Firestone Winter Tires

Initial Review, 6,200 Miles on Tires
April 11, 2013

The Firestone Winter Force tires replaced the factory original Michelin LTS AT2 tires which were very good hiway tires but were terrible snow tires.

The Winter Forces were easy to balance, give almost no road noise, and drive down the hiway with no squirme with or w/o pulling a trler. Excellant traction in hiway snow or when pulling through deep snow on non-plowed gravel roads.

Two downsides with the Wimter Forces: lost of about 1 MPG, and they p/u hold sall rocks like crazy till about 55 MPH when they start poping into the wheel wells.

Initial Review, 15,000 Miles on Tires
April 12, 2013

Tires are used on 2002 (manual trans) and now 2003 (automatic) Honda CRV AWD, these tires are a very cost effective, albeit somewhat noisy, way to get winter traction in snow and slippy conditions. Moderately aggressive tread pattern, durable, softish compound still wears much better than I expected (4th winter now still in very good shape especially considering they spend almost all od their time on dry or rainy roads, the car is the primary "got to get to work car" hence snows over all season tires in our somewhat unpredictable though not usually severe winters) studdable if you need it for lots of ice traction and pretty dang inexpensive. We had a 17" snow over night not long after I got these meats and the little CR-V was a TANK, I expected wheelspin but got so much traction I "plowed" the local street as a real plow never comes and also used the trucklet with these tires to clear the gutters for the snowmelt to be able to get to the drains. I purposely tried to beach the little CR-V but the tires pulled right through both the powdery snow then the melting slop with ease. These tires rock for the price and are pretty stout and long wearing in my opinion (about 15000k miles so far and look like they have still several winters left). Do be aware of noticeable tire noise/drone though. Just add stereo and forget it...

Initial Review, 30,000 Miles on Tires
February 07, 2013

Great winter tire, but like most winter tires they wear quickly if you drive them on dry pavement. I have had these tires on for three years of Wisconsin winters and have gone through countless snow storms with no issues. Honestly I feel safer driving my 2wd truck in the snow with these tires than with a 4x4 vehicle. I could only imagine how well these tires would perform if they were studded also.

Initial Review, 8,000 Miles on Tires
April 02, 2013

Great snow tire, have long curved,multilevel,downhill driveway and have never had a problem getting out. Have had on 3 winters, might get another year of wear.

Initial Review, 17,000 Miles on Tires
February 09, 2013

The 710s are the OE tire on our 2012 Sienna XLE.

The outstanding characteristic of this tire and vehicle combination is steering response. The steering is so light and easy it is unlike any other vehicle I've driven. It makes this 2 ton+ vehicle seem like a much smaller, lighter vehicle. To call this van 'light on it's feet' is an understatement. We've taken it on one 2,000 mile trip and thought it was great on the highway. There is little noticeable wear after 17,000 miles. We've also driven in quite a bit of snow this winter and, while they're no Blizzaks, they get around just fine. I went through the tire selection matrix on Bridgestone's website and they are recommending the Dueler 422 as the top-of-the-line tire for this vehicle but I love the way this Firestone works so well on this minivan that I'd be worried about any loss of the great driving dynamics from the factory.

Initial Review, 44,000 Miles on Tires
March 21, 2013

Very good all around tire. If one front tire hadn't worn at the inner edge due to an alignment an issue, I probably could have gotten 50,000 miles out of this original equipment set. I normally use dedicated snow tires during the winter, as we live in the mountains of Northeast Utah at 6,450' MSL in a ski town, and have snow 4-6 months of the year. These tires worked well in snow, slush; not quite as well on ice, but well enough I felt comfortable not fitting dedicated snow tires. Wet and dry traction during summer months was very good. I saw some complaints in other reviews about noise, but I have not noticed an undue amount of tread noise or slap over expansion joints. I would definitely consider buying another set. I also appreciate that Bridgestone/Firestone was a sponsor of Driver's Edge (wish they still were) an excellent driver education program for teens, that actually teaches vehicle dynamics skills.

