I write this only to inform other members to beware of the Firehawk Run-flats.

Some of you may recall that I was having a drift to the right, which never went away, after having 5 alignments at different shops. Last alignment had my cross-caster split -1.5 degrees, which should've had me going left, but I still had an annoying right drift.

Firestone's killer customer service authorized my tires be replaced twice (so a total of 3 sets were put on the car), and ensured the 3rd set came from a different manufacture batch. I personally, inspected the dates of manufacture, and they were 6 months apart.

The car STILL drifted right. For 22,000 miles I stressed this problem, and even considered selling the car. It made me sick to my stomach wondering if something more serious was wrong with the car. I checked for draggin brakes, worn wheel bearings, bent control arms, loose alignment cams, steering rack, the works... all to no avail.

Today I drove home with a brand-new set of Michelins on the car from Costco, and almost immediately I noticed the car drifting slightly to the left! And, that's what my alignment settings should've caused in the first place. All along it's been a tire pull from those darned Firehawks!

Turns out the ONLY application for that tire is our cars. Which means these tires are probably NOT manufactured at multiple plants because of the limited application of this tire, and I'm pretty sure something they're using in manufacturing is not quite right causing these tires to have an inherent pull.

I know some members said their Firehawks run straight, but it may be that the tires are only off a little, like I said it was a drift I experienced, not a typical pull. It's more like a push, and maybe other members are not as sensitive as I am (my wife says I'm so darned picky, but I shut her up by reminding her that I picked her), but I, for one, will never, ever, ever, buy that tire again as long as I live, even if I damaged a tire and the only tire available was the Firehawk. I would rather buy a whole new set of wheels to run something else.

 

Great info. Thanks for the info. Was never a fan of firestone.
You just reinforced my opionion of the company.

 

Did Firestone buy the Michelins?

 

I would NEVER buy Firestones. They have had two massive tire recalls. I even look at new cars I buy to make sure they don't have Firestones on them.

I like Goodyear Products. A quality AMERICAN tire.

 

You know, I should've insisted more service from Firestone way back when, but the whole fiasco had my wondering if something was actually wrong with my car. I mean, who would've thought that an entire line of tires was bad, and that the problem was not limited to just a particular set?

So, for me, getting the most expensive tire available in the Michelins was worth every penny (although by the time Costo's lower-than-average price and the Michelin discount was factored in, I paid about the same amount as I would've for Bridgestones or Goodyears). I guess this is one case when you really do get what you pay for because when I got the Firestones, they were the LEAST expensive run-flat I could find.

 

just got my Michelins last week and love em so far, sorry for your problems

 

Thanks for the condolences, but I now think that a higher power made me suffer all this time so that I would appreciate the Michelins even MORE!

Out of curiosity, what tires did you run immediately before your Michelins, and have you noticed any life-altering experience, like I have?

 

I agree, that's why I have Michelin's on my C5. They are made in the U.S.A. Oh, did I mention that the Goodyear's on my C2 are made in Canada

 

I had a set on my C4, and they were chitty. My Firehawks lasted 7 1/2 months...not worth the price of the info sticker that was on them. In fact I ran over a pipe trying to pull over for a Rescue Squad while I was out of town, and just put a set of inexpensive Pepboy tires on the car till I could get home, but decided to just leave them on till they wore out...and they lasted almost two years.

If the Pepboy brand can outlast Firestone, there is a problem there I think.

 

I just put a set of michelin pilot sport PS2's on my car. Disppointed to see they were made in France, says so on the tire.

 

I've been using Firehawks for a long time and have never had the slightest problem with them. I plan on continuing to use them and there a many on the Forum that have Firehawks without issue.

 

no issue with my Firehawk SZ50's

 

Well, sorry to hear about your tire issues. I'm glad you got some new reliable tires. I hear the non runflat Wide Ovals are very reliable. I'm planning on buying a set when my Toyos finally fall off. I do believe the Firestone/Explorer recall was a Ford problem and they let Firestone take the hit for it. BTW, I've been running my Toyo Proxes for about 3 years with no issues dispite the fact some folks had bad luck with them. Take care.

 

I like mine, too. But maybe some of the other Firestone users with the "drifting problem" will chime in.

 

I had SZ50's on my '89 and loved them...........

 

Never had a bit of problems with my Firehawks either.

 

Same here. Sounds like a suspension or alignment problem and not the tires after 3 sets.

 

I don't know. My 93 coupe had Firestones on it when I got the car, and they were terrible. I put Goodrich G-force tires on it from Tire Rack, and it was like I had a different car. However, in doing research to replace my runcraps on my C5, alot of members seem to like the Firehawks. However, I'm going to get the Michelins when I manage to wear down the runcraps .I'm working very hard at it.

 

just say NO to firestone

oak

 

Didn't you read my post? I, and several different dealerships, tire shops, and even Firestone corporate themselves got involved. If it was suspension or something else, at least one of the 7 different entities would've found something. But, none ever did.

As a matter of fact, the last dealership I went to actually switched my wheels out for another stock set with stock Goodyears on them and the car ran straight down the road. I didn't believe them at the time, but when I finally put Michelins on the car, all the problems went away.

Maybe the other folks on this forum bought their Firestones before that mold went bad, I don't know. All I know is that it sucked having to drive 22,000 miles over 3 years with those lousy tires on there. And, it was probably longer than that because Firestone kept putting new tires on the car for me, trying to help make the issue go away.

The reason for my post was not to berate Firestone, the company. But, if I had that problem, and at least one other member I know experienced the same thing, why should one of my brethren even take the chance of it happening to them? I've never heard of anyone else on here in the 3 years I've been a member on here even remotely express something like I went through with any other tire, so there are alot of other choices in tires out there. So, why bother taking a chance on the Firehawks? I wouldn't wish the headaches I went though on a Subaru driver!

FWIW, the tread design was amazing though. I could drive in torrential downpours and never lose traction, but that damned pull to the right overshadowed every benefit of that tire.