|
I don't know what the problem is, either. It does sound plausible that it could be your tires, though. Everyone bear in mind that Michelin, just like every other tire company these days (and most companies with large, diverse product lines) , DOES outsource some of it's tire models. Michelin may not even actually manufacture the particular tires in question here. So blanket statements like "Michelin is one of the softest" etc.....really have no validity any more. That particular tire just MIGHT be manufactured by Continental-General, for example....and actually be the same tire as one of C-G's tire models, with perhaps a tread design molded to Michelin's specifications. The point being, it really is nearly impossible to make generalizations about the entire product line of any particular company these days. Some tire models are even sourced from several different manufacturers, depending on size. Since 175/70-13's are at the lower end of the cost spectrum, I would be surprised if these tires are NOT in fact outsourced from another supplier.
No way to know for sure.....but check the country of manufacture on the sidewall. Michelin does have plants in lots of places, but manufacture in China, for instance, probably indicates the tire is not Michelin made, though I can't prove it.
The 195/70-14 Michelin Harmony's on my Camry, by way of example....were actually made by Pirelli, in Italy. Other sizes of the Harmony are made in other places, some by Michelin, some not.
Of course, none of this solves your problem. I can't really recommend a good 175/70-13 all season tire, at this point. But, I will say that the Mich. Harmony IS a good tire. I've had sterling service from mine, so far, including dry and wet traction. However, who knows where (and by whom) the 175/70-13 size might emanate.....and how good they might be ?
IF the problem is a tread compound too "hard" for your light car, the only option is a softer compound. Finding that is a guess, at best. About the only chance you have of choosing a softer compound is by choosing a tire with a lower treadlife rating (and warranty). Even that, however, guarantees nothing. You could try a tire with a higher speed rating. For instance, if your tires are "S" or "T" rated..... then you could try an "H" rated tire. They will cost a good deal more, though. Another possibility is break-in. If your current tires have only a few hundred miles on them so far....they might begin to feel less "greasy" after 1 or 2 thousand miles of wear - this is not uncommon.
|
Linear Mode
