Bridgestone Versus Firestone Tires

Purchasing tires may be a costly endeavor, yet there are several solutions available that can assist you save money. Firestone, by example, is frequently seen as Bridgestone’s less expensive competitor. Let’s take a look at whether Bridgestone is worth the expense and whether Firestone will genuinely save you cash. Both these companies are among the top tires for Tesla or Jeep Cherokee of this century.

Whenever evaluating tire brands, keep in mind that the conclusion will vary based on the exact tire. Bridgestone wheels are generally superior, but they are additionally more costly. Although Firestone wheels are less expensive overall, they could lack a comparable tread life, that may cost customers extra in the future.

Firestone should be used if: Firestone is a solid option for less expensive tires for a crossover or light vehicle.

Bridgestone should be used if: Buy Bridgestone when you want a superior tire.

What Exactly Is A Firestone Tire?

Harvey Firestone created Firestone near Ohia, USA upon August 3, 1900. Company began by providing rigid rubber tires, but quickly adjusted to a shifting marketplace by manufacturing pneumatic wheels for wagons including buggies.

In 1906, the business experienced an even greater boom as it became the first wheel company that mass-produced tires at Henry Ford’s plant. Because of Harvey Firestone’s close connection with Henry Ford, that was possible.

During WWII, the business received orders to manufacture a variety of items including ammunition, aluminum barrels for food shipment, and rubberized military equipment such as assault balloons as well as M1 helmet coverings.

Firestone’s early accomplishments propelled them to prominence in the wheels industry during the second half of the 1900s. They competed in a variety of motorsports categories throughout this time, namely IndyCar as well as Formula One. Firestone became one of the initial teams that provided tires for Formula One, beginning in 1950 and continuing until 1974.

Firestone’s exit concerning Formula One as well as other racing was motivated in part by financial problems. While a radial wheel was hitting the marketplace by surprise in 1970, Firestone joined in. sadly, Firestone attempted to manufacture the radial wheels using antiquated machinery, which resulted in failure as the “Firestone 500 tread splitting issue.”

Firestone’s success began to wane as a result of these challenges, and the company was finally purchased by Bridgestone around 1992. Although Firestone continues to be an American company, it is controlled by the Japanese conglomerate Bridgestone.

What Exactly Has A Bridgestone Tire?

Bridgestone, established in 1931, is slightly over thirty years younger to Firestone, yet they have grown and developed significantly more compared to Firestone, ultimately buying the business in 2008. Bridgestone was chosen after its founder, Shojiro Ishibashi, who was born in the Japanese town of Kurume, Fukuoka.

Allied planes damaged the corporate headquarters throughout WWII, but the facilities were unharmed, permitting the business to immediately restart production when the war had ended. The business’s achievement can be attributed to three major factors.

To begin, the corporation concentrated on technological breakthroughs in order to stay ahead of competition. In 1967, the business began marketing its own radial wheels, which were created in the newly established Technical Centre at their Tokyo factory.

Another significant step forward being the implementation of a new company civilization, which dramatically enhanced assurance of quality. This is known as the Deming strategy, named W. Edwards Deming. A strategy that is covered in numerous company classes nowadays.

Finally, beginning in 1965, Bridgestone embarked on a large global expansion push, which has helped grow the firm to what it is nowadays. Their first growth was an addition in Singapore, which they are now expanding by acquiring competitors such as Firestone.

Bridgestone has competed in Formula One. Many even attribute Bridgestone with usurping Goodyear’s Formula 1 title. Bridgestone was the primary tire provider for the Ferrari team as well as Michael Schumacher, despite being absent in the race for sufficient time to steal all of Goodyear’s trophies.

It has applied everything they have learnt over decades in order to provide you with the best outstanding durability tire available. Bridgestone is the globe’s largest tire provider, employing around 143,616 people as of 2017.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Bridgestone versus Firestone Tires?

Firestone Tires

Bridgestone Tires

What Are the Primary Distinctions Between Firestone vs Bridgestone Tires?

Despite the fact that Bridgestone controls Firestone, both companies are significantly distinct, selling various tires at varying prices. Because the tires are produced in different facilities, the variations among the two distinct brands are biochemical in nature.

I prefer to compare firms in a few subjects: pricing, assurances, and essential innovations. The significance of pricing is obvious; nevertheless, it is also crucial to understand why a wheel costs because this is to ensure you are not squandering cash.

Warranties are important, but I like using them in another manner. The more time a manufacturer offers a tire warranty, greater the confidence they are in their goods. This implies that if a firm provides a longer assurance, you can be confident that its tire will serve you longer.

Finally, essential technologies enable you to decide not just where a firm is powerful, additionally where the business’s future is headed and if you’re interested in investing down the road by acquiring their tires.

Pricing

When comparing two equivalent all-season wheels in the least common wheel size of 225/65 R17, the Bridgestone TURANZA QUIETTRACK at $189 and the Firestone WEATHERGRIP at $167, you can see how the Bridgestone is roughly $20 more costly each tire.

The WEATHERGRIP is the finest tire Firestone provides for this sort of size as well as the course, but it is not the greatest option for Bridgestone. The DRIVEGUARD is Bridgestone’s top tire in this dimension and category. I chose to employ the DRIVEGUARD for a comparison since it had run-flat tech, that Firestone doesn’t provide in this market.

The DRIVEGUARD will cost $219 per wheel. If we compare the two lowest tires from every manufacturer available at Discount Tire, you can observe that Bridgestone remains more costly. DUELER H/P SPORT AS costs $155 and Firestone’s DESTINATION LE 2 costs $112.

