[jmegas]

I am thinking about replacing my summer Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 2 P285/70 R17 with Michelin LTX A/T 2 LT285/70R17/D 121R tires. This would be a move from "P" to "LT" tires. I have read all of the threads on the advantages/disadvantages of "LT" tires, and I admit I mostly use the Titan on the highway; but the idea of having true off-road tires really appeals to me. (I have the 4X4 package and I own property which is truly off-road.)

The Tire Rack has said that the factory TPMS valves may not be sufficient for the pressures the "LT" tires may require, but I don't need the highest pressures anyway because I don't generally tow. I don't know how smoothly the Michelin LTX A/T 2 LT285/70R17/D 121R tires will be at standard pressures on the highway, however.

First, has anyone had experience with Michelin LTX A/T 2 LT285/70R17/D 121R tires as standard around-town and limited off-road? Second, has anyone had trouble with the factory TPMS valves when switching to "LT" tires?

Thank you!

 

[Nick Name]

All TPMS in-rim radios are spec'd to a mechanically limited standard value (one of 4 that are available) which works out to 65psi. The rating is based on the combination of how the core is constructed and how the radio is affixed to the rim. The radio itself will just broadcast exactly what it 'sees' up to and beyond that.

That said, I'm certain that people run LT's at and above that pressure and I'm not aware of any reported self destruct episodes. There are cores available that are rated to 95psi for cheap money....like 3 bucks each and that's a simple swap which I would submit is prudent considering if you ever were in an accident and there was a really smart opposing attorney....a case could be made for your negligence at cause since the pillar card shows P rated tires as the factory installation. Keep the receipt. Hopefully you are aware that LT tires are heavier than P tires and that can affect mpg, ride, handling. Some people don't notice....others do.

Since your rcvr is programed for the P rated tires, when you exceed its high rating for psi...the dash will lite up. That can be fixed with a small piece of black electrician's tape over the light. I'm not expert on all vehicle's TPMS systems, but I do know that Ford has a diagnostic port (IDS) that a dealer can use to adjust the psi triggers up to 135psi......but I don't know of any who do it ... pointing to legal liability issues (wisely I might add). No one has led me to believe that Nissan dealers have that same ability, let alone would they use it if asked.


FYI, I have Duelers and I don't crawl rocks, but haven't had any issues in the dirt and meadow. I do tow and the only thing that matters to me is that the sidewall rating of the tire exceeds what I need to tow. Good luck

 

[bender2]

I run the Michelin LT LTX AT'2 on both my 2500HD Chevy's. I know it's not comparable to a Titan, but in regards to the tire itself I am more than pleased. My trucks see little to no off road usage. Basically towing and snow plowing. The Michelin's have held up great throughout the years. They are "stiff" (sidewall) but very quiet on the highway. I run 65lbs. at all four corners. My diesel has around 44k miles on the Michelin's now. I could probably pull another 10k miles out of them before they need replacing. The only other tire I would consider, is the Hankook's that offer a very "similar" tread design and mileage rating.

 

[jmegas]

I run the Michelin LT LTX AT'2 on both my 2500HD Chevy's. I know it's not comparable to a Titan, but in regards to the tire itself I am more than pleased. My trucks see little to no off road usage. Basically towing and snow plowing. The Michelin's have held up great throughout the years. They are "stiff" (sidewall) but very quiet on the highway. I run 65lbs. at all four corners. My diesel has around 44k miles on the Michelin's now. I could probably pull another 10k miles out of them before they need replacing. The only other tire I would consider, is the Hankook's that offer a very "similar" tread design and mileage rating.

So, ...would it be fair to say that you do not think the Michelin LT LTX AT'2 would be overkill for my Titan? I really like what I have heard about them, but I don't do much off-roading. Mostly I travel on two-lane highways with the truck.

 

[jmegas]

All TPMS in-rim radios are spec'd to a mechanically limited standard value (one of 4 that are available) which works out to 65psi. The rating is based on the combination of how the core is constructed and how the radio is affixed to the rim. The radio itself will just broadcast exactly what it 'sees' up to and beyond that.

