The Goodyear Eagle LS-2 is a popular tire that’s applicable for a wide variety of uses, though it champions itself on performance with smooth driving and confident cornering. The tire has much to offer its owner, but is it the right fit for your vehicle? Take a look at our comprehensive Goodyear Eagle LS-2 review, and discover exactly what this tire can offer your drive.
Goodyear Eagle LS-2 Basics
This tire is an all-season premium tire, so it’s good for year-round use in the hot summer and the cold winter. The pattern on this tire utilizes a symmetrical triple tread block style that’s designed to increase control when steering and cornering while maintaining grip. Overall stability is one of the tire’s main selling points.
Given that it offers such a smooth ride, it’s often used on minivans and crossovers in addition to sportier vehicles and luxury sedans. Even full-size SUVs can make use of this tire thanks to its smooth control. You’ll find several sizes available as well, starting at 15 inches and increasing up to 20 inches.
When you buy this tire, it comes with a limited tread warranty with tire uniformity covered for a full year or the first 2/32 inch of wear depending on which comes first. Materials and workmanship are covered for six years, and that includes free replacement. When you get down to the final 2/32 inch of tread depth, there’s a prorated amount provided for maintenance costs.
Traction Ratings
One of the most important factors of any tire is its traction. The Goodyear Eagle LS-2 offers traction you can count on all year long, but there are some limits to be aware of. Generally speaking, the tire is rated well for dry traction, wet traction, and traction in light snow. Heavy winter or icy conditions, however, require specialized tires with features that this tire doesn’t offer.
The best traction will come with driving in dry conditions, of course, with performance being slightly worse but still very much workable in wet conditions. This is generally what you’d expect from all-season tires, though the Goodyear Eagle LS-2’s performance in winter under snowy and icy conditions leaves something to be desired. In general, it’s best to opt for specialized winter tires rather than all-season tires if you’re dealing with serious winter conditions, and this tire is no exception to that standard. Some all-season tires can fare relatively well in light snow and ice, but this particular tire is most appropriate for warmer temperatures. You may also choose to run the Goodyear Eagle LS-2 in warm weather, then switch to dedicated snow tires during the winter months.
Driving Feel
When you’re behind the wheel and equipped with these tires, it’s important to consider what the driving experience is like. One of the most notable aspects is how smooth the ride is. This is largely why this tire is so popular for minivans, crossovers, and other vehicles that are favored by families. Plus, the smooth drive makes it ideal for people who spend a lot of time on the road, whether they take road trips or simply have a long commute to work every day.
Handling and cornering are quite smooth as well. The tire utilizes a tread pattern designed to maximize grip when taking turns, so you’re always in control. It works best on dry surfaces, with only somewhat diminished performance on wet surfaces. The smooth ride also creates minimal road noise, and highway speeds can maintain that relative silence as well.
If you plan on traveling off-road, it’s best to opt for a different kind of tire. The Goodyear Eagle LS-2 can handle minimal off-pavement excursions, such as driving on a well-traveled dirt road, but that’s about it. Nothing about its design is particularly adept at protecting it from punctures and chips that often happen when driving off-road.
All-Season Capability
The Goodyear Eagle LS-2 is marketed as an all-season tire, but its performance tends to be inconsistent during the winter. The grip and traction are great in warm and dry conditions, and the tire can easily adapt to wet conditions as well, but it tends to run into trouble during the winter. Severe wintry conditions will need specialized tires, of course, but all-season tires are generally meant to be able to handle light snow and slush.
When this tire is taken through light snow or ice, it simply doesn’t perform as well as you’d expect for an all-season tire. The braking performance and cornering control simply can’t compete with other similar all-season tires. Running into ice can potentially be dangerous no matter what kind of tires you have, but these tires don’t help maintain control to any significant degree.
Tread Wear Indicators
The tread wear indicators on this tire are up to standard, making it easy for drivers to notice when it’s time to change their tires. Tread wear is important to monitor because your tire’s performance depends on it having an adequate level of tread. As the tread wears down, tire grip gets worse, and it runs the risk of hydroplaning when driving under wet conditions.
According to industry standards, you’ll need a minimum 2/32-inch tread depth to safely drive in wet conditions, and this tire makes it apparent when you’ve reached that minimum. The narrow rubber bars of the tire will be at the same level as the tire’s surface when it reaches minimum tread depth. This is the sign that you need to get your tires replaced, though it’s generally better to do it sooner. All tires have similar depth indicators.
The Verdict
Overall, Goodyear Eagle LS-2 tires have a lot to offer, but they don’t quite live up to their classification as all-season tires. They offer a remarkably smooth ride that’s easy to control and quiet, making it perfect for a wide variety of applications. The range of sizes makes it compatible with several different car types as well. Still, the tire tends to struggle to grip the road in wintry conditions, and that includes even minor snow and ice. If that’s not something you’ll ever have to deal with, however, this could be the perfect tire for your vehicle.
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