A choice between a relatively new tire and the one that has been around for decades is a tough decision. Hankook is gradually gaining ground as a quality tire in the market but Michelin still stands as one of the best and most popular brands worldwide. This article will compare and review the two tires so that you can make informative decisions when you want to buy a new tire. Check out this article for more information.
Hankook tires VS Michelin
Hankook and Michelin have produced tires in different designs and sizes. This article will not place each of these tires side by side but will do a general review of the peculiarities of the two brands. Below are some of the comparisons between the two tires under different headings.
Design
Michelin tires have evolved over the years and the company has produced tires in different designs. You cannot be definite about the design of Michelin because the company has been innovative with products.
Meanwhile, Hankook tires are known for their unique design. Their products usually have large spaces between the grooves. The large spaces are there to ensure that stone, pebbles, and other sharp objects are ejected from the tire, thereby preventing puncture.
Durability
The durability of a tire depends on different factors. For instance, the design is important, the quality of the product, the way you care for it, and many others. Though both are durables and the manufacturers offer 6 years warranty but many users consider Michelin tires as being more durable.
Performance
Due to its design, Hankook tires are excellent in wet, muddy, and rocky conditions. The company is becoming more popular because of the ability of the tire to grip better in wet conditions. Michelin, on the other hand, has produced great tires over the years. Their products perform excellently in different road conditions and enhance vehicle stability on the road.
Read Also:Hankook Dynapro VS Yokohama Geolandar(Which Is Better?)
Comfort
I am sure you know the way you feel in the vehicle. If there is any issue with the tires, you will have difficulty handling the vehicle.
Well, you might feel uncomfortable when you mount the Hankook tires because they make noise. Moving at a higher speed will be disturbing because of the noise. Meanwhile, Michelin tires are less noisy.
Pricing
Though both are regarded as quality and popular tires, Michelin is a premium brand. Thus, its products are relatively costlier than Hankook’s
Pros and cons of Hankook tires
Being a tire that is just gaining a reputation in the market, Hankook has been creative with its design. The design has received both positive and negative reviews from users. Below are some of the pros and cons of Hankook tires.
Pros
Highlighted below are some pros of Hankook tires
Readily available
The design of Hankook tires has made them one of the most sorted after tires in the market by many owners of passenger vehicles. This has made them available in retail tire shops. It is unlikely that you will get to a tire shop and you will not find Hankook tires there.
Comments
Experiences of users of Hankook tires have encouraged others to try out the tire. Hankook tires have consistently been receiving many positive comments from users.
Warranty
Hankook offers one of the best warranties you can get on a tire. The company offers 6 years limited warranty from the date of purchase. (Read Also:Hankook Vs Michelin RV Tires(Which Is Better?)
Prevent puncture
The tire could get punctured anytime on the road, especially when sharp objects are trapped in it. It is unlikely that this happens when you use Hankook tires. The space between the grooves ensures that no stone, pebbles, or other sharp objects are trapped in the tire.
Cons
Below are some of the drawbacks of Hankook tires
Noise
Despite being one of the best in the market, Hankook tires are known for loud noise. More air is trapped in the grooves and this leads to loud noise.
Price
Though Hankook is regarded as one of the popular brands in the market, it is not yet a premium brand. Hence, they find the price tag of their products as being relatively expensive, especially when you compare it with the price of products from brands of the same rating.
Energy
Hankook tires are regarded as being one of the tires that are not eco-friendly. This is because the vehicle tends to consume more fuel when you mount Hankook tires. Read Also:Nexen VS Hankook(Which Is Better?)
Pros and cons of Michelin tires
Michelin is one of the front runners and top-rated tire manufacturers in the world. It is regarded as a premium tire due to the reputation it has built over time and what users say about it. Well, the tires still receive negative reviews despite the several accolades. The following are some of the pros and cons of Michelin tires.
Read Also: Hankook VS Continental(Which Is Better?)
Pros
Below are the pro of Michelin tires
Quality tire
If you seek an all-around quality tire, Michelin is the answer. Through constant innovation and advances in research, the company has produced many tires that are still the choice of many car owners.
Customers review
A satisfied customer will have good things to say about the product. If you want to know car owners that are relatively satisfied with their tires, you should contact Michelin customers.
Different types
There are many Michelin products in the market. They are available in different sizes, designs, and models. They are one of the most popular choices.
Cons
The following are some of the cons of Michelin
Expensive
Michelin tires are one of the most expensive tires you will get on the market. You need to have a fat budget before you can enjoy Michelin tires.
Common issues with tires
No manufacturer will tell you the weakness of any tire. Over time, you will get to experience some of these issues. At times, some people abandon a brand and opt for another in a quest to avoid some of the issues common with that brand of tire.
Doing this could be a way to prevent one of the issues but there is a chance that you will experience another issue with the new tire. The following are some of the common issues with tires.
Blowout
This is a general issue that could likely happen, irrespective of the brand of the tire but the chance that it will occur is minimal in some brands, depending on the design and the quality of the tire.
Blowout is mostly caused by low or high pressure in the tire, exceeding the weight capacity of the tire, and lack of maintenance. It is better to avoid a blowout than to prevent it. When it happens, you could lose control of the vehicle.
The best way to fix the problem is to replace the tire with a spare, buy a new one, or contact the manufacturer for possible replacement, provided the warranty is still valid.
Noise
Noise from the tire could make you feel unsettled throughout the journey. There are instances where you will not be interested in accelerating because the noise will become disturbing. Tire noise is mostly caused by the design of the tire. Also, if the tire is worn or there is an issue with the wheel, it will likely make noise. The temporary solution to fixing tire noise on the road is to reduce the speed of the vehicle.
Wear
The tires are expected to wear but not a few weeks after installation. The quality of the tire and the way you care for it will determine how soon the tires will get worn. If the tire lacks proper balancing, it will get worn quicker.
The wear caused by lack of balancing is usually in an uneven manner. Also, if you have mounted the wrong size or there is an issue with the wheel, the tire will soon wear out. This, however, is not ruling out the possibility that poor designs of some tires also lead to quick wear. The best way to fix wear on the tire is to replace the tire. If you use a worn tire continuously, you are subjecting yourself to risk.
Out of round
The shape of the tire is important in determining the efficiency of the tire and the overall performance of the vehicle. From complaints of users, some tire brands easily go out of round. The issue is caused by a manufacturing defect.
It is recommended that you do extensive research before you buy any tire. If your tire has gone out of round, you should contact the manufacturer.
Vibration
The tires need stability on the road for easier control of the vehicle. A lot of factors could make the tire shake. For instance, the tires will shake when it is not properly aligned with the rim, when it is poorly mounted, when there is damage to the rim, issues with lug nuts, low pressure, out-of-round, and many more. You need to visit a professional for a proper assessment of the problem and the right solution.
Hankook tires VS Michelin – Conclusion
Hankook is gradually gaining popularity but Michelin has been there for many years and it is still the choice of many car owners. Irrespective of the one you buy, you should maintain it properly.
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I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.