Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! - Focaljet

**apex** · 11-25-2001, 06:46 AM

I know this is probably going to get bumped to the "tires" section but I thought it would be good general info. I replaced my wifes Firehawks with Goodyear Eagle GPS tires. The big problem was wet and snow handling. The car would slide and hydroplane very badly. I didn't know if it was the car or the tires. Yesterday it was raining A LOT and she said she had NO problems with hydroplaning. It would get so bad with the other tires, she would have to slow WAY down to keep from sliding. I seriously believe that if you have these tires on your car and drive in a lot of rain, get rid of them for your own safety. I am going to contact Firestone and Ford about this issue. We'll see how the Goodyears do in the snow, but they coudn't be any worse than the Firehawks.

**sandmann41** · 11-25-2001, 06:48 AM

Man I was driving in the rain yesterday and my car was all over the place. It was kinda fun though [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

**FocusSTL** · 11-25-2001, 09:50 AM

at least you don't have the screamin' eagles

**focaljet-1** · 11-25-2001, 10:00 AM

Your right, this belongs in tires. Please keep topics in the proper forums.

**JRez** · 11-25-2001, 11:50 AM

Had this same problem with my last car that came stock with Firehawk GTA's. Firestone should do everyone a favor and just go out of business!!

**lamron** · 11-25-2001, 01:30 PM

[img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I haven't had as bad a problem as everyone else seems to have, but I haven't driven them in snow yet, but in rain, they ride like an A/S tire. They're an A/S tire so their entire function is a series of comprimises, I'd just consider getting some summer tires for spring/summer/fall, and then spending 250-300$ on a set of steelies and snow tires, that way you get the best of both worlds. When it comes to safe driving, that itty-bitty contact patch your tires have against the road is what matters most. If the winter gets too bad here, I garauntee the first thing I'm doing is getting some snow tires and steelies from Tire Rack.

I'm glad that your new tires are better than the Firestones... I don't think you could've gotten many worse. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

**3redzx's** · 11-25-2001, 02:02 PM

You can do much worse! You should drive my wifes car. Gotta get her new tires quick!

**MattHarrell** · 11-25-2001, 02:09 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by JRez:
Had this same problem with my last car that came stock with Firehawk GTA's. Firestone should do everyone a favor and just go out of business!!<hr></blockquote>

Actually, not all Firestone tires are bad. The SH30's are actually quite good, as are the SZ50EP's.

**eric** · 11-26-2001, 10:39 PM

i was going to work the other day, i took my exit, and spun out on the off ramp! it was a little wet out, but not cold enough for ice.

i actually took the offramp slower than usual (even when wet); i was holding the brake pedal down a bit to slow down as i went, and i lifted it as i rounded a corner and the whole car went sideways.

i have good(enough [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) year tires.

**focaljet-1** · 11-26-2001, 11:20 PM

Almost all major manufacturers make a really good tire (somewhere in their line) they also make some bad tires as well.

You can't just say all (blank) brand sucks.

lamron stated it perfectly, any All Season tire is by it's definition, a compromise.

The Firestone SZ50's are one of the best tires I've run in recent memory. But every mid-performance tire is going to be just that: Mid-Performance.

**eric** · 11-26-2001, 11:27 PM

that is quite true.. i would not mind a set of eagle f1s or something better that these pos RSAs. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

**YNOT** · 11-27-2001, 12:03 AM

YES!!! Firestone tires suck major rocks!!! I will never buy a Firestone product, I've never liked them. Personally, I don't care for Good Year either.

I've always had good luck with BF Goodrich tires...Euro T/A's and Radial T/A's. Great tires all the way around!!

**JRez** · 11-28-2001, 04:55 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by MattHarrell:

Actually, not all Firestone tires are bad. The SH30's are actually quite good, as are the SZ50EP's.<hr></blockquote>

Matt,

I can't speak about the SH30's or the SZ50EP's, nor am I trying to. Personal experience (driving grandma-like going down a VERY slight grade around Pittsburgh) - many near-accidents occurred. The GTA-02's that came stock on my car were slipping severely after 1800 miles. Fortunately, 1 went flat so I had an excuse to replace them all... however, instead of being able to get Eagle HP's like I did with the last car, I was stuck with the GS's (not GSA). They're not tremendously better. Almost settled on some B/F Goodrich Scorcher T/A's at a bargain-basement price at NTB but I would have needed new wheels to go along with the rubber... would have been cheaper to do it but I was in a hurry... Coming back around, I do think that Firestone has proven their higher-end tires to be decent performers, however it seems as though they skimp a little too much on the quality of factory tires...

