[crx_rogus]

Does anyone have much experience yet with the Michelin CrossClimate series of tires, whether CrossClimate+ or the two types of CrossClimate2?

My Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires are down on tread and it's the snowy time of year... I thoroughly read the reviews of eco-types of tires, very very few mention low rolling resistance and/or increased mpg. The CrossClimate series of tires are interesting though since they have really good normal-weather traction and unusually good wet weather traction, plus good enough snow traction to earn them the 3PMSF severe snow service rating, and they're quiet, and they have a high treadwear rating. I have a 37 mile commute, really hit the Volt's range sweet spot, don't want much of a range hit but being able to deal very well with low traction conditions on a nearly all-highway commute would be wonderful. The Goodyears are ok for traction, not great, no range hit vs. the Firestones that were on it. The way people drive these days plus hits of seriously wacky weather people like to be ijits in makes me think the extra cost and versatility of the CrossClimate2 tires might be worth it. I feel like I'm driving a family car sized NCC-1701-D with the Volt, really really don't want to hit anything/anyone regardless of the weather.

Thanks,
Roger

 

[Lumos]

These tires do look interesting, but I'd have to think the7 for snow traction over rolling resistance. But, like you, want someone with actual experience with these to comment, not just speculation based on what we read about them.

I'll add that I've had Bridgestone Ecopia 422 plus on my 2014 for one year now, and I can highly recommend them. They are much, much better for traction and drivability than the stock Goodyear Fuelmax tires. Range / efficiency seems about the same as the Goodyears, and they are much better in snow and rain (I'm in MA) than the Goodyears. I'd always felt the Goodyear Fuelmax were very poor in both rain and snow, it was good to finally get something better.

-Lumos
2014 Gen1

 

[ElectricCow15]

I'll add that I've had Bridgestone Ecopia 422 plus on my 2014 for one year now, and I can highly recommend them. They are much, much better for traction and drivability than the stock Goodyear Fuelmax tires. Range / efficiency seems about the same as the Goodyears, and they are much better in snow and rain (I'm in MA) than the Goodyears. I'd always felt the Goodyear Fuelmax were very poor in both rain and snow, it was good to finally get something better.

Ditto, I've had mine since march. They are wearing very well (over 10,000m) and were very good in the past two snows.

 

[737fan]

I installed the Michelin CrossClimate2 tires at Thanksgiving this year on my 2017 Volt. These are the best tires I have ever owned. They far exceed the traction and handling of the stock tires. They are also quiet and smooth. I do have about a 10-15% EV range hit; but it's hard to tell if it is because of the tire or the temperature is now cooler with lots of rain reducing my range. For me, a reduction in range and in the increase in handling is worth it.

 

[Droser]

I installed the Michelin CrossClimate2 tires at Thanksgiving this year on my 2017 Volt. These are the best tires I have ever owned. They far exceed the traction and handling of the stock tires. They are also quiet and smooth. I do have about a 10-15% EV range hit; but it's hard to tell if it is because of the tire or the temperature is now cooler with lots of rain reducing my range. For me, a reduction in range and in the increase in handling is worth it.

Thanks for your post on the Michelin CrossClimate2 tires. I'm due tires and considering these. Is there any update you can do as to whether or not you think your EV range took a hit?

 

[Horus616]

Any long term updates on these tires? Thinking about getting these before the winter.

 

[fhteagle]

Not a long term long term update, but I do have these on my '13 Volt now. Maybe 1000 miles total so far since early November. We've had three decent dumps of snow and I've had to be out in and after all three.

My previous tires were Bridgestone EP422 then EP422+, which, in 5 sets across 3 different vehicles earned the moniker "does nothing badly". Except my last set of EP422+, which I'm convinced were mismanufactured and disappointing in just about every way.

First, the Pros: CC2s in snow, ice, slush, etc are very impressive. They pick up both wet and dry snow and hold on, almost like creating a sock or "ice cables". I'm putting down what feels like twice the power for acceleration, and stopping maybe 20% shorter in loose snow, packed snow, ice, etc. I did encounter surprise camouflaged frost/ice on a tight corner on the road, and the CC2s were very composed as they lost and regained traction as I slowed. I'm way less concerned about pushing through 14-18" deep snow plow leavings, or that a tiny depression of wet ice is going to completely trap the car (happened often in the EP422s).

Handling is definitely more responsive than the EP422s, take the set into cornering way more quickly and with less front end push. Closer to balanced cornering feel, and plenty of "warning" that you're approaching the cornering limit without much drama or unexpected behavior.

Cons: Something about the tread pattern makes it really seek out ruts, and wander laterally within your lane in really odd ways. Both low channels in old sagging pavement, and ruts in snow ice and slush will cause this. It's not dangerous per se, just a very odd behavior that the tires just decide I'm going to track 2 inches to the left right_now.

Ride is definitely harsher on the CC2s. Not way bad, but I definitely feel the seams in the pavement and work harder to avoid small potholes now.

Noise is odd too, fairly quiet until it's not, and when it's not the tire noise is borderline objectionable.

Efficiency seems to be pretty good, within +/- 5% or so of my usual efficiency on a 250 mile round trip that I do pretty often.

Open questions are tread wear and life in the summer. Let me know if there's anything else you want to know about these.

 

[Horus616]

Not a long term long term update, but I do have these on my '13 Volt now. Maybe 1000 miles total so far since early November. We've had three decent dumps of snow and I've had to be out in and after all three.

My previous tires were Bridgestone EP422 then EP422+, which, in 5 sets across 3 different vehicles earned the moniker "does nothing badly". Except my last set of EP422+, which I'm convinced were mismanufactured and disappointing in just about every way.

First, the Pros: CC2s in snow, ice, slush, etc are very impressive. They pick up both wet and dry snow and hold on, almost like creating a sock or "ice cables". I'm putting down what feels like twice the power for acceleration, and stopping maybe 20% shorter in loose snow, packed snow, ice, etc. I did encounter surprise camouflaged frost/ice on a tight corner on the road, and the CC2s were very composed as they lost and regained traction as I slowed. I'm way less concerned about pushing through 14-18" deep snow plow leavings, or that a tiny depression of wet ice is going to completely trap the car (happened often in the EP422s).

Handling is definitely more responsive than the EP422s, take the set into cornering way more quickly and with less front end push. Closer to balanced cornering feel, and plenty of "warning" that you're approaching the cornering limit without much drama or unexpected behavior.

Cons: Something about the tread pattern makes it really seek out ruts, and wander laterally within your lane in really odd ways. Both low channels in old sagging pavement, and ruts in snow ice and slush will cause this. It's not dangerous per se, just a very odd behavior that the tires just decide I'm going to track 2 inches to the left right_now.

Ride is definitely harsher on the CC2s. Not way bad, but I definitely feel the seams in the pavement and work harder to avoid small potholes now.

Noise is odd too, fairly quiet until it's not, and when it's not the tire noise is borderline objectionable.

Efficiency seems to be pretty good, within +/- 5% or so of my usual efficiency on a 250 mile round trip that I do pretty often.

Open questions are tread wear and life in the summer. Let me know if there's anything else you want to know about these.

I heard stories about the weird tracking with the tread on the road, that was one of the reasons I decided against them.

 

[fhteagle]

I heard stories about the weird tracking with the tread on the road, that was one of the reasons I decided against them.

It's not an unsafe behavior by any stretch of the imagination, and definitely something I will get used to over time. I pay very close attention to what my vehicle is doing, and have a highly tuned butt g-meter. So I notice it for now. I would still buy the tire even knowing about this behavior firsthand. Thought I would mention it so nobody gets surprised or thinks something is wrong.