.
Both the Michelin Defender and the Michelin Primacy MXV4 would be great choices, with the Primacy being a little bit better in wet traction. Feel free to call us direct for more information !
I'd have you consider both the Michelin Defender and the Michelin Primacy MXV4 as great options for your vehicle. Feel free to call in for more information !
The Defender has the same (non-reinforced)sidewall construction as the Primacy and nearly all other tires in your size. We would consider them all to be "safe" for your application as the load capacities are well above the requirements of the Corolla. Hope this helps !
The Defender replaced the Harmony with the intention of providing a longer life expectancy. Based on our internal testing the Primacy will give you a little better wet traction (at the expense of a little lower mileage warranty). If you live in an area where the roads are wet more often than not, the Primacy would the better bet.