On the Road with Ralph
Well-known member
- First Name
- Ralph
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2023
- Threads
- 21
- Messages
- 338
- Reaction score
- 969
- Location
- Mojave Desert, California
- Vehicles
- 2023 Ford Lightning Pro
- Occupation
- Real estate/biz consultant
- Thread starter
- #1
A couple weeks ago I put a set of four Hankook iON HT 275/65R-18 tires on my 2023 Lightning Pro.
First, I almost made it to 65K miles on the OE Michelin Primacy XC tires. They were very good tires and I'd recommend them to anyone who asked. It also puts to lie the myth that EVs eat tires; I don't recall ever getting 65K miles on a set of tires on any vehicle.
But I was intrigued by Hankook iON HT tires - purpose built EV shoes with an 80K warranty (and one year road hazard). They were a few dollars less than the Primacy XC, but not enough to factor into the decision.
I've now put nearly 1000 miles on them and here's my review:
They are stiffer than the Michelins, but not unpleasantly so. The ride is still smooth and compliant. They seem pretty grippy, but after all, I was coming off 65K mileage tires. I haven't had a chance to test them on slick surfaces such as ice or snow, but they were fine on rain wet pavement.
Sound level is about the same, tho' perhaps a tad less on most surfaces - particular smooth asphalt. On certain stretches of concrete highway there is a bit of a high-pitched whine between 60-70 mph. This may be due to a textured surface and could affect all tires.
Range seems to be the same, or maybe a little better - but the difference is small and largely in the noise of other factors. Definitely not worse.
As for appearance... sorta techie:
Note on the installation, which was done at a dealer using cash, Ford Reward points and a rebate: I also had them do a four-wheel alignment. Interestingly, the wheel that was furthest out of spec (passenger rear) was also the most worn tire. I think that was mostly coincidence, since I rotate my tires every 10K to 15K miles.
Bottom line: For my use case - a lot of highway driving, mixed with some dirt/gravel (including a steep rural driveway), I like the Hankooks. It will be interesting to see if they outlast the Michelins.
First, I almost made it to 65K miles on the OE Michelin Primacy XC tires. They were very good tires and I'd recommend them to anyone who asked. It also puts to lie the myth that EVs eat tires; I don't recall ever getting 65K miles on a set of tires on any vehicle.
But I was intrigued by Hankook iON HT tires - purpose built EV shoes with an 80K warranty (and one year road hazard). They were a few dollars less than the Primacy XC, but not enough to factor into the decision.
I've now put nearly 1000 miles on them and here's my review:
They are stiffer than the Michelins, but not unpleasantly so. The ride is still smooth and compliant. They seem pretty grippy, but after all, I was coming off 65K mileage tires. I haven't had a chance to test them on slick surfaces such as ice or snow, but they were fine on rain wet pavement.
Sound level is about the same, tho' perhaps a tad less on most surfaces - particular smooth asphalt. On certain stretches of concrete highway there is a bit of a high-pitched whine between 60-70 mph. This may be due to a textured surface and could affect all tires.
Range seems to be the same, or maybe a little better - but the difference is small and largely in the noise of other factors. Definitely not worse.
As for appearance... sorta techie:
Note on the installation, which was done at a dealer using cash, Ford Reward points and a rebate: I also had them do a four-wheel alignment. Interestingly, the wheel that was furthest out of spec (passenger rear) was also the most worn tire. I think that was mostly coincidence, since I rotate my tires every 10K to 15K miles.
Bottom line: For my use case - a lot of highway driving, mixed with some dirt/gravel (including a steep rural driveway), I like the Hankooks. It will be interesting to see if they outlast the Michelins.
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