While no one likes to empty their wallets to replace their vehicle's tires, they are a vital piece in keeping you safely on the road. So if you're going to spend the money, you want to be sure you are getting your money's worth. Should you be considering Firestone brand tires, knowing how many miles (and how many years) they will last will factor in your decision. We researched the Firestone brand of tires from multiple professional sources so that you will know what to expect if you equip your vehicle with them.
Firestone brand tires will last between 40,000 and 70,000 road miles. If you average 15,000 miles per year, these tires will last between three and five years. Multiple factors can impact how long Firestone tires will last, which include:
- Type of tire
- Road hazards
- Vehicle maintenance
- Tire pressure
Now that we know how long a Firestone tire will last, we'll take a closer look at how to get the most mileage out of your tires. You might also be wondering if Firestone tires are reliable or how often these tires should be replaced. Should all four tires be replaced at once? Have there been any recalls on Firestone tires? For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.
Factors that impact the life of your Firestone tires
Multiple factors will directly affect the life of your Firestone tires. Let's take a look at the most common ones.
Type of tire
Firestone has various models of tires, the useful life of which will range anywhere from 40,000 to 70,000 miles. The most common tire type is the all-weather tire. These model tires from Firestone carry a tread warranty of between 65,000 and 70,000 miles.
Road hazards
While durable, Firestone brand tires are not invincible. What you run over with them will undoubtedly impact how long the tires will last. Deep scrapes, punctures, and other damage might not be able to be repaired.
Vehicle maintenance
You'll want to be sure that your vehicle is getting all of the routine maintenance performed. Seemingly little things can mean a lot for your Firestone tires. Firestone recommends getting your tires rotated at recommended intervals, as well as having your vehicle's alignment checked annually.
Keep the pressure
One of the primary reasons that Firestone tires get damaged is the pressure inside of them. Know what to keep the tires inflated to, and regularly check them. Keep a good air pressure gauge inside your vehicle, so you don't have to rely on the one at gas stations. Driving on partially deflated tires will not only damage them but will also decrease your overall fuel economy.
Are Firestone tires reliable?
The Firestone brand of tire is a trusted name in the industry. While less expensive than other brands, Firestone doesn't lack in quality. Many of their model tires will carry a tread warranty of up to 70,000 miles.
Of course, how long your Firestone tire will last will also depend on the factors we mentioned earlier in this post. Be sure to keep your tire pressure at the recommended level, your vehicle in alignment, and try your best to avoid potholes and other road hazards.
Are there any recalls on Firestone tires?
There are virtually no products mass-produced that haven't had an issue or two. Firestone has been no exception to this. In May of 2001, Firestone issued a recall of over thirteen million of its tires. These tires were explicitly manufactured for Ford Motor Company.
There were many models of Ford that were impacted by this. All ATX and ATX tires were part of the recall, as well as Wilderness AT models. The vehicles affected were:
- Ford Explorer 1991-2000
- Mercury Mountaineer 1996-2000
- Ford Ranger 1991-2000
- Ford F-series Light Trucks 1991-1994
- Mazda B-series 1994-1996
- Ford Bronco 1991-1994
- Mazda Navajo 1991-1994
How often should you replace tires?
No matter the brand of tire, you will need to replace them all eventually. When they should be replaced exactly will depend on several factors. Let's take a look at the most common signs that your tires should be swapped out for new ones.
Obvious damage
There are a lot of road hazards out there, and your tires might fall victim to one of them. Punctures and gashes that can't be repaired should be an obvious sign that you should replace the tire(s). While some of these can be plugged or patched, not all of them can. A tire repair shop will be able to determine if they are salvageable.
Uneven tread
You should inspect your tires frequently as they will have tread wear over time. But the tread wear should be even across the tire. If you notice that the tread is worn more on the inside of the tire than the outside or vice versa, you need to get them replaced.
This is also a sign of your vehicle being out of alignment. It's a good idea to get that checked as soon as the new tires on installed. This will keep your new tires from wearing unevenly.
Worn tread
Tires that are worn below 2/32 of an inch should be considered for replacement. Balding tires make the vehicle harder to control, as they will not brake or turn as well. Bald tires are also prime candidates for blowouts, which can lead to auto accidents.
The 10th year
Most tire manufacturers will state that their tires should be replaced after ten years. This is despite how little the tires have been driven on or how much tread they have.
The interior structure of the tires will begin to break down, making them less durable. This will cause safety issues, as they are more likely to deflate or blow out while driving on them.
Should I replace all four tires?
Whether or not you should replace all four tires at once will depend on the type of vehicle you are driving. Indeed, if all of the tires are nearing ten years old, they should all be replaced. And if they are all equally worn or damaged, a replacement of the entire set is called for.
Additionally, if your vehicle is an all-wheel drive, then you should replace the entire set at once. While this can be a lot more costly than just replacing a single damaged tire, it will save you undue damage to your cv axles, transfer case, transmission, and other vital components.
Each wheel is individually powered, the amount of which is determined by the onboard computer. If the tires are worn unevenly, it can cause the parts of your all-wheel-drive system to strain and burn out.
With front or rear-wheel drive vehicles, it's recommended to only change two tires at a time- the one that is damaged and the one that sits opposite of it.
Who owns Firestone tire?
Firestone was founded in 1900 by Harvey Firestone. Headquartered in Akron, OH, Firestone quickly grew into one of the leaders in the tire industry, forging a strong relationship with Ford Motor Company. They were rivaled by Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone, which was established in 1931.
Firestone Tire and Bridgestone Tire merged in 1988 when Bridgestone bought out Firestone. This made the newly formed company, named Bridgestone Americas, the largest tire and rubber manufacturing company globally.
With over 55,000 employees, Bridgestone's Nashville-based company has swollen to more than fifty production facilities worldwide.
In closing
Firestone tires are a proven brand for reliability and durability. Under the flagship of Bridgestone Americas, Firestone has continued to produce dozens of models of tires, so you'll be able to find a tire for any of your passenger vehicle needs.
No matter what model Firestone tire you equip your vehicle with, the life of the tire will be partially based on how well you maintain it and how you maintain your vehicle. Drive safe!
If you found this post on Firestone tires to be helpful, we believe you'll enjoy reading the following posts on tires and tire maintenance:
Do All 4 Tires Need To Be The Same Brand? Or Can You Mix And Match?
Are Car Tires Directional Or Non-Directional? [And How To Tell]