Firestone is one of the most recognized tire brands in the world. The American tire manufacturer started production way back in 1900, putting it among the oldest in the business.
Now a subsidiary of Bridgestone, Firestone continues to make tires that offer superior performance at an affordable price.
Are Firestone tires quiet or noisy?
Depending on the model in question, Firestone tires are generally quiet. While they are noisier compared to some premium brands, they offer some semblance of quietness and comfort. This is mostly because of their use of Optimized Noise Sequencing and 5-degree noise reduction technologies.
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Are Firestone Tires Quieter Than Other Brands?
Firestone has been in the game for long and knows how to deliver performance tires. The problem is that Firestone tires are okay, not exceptional.
Particularly, they lag behind many premium tire brands in areas such as noise reduction. Thus, we believe the Firestone tires are not any more quiet than other brands.
This changes if we compare them to discount tire brands, though. Firestone tires are definitely less noisy compared to many of the budget-price tires that have flooded the market in recent years.
The near-silent performance of Firestone’s tires is because of the manufacturer’s various noise-canceling features designed to improve ride quality.
A good example of such noise-reduction feature is the Optimized Noise Sequencing technology used on Firestone tires.
This particular feature uses a multi-pitch sequence to reduce noise on tires, increasing ride comfort and quality.
Additionally, Firestone tires sport a unique 5-degree Noise Reduction feature, which further helps to keep noise minimal.
Also called 5-pitch Noise Reduction, this feature represents a specialized approach to decreasing tire noise.
How does it work? Arranged tread block elements produce noise-canceling waves when the tire is rolling.
This stops the creation of the tire cavity noise and ensures your ride is quiet.
You should also be reading our article which talks about Are Firestone Tires Really Worth the Price?
How Are Firestone Tires Tested for Noise?
Firestone tires undergo the same testing procedures as other tire brands.
This means in-house tests to evaluate aspects of tire performance such as fuel efficiency, durability, handling, aquaplaning, and others.
Furthermore, the tires undergo separate tests to test tire-induced interior noise and external rolling noise.
How are Firestone tires tested for external noise? The first pre-test activity is fitting the tires onto the test vehicle. After this is the preparation of the test zone. The area is usually in the form of a square and features microphones on both sides of the track.
The test itself can take either of the following forms:
- Coast-by test
- Drive-by test
- Cruise-by test
As its name suggests, the coast-by test involves the driver ‘coasting’ through the test area.
The driver will approach the edge of the test zone at a specific speed say, 50 mph. However, he does not proceed into the test area at the same speed.
Rather, he kills the engine and moves into the neutral gear, allowing him to glide through the area.
The drive-by test, also called the Open Throttle Test, is the exact opposite of the coast-by method described above. The coast-by method requires the driver to kill the engine and drift through the track.
Conversely, the drive-by technique requires the driver to accelerate through the test zone. Therefore, the driver approaches the fringes of the track in second or third gear, and steps on the accelerator to speed up as he moves through the area.
For the cruise-by test, the test driver approaches the track at a stable speed and maintains same as he moves through the zone.
Fixed Speed Test
This explains why the test is sometimes called the “fixed speed test”.
To the layperson, these tests are more than enough to evaluate the noise on tires. However, tire makers understand that tire noise comes in two forms: interior noise and exterior noise.
The tests discussed previously only measure exterior noise, i.e., tire noise that people outside can hear. Interior noise is audible to passengers and reduces ride quality.
Below is the procedure for testing tire-induced interior noise:
In the dummy test, engineers place the tires on a test vehicle which is then sped up by a remotely controlled mechanism. Through a dummy placed in the car, engineers can determine the sound level in the vehicle’s interior.
This is possible because the dummy has computer-connected microphones in its ears.
These mikes pick up the sound made as the tire rotates and analyze the loudness of the sound.
What Firestone Tires Are the Quietest?
Here are examples of some of Firestones’ quietest tires:
Firestone Destination LE 2 Tire
Firestone may not be renowned for its quiet tires, but the Destination LE 2 is right up there with the best in terms of noise reduction.
Per reports, this tire is one of the quietest in its class, which is impressive for a Firestone tire.
The benefits continue: an effective combination of sipes and grooves in the tread increase traction on roads. Robust shoulder blocks also guarantee responsive steering and long tread life. Optimized Noise Sequencing technology further restricts noise output on the tires.
Overall, the Firestone Destination LE is a good option for those who refuse to trade off performance for comfort. Want quieter rides? Buy the Firestone Destination LE tires today.
