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Concerning Chat Conversation W/Michelin

10350 Views 39 Replies 22 Participants Last post by  yitwail
I am so frustrated!

I am about to purchase replacement tires for my 2016 Outback Premium 2.5i. I had finally narrowed it down to either the Defender LTX, or the Premier LTX. I went to the Michelin website to ask for their input, and was basically told that if I used anything other than the Defender T & H the warranty could be voided. Here is a copy of the transcript:

Visitor - I am stuck between the PREMIER LTX, and the DEFENDER LTX for my 2016 Subaru Outback. Every store has a different opinion on which is more suitable for me.
Agent - One moment please about your fitment.
Agent - The Premier LTX is a SUV/Crossover tire. The Defender LTX M/S is a Light Truck tire.
Agent - What is the option of your Outback please as neither of these tires would be recommended.
Visitor - premium
Visitor - 2.5i
Agent - Thank you for that information. One moment please.
Agent - The only recommended tire is the Defender T + H. We find your tire size to be 225/65R17.
Visitor - is there a particular reason the Premier LTX is unsuitable? Many outback drivers are using them, and many retailers are recommending them for this vehicle. it is an AWD vehicle, more like a crossover or SUV than a "wagon". Plus I live down a long gravel road.
Agent - The Outback is really considered more of a wagon. The Premier LTX is a SUV/Crossover tire. The Defender T + H is our only recommended fitment.
Agent - It almost sounds like you may need an all-terrain tire.
Agent - Unfortunately we do not have an all-terrain fitment for your Outback.
Visitor - would not the Premier be the happy medium between a "wagon" tire, and an "all-terrain"
Agent - The Premier LTX has a 3 out of 10 in off road. It is considered to be a highway tire.
Visitor - and the defender LTX?
Agent - The Defender LTX M/S has a 7 out of 10 in off road. Again, these are not recommended tires for your Outback.
Visitor - does it affect the warranty if I use a "non-recommended fitment for my vehicle"?
Agent - A dealer can advise you into a different tire but it may void the warranty if the specifications are not correct.
Agent - You need to check the service description of the tire. In your case, the service description of your vehicle is 102H.
Visitor - and the service description of the Premier LTX is?
Agent - The 102 is the load rating of the tire. The H is the speed rating of the tire.
Visitor - so the Premier LTX has the correct service description, and therefore would not void the warranty?
Agent - The specifications do agree but again, this is a SUV/Crossover tire and not showing as a recommended fitment for your vehicle. It may void the warranty but we will always review if you have any issues with your tires.
Visitor - how do I confirm whether the warranty will be voided or not?
Agent - If the tire is not recommended, we cannot confirm the warranty if you have an issue. Since the specifications do match, again we would review any warranty issues. Our only recommendation is the Defender T + H.
Visitor - UGH, so I can not confirm if the warranty will stand. I do not want the defender T & H. This will push me into a different manufacturer.
Agent - I am sorry. If a dealer advises otherwise, again we review all inspection reports to see how we can assist. In our records, we classify this vehicle as a wagon and not SUV/Crossover.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I am so sick of researching tires! I should have just bought continentals when they were offering the $70.00 rebate!
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The "agent" is a minimum wage drone who is not allowed to deviate from the script on the computer. Talk to your tire dealer about it. My guess is that the odds of ever having use the warranty, or having it denied on a technicality are slim to none. It's just a set of tires, buy whatever you want and enjoy them.
It gets more interesting . . .

I called Michelin, and told them the story. I said I am ready to buy your tires, but I need confirmation that putting the Premier LTX on a Subaru Outback 2.5i will not void the warranty.

They "took my information", and will see if they can get a answer for me.

Still waiting . . .
"Not Recommended" <> "disallowed"

Talk to the place you will buy them from. I suspect you will be told something to the affect of:
a) Michelins seldom go back for warranty replacement
b) Warranty has never been denied because the tire model was not the "recommended" on for a certain vehicle. If it is the correct size (which is also sometimes worded as a "recommendation") and service rating, the tire is good for the vehicle. That is why there is industry-wide standardization in sizes and service ratings.

Stop talking to Michelin. They won't stick their neck out and give the answer you seek because of potential liability reasons.
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I think you are absolutely right except for one thing . . .

There are instances of these tires wearing early, even some of the retailers have admitted it. That is why the warranty matters to so much to me.
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Go to Discount Tire or any local tire shop and have them throw on whatever you want. Done.
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Go to Discount Tire or any local tire shop and have them throw on whatever you want. Done.
Thank you for your recommendation FirstSubie. :grin2: We are happy to help.
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Visitor - I am stuck between the PREMIER LTX, and the DEFENDER LTX for my 2016 Subaru Outback. Every store has a different opinion on which is more suitable for me.
Agent - One moment please about your fitment.
Agent - The Premier LTX is a SUV/Crossover tire. The Defender LTX M/S is a Light Truck tire.
Agent - What is the option of your Outback please as neither of these tires would be recommended.
Visitor - premium
Visitor - 2.5i
Agent - Thank you for that information. One moment please.
Agent - The only recommended tire is the Defender T + H. We find your tire size to be 225/65R17.
Neither of your tire choices are recommended by the tire MANUFACTURER.
So it is unclear to me what is unclear to you.
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Les,

Stop overthinking this. I think you obsess way too much. Work with Discount Tires and let them work with you and I guarantee you'll be rather happy with the result.

I am a very satisfied customer of DT and I'm running the Michelin Premier tires they installed. You see the smile on my face? That will be your smile too.
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I am not sure what I want . . .

I am trying to figure that out, and being given different advice from every source.

It concerned me that the manufacturer was contradicting what retailers were telling me.
I'd be more concerned that the retailers are contradicting the manufacturer.
Thank you for the PM, unfortunately I am too new of a user to reply through PM.

I live in the Northeast - I don't want dedicated snow tires - 50% town / 50% highway driving - I live on a gravel lane, but other than that it is only occasionally that I go off pavement - handling & cornering are important to me.

This is a big purchase for me, so I really can't chance early tread wear that is not warrantied.

Thanks for any advise!
I am not sure what I want . . .

I am here trying to figure that out.

This is a big purchase for me, and I want to get it right.
That is the tire I really want . . .

Unfortunately I am hearing too many instances of early treadwear.

This is a huge purchase for me, and what the manufacturer said makes me hesitate!

At this time, I do not have a good second choice.
The Defender LTX is being recommended to me by most retailers, just not the manufacturer. It seems the Premier LTX is too soft for my gravel road? Neither is recommended by Michelin . . . The Defender T & H (recommended by manufacturer) seems to really fall off in the snow/ice categories, and I think it is more of a passenger tire than what I want?

It seems that no one is in love with any particular continental tire . . .

I am concerned that the Defender LTX might be too much of a truck tire, or kill my MPG?

Am I mistaken in any of these assumptions?

Is there a better choice for me?
Les,

It's got to be some sort of raging he\_\_ inside your head. Are you like this when you go to McDonald's and have OCD issues over what the franchise says or does vs corporate?

You have analysis paralysis.

Michelin is among the good standard for tires worldwide. Buy the Premier AS or LTX. Enjoy them. Use the Discount Tire warranty if there's a problem.

Don't be That Guy.
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