**OmniFocus** · 11-28-2001, 05:50 PM

They kick ass on my car, rain, snow or dry "tarmac". Will all the Firestone haters please send me their partially used tires so that I may have an endless supply of tires that I like, as well as starting a used Firestone dealer? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

**Auto_Focus** · 12-02-2001, 03:03 PM

I am not a big fan of Firestone, but my ZX3 came with the 205/50/16 Firehawks. I like them so far and I think that Ford made a good decision when they picked this one for their OEM tire.

[ 12-02-2001: Message edited by: Auto_Focus ]

**nader6972** · 12-02-2001, 04:05 PM

I go the Firestones to,and mu car hydroplanes all over the place. Not to mention they have horrible wet weather traction.

The snow. ha!
lets not even go there. spining left and right.

I wish that Ford would offer a tire upgrade package, to maybe some V-rated rubber or at least a stickier H-rated tire.

**OmniFocus** · 12-03-2001, 01:22 PM

I got to test them in the mud this weekend. Even better than I expected! I also hauled up highway 1 from San Francisco to Fort Bragg in the rain, pushing it the whole way. Totally stable! Man that road is incredible.

**Wickd68** · 12-03-2001, 09:56 PM

I like my tires they let u know when u are pushing them and dont just break loose all of a sudden like some others. They do however suck balls in the rain, I have only had mine for about 3 months now and it hasb\nt snowed here yet, its december and it is 55-60 degrees outside. I agree with whomever said that ford should offer a tire upgrade. Im taking my foci to the dealer tomorrow maybe i will mention it. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

**Wedge1212** · 12-03-2001, 10:31 PM

they're kinda slick...the 205/50/16 that is. its just drizzled on and off. Other than that, they're not too bad. But then again im used to a ford probe w/ front/rear strut bars and Z rated tires. I can get my focus to slide through turns at 30mph....but its a very managable slide....kinda fun acutally.

**Ducman69** · 12-04-2001, 06:45 PM

Yup, the SZ50 EPs are actually tireracks highest customer rated ultra-high performance tire. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

**Uriah** · 12-04-2001, 10:32 PM

Did a road trip recently to Florida and back. For long highway trips I usually raise my tire pressure 4-5psi for the mileage improvement. (got 34.5 mpg at 75mph steady) When I hit some rain on the way back I experienced none of the usual hydroplaning. Has anyone else found that higher pressures reduce hydroplaning?

**pitchblackzx3** · 12-08-2001, 03:21 PM

if you keep the steering wheel straight you wont spin everywhere [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] ,sure its not your driving that is giving you troubles?..using extra caution in inclement weather?? .....i actually really like these particular tires i think they stick extremely well on dry surfaces and are great on wet as well......now time for snow...we'll see .....other than that NO complaints here

**Slackmeister** · 12-08-2001, 10:00 PM

I'm almost completly satisfied with my Firehawks. At first, I thought that they sqeauled too much when cornering, then I realized how fast I was going. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Good wet traction and decent in packed snow, especially for such a wide tire. If I could only have a set that did not shake the car at high speeds (despite two replacement sets and several rebalances), I would happily buy these as replacements.

**apex** · 12-09-2001, 07:56 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by pitchblackzx3:
if you keep the steering wheel straight you wont spin everywhere [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] ,sure its not your driving that is giving you troubles?..using extra caution in inclement weather?? .....i actually really like these particular tires i think they stick extremely well on dry surfaces and are great on wet as well......now time for snow...we'll see .....other than that NO complaints here<hr></blockquote>

I've been driving for 36 years, bud. I've driven just about every type of car imaginable and I NEVER had a cars handling 'surprise' me as much as this one did with the stock tires. Do you know what it is like to be driving WAY under the speed limit on the freeway, with everyone flying by you because your car is drifting across lanes because it is hydroplaning so bad. Driving in snow and slush with the Firehawks was just plain scary.

**pitchblackzx3** · 12-09-2001, 08:25 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by apex:

I've been driving for 36 years, bud. .<hr></blockquote>
didnt mean to offend you...i was joking (look i put smileys there)....
<blockquote>quote:<hr>Do you know what it is like to be driving WAY under the speed limit on the freeway, with everyone flying by you<hr></blockquote>
yes i do

[ 12-09-2001: Message edited by: pitchblackzx3 ]

11-25-2001, 06:46 AM	#1
apex TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: New Prague, MN Posts: 708	Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! I know this is probably going to get bumped to the "tires" section but I thought it would be good general info. I replaced my wifes Firehawks with Goodyear Eagle GPS tires. The big problem was wet and snow handling. The car would slide and hydroplane very badly. I didn't know if it was the car or the tires. Yesterday it was raining A LOT and she said she had NO problems with hydroplaning. It would get so bad with the other tires, she would have to slow WAY down to keep from sliding. I seriously believe that if you have these tires on your car and drive in a lot of rain, get rid of them for your own safety. I am going to contact Firestone and Ford about this issue. We'll see how the Goodyears do in the snow, but they coudn't be any worse than the Firehawks.