Firestone All Season Radial Tire
Debuting in 2017, the Firestone All-Season Radial Tire is the cheapest all-season tire in the American tire maker’s lineup.
Even with its low cost, the All-Season has exceptional value for money matches some of the best in its class. Here are some of its features:
- Specially formulated all-season tread compounds combine with innovative tread design to provide superb control and stability on wet and dry roads alike.
Particularly, a series of deep-cut grooves and sipes increase traction on slick surfaces. - A well-designed tread pattern ensures smooth and comfortable riding experience and superior ride quality.
- Lower rolling resistance helps reduce fuel consumption, meaning more money saved on gasoline costs.
Firestone Destination A/T
All-Terrain tires, with their wide, aggressive treads, are more susceptible to producing higher levels of noise compared to other tires.
The Fire Destination A/T, however, bucks the trend and is surprisingly comfortable and quiet to drive both on-road and off-road.
Due to its use of a carbon-infused tread compound, the Destination A/T tire gets impressive grip–even in wet conditions.
Wet performance is further bolstered through the combination of interlocking tread blocks, multiple sipes, and wide circumferential grooves.
The rugged tread compound enhances durability by protecting the tire against road cuts and abrasions.
This enhances the tire’s durability and ensures it lasts you for as long as possible.
Asides its performance credentials, the Destination A/T offers a fluid and serene ride, which is a rarity on All-Terrain tires. Responsible for this tire’s quietness include Firestone’s signature 5-degree Noise Reduction technology and computer-optimized tread design.
The Destination A/T model shows that you need not choose between performance and comfort on your tire.
Firestone Transforce HT
Designed for commercial vehicles including trucks and vans, the Firestone Transforce HT blends durability, performance, and comfort.
With its many qualities, we are hardly surprised that this model is among the highest-selling commercial tires on the market.
Using a carbon-based tread compound, the Transforce HT can provide year-round performance with minimal wear.
Furthermore, a pair of nylon-reinforced steel belts in the tire increases overall strength and durability.
Additionally, the unique symmetric tread pattern and central ribs combine to give the tire better steering response and high-speed stability. The notched tire shoulders and interlocking tread blocks increase cornering ability on both wet and dry surfaces.
Riding on Firestone Transforce HT tires is remarkably quiet and relaxed.
This is because of the tire’s use of the 5-degree Noise Cancellation technology, which eliminates road noise for better ride quality.
What Firestone Tires Are Noisier?
The following are examples of noisier Firestone tires:
Firestone Firehawk GT
The Firehawk GT is an all-season high-performance tire designed to provide excellent grip and handling for coupes and sedans.
While this tire has good value, its ride quality is average, with many buyers complaining about noisy performance on rides.
We found a raft of noise-related complaints online, particularly from Ford Focus owners who had the tires as OEM equipment. One Ford Focus owner reported a rattling noise from his Firehawk GT after only 27,000 miles.
Another reported experiencing excess road noise after using the tires for about 2,000 miles.
While noise is often present on high-performance tires, the Firehawk GT produces above-average noise. As such, you may want to avoid this tire if you want a quiet ride.
Can You Make Firestone Tires Quieter?
Having noisy Firestone tires can decrease the quality of your rides. However, before you jump to conclusions about the cause of the noise, ensure your tires still have enough tread.
We say this because tires make more noise as the tread wears thin.
If your Firestone tires have significant tread life left, but are still noisy, do the following things to make them quiet:
- Rotate the tires as specified by the manufacturer:
Firestone recommends specific intervals for rotating tires, and it is in your best interest to adhere to that schedule. Rotations prevent irregular tire wear, which causes increased tire noise. Thus, regular rotation may help make your Firestone tires quieter. - Align your vehicle’s wheels:
Badly aligned wheels can lead to a higher level of road noise on your tires. Wheel alignment is not particularly expensive, and a set cost can between $50-$75. A full alignment (two sets of wheels) can cost between $150-$200. - Replace wheel bearings:
Buying new bearings will cost you more than the standard tire rotation or wheel alignment. However, it can save you the stress of dealing with pronounced road noise on rides.
Which Tire Brand Is The QUIETEST
Below are the quietest tire brands, based on our analysis of reviews and customer reports:
1. Bridgestone
2. Michelin
3. Goodyear
4. Dunlop
5. Pirelli
6. Continental
7. Cooper
8. Hankook
