Michelin X Line Grip D traction background
In the realm of tire innovation, achieving maximum mileage, exceptional traction and low rolling resistance has always involved balancing trade-offs. Prioritizing traction often comes at the expense of fuel efficiency. Chasing longer miles will typically sacrifice rolling resistance or traction, or both. But what if one tire could deliver all three?
Michelin’s new X® Line Grip D Tire is built to break the paradigm, an innovation that delivers long miles, outstanding traction, and low rolling resistance without compromise.
It’s already turning heads—earning a spot on Tested by Adam Savage, the former MythBusters co-host and engineering enthusiast.
Adam Savage showing off the tread on Michelin X Line Grip D
Adam Savage of MythBusters featured Michelin's X® Line Grip D tire in a recent episode of his show "Tested: Adam Savage Learns Why Tires Have This Groove Design"
For the Michelin X® Line Grip D tire “we went back to the drawing board. We did carving studies to see what could we change with our dimensioning of the tread pattern to try and break this compromise of rolling resistance, wear and traction,” said Tyler Sites, Michelin North America Long Haul Drive Product Designer.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, switching to low rolling resistance tires can improve fuel economy by up to 10%*. However, traditional tire tread designs often force fleets to accept trade-offs elsewhere to gain that efficiency.
“It’s always this trade off,” Sites said. “For everything you get in wear, you might lose in rolling resistance and traction, and vice versa. You get [it] in traction, and you lose in rolling resistance and wear. So, it’s like you’re balancing this three-legged stool all the time in terms of design.”
The Michelin X® Line Grip D tire isn’t an evolution—it’s a revolution. It delivers measurable improvements in all key categories, without compromise versus the Michelin XDN2 Tire:
This is a fuel-efficient tire that’s designed to perform through every season and every mile.
The trade-off triangle - MFMB
What sets the Michelin X® Line Grip D tire apart is its combination of proven Michelin technologies and the latest Michelin innovations:
Innovation deserves testing—and the Michelin X® Line Grip D tire earned its place on Tested by Adam Savage. The tire is the star of a new two-part segment on the YouTube series, where it’s pushed to the limits in real-world conditions. Part 1 went live on May 6th, giving fleet managers an inside look at how Michelin’s latest tire technology performs when it really counts. (Part 2 releases in early June)
The Michelin X® Line Grip D tire isn’t just a tire for fleets traveling in dry conditions. It's ready for any condition or need a long-haul trucker may face:
The Michelin X® Line Grip D tire’s Duracore casing is built tough enough for up to four retreads, helping fleets extend the life of their investment while reducing total cost of ownership.
The Michelin X® Line Grip D tire officially launches in July, but fleets can get a head start by pre-ordering today. Read more on the tire’s benefits and complete the pre-order form so your fleet will be ready to enjoy the new Michelin X® Line Grip D tires when they drop in July.
In the meantime, tune in to Tested by Adam Savage on YouTube and see what happens when innovation meets performance under pressure.
1. Based on an internal study of 3 fleets in line haul usage, measured at tire removal, 129 total tires, based on a 6/32” max. pull point, 295/75R22.5 Michelin X® Line Grip D tire vs. 275/80R22.5 Michelin XDN2 tire (equivalent sizes). Actual on-road results may vary.
2. Calculated based on internal snow starting test; measuring distance traveled; Michelin X® Line Grip D 295/75R22.5 vs. Michelin XDN2 275/80R22.5 (equivalent sizes) tire, tested at 10/32” remaining tread.
3. Calculated based on internal wet starting test; measuring peak Mu; both tires worn to 10/32” remaining tread; XLGD 295/75R22.5 LRG XDN2 275/80R22.5 (equivalent sizes).
4. Based on internal ISO28580 rolling resistance testing using 295/75R22.5 LRG Michelin X® Line Grip D tire vs. 275/80R22.5 LRG Michelin XDN2 tire (equivalent sizes).
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