Firestone Winterforce 2 Review: The Ultimate Severe-Weather Tire with Unmatched Winter Performance
Pros
- Unparalleled control and stopping power in the snow
- On icy surfaces, exceptional control and stopping ability, especially with the studs affixed.
- When it’s raining, the vehicle is easy to control and has short stopping distances.
- A winter tire that has an excellent treadlife.
- More affordable than the premium alternatives, yet functionally equivalent in terms of performance
Cons
- Can become noisy on the highway
- The ride quality feels bouncy on uneven roads
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The vast majority of motorists are able to make use of tires designed to perform in a variety of conditions throughout the entire year. These tires perform very well in a variety of conditions, including light snow, thanks to current and innovative technology that were incorporated into their design. Nevertheless, if you live in a location that gets severe winter weather, you should probably consider purchasing a pair of winter tires for your vehicle. You will have considerably more success gaining traction on snow and ice with those as compared to other options.
There is another kind of tire that, when it comes to winter driving, can make things even simpler and more secure for you. These are referred to as studded winter tires, and they are by far the superior option for driving in snow and ice conditions that are really severe. This is due to the fact that the studs, which are optional, can generate significantly better traction on snow and especially ice. One such tire is the Firestone Winterforce 2, which is the next generation of the incredibly successful Winterforce tire.
When driving on icy or snowy roads, you absolutely need to make sure that your vehicle is equipped with studs. But in this instance, all of your hard work will unquestionably be rewarded. You will be able to conquer even steep routes that are coated in snow and ice if you have studs on your winter tires. Your next trip into the mountains is going to be a lot more fun because you (nearly) won’t be able to get lost.
If this is the case, then why do not all vehicles have tires that can be studded? Obviously, this is due to the fact that not everyone has a requirement for studs in the first place. In addition, the holes in the tires left behind by the studs could compromise their performance in other environments, such as when they are dry or when they are wet. In addition to this, the studs are expensive, and a small percentage of people are willing to spend their money on such a thing.
However, if you find yourself in a position where you have no choice but to drive with studded tires, I urge that you keep reading. In my assessment of the Firestone Winterforce 2 tire, I will focus on the most crucial characteristics of the rubber, such as its traction, handling, and stopping ability in extremely icy circumstances. I will also describe how well this tire performs during normal daily driving conditions, including how comfortable it is and how long it is expected to last.
Your good fortune is that the Winterforce 2 is sold in stores across the entirety of North America. This tire may be found at nearly all tire retailers. In addition, the tire is available from Firestone in a variety of dimensions, including the most common ones.
The business made the decision to begin with a wheel diameter of 14 inches and work its way up to a diameter of 18 inches. Using these measurements, Firestone is able to cover a significant proportion of the vehicles that are now driving on the roadways. City vehicles, small cars, family sedans and sedans in the midsize range, minivans, station wagons, crossovers, and even certain coupes are included in this category. Only the largest and most expensive premium cars are not insured.
Despite this, Firestone offers a version of their Winterforce 2 UV tire designed specifically for larger vehicles, such as SUVs and trucks.
In addition, the Winterforce 2 is reasonably priced, particularly in comparison to the category of tire it is. As a result of the fact that the vast majority of manufacturers do not produce items that fall into this category, this is one of the few choices you have.
Which naturally leads us to the next question, which is, how good is it? Due to the fact that each tire has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, the question cannot be answered in a single line. Obviously, I have included them in the comprehensive evaluation that can be found further down on this page.
But before we get into that, let’s take a look at the features that Firestone incorporated into the Winterforce 2 that set it apart from the other models on the market.
What are the features of the Firestone Winterforce 2?
Firestone shaped the compound into a full-depth directional tread pattern using their molding equipment. Because the deeper tread makes it possible for more biting edges, which in turn enhances traction on snow, this is a vital feature to have for driving in cold circumstances.
Deep circumferential grooves, large lateral notches, and open shoulder slots are all characteristics of this pattern. In rainy weather as well as in slush, all of these aid to direct water away from the tread of the tire, helping to keep it dry. Because of this, the vehicle has increased traction and improved its resistance to hydroplaning.
In addition, the high-sipe density tread design guarantees that there will be sufficient biting edges even for the harshest of road conditions. This is helpful not only when driving in the snow but also when driving on ice. Additionally, the sipes are designed in a zig-zag pattern, which contributes to an increase in the total number of edges.
When it comes to studs, the Winterforce 2 is compatible with the TSMI #11 blue-colored metallic winter studs that are an optional accessory. You will need to have these studs installed at the tire dealer or technician that is closest to you.
