Transforce AT
Firestone Transforce AT is a tire specially made for frame heavy SUVs and light trucks. First of all, the tires are intended for installation on cars that are used for the transportation of light and medium-weight goods. For example, these tires will be an excellent choice for commercial vehicles used to deliver goods to retail outlets.
Firestone has a wide range of light truck tires. Why do we recommend Transforce AT? Primarily because these tires are designed for everyday urban use. That is, these buses work for a long time in city traffic with their frequent stops and starts. It's no secret that tire wear is most intense in heavy traffic and especially in traffic jams.
However, in addition to long-term operation in urban areas, these tires are distinguished by many other equally important advantages. And we will tell about them in this review.
Advantages and disadvantages
All the advantages of Transforce AT are somehow connected with their operation.
- Durability. As already mentioned, these buses work for a long time in city traffic. Moreover, as the practice of using these tires shows, they cover 60 thousand miles without any problems, and after that, they can still serve until the planned replacement.
- Possibility of all-season operation. It is generally recommended to buy a tire for the season because all-season tires do not have good handling. But Transforce AT is suitable for use in all weather and climatic conditions. The tires ride well on dry and wet road surfaces and even on loose snow. Transforce AT cannot boast of special handling on bare ice. However, this is a feature of most all-season tires. But given that these tires are intended primarily for city use, there shouldn't be any special problems in winter.
- Reliability and resistance to mechanical damage. Transforce AT tires withstand repeated collisions with curbs and other obstacles, which are common in the city and faced by cargo carriers. This advantage is provided by the manufacturing technologies and materials used in the manufacture of the tire.
- Less noise level. It's no secret that truck tires are mostly noisy. But the Transforce AT, thanks to its special tread pattern, is quieter than truck tires from other manufacturers. To tell you the truth, all modern Firestone tires are quiet. And this is a very important benefit if you value in-cab comfort. The manufacturer managed to reduce the level of audible noise due to the special design of the tread.
- Fuel savings due to lower rolling resistance. Excellent tire balance, plus the absence of aggressive tread contributes to better rolling. Consequently, the engine runs in a more economical model. Experience with these tires shows that fuel consumption is 10% less than usual.
- Excellent tire balance. Probably, having bought such tires, subsequently, you will not have to spend money on wheel balancing. Again, the savings are clear. And besides, when driving with such tires, there will be less vibration on the steering wheel, there will be less noise and less rolling resistance. And all this is because the tires are balanced.
- Practicality in everything. The Firestone tire, and especially the Transforce AT, is the best combination of high quality, excellent ride quality, and affordable price. Therefore, if you are interested in practical tires, the Transforce AT is exactly what you need.
The advantages are obvious, but are there any disadvantages? There is only one drawback - Firestone Transforce AT tires are still rarely found outside the North American continent. Meanwhile, the company exports these tires to both Europe and Asia.
But back to the benefits. What makes the Transforce AT tires so good for all-season use? Of course, it's all about the technology, the materials used, and the design of the tires.
Technologies and design features
- Rounded grooves. Rounded tread grooves provide improved traction. Again, this configuration provides additional friction, but without a lot of noise. That is, thanks to this technology, a weak tread works in much the same way as an aggressive tread. The technology is especially noticeable when driving uphill when maximum grip is required.
- Improved multicomponent tread and carcass composition. The main structural elements of tires are the tread, which provides traction, and the carcass, which prevents the tire from bursting. These tires use a high-density rubber production compound for the tread. To provide additional friction in the tire-to-road contact patch, abrasive particles are added to the tread rubber. The frame in these tires is reinforced with steel strips that reinforce the center rib. This technology provides not only the tire's tensile strength but also an even adherence of the tire to the road surface, due to which the tread wears off more slowly.
- Reinforced shoulder ribs. This is another technology that extends tire life. The essence of the technology is that the sidewalls and beads are reinforced with special metal and composite inserts, which retain the tire's configuration even at reduced pressure or when hitting any obstacles. Despite the presence of integrated inserts, or perhaps because of their presence, the tire is very balanced.
- Minimum vibration when driving. This technology is provided by a special tread pattern. The tread, despite the intense grip, is poorly expressed. Therefore, when the wheel rotates, there are practically no vibrations that could be transmitted to the steering wheel. As a result, driving comfort is increased, and the chassis of the car will fold longer without the need for repairs. And, of course, the main advantage of the absence of vibrations is low rolling resistance and, as a result, fuel economy.
- Effective drainage of water from the road contact patch. The tread pattern is formed by grooves that diverge diagonally from the center to the sides. The grooves serve not only to improve grip on the road surface but also to channel water away from the center of the contact patch. This is very important for good wet handling.
- 3D-slats to ensure directional stability. The manufacturer has made sure that the tires contribute to the good handling of the car. Thanks to these tires, the car is more confident in a straight line and no less confident in cornering. By the way, due to the good friction, these tires have a shorter stopping distance than other tires with a similar price.
About sizes and speed limits
Transforce AT tires are available in 16 ", 17", and 18 "models. These are the most common diameters, which means you can choose a tire for most rims that are used on light trucks.
Now about the speed limit. Depending on the size of the model, the following speed limits are allowed:
- Q 149 mph
- R Up to 106 mph
- S Up to 112 mph
Let's summarize
Transforce AT tires is an excellent choice for light to mid-sized commercial vehicles and large SUVs in urban use. The optimal combination of reliability, excellent driving performance, and the adequate cost is the main reason for buying these tires!