Firestone, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, has launched the Pathway AS, an all-season touring tire aimed at everyday drivers. The tire is available in 73 sizes, which Firestone says gives it the broadest vehicle coverage of any tire in its lineup. It carries a 65,000-mile limited mileage warranty and is positioned around dependable performance, long tread life and value.
Leslie Sawyer, senior product design engineer at Bridgestone Americas, said most drivers want a tire they can depend on. According to Sawyer, the Pathway AS is designed to provide reliable performance and long-lasting value for routine driving.
Size range grew during development
Consumer feedback influenced the development program, with Firestone focusing on wet traction, tread life and ride comfort compared with the tire's predecessor. The original plan called for 48 sizes, but the lineup was expanded by 25 sizes during development. Firestone says the larger range helps the tire reach nearly 77% of registered vehicles.
The company lists long tread life as a central feature. A tread compound intended for longevity supports the 65,000-mile limited mileage warranty. Additional sipes and an optimized see-through void are designed to promote more even wear and help maintain traction as the tire ages.
Wet and dry braking comparisons
For year-round use, deep interlocking 3D sipes are intended to provide traction in conditions ranging from light snow to dry and wet pavement. Firestone cites internal testing in which the Pathway AS reduced wet braking distance by 18% compared with the Uniroyal Laredo HT, by 11.7% compared with the Firestone All Season, and by 7.4% compared with the Toyo Extensa AS2. The company also says the tire recorded shorter dry braking distances than six leading competitors. These are manufacturer-reported internal test results, and the announcement did not detail the specific test procedures and conditions.
Firestone also says wear resistance supports long-lasting performance, while low rolling resistance contributes to fuel-efficient performance on internal combustion engine vehicles. The combination is presented as a balanced package for everyday driving rather than a specialized seasonal tire.
Availability and fitments
The Pathway AS is available now nationwide. Firestone says the lineup covers many popular vehicles, including the Toyota Camry, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Outback, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chevrolet Equinox.