Warranties

I prefer to compare warranties with different businesses as this shows you a pair of things: initially, the amount of trust the company has in its wheels, and secondly, the significance they provide for their customers.

The first aspect is demonstrated by the quantity of mileage provided by a corporation under a restricted mileage guarantee. This figure often spans from 40k to 80k miles, with the average being somewhere around the middle. The mileage will also vary based on the type of tire; sporting tires tend to have lower mileage, whilst “Made for long-lasting tires” will have higher mileage.

buy as well as try guarantees

The company’s safeguards and “buy as well as try guarantees” show another argument. Their safety plan may include coverage for damage caused by road hazards, rapid tread put on, ride disruption, and uneven wear. The amount that a firm is prepared to offer demonstrates how seriously they take their work.

Because of their partnership, Firestone falls within the Bridgestone protection plan umbrella. As a result, there are numerous common benefits or similarities. Both businesses have a 90-day quality guarantee. 

When you weren’t satisfied, company will either replace the wheel or refund your money. Under the Platinum as well Gold promise warranties, you’ll receive three years of complimentary tire change from the time of sale.

After three years, you receive a prorated payment based on the degree of wear. The latter is not a usual offer in the automotive industry, since most tire firms only give 30-day and 60-day happiness guarantees.

So, in terms of our second criteria, they are quite comparable; therefore, let’s have a peek into their mileage guarantees. by using the WEATHERGRIP from Firestone plus the TURANZA QUIETTRACK from Bridgestone.

According Firestone’s limited assurance, the WEATHERGRIP is covered for 65k miles, which is about normal for the tire business. Bridgestone provides an assurance of 80,000 miles with its TURANZA QUIETTRACK, that’s relatively high among the tire sector.

Bridgestone obviously places a lot of faith in their wheels. Actually, Bridgestone offers some of the greatest warranty choices in the tire marketplace, which comes as expected given the company ethos.

Technologies that are important and innovative

When evaluating two firms, such as Bridgestone versus Firestone, it is critical to evaluate where both are strong now and wherever they are likely to be successful in the future. Myself, I enjoy purchasing things from companies that have a promising future.

Although Firestone has not necessarily struggled after Bridgestone purchased them, they’ve scaled back their tire innovation research. Nevertheless, Firestone has made significant investments in two sectors.

Intelligent technology for the future

To begin, Firestone was once a market pioneer in air suspension manufacture. Firestone is now focusing on “intelligent technology for the future.” The air suspension system will be created in collaboration with computer software to create an adaptable suspension framework for commercial vehicles.

In addition, Firestone has made significant efforts to enhance the conditions of its rubber plantation employees through improved infrastructure, free education and dwellings, and fair compensation. Firestone’s commitment in Liberian villages has benefited many Liberian households.

Bridgestone keeps all of its cards tight near its chest. Something is certain: that they are not scared to experiment. Bridgestone moon rover wheels and non-pneumatic, air-free wheels are two examples. But, let’s be honest, airless treads or lunar rover wheels are unlikely to influence your tire purchasing decisions.

Bridgestone’s run-flat innovation

However, Bridgestone’s run-flat innovation may impact your choice. Have you encountered a flat tire while had to pull over on the edge of the highway in snow or drizzle to fix it? You won’t ever have to do this once more with Bridgestone run-flats.

These run-flat wheels are among the finest on the marketplace, allowing customers to make a secure trip to an auto mechanic in order to have a new tire fitted or have the tread repaired. Bridgestone also offers several intriguing new inventions, such as “SUSYM” as well as Double-Network Latex technology.

“SUSYM” is probably the most intriguing of these two plus works by molecularly mixing rubbers with resins. This improves flexibility, operating temperature categories, and resistant to puncture.

Firestone wheel lines that are popular

• Firestone Destination A/T – A solid all-terrain wheel intended for off-roading as well as comfort.
• Firestone All-Season Tires – These are Firestone’s flagship passenger automobile tire, designed to endure a minimum of 65k miles.
• Firestone Destination LE2 –  LE2 is intended to combine several desirable characteristics like as extended wear, convenience, and all-season grip even in light snowfall.
• Firestone Winterforce 2 – The Firestone Winterforce 2 tire line.

Bridgestone tire lines that are popular

• Ecopia – The Ecopia saves you cash by lowering your fuel usage while providing little rolling resistance.
• Potenza: It will offer your vehicle with a few of the greatest road-gliding performance that a single brand can supply.
• Turanza – If you prefer luxury, this could be the wheel for you.
• Dueler – Bridgestone’s all-terrain wheel designed with convenience in mind.
• Bridgestone asserts that the Blizzak, a wonderful stud-less snow tire, triggered an enormous extinction catastrophe in Japan as soon as it became studded tires.

Customer Care and Organizational Culture

Customer service at Firestone as well as Bridgestone is excellent, as it is alongside most firms nowadays. Bridgestone, on the contrary hand, goes further than others in terms of business culture and regard for not just other companies but also for its clientele.

Value

Inexpensive does not always imply you are receiving a better bargain. Bridgestone receives my pick amongst these two firms. They merely put forth more effort to create the ideal tire. Each wheel they create is double-checked, and if something turns out to be incorrect regarding the wheel, it is not sold.

Bridgestone is the greatest option if you’re looking for the greatest return on your cash. However, because each tire is built for a specific job, ensure that you get the proper tire for the circumstances at hand.

Conclusion

Overall, these two businesses are excellent. Bridgestone has better tires, but if you are unwilling to shell out as much capital, Firestone may get you safely to your destination, especially if you’re choosing light truck and SUV wheels.