The Falken Ziex ZE-912 is an ultra-high performance all-season tire designed for drivers of high-performance sport compacts, sedans, and older muscle cars, featuring asymmetric tread design providing enhanced capabilities across varied weather conditions. This tire incorporates full-depth sipes encircling the tread coupled with high-volume circumferential grooves and high-angle variable cross grooves, with aggressive hybrid tread pattern including Rotation Wear Indicators immediately showing remaining tread depth and Eye alignment indicators on shoulders revealing whether vehicle alignment remains correct. Larger shoulder blocks combined with stiffer tread compound enhance dry surface handling and grip, while four circumferential grooves and extensive siping improve hydroplane resistance during wet conditions. The tire features High Angle Variable Cross Grooves technology reducing tire noise for more comfortable operation, with warranty coverage providing 40,000 miles on 55-series tires and below or 65,000 miles on 60/65-series applications. Pricing starts around $70 and up making the ZE-912 accessible option for performance-minded drivers seeking enhanced capabilities at reasonable cost. The tire has been discontinued and replaced by ZE950 with evolutionary improvements, though ZE-912 continues serving value market in remaining inventory.
The Falken Ziex ZE-912 delivers mixed ownership experiences with performance notably dependent on operating conditions and user expectations, showing particular strengths in dry weather while revealing significant winter weather limitations. Grassroots Motorsports magazine testing reported the ZE-912 performed very well as quiet and sticky tire with good dry performance appropriate for spirited driving and occasional track use, with many users praising the tire's dry surface capabilities and reasonable pricing. However, substantial criticisms emerge regarding winter performance with multiple users describing the tire as horrible for braking or accelerating in smallest amount of snow, effectively making this three-season tire rather than genuine all-season option despite marketing designation. User reviews reveal 399 assessments with mixed feedback regarding wet weather performance, tread life expectations, and overall value proposition compared to premium alternatives. The aggressive tread pattern delivers responsive handling during dry conditions with larger shoulder blocks providing confident cornering grip, while the circumferential grooves and siping maintain adequate wet traction during moderate precipitation though ultimate wet grip falls short of premium summer tire alternatives. The ZE-912 serves budget-conscious performance vehicle owners in regions with predominantly dry weather seeking enhanced capabilities over standard all-season alternatives at accessible pricing, representing solid three-season option for enthusiast drivers accepting winter tire changes for snow and ice conditions where this tire proves entirely inadequate despite all-season classification suggesting broader capability than actual performance delivers.
