Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 11:11:01 -0700
Reply-To: Steve Sullivan <Steve@NORTHWESTWATCH.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve Sullivan <Steve@NORTHWESTWATCH.ORG>
Subject: Re: Michelin Agilis Tires
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Strange, your Michelin rep's answer. I just called them at 1-80-847-3435 and
talked to a guy who said the Agilis have been made for a few years now, that
61 was the proper tire for Vanagons, it is a reinforced tire and rated Mud
and Snow, and that local dealers may have a hard time finding it in their
books to special order (very true).
So far all the tire shops I've tried have attempted to sell me a different
tire because they can't find this one in their books, but I've got one shop
calling Michelin to find out price and availability. The Michelin rep said
the 81 is for larger vehicle use. I've heard (don't remember source) that
the 51 is for EuroVans. I'll post more information as I learn it if it's
helpful.
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: RAlanen@AOL.COM [mailto:RAlanen@AOL.COM]
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 4:17 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Michelin Agilis Tires
Monday I posted the following message. I got two
responses. Are there
not more Agilis users out there ? I thought I remembered
quite a few posts
from around the country of Listees saying they had these
tires back when they
were first mentioned on the List. Anyways, I did see that a
discussion
developed on the tire pressure thread but I need this
information related to
the Agilis tire so I can bring it up with the Michelin rep.
I still think
they have sent me the wrong tires or there is default in the
one they sent
me.
Following in my original post for those of you who may
have missed
it.......>
>> I have a small problem regarding the Michelin Agilis
tires that some of
you including me have installed on our Vanagons. Ever since
I had these
tires put on my '87 Westy back in December I have
experienced handling
problems. The van will not track in a straight line but
weaves from side to
side especially if there is a cross wind or head wind. I
must constantly
move the steering wheel to correct the situation. If there
is absolutely no
wind then the van tracks straight ahead. At first I was
suspect of the
alignment or steering components. But, now after three
visits my local VW
dealer's service centre for alignment and checking, nothing
has been found
out of spec. This shop has been doing the alignment on my
Westy every time I
have changed tires during the five years I've owned the Van
so I do not
suspect any problem with their service. This past week
while I was cleaning
my Westy I notice on my tires "Michelin Agilis 81 LR/D" not
"61 LR/C" as I
thought they were supposed to be. I then call Michelin and
they tell me
there is no Michelin Agilis 61 tire made. I tell them to
look on THEIR
website, which I have to give them the URL for [<A
HREF="http://www.michelin.ca/ca/eng/news/agilis/1.htm">Michelin -
Agilis</A>],
as they are not aware of it, and after they look at the
information there,
they tell me they do not have an answer but will research
the problem and get
back to me. Meanwhile, they advise me to try lower air
pressure in the 81's
I have. So, I've tried lowering the pressure from 40# front
and 45# rear to
35# front and 40# rear. The handling problem seems better
but not absolutely
rectified. I will now try 30# front and 35# and see what
that does. What do
you other Michelin Agilis users have to say about this ?
Are your Agilis
61's or 81's ? LR/C or LR/D ? Do you have any handling
problems related to
your tires ? All comments, advise or suggestions are
welcome.<<
Cheers
Frank Condelli
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems
Almonte, On
Visit me on the web.......> <A
HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html">Frank
Condelli & Associates<
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