Michelin HydroEdge on 99 Cirrus LXi - Good Idea?

No experience with that tire. I asked the tire guy I trust for a recommendation to replace the MX4's on my stratus. He said the MX4 has a reputation for losing it's wet traction in the last half of the tire life. I think I see what he means. He was recommending a Bridgestone but I forgot the model.

Most tires do according to Consumer Reports. Tires should be dumped much earlier than is legally required.

I have a set of Hydroedge tires on my 99 Intrepid, and although I find they give me a very secure ride, I think they have an issue with going out of balance frequently. I was told by a tire dealer (although Michelin thinks he's nuts), that the tires should be re-balanced every other rotation or

20,000 km. Well, Michelin thinks it's nuts, but I had to have the front two re-balanced after the last rotation with less than 8,000 km on them. I'm not sure how good they are in snow because I bought them last spring in dry weather, but I do know they are very good on wet pavement. I live in southern Ontario and I feel that these tires will do very well in city conditions, but would be inadequate anywhere north of Toronto after a snow. They are definitely not snow tires.

I disagree. The performance of a tire changes through-out its life and you simply need to be aware of that and accomdate it. Dry, hard surface traction is typically better after at least half of the tread is gone whereas wet weather traction gets worse with wear typically. If you want optimum performance, you will have 50% of the tread shaved off your new tires, drive them 5,000 miles and then get a new set. Most of us can't afford that, so we simply adjust our driving style as the tires wear and don't try to drive 90 MPH in standing water with 3/32" of tread left. I routinely run my tires to the wear bars with no problems.

Matt

I have a set on my 04 Limited Town & Country and recommend them highly. No balance issue at all. Far superior to the junk Bridgestone's Chrysler now fits to those vehicles. Also look at the Goodyear Triple Tread; new on the market this year.

Richard.

Also look at the Goodyear Triple Tread; new on the

Another great 3 in 1 product that can't do any of the 3. Winter tires are winter tires, and summer tires are summer tires.

And the basis for your statement (on products you have not used) is what?

Richard.

All season tires.

I agree that summer tires don't work in the cold. Example, Michelin's MXV would not go in the snow.

Real snow tires are best in snow and ice, especially for the first 10,000 miles or so of tread life.

But Goodyear and Michelin now have long wearing all season tires that seem to do it all. I had good experience with the Hydroedge tires last winter in upstate NY. They were at least as good as my now 4/32 Michelin snow tires. Not all season tires are worth their salt on snow and ice.

Richard.

Yeah, my summer tires are shot so I will be buying a new set come spring. I am lookng at the Hydroedge. Where I live we have -30 and colder temps in the winter. So a soft compound tire make a huge difference.

To tell you the truth, I love the Hydroedge tire, but intend to stick new snows on the van for the winter because perhaps once or twice this winter I expect they will make a big difference. It can get very rough here in the north country of NYS.

Richard.

To tell you the truth, I love the Hydroedge tire, but intend to stick new

For sure, better on the road than in the ditch.