Tire Recommendations for a smoother ride?

[yeahiguessman]

Hey all,

Just curious what your tire recs are for a smoother ride? Still using the stock Michelin Primacy A/S on my 24 Lariat Hybrid and they really suck.

I’ve heard the CrossClimate 2s are great for a smoother ride, but what do you think? Mainly drive on bumpy back roads and the occasional dirt or gravel road. Never really deal with snow where I live.

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[Scupking]

CrossClimate 2s are great tires. Personally I went with firestone destination AT/2s.

 

[Carlitos_92]

I've had Primacys on other vehicles and they were fine, and this is the first real complaint about them I remember here. Noise-wise, they aren't exactly KO3s.

Out of curiosity, are you running a non-standard pressure in your tires? And when you say "smooth," are you really wanting it quieter?

CrossClimates are great tires, and I see them as ideal for an all-season paved environment. I've taken them on dirt roads (in an Acura AWD SUV) and don't remember any issues.

 

[LtCasual]

Just a heads up the CrossClimate3 tires have been announced and are supposed to be coming out this summer. A few improvements over the 2s, might be worth waiting for if your current tires can last.

 

[todd92]

If you think the ride sucks with the Primacy's, I'm not any tires will make you happy.

 

[hdave]

CrossClimates are a bit loudish. I don't think they are as smooth as defenders, but it might just be the noise that made them feel rougher.

keep in mind, they are awesome tires and what I am saying is just a direct comparison to the defenders which are also awesome tires.

Also, where do you live? is there a lot of snow there?

 

[MaverickRickII]

The stock Wrangler Territory HT give a great ride. Very happy with them.

 

[smoreho2]

Hey all,

Just curious what your tire recs are for a smoother ride? Still using the stock Michelin Primacy A/S on my 24 Lariat Hybrid and they really suck.

I’ve heard the CrossClimate 2s are great for a smoother ride, but what do you think? Mainly drive on bumpy back roads and the occasional dirt or gravel road. Never really deal with snow where I live.

Michelin defender 2. Quietest ride imo

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Just mount Michelin Pilot Sport PAX tires and be done with it.
They may rub a little.

 

[Maverick123]

Michelins are usually the smoothest-riding, quietest tires you can get. If you're not happy with them maybe the pressure is too high or something else is wrong

If you want to go smoother and you're not too worried about fuel economy, try going up 5% on the aspect ratio, or move down to 17" wheels (IIRC 24 Lariats are on 18s?) with the higher-profile tires

EDIT: If the size is available and the load rating is OK, you can try Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires, they're usually for cars but they're even quieter and smoother than Defenders. You can also get them with noise-reducing foam inserts

 

[Master Blaster]

The Mav ride quality is very good, so I'm not sure what wallowing beast you had before to compare it to. Personally I WANT the ability to feel the defects in the road, not ignore them. The factory tire for the Lariat is the Michelin Primacy, and Michelins are about the softest-riding tire that you're going to find. They are considerably smoother than the factory Contis that came on the XLT. Maybe the problem is that you do not have the pressure set correctly. 35psi under all loads and conditions, although the vehicles were shipped with 45psi to combat flatspotting in the month on the train only during shipment.

 

[Gray Goose]

Swapping the 18" wheels for 17" will be the best way improve ride quality.
https://www.sccperformancecenter.com/does-wheel-size-affect-ride-quality#

 

[Derwood]

Hey all,

Just curious what your tire recs are for a smoother ride? Still using the stock Michelin Primacy A/S on my 24 Lariat Hybrid and they really suck.

I’ve heard the CrossClimate 2s are great for a smoother ride, but what do you think? Mainly drive on bumpy back roads and the occasional dirt or gravel road. Never really deal with snow where I live.

I left my stock Continental tires on and find the ride to be pretty good. Keeping PSI at 35 rather than some people who bump it to 40 obviously smoothes things out a mite. If anyone here feels it's safe to go a few lbs lower in PSI please chime in

 

[Catrikerider]

Michelin makes good tires, but I had a set of Primacys on a former vehicle and immediately noticed an increase in impact harshness. IMO not a particularly a tire for smoothest ride if that is the #1 priority.

I would suggest looking through reviews on Tire Rack’s website. They usually test for ride smoothness and owners will chime in.

 

[AVC]

I left my stock Continental tires on and find the ride to be pretty good. Keeping PSI at 35 rather than some people who bump it to 40 obviously smoothes things out a mite. If anyone here feels it's safe to go a few lbs lower in PSI please chime in

Unless you have high payloads or tongue weight, you don't need to even do 35psi. Surely this placard value is a nod to slightly better MPG. You'll discover, as I have that running 31 or 32 PSI cold makes a considerable improvement in ride quality and reduced impact shock. Handling takes a *slight* hit, but I don't drive mine that way very often. I have not noticed a drop in MPG; still avg 45 to 46 MPG per tank on my very predictable work-off-hours drive routine.

As for tires, I've had Conti LX25's on two vehicles--currently on a '20 Pilot; Tirerack rates as very high in comfort and overall performance. I concur. The "54" Conti's are also highly rated. Would consider either when the OEM Conti's are shot (28k miles on them, and wearing very evenly).

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