I am getting towards needing the first replacement front tyres on my Niro2. If the winter just gone is anything to judge against, some snow tyres would not go amiss (on my wife’s car and my previous car we have / had a full set of winter tyres on steel rims and swapped them over).
Rather than go down that route again, as the Niro is a lease vehicle I am wondering about trying to get Michelin Cross Climates fitted. My only reservation is whether they will seriously reduce fuel economy in the summer months - does anyone have any experience of this?
Michelin Cross Climate - fuel economy impact?
I had Michelin Cross Climates fitted to my Toyota Auris Hybrid. There was no difference to fuel consumption, in either winter or summer, but there was a massive improvement in ride quality, comfort, and road noise. I traded the Auris in for a Niro last week and will definitely go for cross climates when the time comes to change tyres. I definitely recommend them.
Kia Niro 2 - Temptation Red
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- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2017 12:43 pm
Have recently fitted Michelin cross climates to my wifes Fiesta Diesel. On a trip from the Midlands to Chichester this weekend we are recording 62mpg which is about the same as the old tyres. Agree with last comment, they are quiet and ride well. They will save the hassle of switching to winter tyres and using steel rims for winter. Not over expensive either for a quality tyre.
It's currently on about 16,250 miles. I had a look at the tyres again today and may have been a bit eager with my comment about life, I haven't done a tread check but visually I guesstimate they still have about 4mm of tread; I suspect it might be towards 25k miles before the lease company will agree to change them (they won't do so before tread is below 2mm, unless there is damage of course).
Fortunately that mileage should coincide with Autumn / Winter so some M+S rated tyres would be good!
Fortunately that mileage should coincide with Autumn / Winter so some M+S rated tyres would be good!
The lease company won’t change all 4 if only the front are worn & I would not recommend having a mix.
I have Cross Climates on my 16” wheel PHEV & have not noticed any difference apart from less road noise & a better ride
I have Cross Climates on my 16” wheel PHEV & have not noticed any difference apart from less road noise & a better ride
Niro 3 PHEV Graphite
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- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2017 12:43 pm
I had two cross climates fitted to the rear of my wifes Fiesta in January. The tyre fitter considered the combination safe. I then had the two fronts replaced 3 weeks ago. I would certainly not have mixed tyre types on the same axle. Car behaved on the combination through the bad weather in March.
An interesting point about cross climates is that they are directional so that you must mantain the direction of rotation. This does mean you would need two as spares if you wanted matching tyres, clearly not an issue on a Niro with no spare! On my wifes Fiesta I went with a quality summer tyre. Can not be any worse than using one of those disgusting space saver spare tyres.
An interesting point about cross climates is that they are directional so that you must mantain the direction of rotation. This does mean you would need two as spares if you wanted matching tyres, clearly not an issue on a Niro with no spare! On my wifes Fiesta I went with a quality summer tyre. Can not be any worse than using one of those disgusting space saver spare tyres.
My Cross Climates lasted 19000 or so on the front tyres, but I try to conserve momentum in corners (for fuel economy saving of course!!!) so that may have a factor in it, also the PHEV is heavier than the 2 so that won't help, but I feel they do wear more quickly.
Niro 3 PHEV Graphite