Good tires are a great way to keep your car running well and your passengers safe. There are many brands of tires that you can choose from, including Michelin and Big O Brand tires. As a responsible car owner, you're probably wondering which brand is better. We've done the research and can tell you precisely that!
Michelin brand tires have a higher track and wear rating than Big O. Michelin also has fewer recalls and complaints than Big O Brand Tires.
If you still have some questions about these tire brands, don't worry. In this post, we'll discuss them in more detail. Keep reading to learn more about these tires, how you can determine which is better, and more!
NHTSA Tire Rankings
More Michelin tires rank higher than Big o Brand tires on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Uniform Tire Quality Grading system.
The NHTSA ranks tires based on treadwear, traction, and temperature. These rankings are for all passenger car tires except those under 12 inches in diameter, deep tread tires, winter tires, and spares.
It's important to note that when tires are tested, they are properly inflated and not overloaded. In addition, the traction grade is tested during straight-ahead braking and not when turning. You may have less-than-ideal results if your tires are over- or under-inflated, over-loaded, or otherwise improperly used.
Treadwear Ranking
A tire treadwear ranking indicates how long a tire should take to wear down. Each tire is automatically assigned a 100 grade. After testing, professionals will adjust the number based on how well the tire did. A higher number indicates a longer wear-down time.
Michelin Treadwear
According to the NHTSA, the lowest-ranking Michelin tire on treadwear is the Michelin Sport Cup. This tire has a treadwear ranking of 80, indicating that it will wear down more quickly than other tires. However, most Michelin tires have a higher treadwear ranking.
Out of 67 different Michelin tires, only 15 have a treadwear ranking lower than 400. The remaining tires have rankings over 400. This indicates that most Michelin brand tires will last at least four times as long as other tires. Currently, only 28% of tires have a treadwear ranking over 400.
Big O Brand Treadwear
For the most part, Big O Brand tires are expected to last approximately four times as long as other tires. This brand has three tires, with the lowest ranking being 180. Approximately 20 Big O Brand tires have a rating between 400 and 500, and 30 tires rank above 500.
Many Big O Brand tires last a long time, and none of them have as low of a ranking as the Sport Cup Michelin Tire. However, Michelin brand tires are more likely to last even longer than Big O tires.
Traction Ranking
The traction or "trac" rating indicates how well a car can stop on wet roads. There are four grades, with AA being the highest and C being the lowest. Tires with a higher ranking can stop more quickly on wet pavement.
The most common traction ranking is A. This is the second rating, and approximately 77% of tires are in this category. 15% of tires have the best ranking, and 7% are in the B ranking. It's incredibly rare to find a C-ranked tire. Only four lines of tires have this low rating.
Michelin And Big O Brand Traction Rating
All of the Michelin brand tires have a traction grade of A or higher. 14 out of the 67 Michelin tires had a ranking of AA, while the remaining had an A. The majority of Big O Brand tires have an A ranking for traction. The NHTSA tested 75 different Big O tires. Out of the 75, only 6 had a ranking of B.
While Big O Brand Tires do stop fairly quickly on wet roads, they still don't rank higher than the Michelin brand.
Temperature Ranking
The next major ranking indicates how well tires can resist speed-generated heat. There are three possible rankings. Grade A is the best possible score. Tires with this grade can withstand heat at speeds exceeding 115 miles per hour.
Tires with a B score can dissipate heat at speeds between 100 and 115 mph. At the minimum, all tires must have a C grade. Tires with this grade can withstand speeds between 85 and 100 mph.
Michelin And Big O Brand Temperature Grade
The majority of the Michelin tires tested received an A ranking for temperature. Only 13 out of 67 were given a B rating for heat resistance. On the other hand, the majority of Big O Brand tires have a B ranking.
Out of 75 tires, only 23 Big O Brand tires have an A grade for heat resistance. In addition, three of Big O Brand tires have a C ranking for heat resistance.
Tire Recalls
Another important thing to look into is whether other customers have had any problems with their tires. The NHTSA lists different tire recalls, investigations, complaints, and manufacturer notes.
Michelin tires have had very few recalls and investigations. The most common reason for recalls for these tires is casing integrity.
Unfortunately, this can result in rapid air loss while the vehicle is being driven. The most common complaint that customers have for Michelin brand tires is dry rot. Tire dry rot can make your tires brittle, develop leaks and holes, and cause sidewall cracks.
Big O Brand Tires have had more tires with recalls. However, they tend to have fewer complaints and investigations. This brand of tires has been recalled for a variety of reasons. Some things to be on the lookout for are tread problems, load-bearing issues, and sidewall cracking.
How Long Do Tires Last?
The amount of time a tire can last will vary based on several factors. Things that can affect tire longevity include the climate you drive in, the road quality, and how often you drive your car. You'll also have to consider the brand of tire you purchased. A higher-quality and higher-rated tire will outlast a lower-quality one.
Generally, you can expect good quality, all-season tires to last up to 85,000 miles or six years. Depending on how much you drive, you may put that many miles on your tires more quickly or slowly than this.
If you don't use your car that often, you'll need to consider the age of your tires. Most experts recommend replacing your tires at least once every six years.
Curious about specific tires? Take a look at this post: How Long Do Michelin Tires Last?
Top Tire Brands To Choose From
There's a lot to consider when purchasing new tires. The specific durability and quality will vary based on the particular tire you use. Despite the differences, the following brands are well-known for producing consistently high-quality tires.
Michelin
Overall, Michelin brand tires are very highly rated by quality tests and customers. Some of the best tires you can choose are the LTX all-season and Pilot Sports.
Another great thing about this brand is the Promise Plan included once you register your tires. These benefits include a two-month return window, roadside assistance, and a limited warranty.
The warranty varies depending on the tire. However, the mileage range for the warranty is between 20,000 and 80,000 miles.
Check out this tire on Amazon.
Continental
Continental tires have high ratings according to the Uniform Tire Quality Grading system. Traction and temperature scores are all at a B ranking or above. In addition, the tread is expected to last between two and five times longer than the control testing tire.
You can register all newly purchased Continental tires for their Total Confidence Plan. In this plan, you will be eligible to receive free replacements within the first year.
You may also qualify for a discounted rate on new tires for up to 72 months of the initial purchase. In addition, certain tires are eligible for a replacement up to 80,000 miles.
Check out this tire on Amazon.
Goodyear
Goodyear tires score well during the Unifrom Tire Quality Grading tests. All tire lines have at least a B in both traction and temperature, with many tires scoring the best grade. Additionally, the tread is expected to last at least two times as long as similar tires.
Another great thing about these tires is the warranty. If you have problems under warranty, you can get new tires up to one year after the initial purchase date.
If you're unable to get free tires, you can get discounted tires up to six years after the initial purchase. Goodyear also has treadwear warranties that will vary by the tire line. However, the lowest mileage for this warranty is 30,000.
Take a look at this tire on Amazon.
In Closing
Both Michelin and Big O Brand tires rank well in government tests. However, Michelin tires typically score higher and have fewer recalls later down the line. Remember to check the reviews for specific tire lines so you can make the most informed decision!
Don't forget to check out this post: Are Bigger Tires Better For Snow And/Or Ice?