If you’re new in the world of automotive, then it’s hard for you to understand the proposition of buying a good set of tires. After all, as long as it’s working, it’s good, right? Wrong! Although most people argue that tires are plain old rubber, they play a key role in your car’s drivability, as they’re responsible for maintaining contact between your auto and the road. But, when it comes to picking a good set of tires, most people are left stranded when it comes to choosing between Cooper vs. Firestone tires.
You see, since the invention of the tire, a lot has happened to modern civilization. Major developments have been evidenced, especially in the road sector, which has eased the transportation of goods to various parts of the globe.
Now, the tire is just one of the many factors that have led to a huge success in this sector. Although most people focus on the latest car features, the tire has undergone major improvements that have made it safer and less prone to wear and tear. So, in this short guide, we’re going to compare Cooper vs. Firestone tires to see which brand will stand out against the other.
Now, Why Get a Set of Good Tires?
Now, there’s a huge difference between a good tire and a bad one. A good tire can have a huge difference in your car’s drivability as it can improve handling, lower fuel consumption and improve traction when driving under inclement weather.
This is quite different from poor-quality tires, which are susceptible to regular wear and tear. Although cheap tires will generally cost you less money, the cost of maintaining these tires is generally high as compared to getting a set of quality tires. So, with that said, let’s get to our main discussion to see which tire brand will stand out between Cooper and Firestone.
Cooper Tires
Now, Cooper is an American brand that began operating back in 1914. Although they seem old, this brand is considered one of the youngest tire manufacturers in this business. During their debut years, Cooper started by selling and supplying tire patches and tire repair kits before pivoting into a major tire manufacturer.
Today, Cooper has grown into a major tire brand and has even landed major OE tire contracts with leading carmakers such as Volkswagen, Mercedes, and Ford. Now, Cooper is not considered as one of the big three tire manufacturers—Michelin, Goodyear, and Bridgestone. However, this brand owns at least 5% of the market share. One factor that has earned them such respectable fame is the affordability of their tires.
Unlike the other big-name brands, Cooper tires are highly affordable making them highly accessible to most motorists. These tires are also available to all types of vehicles ranging from trucks, SUVs, minivans to small sedan cars.
Firestone Tires
Firestone, on the other hand, is a brand that has been around since 1900. Founded in Akron, Ohio, Firestone is a well-recognized brand among most car owners both in the U.S. and around the globe. Although it operated as an independent brand, Firestone became a subsidiary of Bridgestone in 1988.
Now, one advantage Firestone enjoyed with this takeover is Bridgestone’s huge popularity. With a market share of approximately 19.5%, Firestone had the privilege to penetrate deeper into the market and compete with giant tire manufacturers such as Michelin and Goodyear.
Today, Firestone has achieved a lot in manufacturing high-standard tires that meet customer demands. In addition, their tires are cheaply priced making them accessible to all classes of customers. Firestone tires are also available for both off-road and on-road use meaning you can get tires for various car models.
Cooper Vs. Firestone: Industry Ratings
Cooper Tires
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), all tires must pass through a tough grading system for them to be allowed on the road. This grading system is referred to as Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) and is used to evaluate a tire’s traction, treadwear, and resistance to high temperatures.
Since Cooper tires are no exception, these tires also go through this tough process to ensure that they’re safe enough to be used on the roads. So, in this section, we’ll evaluate Cooper tires industry ratings to see where they lie on the table.
Traction: Traction, is an important parameter that grades a tire according to how well it holds the road in wet conditions. You see, when you’re driving under inclement weather, the tires need to grip the road perfectly to avoid skidding.
This is a safety measure that must be considered when getting a set of new tires. During the test, the tires are graded from the highest to the lowest in the following manner—AA, A, B, or C.
Treadwear: Treadwear is an estimate of a tire’s lifespan and is affected by factors such as your driving style and the condition of the road you’re driving on. So, to determine a tire’s wear rate, a lab-control is used that has a grading of 100. If your tire goes beyond this rating to around 300 or 500, then it means the tire’s lifespan is three to five times longer.
Temperature Resistance: The last parameter every tire must meet is that of heat resistance. You see, when driving in hot weather, your tires are likely to undergo a lot of abuse that can lead to premature deterioration. High-standard tires resist heat much more strongly than low-quality tires. So, to determine a tire’s heat resistance, certain ratings have been used that range from A, B, to C.
So, with that said, how do Cooper tires hold up against the three parameters we’ve discussed?
| Treadwear Score | Traction Score | Heat Resistance Score | |
| Cooper Tires | 440-600 | A-AA | B-A |
Firestone Tires
Similar to other prominent tires such as Cooper, Goodyear, and Michelin, Firestone tires also undergo strict evaluations as stated by the NHTSA. These regulations test a tire’s quality based on three parameters, which are traction, treadwear, and temperature resistance. Since we’ve already discussed these parameters in the previous section, we’ll go straight to the grading data to see how Firestone tires have fared in the various tests.
| Treadwear Score | Traction Score | Heat Resistance Score | |
| Firestone Tires | 460-560 | A | B |
Cooper Vs. Firestone Tires: Cost
The best thing about both Cooper and Firestone tires is that they cost notably less money than most of the big names such as Michelin and Goodyear. When it comes to Cooper tires, procuring a single high-quality all-reason tire can cost you anywhere from $75 to $85. Firestone tires, on the other hand, can cost you around $80 to $120 for a single all-season tire.
However, the price of these tires can differ depending on certain parameters such as the size, the model, and tire specifications. Therefore, despite being affordable, the price of these tires can hike significantly depending on these factors.
Conclusion
So, which is the best tire in this Cooper vs. Firestone debate? Well, the answer to this question will depend on your taste. However, looking at the grading data, it’s clear that Cooper has outperformed Firestone in several categories.
For instance, Cooper has higher treadwear and traction scores than Firestone. These alone make Cooper a smoother and longer-lasting tire. Looking at the price range, both of these tires have performed perfectly well as they’re both affordable. So, whether you’re a daily commuter or an enthusiast off-roader, this guide has discussed two of the best tire makers that are available in the market.