Trying Firestone 'Winterforce' This Year

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
they have a nice tread pattern. I would imagine they grip like a mountain goat.

That depends on compound!


True

 

[360kid]

I like the Winterforce. The person above who said they aren't comparable is spot on. The problem is tire testing is so focused on ice traction. And the snow testing is usually on groomed roads. As a result, studdless tires with lots of sipes and tighter tread patterns review very well. They are perfect if that is the road conditions you experience. But, if you are encountering deeper snow or poorly groomed roads, those studdless fall flat and the older traditional snow tires really excel. I wish tire tests included more deep snow and mixed surfaces. If you did, tires like the Winterforce would not be as far down the ranks as they usually are. It all depends on the surfaces you encounter.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Having used them, I found their snow performance spectacular. They were, unsurprisingly, very loud.

"Spectacular" compare to what?
How is dry performance? "slushing?" Hydroplaning? Handling in wet?


They are good in deep snow. But there's a definite tradeoff in slush, ice, road manners. And the noise ... WOW ... louder than any mud tire I've run on my Jeep!

But, any snow tire is better than an all season. If you can get them for a good price, they aren't bad tires.


I remember you mentioning a 600% failure rate with the Winterforce tires in my DuraTrac vs. snow tire thread a while back.

 

[wheelman1991]

I like them, but it seems like every 16" winterforce I have had (2000 Buick regal, 225/60/16) felt like an old bias ply with the flat spot wobble. The 235/75/15 winterforce's that came with my old 89 f150, even with cupping due to the twin I beam front suspension, they rode as smooth as glass. (For a truck anyways)