Solarus AS is a Starfire’s all-season tire mainly designed for passenger cars and CUVs. Since the tire is produced by Cooper Tires in the USA and offers 50,000 miles treadwear warrant, it’s viral these days. Low-priced tires are generally good at one thing and try to average in the rest. Therefore, it is only natural that a tire that someone else likes does not meet your expectations. In this article, I will tell you what conditions this tire is suitable for. Let’s begin!
| Starfire Solarus AS | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Non-aggressive drivers who are looking for an affordable tire that can perform well on dry and wet surfaces |
| Category | Standart All-Season Tire |
| Vehicle | Sedans, coupes, CUVs |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 14”, 15”, 16”, 17”, 18” |
| Made In | USA |
| Warranty | 50,000 Miles |
| Lables | M+S |
As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Starfire Solarus AS has a decent wet and dry performance. Moreover, the company supports this feature with a 50,000 miles treadwear warranty. Starfire Solarus AS provides a smooth but slightly noisy ride. However, its winter performance isn’t reliable but this’s caused by the stiff compound that makes it last more than other tires in its segment.
All-Season Tires Cheat Sheet
My team & I have analyzed 100 different tires and generated this ‘Quick Answer Sheet‘ for those who don’t wanna spend too much time during tire selection.
Before we start, here are the incredibly helpful articles I highly recommend to take a look at;
- How to keep tire noise down:
https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/why-do-tire-tread-patterns-make-noise - Fuel-Efficiency:
https://www.tirerack.com/landing/fuel_efficiency - Traction/Stability control for AWD/4WD (All-Season tires specific)
https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/traction-stability-4ws-awd
Depending on your needs, the below article might help;
Table of Contents
Dry Performance
Dry performance is the focal point of the off-price manufacturers. Since it is very easy to achieve acceptable dry performance, combining dry performance with one more feature is the easiest method to market.
Things do not develop much differently for Starfire Solarus AS either. Though, in my point of view, it has multiple side features.
So, I prefer to evaluate dry performance under two different dimensions. Dry traction and handling. Let’s examine them one by one!
Dry Traction
Dry traction is where all-season tires shine. Due to their compact pattern design and generally notched rubbers, they can handle dry ground with ease.
Due to its well-optimized void area and strategically placed sipes, Starfire Solarus AS offers decent dry traction. Yet, this is kinda default for all-season tires. It can’t be your decision point.
Handling
Handling is related to internal structure as well as tread design. So, in this case, I evaluate handling under two different dimensions. Cornering stability and steering response.
Steering Response,
Steering response is the measure of your tire responsiveness. In this case, the weight of the tire and the tread design are crucial. For instance, winter tires generally have more void area, hence, a higher response time.
Regarding Starfire Solarus AS, its design is a good fit for solid steering response. Due to its continuous center rib and lightweight, Starfire Solarus AS is a highly communicative tire.
Cornering Stability,
You all felt the vibration or the floating feeling while cornering at the high speed. That’s mostly caused by the weak sidewall of the tires.
In this case, thick sidewalls or polyester casing works best. So, I made my research.
Starfire Solarus AS doesn’t have a thick sidewall or the extra casing that helps to tire keeping its shape while cornering at high velocity. Moreover, its heat rate is ‘B’ which gives us a clue about its thin sidewalls.
Starfire Solarus AS isn’t a tire for you if you’re an aggressive driver. If you drive confidently, it’s a good pick for your vehicle.
In a nutshell,
Starfire Solarus AS offers decent handling. However, this isn’t a tire for mile eaters.
Wet Performance
The wet performance of the tires should be evaluated under two different conditions. High speed and low speed.
While low-speed performance contains starting and stopping, accordingly, wet traction, high-speed performance is more related to security, and hydroplaning resistance is the most important feature in that case.
Let’s dig into them!
Wet Traction
Wet traction distinguishes good and bad all-season tires.
Since all-season tires stay under vehicles all year, they need stiffer compounds. Stiffer compounds make them last longer. In return, the stiff compound has less adhesion capability. Therefore, it has a fewer traction capability.
So, in this case, the UTQG rating can give you a huge clue. If the tire has higher than 700 UTQG, you can start to suspect poor wet traction.
Regarding Starfire Solarus AS, the UTQG rating is 520 AB. The first letter also means it has A-grade wet traction.
However, combining the above data with a well-notched compound is exceedingly important. In this case, if the tire doesn’t have a fluffy compound, I may think it needs a better siping. Yet, this siping level is more than enough.
Starfire Solarus AS provides decent wet traction and grip. Though worth reminding, your acceleration capability on wet will decrease with this tire. Yet, this isn’t an issue if you’re an ordinary and uncombative driver.
Hydroplaning Resistance
Hydroplaning resistance is also known as aquaplaning resistance. It’s basically the water evacuation capability of the tire.
A sidenote here: If you put on the brakes while passing through the puddle, you can feel disconnected from the ground. That’s hydroplaning and what you feel is correct.
Due to its 4 circumferential wide grooves and open shoulder blocks, Starfire Solarus AS offers trustworthy hydroplaning resistance.
Winter Performance
Unlike the common knowledge, all-season tires are built to perform under 7 Celcius degrees. So, in fact, the winter performance isn’t their priority and they can only handle the light snow in general.
