Michelin XPS Rib tires are a safe bet for truckers and those driving heavier vehicles.
While they are double the weight of standard tires, they are built to last. These tires won’t be worn down easily and, once worn in, will provide an incredibly smooth drive.
One of the main problems with Michelin XPS Rib tires is that their steel sidewalls make it so that they cannot be reinflated once completely deflated. Other issues you may encounter are that they are hard to patch and repair, driving is not as smooth as other tires, and they aren’t the best in snow conditions.
Thankfully, most of these issues can be easily solved with a bit of knowledge.
Although, one or two issues may necessitate the complete replacement of the tires, which isn’t exactly handy when they are so expensive in the first place.
Keep on reading till the end to find out more about these problems!
Common Problems with Michelin XPS Rib Tires
Here are some of the main issues that you may stumble into if you own a set of Michelin XPS Rib tires:
Steel Sidewalls Mean Tires Cannot Be Reinflated
The Michelin XPS Rib is a fantastic set of tires. Part of the reason these tires are so durable is their steel sidewalls.
The addition of these walls allows the tires to be retreaded. However, the steel sidewalls will also pose a problem.
If the tire can completely deflate for any reason, it is impossible to reinflate them.
It means that the tire has reached the end of its lifespan. You are going to need to replace it. Simple as that.
Of course, you can avoid these issues by ensuring that the tires are adequately cared for.
If any issues could lead to the deflation of your tires, then make sure that you deal with them quickly.
Try to ensure that you are not putting too much pressure on the tires, etc.
While this is a major problem if you do not properly care for your tires, we can’t imagine that the typical user will ever have to deal with the situation.
They Cannot Be Patched Or Repaired Easily
One issue that could end up being a problem is that many companies are unwilling to patch or repair Michelin XPS Rib Tires.
This means that if you have a bit of damage or light puncture, you may need to shop around for tire companies that will be able to help you.
The reason why most companies avoid patching or repairing these tires is due to the construction. Patching and repairs will be incredibly hard. So challenging that it can be pretty time-consuming and easy to mess up.
As we said, this is one of those Michelin XPS rib tire problems that can only really be solved by hunting around for a company that can help you.
You may also want to learn how to carry out a basic patch job on the tire yourself, just to ensure that it does not deflate completely.
However, we doubt that many ‘average’ people will be able to carry out a complete repair job on these tires due to their construction.
They Cannot Be Filled To Max Pressure
Ideally, you would avoid filling the Michelin XPS Rib to the maximum pressure of about 100psi.
Some people find that the tires are a little bit too ‘bouncy’ like that, and it can result in a driving experience that is less than ideal.
Most people recommend that you opt for 65psi on the front tires and aim for about 50psi on the rear tires.
Although, you will likely need to adjust the pressure a little bit depending on whether you are carrying a heavier load.
For example, if you are carrying something relatively light, then you may be able to drop the psi down to about 40.
A lot of the pressure selection is going to come from your experience as a driver and knowing what sort of loads you can carry.
However, as long as you are not getting anywhere near the pressure that the Michelin XPS Rib has been rated for on the PSI front, then you should be fine.
The Ride Isn’t As Soft With The Michelin XPS Rib Tire
Some people find that the ride with the Michelin XPS Rib isn’t quite as smooth as with other tires.
Unfortunately, we have to agree with this. Although, in most cases, it probably shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Most of the time, these tires will be used in heavy driving situations (trailers, RVs, etc.), which isn’t going to provide the smoothest driving experience anyway.
Thankfully, you can soften them up a little bit. Some people will use nitrogen filling for their tires.
This means filling the tires up with nitrogen and purging multiple times to squeeze out the air. However, do bear in mind that these are still going to be heavy steel-walled tires.
There is only so much that you are going to be able to do on the softness front.
They Aren’t Brilliant In The Snow
While Michelin do claim that these vehicles are OK for snow, they are not the best.
They may be able to deal with light snowfall, but we wouldn’t push them beyond that.
If you are starting to drive in areas with heavy snowfall, then it may be worth switching the tires out for the winter months.
We are sure that you are going to be able to find something very similar to the XPS Rib that you can use.
The Tires Are Heavy
As we said at the start, these tires are heavy. Yes, the weight helps these tires be as brilliant as they can be.
However, you cannot use them on vehicles with low torque. In fact, it is highly recommended that they are used on high-torque diesel engines.
Basically, while these tires are excellent for putting on a recreational vehicle, you probably won’t be putting them on a small car. We are talking SUV and up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Should a Michelin XPS Rib Tire Last?
This will depend on the conditions you are planning to run the tire under. However, most users report that they can get a good 100,000 miles per tire. This is far superior to other tires from Michelin or even other brands.
Will Fuel Efficiency Improve With Michelin XPS Rib Tires?
Yes. As with most rib tires, you may notice a small improvement in fuel efficiency when you use the Michelin XPS rib tires.
How Much Do Michelin XPS Rib Tires Cost?
Around $1,000 for a set of four tires, not including the mounting and the balancing.
Conclusion
While there are a few Michelin XPS rib tire problems, there isn’t really anything that should put you off purchasing these tires if you really have your heart set on them.
If you treat them right, then they could easily last you 100,000 miles.
Of course, ensure that you treat them like you would any other tire, e.g., checking for wear and tear and getting them mounted correctly.
If you do that, then you will have a brilliant set of tires on your vehicle.