Initial Review, 10,000 Miles on Tires
March 17, 2013

I use these on my 4 wheel drive winter/ off road truck and with these tires driving in the snow barely affects the traction i get. It is just like driving in normal conditions. Even in mud and gravel i feel plenty of traction. A great tire in every day driving conditions as well. If you're looking for great all terrain tires these are the best you can buy. I've owned plenty of different brands and these are by far the best

Initial Review, 15,000 Miles on Tires
March 04, 2013

Have purchased a set of 4, every year for the past 10 years. These are the only tires I 'have to have'. Use on work vehicle as well as personal vehicle. I am a rural carrier 150 daily miles Conditions: snow, ice, drifting snow, slush, gravel, sand, rocks, manure, and mud Vehicle Type: car and 4x4 truck I use these tires until they wear out in usually 5 to 6 months. They do wear quickly during warm weather, but last longer if the winter is colder (below freezing). If used on the interstate, they will start to sound loud at higher speeds of 65mph. These are quiet for snow tires and do not affect your gas mileage much. No complaints with the handling. No lean when cornering. Please rememeber these are not sport tires so I am compairing to average all season radials. I use two sets per year, but this is hard stop and go driving over multiple kinds of road terrain and with vehicle weighted down with mail. Tires only last 6 months for me, even the all season radials. Everyone in our office now uses these tires, even those who are not carriers. We all swear by them. I have never had to stud them. They always get me thru everything. One co-worker has been using them for three winters now. Says he may be able to make it thru a fourth. Puts them on in Nov and removes them in early spring. I recommend these tires to everyone.

Initial Review, 15,000 Miles on Tires
March 19, 2013

We put on our Outlander these tires, studded, last winter. They were ok. This winter, second season for them they disappointed. They hydroplaned like walking on oily surface. With only three inches of slush on the road, they slipped all over the place. These tires are good for one season, so don't waste your money.

Initial Review, 30,000 Miles on Tires
March 07, 2013

It's hard to imagine a better tire. After 30,000 the tread is FLAT across and hardly worn. I have had people look at them during oil changes and mark "like new" on the worksheet. NO Vibration at all. I regulary drive in Utah where some roads have an 80 mph speed and are amazed. They ae probably the only tire I would do that on in 120 degree heat and a full load of people. As far as snow goes, no need for winter tires, they are amazing in deep snow. Quiet, safe, smooth, long wearing. If I ever need tires for a light truck, I know not to even shop around for anything else, why bother? Steve

Initial Review, 12,000 Miles on Tires
March 16, 2013

Second season on our minivan. Been through a few snows,but none more than 4 inches. Tire is great through slush and snow. Wet and dry traction is very good. Noise is what I expected. Like any snow tire the handling response is not the same as all season tires but that is what I expect. No issues at all on highways etc. My teenagers drive the van so I relax when it snows. Liked the tires so much, I bought 4 for our Optima my wife drives. Will be buying a third set for my car next winter.

Initial Review, 15,000 Miles on Tires
March 10, 2013

My favorite feature of this tire is that it last. I have put about 15,000 miles on mine and it hardly show which is especially good considering the full time 4x4 on my Jeep likes to chew up tires pretty quick. It also has great snow and ice traction that can almost match that of a dedicated snow and ice tire. In the winter I drive my Jeep on the lake to go ice fishing and the difference between these tires and my old tires on pure ice is like night and day. I will definitely be buying another set but not for a long time as this set has quit a few miles to go.

Initial Review, 4,500 Miles on Tires
March 01, 2013

This tire is just being used on the rear of a 2 wheel drive Colorado. The original tires that were on this truck when I purchased it from the dealership were Hancooks. They must have been the cheapest tires that they could find, because I could not even get a regular start from a redlight without breaking traction in the rain. On the other hand, these Firestone Winterforce UV tires give the best traction that I have ever had with this truck. I have owned many 4X4 trucks and these tires make my 2 wheel, drive just like it was a 4X4. I thought that I was pushing my luck here in Saint Louis trying to get by another winter without snow tires and I'm glad that I did buy them this year. The first storm we had, was a combination of snow, sleet and freezing rain. Most other cars were getting stuck on the Interstate on the steep hills, but not me and my 2 wheel drive pick-up. Stop thinking about getting them and just buy them ASAP!

