Firestone MULTIHAWK

For eleven years I've been using Firestone tyres - the F580, the F590, and now the Firestone Multihawk, always in the same car - the VW Polo. I use them all year round and there certainly are better tyres for summer. I mean, quieter, more comfortable, etc. For summer tyres, they do really great in winter - ther have never let me down. I went for a vacation to the mountains on the F580. For the whole period my snow chains remained in the trunk. The F580 had one drawback - they had a tendency to get bulges on the sidewall after 3-5 years. The F590 didn't have this defect, but it seems that tread was a bit worse than the F580 in winter especially on slush. The Firestone Multihawk combines the positive features of these two models, the F590 carcass and a tread which is similar to the one of F580. They seem to be more comfortable, softer and quieter than the older models. I can't assess driving on snow yet, since I'm before the season, but I have good expoectations after preliminary tests. My opinion concerns the size of 155, It is possible that the wider ones, such as 165 and 175 are worse in winter and opinions can be worse and different from mine. The rule is that the winter tyres should be narrow to provide better downforce and grip. When it comes to summer conditions - they are very good, they keep perfect grip in the corners on wet and dry surface. Only a bit louder above 55 MPH, but the advantages outstand it.

I bought them because Firestone Multihawk was recommended to me by my tyre fitter, and he was right - I drive a lot to the mountains - the area there is rough and they do a great job, they keep great traction on both dry and wet surface and in ruts on unpaved roads. On normal routes - I mean standard paved roads, the car runs like on tracks (despite the poor quality of tyre tread on the rear axle). Even though I'm a woman, I don't drive like most women (slowly and in an undecided manner) - it annoys me as well but I don't use the horn, just overtake them :). I rated their comfort for 5 because of the noise above 60 MPH - but it is bearable and it is compensated with great grip - you can see it especially on the mountain passes in sharp corners; and, they reduce the risk of aquaplaning, if it wasn't for that I would give them 6 points. I'm still to replace the tyres on the rear and would not hesitate to choose Firestone Multihawk again when I get some more cash. I gave 6 for rolling resistance because my car consumes 6.5 liters of LPG per 60 miles- and sometimes even less!. I know what I'm writing - I have a driver's license since 1988 and I travel all the time and not just in the city, I have already had gone through some roads both in the country and abroad.

I did only 200 miles on these tyres so my opinion is rather a review of the first impression. I chose Firestone Multihawk, because I have this brand since I bought a new car, only that I previously had the Firehawk 702. I think that Firehawks were a bit better, but maybe I did too short distance to rate them yet. The tyres are actually a bit loud and I have to admit they are a bit hard (I can feel the bumps on the road). I put them instead of mywinter tyres (Fulda Kristall Montero) and guess what? These summer tyres are way better in the corners than winter tyres! I went off my track on the roundabout on the winter tyres, and a week later I didn't on the summe ones. I also bought Firestone Multihawk because they were cheap, and I think it's a good purchase for such a price. I though about buying Uniroyal tyres, but I decided to get Firestone Multihawk and I don't know if it was a definitely good choice - we'll se after some more time of use.

Firestone Multihawk, despite their summer purpose, are great tyres for winter - perfect for small cars. I have been using them on my Corsa for the second season now and they have never let me down. The car grips the road well. There are no problems on fresh snow or slush. When it comes to driving on ice, I've been using Debica tyres before, and the car (Fiat Cinquecento) was sliding like it had skates instead of wheels. At the beginning of winter I usually go to one of the parking lots to slide a bit and "feel" the car and remind the correct reactions at a slide. With Firestone Multihawk on, it takes a lot of effort to effectively spin some donuts.I have the same tyres in my Punto Mk2 and I can't complain as well, however I can feel the compound is a bit old (the tyres are 8 years old). For such a price, Firestone Multihawk is a great purchase.

I chose Firestone Multihawk out of many tyres. I've been looking for something at a decent price, what would provide good safety in fast corners on wet pavement (and Debica Passio I used earlier was a guarantee of no traction and lots of "impressions"). I find this purchase a good one. The tyre goes a very good job. Both in and outside the city it allows to do much. It also behaves well on wet. It has a slight tendency to slide in wet, deep ruts and pavement freshly after the rain - but almost every tyre has such a tendency. Noise level and rolling resistance are also not a problem - you can hear them above 80 MPH, but it is not problematic. Above 90-100 MPH they also do well. I can definitely recommend Firestone Multihawk as a good tyre.