July 14

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Review – Is this the Tire for You?

The Firehawk Indy 500 is one of Firestone’s ultra-high-performance summer tires, designed to improve the efficiency of sporty coupes, sedans, and other vehicles. 

It doesn’t just promise great performance, it looks great, too. 

But is it the tire for you?

To find that out, let’s go through a complete Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 review. Let’s look at the tire’s specs, pros and cons, tire sizes, and much more. 

With this, you’ll know what to expect with these tires. 

So shall we? 

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Specs 

Type: Ultra-High-Performance Summer Tire
Designed For: Sports Cars, Coupes, and Sedans
Warranty: Uniformity warranty for the first 1/32” of wear5-year workmanship and material warranty3-year FREE replacement warranty
Sizes: 16” 17” 18” 19” 20”
Pros: Superior wet and dry performance
Provides a comfortable and quiet ride
Excellent grip, stability, and handling
Great value for money
Cons: Doesn’t perform well in wintery conditions
Doesn’t indicate a tread warranty
Available In: Tirerack 

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Tire Type

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
Source: tirerack.com

As we mentioned, the Firehawk Indy 500 by Firestone is an ultra-high-performance summer tire. This means it was designed specifically to be driven in conditions that aren’t freezing cold. 

Ultra-high-performance summer tires prioritize grip and traction over all other factors, which makes them the best choice for dry and wet driving. 

You can use the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 during autocross events, canyon driving, and other high-performance activities. 

What Vehicle Will the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Fit?

As you already know, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is designed to fit a variety of sports cars, performance coupes, and sedans.

To give you an idea, here is a non-exhaustive list of the vehicles that can fit the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500: 

  • Audi A4, A6, A8L, and TT
  • BMW 330i, M3, M5, 135i, 545i, 550i, and 750Li
  • Chrysler 300
  • Honda Civic, S2000, and CRZ
  • Chevrolet Cobalt, Camaro, Corvette, Monte Carlo, Cruze, Impala, and Malibu
  • Buick Regal
  • Dodge Avenger, Challenger, and Charger
  • Ford Mustang GT, Focus, Fusion, and Contour
  • Hyundai Veloster and Sonata
  • Pontiac GTO, Grand Am, G6, G8, Trans Am, and Grand Prix
  • Lincoln LS
  • Mazda 3, Miata, and RX-8
  • Mercedes-Benz CLK430, SL500, SL55, SLK320, E550
  • Nissan 370Z and Maxima
  • Subaru Legacy, Impreza, Outback, BRZ, and WRX STI
  • Volkswagen CC Sport, Jetta, Passat, and GTi

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Warranty

Firestone isn’t very transparent about its tread warranty, which is a letdown for enthusiasts who are interested in buying the tire. 

What we do know from the many reviews from former customers is that the Firehawk Indy 500 has a limited tread warranty compared to all-season touring and grand-touring tires. 

That said, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 comes with a tire uniformity guarantee for the first 1/32” of wear. 

There’s also a 5-year warranty for the materials and workmanship of the tire. 

What’s more, you can take advantage of a FREE replacement during the first 3-years of owning the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500. 

To top it off, you get a 30-day buy-and-try guarantee. You can get a refund or exchange your tires if the ones you have don’t completely satisfy your needs.

All that can cover the fact that Firestone has a limited tread warranty. 

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Tires Sizes

The Firehawk Indy 500 is available in the following sizes.

16″ Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Tire Sizes

  • 195/55R16 87W BSW
  • 205/50R16 87W BSW
  • 205/55R16 91W BSW
  • 225/50R16 92W BSW

17″ Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Tire Sizes

  • 205/45R17 88W BSW
  • 205/50R17 93W BSW
  • 215/45R17 91W BSW
  • 225/45R17 94W BSW
  • 225/50R17 94W BSW
  • 225/55R17 97W BSW
  • 235/45R17 94W BSW
  • 235/50R17 96W BSW
  • 235/55R17 99W BSW
  • 245/40R17 91W BSW
  • 245/45R17 99W BSW
  • 255/40R17 94W BSW

18″ Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Tire Sizes

  • 215/40R18 89W BSW
  • 225/40R18 92W BSW
  • 225/45R18 95W BSW
  • 225/50R18 95W BSW
  • 235/40R18 95W BSW
  • 235/50R18 101W BSW
  • 245/40R18 97W BSW
  • 245/45R18 100W BSW
  • 255/35R18 94W BSW
  • 255/40R18 99W BSW
  • 255/45R18 103W BSW
  • 265/35R18 97W BSW
  • 275/35R18 95W BSW
  • 275/40R18 99W BSW

19″ Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Tire Sizes

  • 235/35R19 91W BSW
  • 245/35R19 93W BSW
  • 245/40R19 98W BSW
  • 245/45R19 98W BSW
  • 245/50R19 104W BSW
  • 255/40R19 100W BSW
  • 265/40R19 98W BSW
  • 275/30R19 96W BSW
  • 275/35R19 100W BSW
  • 275/40R19 101W BSW
  • 285/35R19 99W BSW

20″ Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Tire Sizes

  • 245/40R20 99W BSW
  • 245/45R20 103W BSW
  • 255/35R20 97W BSW
  • 275/35R20 102W BSW
  • 275/40R20 106W BSW
  • 285/35R20 100W BSW


Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Pros and Cons

It goes without saying that all tire types, regardless of the manufacturer, come with their own set of pros and cons.

Below are a couple of advantages and disadvantages to watch out for with the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500.

The Pros:

  • Superior wet and dry performance 

The Firehawk Indy 500 uses Firestone’s Pulse Groove Technology to improve traction on wet and dry pavement.

The same technology is used for the tire’s hydroplaning residence. It efficiently evacuates water from the tire during particularly wet seasons.

Combined with Long Link Carbon and a state-of-the-art silica-enhanced tread compound, the Firehawk Indy 500 is a reliable ultra-high-performance tire. 

What’s more, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 shortens braking distance and makes handling and steering much more accurate. 

Additionally, it provides sharper cornering capabilities.

  • Provides a comfortable and quiet ride 

Firestone’s proprietary Pulse Groove Technology is responsible for more than just providing improved grip and traction. It also makes the tires have a smooth and quiet ride. 

  • Great value for money 

When compared to other tires in its category, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 provides great value for money. 

Considering the features and technology it uses, spending around $78 to $200 per tire is a great deal. This is especially true if you regularly participate in high-performance activities and need frequent tire changes. 

Now, let’s look at the cons:

  • Not the best snow traction 

Because the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is a summer tire, it’s no surprise that it doesn’t perform well in snowy or frosty conditions. 

It’s simply not built for that purpose. 

You’re better off buying a designated winter or rain tire, so you don’t end up in an unwanted accident. 

  • No tread life warranty 

Another downside to buying the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is that it has no mention of a tread life warranty. 

Should You Get the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500?

Now that you’ve completed the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 review, it’s time to answer the question…

Is this the tire for YOU?

If you’re into high-performance activities, then the Firehawk Indy 500 is a great choice. 

It’s great, too, if you drive on dry or wet pavement. 

However, it isn’t the most reliable when it comes to snowy conditions. 

So it’s up to you whether this tire will suit you or not. 

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