Initial Review, 5,000 Miles on Tires
March 01, 2013

Replaced General Grabber HT's. They were a decent tire on the highway but that is about it. After 30k they were useless. I picked these up prior to winter and they have preformed very well so far. Great in rain and snow. Decent in mud as well. The ride quality is not the best but the price was right and the warranty is there. Tire looks good on the truck too. Looking forward to seeing how they hold up.

Initial Review, 200 Miles on Tires
February 11, 2013

Initial Review
I Had Bridgestones Duelers that came OEM on this vehicle when i bought it at Las Vegas. We live there for a year and we decided that it is better for us to raise our kids in MA. For the first three season, the Dueler are liveable. When is didnt snow that much last year, I didnt have a problem with traction. A week ago there was a small snow storm that dumped 3-5 inches in our area. As i was driving with my family the car slipped sideways as i turned the corner slowly. I realized that something was wrong. I went to NTB prior to that to have a slow leak fixed and the guy told me that the tires that i had doesnt have enough space to have traction in snow. True enough the Duelers tread are too narrow and zig zagged. That made me into research mode. I was thinking of Continentals at first but went with the LE2. I had bought a set and had it installed at a Firestone Complete care branch. They also highly recommend it. Had it slapped on last friday before the Big Blizzard that dumped around 30-40 inches of snow. So what a relief that i was able to get new set of tires. As the installation had been going on, the snow started to fall. I though that was a good time to test the capabilities of this tires. The moment i drove the car to the streets i already noticed a difference in traction and handling. I was at a regular street and the traction was increased and the cornering was 50-70% more stable than the dueler. Even my wife noticed the difference from the back seat. I exited to try it in the highways and was able to notie that grip on the road are by far going to increase your confidence in your vehicle. I nbever thought Murano would be so much fun to drive on a pre storm surface (snow/rain mix). I arrived home and spent the whole night inside while the blizzard ravaged through the state. The morning after it was time to play, I went out and test this Tires in the Snow. By far the best Tire traction in snow coupled with AWD makes this winter driving FUN

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
February 10, 2013

These tires are great! I have a set on VW Jetta also and they are outstanding on that car as well. I would highly recommend these tires! Both of our vehicles were only mediocere on snowy conditions prior to the new winter tires and now we are comfortable in wet/greasy snow and large dry snowfalls.

Initial Review, 10,000 Miles on Tires
February 11, 2013

I get to drive many different vehicles with many different winter and summer tires. As far as overall winter performance and traction, these cannot be beat. I have a set on my wife's Honda CRV. Even the deepest snow cannot impede traction, stopping and cornering. If you can't find a size to fit your car, you have the wrong car.

Initial Review, 18,000 Miles on Tires
February 06, 2013

Driving around with my truck in the winter used to be a nightmare but now it's comfortable (and can even be a little fun). I don't do any serious off-roading but these tires dominate any dry land they have encountered. My RWD truck is still an average snow car but it was bad enough before that I wouldn't let friends/family drive it in the winter before getting new tires. Great tire and I heard a rumor they might discontinue these which would be a real shame!

Noise is fine and they handle very well on the highway.

Initial Review, 4,000 Miles on Tires
February 05, 2013

I rely on these reviews for all my tire purchases, so I try to write up my recent experiences. I bought a set of Winterforces 11/12 for our WA mountain winter driving. We have a cabin at the end of a snowy, icy road (dirt in summer). The 'last mile,' our driveway, is a steep nasty hill, 800 feet long with a nice little hairpin in the middle. Lots of snow this year in Winthrop, WA where we are. These tires are doing great. Lock up the VTM-4, turn off the darned VSA, and let the tires go to work. Had to use chains once, but the bottom had fallen out of the driveway with 8" of new wet snow. Great too over the 'compact snow & ice' mountain passes at 65 mph. Totally fine around town too. If you need a good snow tire in the best value category, these are great candidates.. (Mine are not studded.)