11-25-2001, 06:48 AM	#2
sandmann41 Administrator Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Frederick, Md Posts: 20,066	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! Man I was driving in the rain yesterday and my car was all over the place. It was kinda fun though [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

11-25-2001, 09:50 AM	#3
FocusSTL Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Peters, Mo. USA Posts: 1,690	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! at least you don't have the screamin' eagles

11-25-2001, 10:00 AM	#4
focaljet-1 Small Car Czar Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: On the RotorMedia helipad Posts: 29,091	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! Your right, this belongs in tires. Please keep topics in the proper forums.

11-25-2001, 11:50 AM	#5
JRez Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Posts: 1,087	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! Had this same problem with my last car that came stock with Firehawk GTA's. Firestone should do everyone a favor and just go out of business!!

11-25-2001, 01:30 PM	#6
lamron TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Festus, Misery Posts: 541	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I haven't had as bad a problem as everyone else seems to have, but I haven't driven them in snow yet, but in rain, they ride like an A/S tire. They're an A/S tire so their entire function is a series of comprimises, I'd just consider getting some summer tires for spring/summer/fall, and then spending 250-300$ on a set of steelies and snow tires, that way you get the best of both worlds. When it comes to safe driving, that itty-bitty contact patch your tires have against the road is what matters most. If the winter gets too bad here, I garauntee the first thing I'm doing is getting some snow tires and steelies from Tire Rack. I'm glad that your new tires are better than the Firestones... I don't think you could've gotten many worse. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

11-25-2001, 02:02 PM	#7
3redzx's Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: lex., ky. Posts: 1,220	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! You can do much worse! You should drive my wifes car. Gotta get her new tires quick!

11-25-2001, 02:09 PM	#8
MattHarrell Senior TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Lansing, MI, USA Posts: 2,097	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by JRez: Had this same problem with my last car that came stock with Firehawk GTA's. Firestone should do everyone a favor and just go out of business!!<hr></blockquote> Actually, not all Firestone tires are bad. The SH30's are actually quite good, as are the SZ50EP's.

11-26-2001, 10:39 PM	#9
eric Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: farmington nh Posts: 2,519	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! i was going to work the other day, i took my exit, and spun out on the off ramp! it was a little wet out, but not cold enough for ice. i actually took the offramp slower than usual (even when wet); i was holding the brake pedal down a bit to slow down as i went, and i lifted it as i rounded a corner and the whole car went sideways. i have good(enough [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) year tires.

11-26-2001, 11:20 PM	#10
focaljet-1 Small Car Czar Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: On the RotorMedia helipad Posts: 29,091	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! Almost all major manufacturers make a really good tire (somewhere in their line) they also make some bad tires as well. You can't just say all (blank) brand sucks. lamron stated it perfectly, any All Season tire is by it's definition, a compromise. The Firestone SZ50's are one of the best tires I've run in recent memory. But every mid-performance tire is going to be just that: Mid-Performance.

11-26-2001, 11:27 PM	#11
eric Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: farmington nh Posts: 2,519	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! that is quite true.. i would not mind a set of eagle f1s or something better that these pos RSAs. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

11-27-2001, 12:03 AM	#12
YNOT Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,736	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! YES!!! Firestone tires suck major rocks!!! I will never buy a Firestone product, I've never liked them. Personally, I don't care for Good Year either. I've always had good luck with BF Goodrich tires...Euro T/A's and Radial T/A's. Great tires all the way around!!

11-28-2001, 04:55 PM	#13
JRez Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Posts: 1,087	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by MattHarrell: Actually, not all Firestone tires are bad. The SH30's are actually quite good, as are the SZ50EP's.<hr></blockquote> Matt, I can't speak about the SH30's or the SZ50EP's, nor am I trying to. Personal experience (driving grandma-like going down a VERY slight grade around Pittsburgh) - many near-accidents occurred. The GTA-02's that came stock on my car were slipping severely after 1800 miles. Fortunately, 1 went flat so I had an excuse to replace them all... however, instead of being able to get Eagle HP's like I did with the last car, I was stuck with the GS's (not GSA). They're not tremendously better. Almost settled on some B/F Goodrich Scorcher T/A's at a bargain-basement price at NTB but I would have needed new wheels to go along with the rubber... would have been cheaper to do it but I was in a hurry... Coming back around, I do think that Firestone has proven their higher-end tires to be decent performers, however it seems as though they skimp a little too much on the quality of factory tires...

