Experienced by Leon Brittain
During summer road trips up and down the East Coast from Baltimore to Philadelphia we noticed a dramatic change in performance after swapping out the original Hankook tires on our Audi Q8 Prestige quattro for a fresh set of the highly acclaimed Michelin CrossClimate2s. Not only does the Michelin all-season grand touring tread look superior to what we previously had, but it enhances braking, dynamic maneuvering, and wet weather handling for peace of mind of owners of coupes, sedans, wagons, SUVs, and crossovers.
The Vacationer travel site says that over 75% of American adults have or will continue to plan driving excursions this summer. In accordance, the Automotive Rhythms crew is always on the road with family and friends, so this was an opportune time to experience the durable all-season Michelin rubber. Moreover, comparison tests have shown that the CrossClimate2 endures the Bridgestone WeatherPeak by nearly twice the tread life. In our case, we went with a quartet of CrossClimate2s in size 285/40R22 to pair with our black-on-black Q8 and its 22” multi-spoked forged alloy rims. The larger diameter wheel gives us a larger contact patch (the amount of rubber that touches the surfaces during rotation) on each corner for outstanding acceleration and grip and sucks up road obstructions with ease.
When selecting the preferred tire for your vehicle, customers can become inundated and often go with the cheapest, which we advise against. Since tires are the only material connecting your car to the road, the top-rated brands should always be your first choice, whether it’s Bridgestone, Yokohama, Pirelli, or Michelin. We’ve always respected the size and category diversity of Michelin tires as well as the heightened technology, motorsports science, and engineering that the French mobility, innovation, and lifestyle company instills in its tires. For instance, regarding summer tires, I have the most experience and admiration for Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4 S found on your favorite sports cars and SUVs, such as the Corvette Stingray, Lucid Air Sapphire, and BMW’s M5 and M6.
Company product planners ran internal tests against core competition and reported the following results in the all-season category.
- In a treadwear test, the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire outlasted the Bridgestone WeatherPeak tire by more than 36,000 miles, delivering nearly twice the tread life.
- When tested for treadwear, the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire lasted at least 88% longer than the Bridgestone WeatherPeak tire.
The WeatherPeaks are well respected, so I feel good about the advantages of the CrossClimate2 long-lasting tire. Moreover, our Audi Q8 features 6-piston front brake calipers, which require a partnership with stellar tread for stellar stopping power. On wet pavement (when worn) the CrossClimate2 stopped up to 56 feet shorter than leading competitive tires. On dry pavement, the CrossClimate2 came to a halt up to 16 feet shorter than its leading rubber rivals. From braking distance to wet and dry traction to safety, your tires are one of the most critical components of your sedan, wagon, SUV, or truck.
With 89 sizes, the CrossClimate2 fits most of the best-selling crossovers and cars in today’s market. Moreover, Michelin’s distinguishing V-formation directional tread pattern is masterful in all weather conditions. If tire nomenclature is compared to athletics, consider the contact patch as a pair of cleats on the football field or spikes for a track race. The tread pattern’s deep angles are designed to push water away from the contact patch, reducing hydroplaning. In addition, Michelin’s Thermal Adaptive Tread compound keeps the tire flexible in cold, wintry conditions. Ultimately, this gives CrossClimate2 the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) status. Lastly, the tire’s multi-compound technology utilizes various rubber compounds on each tread segment for optimal cornering and braking performance.
An all-season tire aims to provide advanced wet traction and winter traction for inclement weather and slippery roads. Simultaneously, CrossClimate2’s augmented contact patch distributes weight evenly, instilling confidence and comfort in drivers occupying our busy roads this summer. And you can’t beat the 60,000-mileage warranty that Michelin packages with this tire. Enjoy the drive!