That said, I'm certain that people run LT's at and above that pressure and I'm not aware of any reported self destruct episodes. There are cores available that are rated to 95psi for cheap money....like 3 bucks each and that's a simple swap which I would submit is prudent considering if you ever were in an accident and there was a really smart opposing attorney....a case could be made for your negligence at cause since the pillar card shows P rated tires as the factory installation. Keep the receipt. Hopefully you are aware that LT tires are heavier than P tires and that can affect mpg, ride, handling. Some people don't notice....others do.

Since your rcvr is programed for the P rated tires, when you exceed its high rating for psi...the dash will lite up. That can be fixed with a small piece of black electrician's tape over the light. I'm not expert on all vehicle's TPMS systems, but I do know that Ford has a diagnostic port (IDS) that a dealer can use to adjust the psi triggers up to 135psi......but I don't know of any who do it ... pointing to legal liability issues (wisely I might add). No one has led me to believe that Nissan dealers have that same ability, let alone would they use it if asked.


FYI, I have Duelers and I don't crawl rocks, but haven't had any issues in the dirt and meadow. I do tow and the only thing that matters to me is that the sidewall rating of the tire exceeds what I need to tow. Good luck

I'm using the factory TPMS sensors which came with the original wheels. As it is a 2004 Titan, they are probably at the end of their life cycle. The factory tires suggested inflation is approximately 35 pounds whereas the LTs require a higher pressure. The local Nissan mechanic, who probably doesn't know as much about the TPMS sensors as you do, told me that the maximum inflation they can handle is 44 PSI. As the LTs can handle up to a maximum of 65 PSI he said that I couldn't use them. I didn't believe him because I read elsewhere on this forum that many other members are using LTs on their Titans and all of them can't be having problems with their TPMS sensors or I would see some posts about that, which I do not.

Do you think I should rush out and buy new sensors?

 

[bender2]

So, ...would it be fair to say that you do not think the Michelin LT LTX AT'2 would be overkill for my Titan? I really like what I have heard about them, but I don't do much off-roading. Mostly I travel on two-lane highways with the truck.[/QUOTE No, I don't think they are overkill. The only thing to keep in mind is your going to sacrifice a smoother ride with the LT tire.

 

[Nick Name]

TPMS sensor batteries are basically 2032 type coin batteries that aren't replaceable. The average life is considered to be 3 to 7 years, and most tire people will tell you that they are a wear item designed to be replaced when you replace tires or at 5 years, whichever comes first...due to both battery and galvanic deterioration of the body. It's a pain (spelled $$) to pull tires after one year on the rim, just to replace the TPMS radios. Quality aftermarket radios are fine, such as those that NAPA, O'Reilly's etc....and usually much less than the dealer price for their stock. I know of a couple of dealer service dpts. that actually only sell the OEM at the parts counter and use aftermarket in the service bay.

I'd be leery of those available at Ebay or other on-line sources that are selling no name 'OEM' style replacements. It's always good to have a live body to deal with at a local brick and mortar building if anything goes sideways...like a warranty. i have nerd issues so I've opened a couple of the 'cheap' TPMS sensors and found hearing aid batteries inside.....which aren't at all comparable to the coin batteries.

As far as your local mechanic, I bet he's projected the fact that 35# times 1.25 = 43.75# is close enough to 44#. The 25% range of under and over inflation is the trigger for the dash light coming on...and is controlled by the receiver to diagnostics programming. As I said before, the limit for psi of a TPMS in rim radio is controlled by the mechanical portion....the inner core valve spring and seal assembly....and is a standard set of specs in all of DOT controlled transportation specifications. Sensors that are spec'd at 95psi are upgraded with new cores and can only attach to rims with nuts. No rubber snap in valve stems can be rated above 65psi however.

If you feel your inner nerd coming on, here's more details....Tire Valve Stems: The Tire Valve Stem Selection Process

 

[HRTKD]

I was running load range "D" tires on my Titan with factory TPMS sensors without any issues. Mine go up to 65 PSI. Keep in mind that you won't want to run the tires at that PSI all the time - only when you are towing or have a very heavy load in the bed. When not towing I run about 45 PSI in my load range "D" tires. At that pressure my tires are slightly more harsh than my "P" rated tires. Crank them up to 65 PSI and they get pretty rough, especially without a trailer hooked up.