11-28-2001, 05:50 PM	#14
OmniFocus Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mowin' down the cones. (CA) Posts: 26,234	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! They kick ass on my car, rain, snow or dry "tarmac". Will all the Firestone haters please send me their partially used tires so that I may have an endless supply of tires that I like, as well as starting a used Firestone dealer? [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

12-02-2001, 03:03 PM	#15
Auto_Focus TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Franklin Co., OHIO Posts: 648	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! I am not a big fan of Firestone, but my ZX3 came with the 205/50/16 Firehawks. I like them so far and I think that Ford made a good decision when they picked this one for their OEM tire. [ 12-02-2001: Message edited by: Auto_Focus ]</p>

12-02-2001, 04:05 PM	#16
nader6972 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: California Posts: 1,547	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! I go the Firestones to,and mu car hydroplanes all over the place. Not to mention they have horrible wet weather traction. The snow. ha! lets not even go there. spining left and right. I wish that Ford would offer a tire upgrade package, to maybe some V-rated rubber or at least a stickier H-rated tire.

12-03-2001, 01:22 PM	#17
OmniFocus Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mowin' down the cones. (CA) Posts: 26,234	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! I got to test them in the mud this weekend. Even better than I expected! I also hauled up highway 1 from San Francisco to Fort Bragg in the rain, pushing it the whole way. Totally stable! Man that road is incredible.

12-03-2001, 09:56 PM	#18
Wickd68 TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lexington,KY Posts: 450	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! I like my tires they let u know when u are pushing them and dont just break loose all of a sudden like some others. They do however suck balls in the rain, I have only had mine for about 3 months now and it hasb\nt snowed here yet, its december and it is 55-60 degrees outside. I agree with whomever said that ford should offer a tire upgrade. Im taking my foci to the dealer tomorrow maybe i will mention it. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

12-03-2001, 10:31 PM	#19
Wedge1212 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 5,089	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! they're kinda slick...the 205/50/16 that is. its just drizzled on and off. Other than that, they're not too bad. But then again im used to a ford probe w/ front/rear strut bars and Z rated tires. I can get my focus to slide through turns at 30mph....but its a very managable slide....kinda fun acutally.

12-04-2001, 06:45 PM	#20
Ducman69 I pretend to know everything. Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: van by the river Posts: 18,749	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! Yup, the SZ50 EPs are actually tireracks highest customer rated ultra-high performance tire. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

12-04-2001, 10:32 PM	#21
Uriah TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: (Tim)St Louis MO US of A Posts: 877	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! Did a road trip recently to Florida and back. For long highway trips I usually raise my tire pressure 4-5psi for the mileage improvement. (got 34.5 mpg at 75mph steady) When I hit some rain on the way back I experienced none of the usual hydroplaning. Has anyone else found that higher pressures reduce hydroplaning?

12-08-2001, 03:21 PM	#22
pitchblackzx3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Peabody,MA Posts: 5,058	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! if you keep the steering wheel straight you wont spin everywhere [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] ,sure its not your driving that is giving you troubles?..using extra caution in inclement weather?? .....i actually really like these particular tires i think they stick extremely well on dry surfaces and are great on wet as well......now time for snow...we'll see .....other than that NO complaints here

12-08-2001, 10:00 PM	#23
Slackmeister Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Southaven, MS Posts: 1,045	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! I'm almost completly satisfied with my Firehawks. At first, I thought that they sqeauled too much when cornering, then I realized how fast I was going. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Good wet traction and decent in packed snow, especially for such a wide tire. If I could only have a set that did not shake the car at high speeds (despite two replacement sets and several rebalances), I would happily buy these as replacements.

12-09-2001, 07:56 AM	#24
apex TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: New Prague, MN Posts: 708	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by pitchblackzx3: if you keep the steering wheel straight you wont spin everywhere [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] ,sure its not your driving that is giving you troubles?..using extra caution in inclement weather?? .....i actually really like these particular tires i think they stick extremely well on dry surfaces and are great on wet as well......now time for snow...we'll see .....other than that NO complaints here<hr></blockquote> I've been driving for 36 years, bud. I've driven just about every type of car imaginable and I NEVER had a cars handling 'surprise' me as much as this one did with the stock tires. Do you know what it is like to be driving WAY under the speed limit on the freeway, with everyone flying by you because your car is drifting across lanes because it is hydroplaning so bad. Driving in snow and slush with the Firehawks was just plain scary.

12-09-2001, 08:25 AM	#25
pitchblackzx3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Peabody,MA Posts: 5,058	Re: Stock Firetones suck BIG TIME! <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by apex: I've been driving for 36 years, bud. .<hr></blockquote> didnt mean to offend you...i was joking (look i put smileys there).... <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Do you know what it is like to be driving WAY under the speed limit on the freeway, with everyone flying by you<hr></blockquote> yes i do [ 12-09-2001: Message edited by: pitchblackzx3 ]</p>

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