Comparing Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
Looking for the best summer performance tires on the market? Our comparison of the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is suitable for you as both these tires are the market leaders in this category.
The Firehawk Indy 500 is known for its superb cornering grip, exceptional stopping distances on dry roads, and superior steering feedback. All these qualities can also be attributed to the Pilot Sport 4S, one of Michelin’s flagship performance tires.
However, while both these tires target the same end user, they have their fair share of differences. For example, while the Indy 500 is a relatively affordable summer performance tire, the Pilot Sport 4S’s asking price might blow a hole in your wallet.
Read on to know more about both these summer tires.
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Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is a summer performance tire available in multiple sizes ranging from 16- to 20-inch wheel diameter. The size range makes it compatible with several vehicles, including Volkswagen Jetta, Dodge Charger, Volvo S60, and many others.
Having installed this tire on my Nissan Sentra, I can attest to its excellent handling on dry roads and reliable traction in wet conditions. In fact, the Indy 500 is one of the few tires I have driven over the years that didn’t lose its road grip as I pushed it to its limits.
Throw its dynamic handling and plenty of steering feedback into the mix, and you have a tire that will put a smile on your face, especially when you’re cruising down the road. Its cornering performance is also exceptional, letting you attack bends with maximum confidence.
That said, neither its performance nor handling convinced me to buy this tire. It was the Firehawk Indy 500’s asking price (mid-range for a summer performance tire) that turned me into a believer. After all, not every tire can offer excellent performance at a budget price.
Price Check
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Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rivals and even beats the Indy 500 on many counts.
Start with the areas where it goes toe to toe with its counterpart. Just like Firestone’s flagship summer performance tire, this model offers excellent dry grip and wet traction. Its aquaplaning resistance is equally good, resulting in brilliant stability on slippery roads.
Its internal construction is equally sturdy, with twin steel belts and a reinforced sidewall minimizing the risk of premature deformation. Tread wear indicators (TWIs) are also on offer to tell you when the tread depth hits 2/32 inches, after which replacement is recommended.
Then come the areas where this model outperforms the Indy 500.
While Firestone’s baby doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty, Michelin backs the Pilot Sport 4S to last up to 30,000 miles. Equally importantly, it has equipped this model with noise-reduction features. And the Pilot Sport 4S performs much better in the rain too.
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
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The Main Differences
This section will help you decide whether the Firehawk Indy 500 or the Pilot Sport 4S might be a better fit for your car.
Comparing Off-road Performance
Neither of the tires is designed for off-roading.
This shouldn’t surprise you if you’re aware of what tires designed for off-roading are all about. Off-road tires feature reinforced sidewalls, cut- and chip-resistant tread compounds, massive voids between tread blocks, and self-cleaning design elements to excel in tough conditions.
While all the above properties help off-road tires tackle mud, slush, gravel, and even rock. It makes them less useful on the highway, which is where the Indy 500 and Pilot Sport 4S earn their stripes.
Winner: It’s a tie
Comparing On-road Performance
How Do They Perform in Dry Conditions?
Given that both are summer performance tires, it shouldn’t surprise you that the Indy 500 and Pilot Sport 4S offer excellent dry grip and handling.
The Indy 500’s advanced silica compound gives you the confidence to drive at the limit, whether you’re racing with fellow drivers on the street or cruising down a coastal highway. Plus, thanks to its stiff shoulder blocks, its cornering performance is also top-notch.
On the other end, the Pilot Sport 4S has a V-shaped tread pattern to deliver excellent dry handling, make it more controllable at the limit, and provide superior cornering traction. Plus, its contact patch expands as you press the accelerator, making this model controllable at higher speeds.
All in all, both these tires offer equally brilliant dry performance.
Winner: It’s a tie
How Do They Perform on Wet Roads?
Do you do most of your driving in rainy conditions? Here’s why you should go for the Pilot Sport 4S:
- A tread compound featuring elastomers enhances this tire’s traction in wet conditions. In doing so, it reduces the distance this tire needs to come to a halt upon the sudden application of brakes, minimizing the risk of accidents.
- The Pilot Sport 4S features silica reinforcement in the tread that help improve its traction on wet surfaces. This is because silica helps keep the rubber flexible, a crucial requirement for a sure-footed grip in the rain.
- Wide circumferential and diagonal grooves ensure quick water evacuation. While the Indy 500 also has grooves to expel water, many drivers report that the tire feels slightly slippery in standing water.
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
Are They Good in the Handling Department?
A few differences do exist between the two tires when it comes to handling.
If you’re the sort of driver who prioritizes precise and responsive handling, the Indy 500 might prove to be a better pick. This model’s directional tread pattern (which enables it to respond quickly to steering inputs) and large shoulder blocks (increased grip during cornering) are the reasons.
However, if you want exceptional handling without getting too much feedback at the steering, the Pilot Sport 4S may be better suited to your needs. That’s because this model’s wider contact patch (vis-à-vis Pilot Super Sport, its predecessor) helps it deliver the best of both worlds.
Winner: It’s a tie
Comparing Snow Performance
Having used these tires at one time or the other, I can confidently say that neither is designed for driving on snow and ice.
True, the Pilot Sport 4S is marketed as a model that can be used 365 days a year. But it doesn’t have the design elements – aggressive sipes, super-flexible tread compound, specialized tread pattern – needed to perform well in wintry conditions.
If you’re looking for a tire that will perform well in the winter, check out our list of the best snow tires.
Winner: It’s a tie
Comparing Treadwear and Durability
My experience with the Indy 500 tells me that this tire may wear quickly if you regularly push it to its limits. Fortunately, I cannot say the same about the Pilot Sport 4S, which wears evenly and provides consistent traction even when its tread depth has hit dangerous limits.
A glance at both tires’ treadwear warranties (or the lack thereof, in the case of the Indy 500) confirms this. While the Pilot Sport 4S is backed to last 30,000 miles, the Firehawk comes with no mileage guarantee.
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
Comparing on Comfort
Do you prioritize riding comfort over everything else? Then you must opt for the Pilot Sport 4S.
- A wider contact patch ensures balanced road contact for fewer vibrations inside the cabin. As such, you can count on this tire to absorb minor imperfections with far more ease than the Indy 500.
- Michelin’s Acoustic Technology (not available in all sizes) helps lower road noise. It does that with the help of a sound-absorbing foam placed at strategic locations in the rubber to bring down road noise by a few decibels.
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
Comparing on Price
The Pilot Sport 4S costs more than the Indy 500.
Surprised? You shouldn’t be, given that Firestone is a mid-range tire brand that offers high-performance tires on a budget. On the other hand, Michelin is the world’s largest tire manufacturer on every count that matters. The prices of its tires reflect the cutting-edge technologies and materials Michelin uses in manufacturing its tires.
Winner: Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Available at a budget price point
- Offers dynamic handling on dry roads
- Superior cornering grip and performance
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty
- Wet traction could be better
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Pros & Cons
Pros
- Offers excellent riding comfort
- Backed by a 30,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Boasts superior wet traction and aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- Could be more responsive
- Doesn’t come cheap
Which Tire Should You Choose?
Go for the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 if you intend to enjoy:
- High performance at a relatively affordable price
- Dynamic handling and performance on dry roads
- Best-in-class steering response and feedback
Alternatively, opt for Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for:
- Top-notch handling and riding comfort
- Excellent treadwear guarantee (for a tire in this class)
- Superior wet traction and grip