The LTX AT2 tires are Michelin’s all-terrain model designed for SUVs and light trucks.
Michelin markets the tire as highly durable with a long lifespan, providing a 60,000-mile limited warranty to back up its claims.
But, unfortunately, these tires do have their fair share of problems.
Michelin LTX AT2 tires experience problems that include sipes that fade away quickly and cracking on treads and sidewalls. Besides that, these tires sometimes have chunks of significant size that break off and belts that break off. In worst-case scenarios, some AT2 tires also experience blowouts.
While these problems don’t affect all LTX AT2 tires, it’s still crucial that you understand the risks when using them.
This guide will walk you through the known problems associated with these tires and what you can do if you experience them.
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Common Problems with Michelin LTX AT2 Tires
Here are some known issues that exist with Michelin’s LTX AT2 tires:
Sipes Fade Away Quickly
Tire sipes are small slits that maximize traction and cut across a tire’s surface.
Undoubtedly, those sipes are why LTX AT2 tires are well known for their exceptional performance on wet surfaces, including ice, snow, and mud.
Sadly, those sipes don’t last very long on Michelin LTX AT2 tires. After driving on them for an extended period, you’ll find that those sipes quickly disappear.
Worse still, that’ll happen long before the tires reach their useful lifespan.
What does that mean for tire performance?
That means LTX AT2 tires are great for wet surfaces, but only while they’re still new.
Once they’ve been used for a little while, that exceptional grip on wet surfaces disappears.
Tread And Sidewall Cracking
Michelin LTX AT2 tires also tend to experience unnatural cracking on their treads and sidewalls.
A crack on your tire is bad news as it suggests that there might be rotting occurring within the tire.
Worse yet, cracks can also indicate that the tire has structural problems that undermine your vehicle’s overall safety on the road.
Another reason that tread and sidewall cracking is so dangerous is that they’re hard to notice from afar.
Cracks can sometimes be mistaken for treads, especially to the untrained eye.
On top of that, some cracks can also extend out of sight, making it impossible to notice as it reaches spreads below the tire’s surface.
Missing Tire Chunks
Some drivers might also find that their Michelin LTX AT2 tires lose chunks after extended use.
Tires naturally lose small chunks from their surface after a while, especially when driving on gravel roads, unpaved roads, or going off-road in general.
However, losing larger chunks of rubber from your tire is not normal. Instead, it’s a sign that the tires were not manufactured correctly and that the material used is defective.
More importantly, tires that are defective enough to lose large chunks face a higher risk of blowing out and causing you to lose control while driving.
Broken Belts
Belts are parts of a tire that add strength and stability to its overall structure. They are designed to ensure that a tire has better handling and a long lifespan.
The belts on Michelin LTX AT2 tires are also known to break, forcing the driver to get replacement tires.
There are a lot of reasons why a tire belt might break. They include incorrect mounting, oversteering, and other issues related to the driver and the vehicle.
However, tire belts can also break due to manufacturing defects, particularly those related to the tire’s materials.
Complete Blowouts
Cracking, missing chunks, and broken belts (as seen above) can cause a Michelin LTX AT2 tire to blow out entirely.
That’s because if any of those three issues (or a combination) were to become so severe, the tire could experience a sudden loss of air resulting in a blowout.
When tire blowouts happen on the road, the driver will likely lose control of the vehicle.
As you might imagine, tire blowouts are very dangerous and increase the risk of road injury (lethal or not) and property damage.
That’s why you must troubleshoot tire problems as soon as possible.
Delaying action could lead to more expensive repairs for your vehicle or, even worse, injuries sustained in a road accident.
How to Properly Maintain Michelin LTX AT2 Tires and Prolong Their Life?
Here are some maintenance tips to prolong the life of your Michelin LTX AT2 Tires:
- Have your tires properly inflated
Inflator
AstroAI Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor Air Pump for Car Tires
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- Check your tire air pressure monthly
Gauge
JACO ElitePro Digital Tire Pressure Gauge – Professional Accuracy – 100 PSI
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- Rotate your tires regularly every 5,000-6,000 miles
- Get a wheel alignment every year
Wheel Alignment
Tenhulzen Automotive 2-Wheel Alignment Tool – All-in-one (Camber/Caster/Toe Plates) – Made in USA
Check Price- Assure that your tires are balanced correctly
What Do You Do With Michelin LTX AT2 Problems?
Suppose you have Michelin LTX AT2 tires, and you’re experiencing problems with them.
In that case, here are the steps you should take to resolve the issue:
If possible: Change to Other Tires
Before you do anything, change the affected tire and avoid driving with it, if possible.
A spare tire would be much safer to drive with than a tire that might fail on you on the road.
Step 1: Check Your Warranty Status
Start by checking the warranty status for your Michelin LTX AT2 tires. Suppose you’re experiencing problems with your tires while still within the warranty period.
In that case, you might not have to spend anything to replace your tires.
Depending on your situation, you might be able to get replacement tires or prorated credits you can use towards your next tire purchase.
Step 2: Contact Your Dealer
Next, contact your tire dealer and explain the tire problems you’re experiencing.
You’ll likely have to set an appointment with them so you can bring the tires in for them to inspect.
Your dealer might have information about your tire problems that can be helpful, which is why speaking to them directly is important.
Step 3: Get Your Tires Checked Immediately
Bring your tires into your dealer to have them inspected thoroughly.
Again, your dealer might already know about problems related to the Michelin LTX AT2 tires which can help them diagnose them quickly.
Step 4: Replace Your Tires Immediately
One way or another, you’ll have to replace your tires.
If you’re still within the warranty period for your Michelin tires and the tire problems aren’t your fault, you’ll likely be entitled to a solution that you only pay for partially or not at all.
As you saw in Step 2 earlier, you might be entitled to a full tire replacement or prorated credits that you can use to purchase a set of replacement tires.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are a few more answers to questions that you might have about your Michelin LTX AT2 tires:
Are Michelin LTX AT2 Good In Snow?
Yes, Michelin LTX AT2 tires perform exceptionally well in snow and icy conditions. However, that performance is limited to when the tires are still new.
As they wear out, the tire’s sipes fade away and reduce traction in snow, ice, mud, and generally wet conditions.
Of course, if your tires lack the traction needed to drive on wintry roads, you can always add chains to them.
Double check you’re getting the correct fit for your tire size.
What Is A Tire Belt?
A tire belt is a layer between the tire tread and plies that provides strength to the tire’s structure. It’s typically made of materials like steel, rayon, fiberglass, and others, coated in rubber.
Can I Drive On A Tire With Cracks On It?
Yes, you can continue driving on a tire that has minor cracks. Superficial cracks do not pose an immediate danger to the tire or vehicle.
However, some cracks extend beneath the tire’s surface, undermining the tire’s structural integrity. It’s best to inspect cracks to ensure the tire is safe to use.
How Long Do Michelin LTX AT2 Tires Last?
You can reasonably expect Michelin LTX AT2 tires to last up to their guaranteed mileage warranty of 60,000 miles. However, tests by Consumer Reports project that these tires could last up to 85,000 miles instead.
