Michelin X-Ice Xi3 Tire Review

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‍About the Michelin X-Ice Xi3

Whenever winter comes around, most roads across the country are covered by snow, ice and slush.

But if you live in an area that experiences a moderate climate throughout the year, you can easily get away with driving on all-season tires even during winter.

On the other hand, if your area experiences heavy and long winters or you frequently travel to places that experience such conditions, you will need a set of proper winter tires.

A reliable set of winter tires will provide adequate grip and traction in such conditions, thus ensuring a stable, secure and safe driving experience.

And that tire is none other than the Michelin X-Ice Xi3. As its name suggests, this tire is engineered to deliver an assured and confident performance in ice, snow or slush.  

Design and Performance Features

According to Michelin, the X-Ice Xi3 is engineered to tackle the harshest winter conditions while delivering long-lasting performance.

To this end, Michelin has utilized a couple of advanced technologies and features for its winter tires, to ensure it can deliver superior performance. They include:

Winter Tread Compound

Michelin has outfitted this winter tire with an advanced, winter tread compound, featuring its proprietary FleX-Ice silica formula.

This tread compound is designed to provide adequate flexibility in freezing temperatures, resulting in dependable performance in ice and snow.

Also, the FleX-Ice silica formula used in this tire helps to provide the firmness required for enhanced stability, handling and traction in wet and dry roads.

GreenX Technology

This tire also comes with Michelin’s exclusive GreenX technology.

Through this technology, Michelin has managed to reduce this tire’s rolling resistance, thus resulting in better fuel efficiency.

Directional Tread Pattern

The Michelin X-Ice Xi3 also comes with a directional tread pattern, which plays a vital role in evacuating water and slush away from the tire.

And this helps to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, resulting in enhanced traction in wet and slippery conditions.

Furthermore, the tread also features Cross Z Sipes, which help to stabilize the tire’s tread.

And as a result, you will enjoy better stability at higher speeds, combined with a fast and accurate steering response.

Performance-Optimized Tread Blocks

Michelin has also provisioned this tire with a series of independent and intermediate tread blocks.

These performance-optimized tread blocks combine with another feature known as Micro-Pumps, to deliver top-notch performance in ice and snow.

The Michelin X-Ice Xi3 also comes with additional biting edges, which help to enhance its performance in snow and ice even further.

Sturdy Internal Construction

Inside the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 are twin steel belts, which have been wrapped in spirally-wound nylon, for enhanced sturdiness and durability.

This sturdy internal construction also helps to increase the tire’s overall stability, which comes in handy when cornering at higher speeds.

Performance in Snow and Ice

As earlier mentioned, the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 is engineered to handle the harshest winter conditions. But does it deliver as promised?

We took this tire for a test ride in Vermont during winter and whether we encountered ice, extreme cold, heavy snowing or slush, this tire never faltered.

And this can be attributed to the advanced technologies that Michelin has utilized in its tread design.

These include the Cross Z sipes, the performance-optimized tread blocks, the Micro-Pumps and the FleX-Ice rubber-silica tread compound.

We were impressed by this tire’s overall performance in winter conditions, whether we were driving through moderate or heavy snow.

The grip was strong and adequate. And we never at any point felt as if the vehicle was losing control.

Even when the snowing got heavier, this tire performed reliably, without any issues. In fact, this tire was able to pull our vehicle around, even when the snow layer was slightly higher than our vehicle’s front bumper.

So, if you are looking for a tire that can deliver a solid, dependable and safe performance in harsh wintry conditions, then the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 should be at the top of your list.

Performance in Rainy and Wet Conditions

As winter comes to a close and the weather gets warmer, the snow will start melting and the roads will become slippery.

And some winter tires tend to lose traction in such conditions since the rubber used is meant for colder conditions.

But that’s not the case with the Michelin X-Ice Xi3. We didn’t experience any issues with these tires, even when the conditions were extremely slushy.

This tire never felt squishy or squirmy, even when we encountered pools of water on the road.

Its dependable performance in wet and slippery conditions can be attributed to its excellent hydroplaning resistance.

The braking distances in rainy and wet conditions remained short and there was no noticeable loss of cornering grip.

Overall, the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 performed better in wet and slippery conditions, than the majority of other winter tires I’ve previously used.

Dry Performance

Winter tires are specifically designed for cold weather conditions. So, when it comes to dry roads, their performance is noticeably poor.

And that’s the same case with the Michelin X-Ice Xi3. During our test ride, we observed that it doesn’t supply adequate cornering grip.

Furthermore, its traction on dry roads is poor and the braking distances are quite long.

But when we compared it to the other winter tires we’ve used on dry roads, the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 performs much better.

With that said, the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 is a dedicated winter tire.

So, if you spend most of your time driving on dry roads or you live in an area that experiences mild weather conditions throughout the year, then you should simply opt for an all-season tire or an ultra-high performance tire.

Ride Quality

With its aggressive and rugged tread pattern, I was expecting this tire to produce a lot of noise, especially on the highway.

But I was surprised by how quiet the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 was, even when I was moving at higher speeds.

Apart from being surprisingly quiet, this tire also delivered a smooth and comfortable ride, even when I encountered larger bumps.

