Did you know that your tires play a decisive role in your car’s fuel efficiency? This is due to the friction that tires exert to oppose the motion (known as rolling resistance).
Fortunately, there are tires designed to have low rolling resistance and therefore improve fuel efficiency.
One of them is the silent Michelin Primacy HP, the undisputed leader in the Grand Touring Summer Tires segment.
Photo credit: butlertire.com
TL;DR: Michelin Primacy HP
Are you intrigued by the Michelin Primacy HP? Let’s start by reviewing its pros and cons.
Michelin Primacy HP
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PROS
- Provides exceptional ride quality
- Offers adequate grip in both wet and dry conditions
- Decreases rolling resistance and thus improve fuel efficiency
CONS
- Only available in three sizes for 17-inch wheels
- Performance may not meet the expectations of people with a spirited driving style
Best For:
OE tire replacement and drivers of midsize sedans, crossovers, and minivans who need a quiet tire that helps improve fuel economy
Michelin Primacy HP Performance Ratings
Before discussing the performance of the Michelin Primacy HP, it is necessary to comment on the reliability of its figures. When talking about tires, the number of miles reported is a key factor. The higher the number of miles, the more stable their ratings are. In the Michelin Primacy HP case, it only has 1.4M reported miles, so this tire is in a grey zone since its ratings could vary. In other words, its leadership in the Grand Touring Summer Tires segment may not be definitive.
With this in mind, we can start our analysis. For your convenience, we have provided the links below if you wish to navigate directly to the category you are interested in.
- Dry Performance
- Wet Performance
- Comfort Performance
- Treadwear Performance
- Warranty
- Specs & Options
- Reviews
Michelin Primacy HP Dry Performance
|
Dry Performance Ratings |
|
|---|---|
|
Dry Overall |
7.7 |
|
Cornering Stability |
7.7 |
|
Dry Traction |
7.6 |
|
Steering Response |
8.0 |
Considering that the Michelin Primacy HP is a summer tire focused on improving fuel economy, its dry ratings are quite good. The Primacy HP provides enough grip to maintain excellent cornering and predictable steering response. Thanks to the combination of a unique, state-of-the-art compound and asymmetric tread pattern, the Michelin Primacy HP is emerging as one of the best daily driving tires in its segment.
Michelin Primacy HP Wet Performance
|
Wet Performance Ratings |
|
|---|---|
|
Wet Overall |
7.2 |
|
Hydroplaning Resistance |
7.4 |
|
Wet Traction |
7.0 |
Just as important as good traction in dry conditions is providing a secure grip in adverse weather conditions. In that sense, Michelin’s exclusive A.S.M. (Architecture, Sculpture, and Materials) technology gives the Primacy HP optimal road contact even in the wet. If you are looking for a tire that offers safe driving regardless of weather conditions, Michelin Primacy HP is a solid choice.
Michelin Primacy HP Comfort Performance
|
Comfort Performance Ratings |
|
|---|---|
|
Overall Comfort |
7.3 |
|
Ride Quality |
7.3 |
|
Noise |
7.2 |
One of Michelin’s strengths is to provide an unparalleled driving experience. In that sense, the Primacy HP achieves this goal thanks to its twin steel belt structure reinforced by spiral-wrapped polyamide along with its low rolling resistance compound. Simply put, the amazing technology employed by Michelin in the Primacy HP makes it a tire capable of delivering first-class ride quality.
Michelin Primacy HP Treadwear Performance
|
Treadwear Performance Ratings |
|
|---|---|
|
Treadwear |
7.5 |
There is no doubt that one of the factors that make the Michelin Primacy HP stand out from its competition is its outstanding Treadwear rating. While the rest of the tires in the Grand Touring Summer category provide questionable durability, the Primacy HP manages the difficult task of meeting Michelin’s Green X standard and favoring fuel efficiency without sacrificing treadwear life in the process.
If you are looking for a daily driver tire with unsurpassed durability, then the Primacy HP is for you.
Michelin Primacy HP Warranty
Treadlife Warranty
6-year warranty or 45,000 miles (H and V speed rated) / 35,000 miles (W, Y, and Z rated), whichever occurs first. This warranty is halved when the rear and the front tires are different in size.
Uniformity Warranty
Complaints regarding these tires’ uniformity must be subscribed in the first year of use or the first 2/32″ of wear.
Workmanship / Materials Warranty
Michelin provides an amazing 6-year warranty against defects in workmanship or materials. Moreover, it also offers free tire replacement for the first year, 2/32″ wear, or 25% wear.
Road Hazard Warranty
Not available from Michelin for this type of tire.
Manufacturer Special Warranty
This tire comes with a special warranty consisting of 60-day satisfaction (in which you can exchange the tire for a BFGoodrich or Uniroyal equivalent), and a 3-year flat changing service.
Tire Rack Road Hazard Warranty
On top of the tread life warranty offered by Michelin, this tire features Tire Rack’s leading warranty that covers refunds of up to $40 for repairs per tire per occurrence. Moreover, if the tire suffers non-repairable damage within the first 2 years, a refund of the original purchase price or replacement purchase price (whichever is less) will be made.
An excellent complement to the amazing figures of the Michelin Primacy HP is the generous warranty from both the manufacturer and Tire Rack. Few tires on the market have such solid backing, making the Primacy HP an attractive option for everyday vehicles.
Michelin Primacy HP Specs & Options
Although the Michelin Primacy HP has limited coverage of only three 17-inch sizes (215/45R17, 225/45R17, and 245/40R17), it should be noted that this is common for an OE tire. For instance, one of its closest competitors, the Bridgestone Turanza ER30, is only available in one size, 245/50ZR18. That said, it is worth mentioning that the incredible Primacy HP has a UTQG of 240 A A, which fits its market segment very well. For more information on the UTQG, read our article.
Photo credit: extremecustoms.com
Michelin Primacy HP Reviews
There are two crucial points to discuss regarding the Michelin Primacy HP reviews. The first has to do with what we explained at the beginning of the article concerning the reported mileage. This is a tire that statistically does not have enough reviews (yet) to draw solid conclusions.
The second point has to do with the unique characteristics of “eco-friendly” tires. To achieve low rolling resistance (and therefore higher fuel efficiency), these tires do not provide the grip many drivers expect. On top of all this, being an OE tire, it is often considered “inferior” to other high-performance aftermarket tires.
This explains some comments from drivers complaining that the Michelin Primacy HP has subpar performance, or even that it is a dangerous tire when riding in the wet.
Truth be told, the Primacy’s performance is more than adequate for those looking for a tire that contributes to lower emissions while providing exceptional ride quality.
Quick Recap
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|
Michelin Primacy HP |
|
|---|---|
|
Dry |
7.7 |
|
Wet |
7.2 |
|
Comfort |
7.3 |
|
Treadwear |
7.5 |
End of the Road
While it is true that the Michelin Primacy HP is not a high-performance tire, it is also true that it has the necessary attributes to make it an interesting option for everyday use. On the one hand, it exhibits very balanced results in all categories. On the other hand, it offers the possibility to improve fuel efficiency with a smooth and quiet driving experience.