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Summer tire Summer Touring tires Updated September 2026

Firemax FM601 review

The Firemax FM601 is widely regarded as a poor-performing budget tire that struggles with basic traction and longevity. While a small minority of users appreciate the low entry price, the overwhelming consensus points to significant safety concerns in wet conditions and premature tread wear that negates any initial cost savings.

Relative score
44/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
44/100
10 reviews
Road tests
57/100
2 published tests

Owners rate it 13 points lower than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.

Firemax FM601
Scores

Two scoring systems, side by side

Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.

By owner reviews

44%
Would buy again 25%
Dry
Overall dry
54%
Corner stability
20%
Dry traction
30%
Steering response
20%
Wet
Overall wet
43%
Wet traction
20%
Comfort
Overall comfort
58%
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
34%
Handling
Overall handling
47%

By road tests

57%
Dry
53.1%
Wet
35%
From owners

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 10 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.

The Firemax FM601 is widely regarded as a poor-performing budget tire that struggles with basic traction and longevity. While a small minority of users appreciate the low entry price, the overwhelming consensus points to significant safety concerns in wet conditions and premature tread wear that negates any initial cost savings.

Pros

  • Extremely low initial purchase price
  • Acceptable dry-weather grip once the tire reaches operating temperature

Cons

  • Dangerous lack of traction in wet conditions
  • Rapid and premature tread wear
  • High susceptibility to punctures and sidewall damage
  • Excessive noise and squealing during low-speed maneuvers

Worth knowing

  • Users driving modest vehicles, such as the Toyota Avensis and 1.0L Ford Focus, reported frequent traction control intervention, indicating poor performance even on low-torque platforms.
  • Drivers noted that the cost-per-mile is higher than premium alternatives due to the need for frequent replacements.
Test results

2 published test appearances

Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.

2022 Summer tire Market Overview · 215/55 R17

43rd of 44
Best: Dry Braking · 39th Weakest: Wet Braking · 43rd
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking43rd of 44
Dry Braking39th of 44

2021 53 Summer tire Braking Test · 205/55 R16

42nd of 53
Best: Dry Braking · 41st Weakest: Wet Braking · 42nd
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking42nd of 53
Dry Braking41st of 53