The Firestone Winterforce 2 follows the typical formula for the category in terms of its interior architecture. The fact that it has two steel belts on top of a polyester casing gives the driver increased stability at high speeds, as well as increased longevity and a more comfortable ride.
What are the maintenance indicators?
In the Winterforce 2, Firestone incorporated the tread wear indicators (TWIs) that are the standard in the industry. These make it simpler for the driver to assess the amount of tread remaining on the tire. You wonder, “But why on earth would you want to do that?” The reason for this is that the tread depth of winter tires must be sufficient for them to perform well. If the tread depth is insufficient, there won’t be any biting edges to help you when you’re driving on snow or ice.
TWIs are skinny bars made of rubber that are inserted into the circumferential grooves of a tire. Although they are hidden when the tire is brand new, a careful look reveals that they are there nonetheless. The tire wear indications will become more obvious to the driver as the tread wears down. When the tread depth reaches 5/32 of an inch, the TWIs will be entirely flush with the surface of the tire.
It is strongly recommended that you immediately replace the Winterforce 2 once it reaches that point. If you don’t do this, you run the risk of substantially reducing your traction on snow and ice. Additionally, the minimum legal depth for winter tires is 5/32 of an inch, which means that going further could land you in problems with the law.
To everyone’s relief, the tread life of the tire has been exceedingly satisfactory for its current owners. You should be able to get at least three to four seasons’ worth of use out of a single set of these, which is outstanding for the category. However, Firestone does not offer a warranty on treadwear for their products. However, you won’t find any other studded tire that comes with a treadwear warranty, so this is not really a drawback in any sense of the word.
How does it behave on a dry tarmac?
The handling of a vehicle equipped with studded tires is almost always compromised, and the Winterforce 2 is not an exception to this rule. Despite this, this tire has a better handling on dry roads than the vast majority of studded winter tires. The tire is not very responsive, but it offers high levels of traction and cornering grip despite its lack of response. Additionally, it has extremely good stopping power and is particularly good on the highway.
How is it over wet and slippery roads?
To tell the truth, it’s a lot better than I expected. Incredible hydroplaning resistance, comparable to that of the vast majority of winter tires. In addition, the traction is exceptional for the category, and the handling is of a predictable nature. In addition, the stopping distances are not ridiculously short. When driving in the rain with the Winterforce 2, the overall experience is one of perfect safety, therefore we have no complaints in this regard.
With that being said, how is it on snowy roads?
To sum it up in a single phrase, its performance is remarkable. However, let’s take this thing one baby step at a time. The Winterforce 2 will typically be used by drivers without any studs affixed the most of the time. In addition, the tire has exceptional traction, at least when used in snowy conditions. Although it does not perform quite as well as the more expensive Blizzak WS90 tire, it is still outstanding given the price range it falls into. The handling is responsive and surefooted, there is sufficient traction for acceleration, and the stopping distances are not overly extended.
Without the studs attached, the Winterforce 2 has a little bit of trouble navigating slippery roads. Don’t get me wrong—you can certainly continue to use the tire, but there are other, more desirable solutions available. However, as soon as you attach the studs, you will notice a significant improvement in the traction. You will have a much easier time navigating turns now that your vehicle will feel as though it is driving on a dry surface. Additionally, the stopping distances are really, extremely low. It’s incredible how much traction you can get out of those metal studs.
Is it suitable for off-road driving?
It’s possible that the deeper tread and softer rubber will help you get better traction off-road. On the other hand, this does not imply that you should use this tire on the aforementioned surfaces. The soft rubber can be quickly destroyed, especially on hardpacked surfaces, to the point where the tire is rendered useless. This is especially true when the surface is smooth.
Is it comfortable and refined?
Unfortunately, this is the portion of the tire that suffers a little bit the most. The ride is not particularly enjoyable, especially on the highway, and the noise is a problem, especially on the highway. If you’re looking for something comfortable, you should probably seek elsewhere.
More information about the Firestone Winterforce 2 Review can be found at this link, which include films produced by HILLYARD’S RIM LIONS.
Should I buy the Firestone Winterforce 2?
If you live in a region that experiences really severe winter weather, the Winterforce 2 is one of the best solutions you have available to you right now. Because the studs are attached, you will have outstanding traction on snow and ice. This is especially true if you use snow tires. In addition, the tire has excellent traction on dry as well as wet pavement, and its price point is reasonable. It is without question worthy of my suggestion in the category of studded winter tires.
