Firestone, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, has announced the Pathway AS, a new all-season touring tire aimed at everyday drivers. It is available in 73 sizes, which Firestone says gives it the broadest vehicle coverage of any Firestone tire. It carries a 65,000-mile limited mileage warranty. Firestone positions the tire around dependable performance, long tread life and value.
Leslie Sawyer, senior product design engineer at Bridgestone Americas, said in the announcement that most drivers want a tire they can depend on. She said the Pathway AS is designed to provide reliable performance and long-lasting value for everyday driving.
Size range grew during development
Consumer feedback influenced the tire's development, according to Firestone, with attention to wet traction, tread life and ride comfort compared with the predecessor model. The program began with plans for 48 sizes, but 25 additional sizes were added during development. Firestone says the expanded lineup 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 performance across the warranty period, while additional sipes and an optimized see-through void are designed to promote more even wear and help maintain traction over time.
All-season traction and internal test results
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 showing an 18% reduction in wet braking distance compared with the Uniroyal Laredo HT, an 11.7% reduction compared with the Firestone All Season and a 7.4% reduction compared with the Toyo Extensa AS2. The company also says the Pathway AS recorded shorter dry braking distances than six leading competitors in its internal testing. These are manufacturer-reported comparisons; the announcement does not provide independent test details.
Firestone also describes the tire as engineered for everyday performance. Firestone lists long tread life, year-round reliability and everyday performance as the main feature areas. Wear resistance is intended to support long-lasting performance, and low rolling resistance is described as contributing to fuel-efficient performance on internal combustion engine vehicles. Together, the company says, these characteristics provide dependable all-season performance for routine driving.
Availability and vehicle fitments
The Pathway AS is available now nationwide. The lineup includes fitments for popular vehicles such as the Toyota Camry, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Outback, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chevrolet Equinox. The launch covers a range of vehicle types, from sedans to SUVs, according to the fitment examples. Pricing was not disclosed in the announcement. The Pathway AS joins Firestone's all-season lineup as a new touring tire.