The heavier tires will take a toll on your truck. The suspension, bearings, etc will wear faster plus your MPG will suffer. I see a 1 to 2 MPG decrease with my towing tires. For these reasons I have my towing tires mounted on a separate set of wheels from my "P" tires and I only run the towing tires when I absolutely have to.

 

[jmegas]

Thank you! That was very helpful.

 

[jmegas]

TPMS sensor batteries are basically 2032 type coin batteries that aren't replaceable. The average life is considered to be 3 to 7 years, and most tire people will tell you that they are a wear item designed to be replaced when you replace tires or at 5 years, whichever comes first...due to both battery and galvanic deterioration of the body. It's a pain (spelled $$) to pull tires after one year on the rim, just to replace the TPMS radios. Quality aftermarket radios are fine, such as those that NAPA, O'Reilly's etc....and usually much less than the dealer price for their stock. I know of a couple of dealer service dpts. that actually only sell the OEM at the parts counter and use aftermarket in the service bay.

I'd be leery of those available at Ebay or other on-line sources that are selling no name 'OEM' style replacements. It's always good to have a live body to deal with at a local brick and mortar building if anything goes sideways...like a warranty. i have nerd issues so I've opened a couple of the 'cheap' TPMS sensors and found hearing aid batteries inside.....which aren't at all comparable to the coin batteries.

As far as your local mechanic, I bet he's projected the fact that 35# times 1.25 = 43.75# is close enough to 44#. The 25% range of under and over inflation is the trigger for the dash light coming on...and is controlled by the receiver to diagnostics programming. As I said before, the limit for psi of a TPMS in rim radio is controlled by the mechanical portion....the inner core valve spring and seal assembly....and is a standard set of specs in all of DOT controlled transportation specifications. Sensors that are spec'd at 95psi are upgraded with new cores and can only attach to rims with nuts. No rubber snap in valve stems can be rated above 65psi however.

If you feel your inner nerd coming on, here's more details....Tire Valve Stems: The Tire Valve Stem Selection Process

*Wow!* You provided quite a bit of information here. Thank you! It does appeal to my inner nerd. No wonder Tire Rack has a special person dedicated to answering TPMS questions. This stuff can quickly become very complex. It does sound that--at the very least--I should buy new TPMS sensors for all four wheels. I should probably do that even if I decide to go back to "P" rated tires. I certainly like the looks of the Michelin LTX A/T 2s but I have no real conception of how they might ride unless I installed them on the vehicle. Most people who have posted here and elsewhere say they like the Michelins, but it's not always clear what they are comparing them to. Are they comparing them to "P" rated tires or to other "LT" rated tires? They definitely do have a more impressive looking tread pattern. Consumer Reports really liked them as well. I guess I'll have to wait until the Tire Rack calls me back on Monday to see what their top expert on TPMS sensors has to say.

Thank you very much for all the fascinating information!

 

[bender2]

On my behalf I'm comparing them both "P" and "LT". Having both "ratings" of Michelin's, just not on the same vehicle (Titan in this case). I have had the Revo2's, Goodyear's and BFG's, to find overall I liked the Michelin's the best, despite the premium price.

 

[jmegas]

Thank you! That is particularly useful. Cost was not the major consideration. The Tire Rack is implying that only an idiot would want to move from "P" to "LT" tires if they didn't have an absolute necessity to do so because the "LT" tires will have a much harsher ride. From everything I've read about the Michelin LTX A/T2s they have sounded like very good tires, and I do a bit of minor off-road and I'd appreciate the capability to do more. I liked the Revo2s very much but they aren't very effective in the sand surrounding my cabin. I think these Michelins looked better; but, as 99% of my driving is on two lane highways, I didn't want a rough ride on the highway. (Also I have a wife who will complain about it. <g>) It sounds as if the Michelins will perform admirably for my purpose. I am going to replace the TPMS sensors because I still have the original sensors which shipped with the truck in 2004.