ToySuby

I tried the Michelin Defenders once on my Sienna. Got about 45,000 - 50,000 miles out of them. The rubber is harder than your average tire. To hard for cold weather driving. That's why Michelin gives them a high mileage rating, around 90,000 miles. They performed poorly in the snow, slush, ice and rain. Will not use them again for Northwest driving. My professional tire man warned me about them, should have listened. They are better than average for a summer highway tire. Not for spirited driving. They would talk back when pushed to hard. That was nice, you knew when you were about to loose traction. For dry summertime roads, I'd give them a 8 out of 10. All other conditions, less than 5. The Continental TrueContact tires were the truest mud & snow tire I could find in a premium tire, close to the ones made back in the 80's for cars.

Thanks for your experiences and common sense. I'll chock this up to; never listen to a service writer that has not been a technician. There just a salesman.

2003 Outback Limited EJ25, built for Canada in May of 2002. 165,000 miles. I cleaned and flushed the cooling system in March 2016. Then drained the block, radiator, heater core, etc. and removed the freeze plugs, all hoses, thermostat, temperature sender, etc. to dry the system out. Now ready to install new hoses and Evans coolant plus dozens of other preventative maintenance items. Was at the dealer last week and overheard someone say that it's hard on the head gaskets to let them dry out like that. Do not even think of putting it back together. Replace the head gaskets, guaranteed to have an issue with the head gaskets. I wish I had a chance to engage in the conversation. The head gaskets were replace in April, 2011 around 110,000 miles. It appears they are the Subaru brand. All other parts are Subaru. Have not found any aftermarket parts, including filters on the Outback. Is this a myth, a rumor, or a fact that I should continue deeper into the engine and replace the head gaskets? http://www.evanscoolant.com/ http://www.discountoeparts.com/genuine-subaru-parts

I also have an 2003 Outback Limited. In fall of 2015 I put on Continental TrueContact tires on wife's 2012 Rav4. Absolutely like them. So last winter purchased a set for the Suby when they were on sale. P225/65/R16. Have not installed them yet. I do not expect to get a lot of mileage out of them. They hold the road really well in all kinds of weather and road conditions (gravel to) in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington. Ice, compact snow, rain, off road and interstate speeds, etc. I'm an enthusiastic spirited driver. Have not had them on sand. I would not use these in hot climates such a AZ,CA, NM, TX, etc. I think they would wear out to fast. Otherwise my favorite tire is Bridgestone, which is on my other 2 vehicles and have been using since 1991. I'll get 90,000 miles out of the Turanza EL400 if I drive easily. Stay away from the Serenity unless your in the hot climates mentioned before, even then I'm not really a fan of them.