Michelin Defender information from Consumer Reports

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Michelin Defender

Approximate retail price:

$132.00

Summary: A T speed rated tire suitable for many family cars. Comes with a 80,000 mile tread wear warranty.

19 people have reviewed this model.

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About - Michelin Defender
The Michelin Defender is part of the tire test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, all season tire models like the Defender are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. Dry braking: Dry braking is from 60 to 0 mph. Wet braking: Wet braking is from 60 to 0 mph. Handling: Handling includes how well the tires gripped in an avoidance maneuver involving a swerve into the left lane and back into the right lane; dry and wet cornering grip; and subjective steering feel.

About - Michelin Defender

The Michelin Defender is part of the tire test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, all season tire models like the Defender are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Dry braking:: Dry braking is from 60 to 0 mph.
Wet braking:: Wet braking is from 60 to 0 mph.
Handling:: Handling includes how well the tires gripped in an avoidance maneuver involving a swerve into the left lane and back into the right lane; dry and wet cornering grip; and subjective steering feel.

About This Brand
A French company, Michelin has its North America headquarters in Greenville, S.C. As a global tire maker, it offers tires for nearly all applications. In North America, it owns the BFGoodrich and Uniroyal brands. Founded in 1891, Michelin first introduced the radial tire, and the company continues to be a pioneer in tire technologies. Michelin tires generally perform impressively in our all-weather tests and offer many models with low rolling resistance and long tread life.

About This Brand

A French company, Michelin has its North America headquarters in Greenville, S.C. As a global tire maker, it offers tires for nearly all applications. In North America, it owns the BFGoodrich and Uniroyal brands. Founded in 1891, Michelin first introduced the radial tire, and the company continues to be a pioneer in tire technologies. Michelin tires generally perform impressively in our all-weather tests and offer many models with low rolling resistance and long tread life.

Features & Specs - Michelin Defender
Speed rating Speed rating. This letter denotes the maximum sustainable speed and is found directly after the load index. For S-speed-rated tires, it's 112 mph; for T, 118 mph. Speed ratings for other tires include Q, 99 mph; H, 130 mph; V, 149 mph; and Z, 150 mph plus. While such speeds may seem wildly impractical, tires with higher speed ratings tend to provide better handling at legal speed limits. Choose tires that have a speed rating at least as high as the one specified on your vehicle's placard. Speed rating	T
Treadwear warranty Commonly used by tire manufacturers to market tires, the warranty describes the typical tread life of the tire. Consumers should view the warranty an indicator of tread life only. Actual mileage will vary with vehicle type, driving style, road, and weather conditions, just to name a few variables. Nearly all treadwear warranties are based on pro-rated amount based on the usable tread worn off the tire. Treadwear warranty	80,000
UTQG treadwear UTQGS, which stands for Uniform Tire Quality Grading System, is a federal government required grading system for passenger tires excluding winter tires. Key information includes Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature appearing on the sidewall of a tire. UTQG treadwear, an index developed by the government, compares a tire's tread life with that of a reference tire graded at 100. A tire with a grade of 300 is predicted to last three times as long as one graded at 100. Treadwear grades are just one indicator of tread life, but actual tire life will vary due to a number of factors including road conditions, driving habits, vehicle, and maintenance. UTQG treadwear	820
UTQG traction UTQGS, which stands for Uniform Tire Quality Grading System, is a federal government required grading system for passenger tires excluding winter tires. Key information includes Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature appearing on the sidewall of a tire. UTQG traction indicates the tire's ability to stop on a wet surface with Government grades of AA, A, B, C, from best to worst. UTQG traction	A
UTQG temperature UTQGS, which stands for Uniform Tire Quality Grading System, is a federal government required grading system for passenger tires excluding winter tires. Key information includes Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature appearing on the sidewall of a tire. UTQG temperature indicates the tire's ability to resist heat build-up under test conditions with Government grades of A, B, C, from best to worst. UTQG temperature	B
Size tested The size of the tested model. Size tested	215/60R16
More features and specs

User Reviews - Michelin Defender

Consumer Reports User Reviews

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By Road trip lover

from Toronto, ON Canada

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Great quiet tire

4/27/2013

Pros

Dry grip

Handling

Noise

Ride comfort

Value

Wet grip

Winter traction

Cons

Best Uses

Comment:

Great tire choice - thank you Michelin for having a sale. Quiet, good handling in wet, slushy and icy conditions.

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

By Happy At Last

from Fredericton,NB,Canada

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Resolved Outback vibration problem

4/21/2013

Pros

Removes Vibration

Cons

Best Uses

Comment:

I own a Subaru Outback that was part of the 2010 production that required major replacement of front end/steering components(under warranty) to address a serious vibration problem. The Subaru TSB (technical service bulletin) lists all the parts changed which even included the steering column and steering wheel. Prior to installing the Defenders I still felt some vibration feedback on the steering wheel that Subaru said was not unusual. Fortunately for me these tires corrected the remaining issues that Subaru of America felt were within acceptable limits.

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

By dan

from Ringgold GA

(1 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Bought Defender XT at Costco

4/13/2013

Pros

Good Ride

Handling

Improved Mileage

Noise

Quiet

Ride comfort

Value

Wet grip

Cons

None

Best Uses

Comment:

Tires used on a 1996 Buick Le Sabre.

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Bottom Line

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

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