So, Starfire Solarus AS has the same behavior. Its compound gets stiffer and stiffer under 7 Celcius degrees. Since its siping density fall shorts for decent winter performance, Starfire Solarus AS isn’t a good option for severe winter conditions. Yet, the below states can confidently use this tire,
- Hawaii
- Florida
- Louisiana
- Texas
- Georgia
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- California
- South Carolina
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Alabama
- Oklahama
Tread Life & Durability
Treadlife and durability are the key features of decent all-season tires. Well, these aren’t performance tires. These tires should offer at least average traction in every condition and acceptable tread life.
In the durability case, things are a bit different for cheap brands. I’m not going to say you’ll get a flat tire in a short amount of time. Yet, the repairability levels of cheap tires are generally low.
Starfire Solarus AS has similar features to the tires in its segment. Due to its fluffy compound, its tread life isn’t that extreme. Yet, compared to most cheap all-season tires, its tread life is unique. Expecting more than 60,000 miles is of course imaginariness.
On the other hand, its repairability isn’t appreciated by the customers (I think it’s all about the poor skills of the mechanic, though, worth sharing). Some even say that the tire doesn’t hold the hot patch. Yet, the tire has 50,000 miles material warranty. So, if you have any issues you can replace them for free with a new one.
If you’d like to ease your replacement process, I recommend buying Starfire Solarus AS via SimpleTire.
Note: If you’ll use Starfire Solarus AS on SUVs and light trucks, you’ll get poor tread life, flat tires, and even broken belts. Please, be careful.
Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire, If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:
Warranty
Unlike most cheap brands, Starfire offers 50,000 miles treadwear warranty for a Solarus AS.
Besides this warranty, you have also a special material warranty that is provided by Cooper.
The tire may not be durable. Yet, the warranty process with a Cooper or a Starfire is one of the best.
Ride Quality
Ride quality is related to the inner structure and compound stiffness. Since most all-season tires have a stiff compound, the manufacturer generally prefers a more flexible structure to provide a smoother ride.
In this case, I think Starfire made a good job. Using a steel belt for a low-quality tire isn’t that common. Moreover, its compound is soft for an all-season tire.
Starfire Solarus AS offers a cozy ride. I strongly recommend it if this’s your priority.
Road Noise
Okay, fellows, this section is highly important to me. Hence, I’m going to be a bit crucial.
This is the issue for most all-season tires. Due to their wide circumferential grooves and stiff compounds, the tires tend to make too much noise.
Regarding Starfire Solarus AS, well, I can’t say it’s as quiet as a church mouse. Yet, its noise level is definitely bearable.
Due to its wide grooves and notched outer ribs, the tire is slightly noisy. Yet, I take this trade for superior wet performance.
Sizes
Most tire sizes begin with modifier letters(P, LT, etc.) that identify the type of vehicle or type of service for which they were designed. Here is a perfect guide for reading tire size –> https://tireterrain.com/how-to-read-tire-size/
| 14” | 15” | 16” | 17” | 18” |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 175/65R14 82H | P185/60R15 84H | 205/55R16 94H XL | 225/65R17 102H | 225/45R18 91V XL |
| 185/70R14 88H | P185/65R15 88H | 205/55R16 94V XL | 235/60R17 102H | 225/60R18 100H |
| P185/60R14 82H | P195/60R15 88H | 215/65R16 98H | 235/60R18 103H | 235/45R18 91V |
| P185/65R14 86H | P195/65R15 91H | 225/70R16 103T | P215/50R17 95V | P225/55R18 98H |
| P195/70R14 91T | P205/60R15 91H | 235/60R16 100T | P215/55R17 94V | P235/50R18 97V |
| P205/75R14 95T | P205/65R15 94H | 245/65R17 107T | P215/60R17 96T | P235/55R18 100V |
| P205/70R15 96T | P205/60R16 92H | P215/65R17 99T | ||
| P205/75R15 97T | P205/65R16 95H | P215/70R16 100T | ||
| P215/60R15 94H | P215/55R16 97H | P225/50R17 94V | ||
| P215/65R15 96H | P215/60R16 95T | P225/55R17 97V | ||
| P215/70R15 98T | P215/60R16 95V | P225/60R17 99H | ||
| P215/75R15 100T | P225/60R16 98H | P235/55R17 99H | ||
| P235/75R15 105T | P225/65R16 100T | P235/65R17 104T | ||
| P235/65R16 103T |
Conclusion
Starfire Solarus AS is a good pick for those who are looking for a dirt-cheap price, decent wet and dry performance, and a treadwear warranty.
So, the above inference is only valid if you have sedans, coupes, or CUVs. I don’t recommend these tires for SUVs and light trucks.
| Starfire Solarus AS | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Non-aggressive drivers who are looking for an affordable tire that can perform well on dry and wet surfaces |
| Category | Standart All-Season Tire |
| Vehicle | Sedans, coupes, CUVs |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 14”, 15”, 16”, 17”, 18” |
| Made In | USA |
| Warranty | 50,000 Miles |
| Lables | M+S |
I hope the article was helpful. Let me know if you have any further questions. Have a safe ride folks!