However, I also noticed that it becomes quite noisy, especially when temperatures start rising.

Michelin X-Ice Xi3 Tire Warranties and Guarantees

Like the other tires from this manufacturer, the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 is backed by the Michelin Promise Plan.

The Michelin Promise Plan is a set of warranties and guarantees, featuring a manufacturer’s limited warranty, treadwear warranty, and a satisfaction guarantee.

Manufacturer Limited Warranty

This warranty is designed to cover your Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tire against various defects, related to workmanship and materials.

Under this warranty, Michelin offers to replace your Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tire, if it’s removed from service due to workmanship and materials defects.

If the tire becomes unserviceable and it’s worn less than 2/32-inch of its original usable tread or within 12 months from the date of purchase, Michelin will replace it with a comparable new one, free of charge.

Apart from giving you a new tire, Michelin will also take care of mounting and balancing charges.

However, you will be required to pay for applicable taxes, disposal fees, and other service charges.

In case the tire becomes unserviceable and it’s worn more than 2/32-inch of its original usable tread or you’ve used it for more than12 months, Michelin offers to replace it on a pro-rata basis.

On the pro-rated basis, you will contribute a certain portion of money for the tire’s replacement.

The amount you will pay for the money will depend on the percentage of the original usable tread worn off the tire.

This percentage will then be multiplied by the dealer’s current selling price for the Michelin X-Ice Xi3.

Coverage for the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 under this warranty extends for six years from the date of purchase.

Treadwear Limited Warranty

Apart from the materials and workmanship warranty, the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 also carries a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty.

So, if this tire wears out uniformly across its tread and fails to deliver the warranted mileage, Michelin will replace it on a pro-rata basis.

And for the pro-rata basis, you will be charged a certain amount of money for the tire’s replacement, depending on the percentage of the mileage the tire has delivered.

Once that percentage has been determined, it will then be multiplied by the dealer’s current selling price for the Michelin X-Ice Xi3.

For example, your Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tire may wear out uniformly across its tread, having only attained 30,000 miles, which is 75% of the warranted mileage.

Assuming that the dealer is currently selling your size for approximately $100, your replacement amount will be $75.

You will also pay for the tire’s balancing and mounting charges, in addition to applicable taxes and other service charges.

It’s important to mention that your set of Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tires will only be applicable to be replaced under this warranty if they have been inspected and rotated every 6,000 miles to 8,000 miles.

Satisfaction Guarantee

The Michelin X-Ice Xi3 also comes with a 60-day customer satisfaction guarantee.

So, after you buy a set of these tires, you have up to 60 days to assess their performance and decide whether they are the right fit for your vehicle.

If you are not fully satisfied with their performance, you can opt to return them to their original place of purchase.

After returning them, the dealer will swap them with a new set of tires. The new set of tires that you will get will be of equal or lesser value to the ones you return.

Warranty Exclusions

It’s your right for your Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tire to be replaced if it wears out prematurely or it’s removed from service due to issues outside your control.

However, Michelin may opt not to replace your tire, if it’s damaged due to abuse, misuse or misapplication.

For instance, tire damage caused by road hazards, incorrect mounting, improper repair, improper maintenance, unauthorized tire alteration or chemical corrosion is not covered under the workmanship and materials warranty.

Furthermore, tires with uneven tread wear, those used in commercial applications as well as those that haven’t been inspected or rotated as required will not be eligible to be replaced under the treadlife warranty.

Michelin X-Ice Xi3 Fitment

Michelin produces this tire in several sizes, ranging between 15 inches and 18 inches. It can fit a wide range of vehicles like:

• Chevrolet Cruze, Optra 5, Cobalt and Sonic
• Dodge Neon SXT and Charger
• Honda Fit, Insight, Civic, Odyssey and Accord
• Mazda Protégé, Mazda 3, MPV, RX-8 and Mazda 6
• Toyota Camry, Sienna, Prius, Matrix, RAV4, Corolla and Yaris
• Chrysler Country and Town
• Nissan Sentra, Altima, Rogue, Maxima and Versa
• Ford Taurus, Fusion, Thunderbird, Focus and Five Hundred
• Subaru Outback, Legacy and Forester

Michelin X-Ice Xi3 Price Range

The Michelin X-Ice Xi3 is currently selling for around $50 to $273. The actual price that you will pay for this tire will depend on your vehicle’s wheel size.

And as you may expect, the bigger the wheel size, the costlier the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 will be.

Michelin X-Ice Xi3 Pros

• Outstanding performance in snow and ice
• traction and handling in wet and slippery conditions
• Comfortable and smooth ride
• Solid treadwear warranty

Michelin X-Ice Xi3 Cons

• Costlier than most of its competitors

Should You Buy the Michelin X-Ice Xi3?

The Michelin X-Ice Xi3 is designed to deliver the ultimate winter performance. And it doesn’t disappoint. It delivers long-lasting and powerful traction, even when you encounter heavy snowing or extremely slippery surfaces.

Its ride quality is smooth and refined and its steering response is great. Michelin has also backed it with a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is one of the longest for winter tires.

Overall, if you live in areas that experience harsh winter conditions and you are looking for a dependable tire that will always guarantee a safe driving experience, then you should equip your vehicle with this tire. It’s simply one of the best in its category.