We officially declare that we are better than our competitors! Wasn't the Bridgestone spokesman too bold? Bridgestone winter tire test: which is better for an SUV Braking on ice.

Source: autocentre.ua

List of tires tested:

• Continental ContiCrossContact Viking
• Dunlop Grandtrek SJ6
• Nokian WRg2 SUV
• Toyo Open Country WT
• Yokohama Geolandar IT-S G073

The test included 9 tires in size 235/65 R17, among which 6 tires are designed for severe winter conditions and 3 for not cold Central European winters. Since the tires are primarily designed for SUVs with all-wheel drive, the results on pavement had more weight than on snow. The results turned out to be very interesting. The absolute favorites on snowy roads, although they received excellent marks, could not get ahead of tires that have balanced results on winter roads and on asphalt. So, at the end of the winter part of the tests, we no longer doubted that the best tire would be Bridgestone (Bridgestone) Blizzak DM-V1 and Michelin (Michelin) Latitude X-Ice 2. It was these tires that led by a margin on ice and snow. However, when the turn came to test these tires on asphalt, the situation changed radically. They began to lose to "classmates", and the tires "for European warm winters" took the lead - Nokian (Nokian) WR G2 SUV, Pirelli (Pirelli) Scorpion Ice & Snow and Toyo (Toyo) Open Country. The tires Pirelli (Pirelli) Scorpion Ice & Snow, which became the leader on the pavement, excelled especially here. Experts who did not know what kind of tires the car was “shod in” thought that these were all-season or summer tires. As a result, these tires did not enter the top 3 winners.

Winter tests were carried out in New Zealand at the SHPG test site, which is located in the mountains at an altitude of 1500m above sea level.

Summing up the results of the tests, I would like to give a couple of tips to the owners of crossovers. In this class, as in no other, tires must be chosen based on personal driving style. Calm drivers or those who have recently sat behind the wheel, it is better to give preference to tires with better grip on ice and snow. The tires that lead these tests will help on roads that have not been cleared of snow and ice. For experienced drivers who prefer high-speed driving on asphalt, we advise you to choose tires that have average and higher performance on all surfaces - on snow, ice, dry and wet asphalt. The right choice of tires will allow drivers of various temperaments to feel confident on winter surfaces.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R SUV
		R
	ID:	108 (XL)
		There is
	Outer/inner side:	No
	Weight:	14,995
	Tread depth, mm:	8,6
		53
	Date of manufacture:	13 week 2011
Results 8.66	Manufacturer country:	Finland
Tires Nokian (Nokian) Hakkapeliitta R SUV, shining with tenacity on ice in the light dimension, in the "off-road" showed completely different results. Here they yielded to the established leaders on winter tracks. Thanks to the very balanced characteristics, the final calculations of the test brought the tire to the lead. Yes, this is a rather infrequent case when tires that do not lead in almost any test take 1st place in the final count, but it's a fact. The best characteristics of the tire are hydroplaning resistance and braking performance on asphalt. The level of vibration comfort is also good - the tires absorb many bumps. All in all Nokian Hakkapeliitta R SUV is a great tire for any winter.
+ Balanced all characteristics
Bridgestone (Bridgestone) Blizzak DM-V1
		R
	ID:	108
	The direction of the tread pattern:	There is
	Outer/inner side:	No
	Weight:	15,535
	Tread depth, mm:	10,5
	Shore hardness of rubber alloy (at -5 o C):	45
	Date of manufacture:	4th week 2011
Results 8.49	Manufacturer country:	Japan
Tires Bridgestone (Bridgestone) Blizzak DM-V1 fully confirmed their purpose: "for very severe winters." Spongy tread rubber and trace elements in the composition of the rubber, which work like micro-studs on ice, provided them with leadership in ice tests. Tires have decent results on snowy roads. It overcomes turns steadily, and in the event of a drift, it allows you to “gas” to a given trajectory. During maneuvers on wet surfaces, there is no danger of sharp skids and drifts. With excessive speed, this happens quite smoothly, so the driver has the opportunity to reset it in time. But the speed of overcoming the tracks is noticeably lower than that of European winter tires.
+ Tenacity and behavior on ice - No obvious deficiencies
Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI2
		T
	ID:	108
	The direction of the tread pattern:	There is
	Outer/inner side:	No
	Weight:	14,195
	Tread depth, mm:	8,3
	Shore hardness of rubber alloy (at -5 o C):	50
	Date of manufacture:	3rd week 2010
Results 8.13	Manufacturer country:	Canada
Tires Michelin (Michelin) Latitude X-Ice 2 with tires Bridgestone (Bridgestone) Blizzak DM-V1, were in the lead at the winter stage of the competition. They had the best braking and acceleration on ice. And only in tests for stability and control, due to less tenacity in the transverse direction, it lost 1st place to the Blizzak DM-V1 tire. On snowy surfaces, the tires also brake well and provide predictable control of the car, only the acceleration here turned out to be slightly weaker. During sharp turns, snow drifts may appear on the packed snow, but they are hardly noticeable. On wet pavement, the Latitude X-Ice 2 loses a little to the leader. So, with slalom, this tire has large drifts. On dry pavement, this tire is even a little more attractive than the Erka: at the slip limit during maneuvers, a slight vibration is felt - a kind of danger signal.
+ Braking and traction on ice - Hydroplaning resistance
Nokian WRg2 SUV
		V
	ID:	108 (XL)
	The direction of the tread pattern:	No
	Outer/inner side:	There is
	Weight:	14,185
	Tread depth, mm:	8,9
	Shore hardness of rubber alloy (at -5 o C):	58
	Date of manufacture:	Week 22, 2011
Results 8.1	Manufacturer country:	Finland
After testing Nokian's 2nd tyre, the WR G2 Sport Utility, it seemed that the inventors of Finnish tires were tasked with making tires with the most balanced performance on various surfaces. These "Euro winter" tires are another proof of this. Obviously, the Finns have perfectly studied the method of evaluating tires, so they do what the end consumer requires. Returning to the tested tire, it should be noted that it was ahead of its 2 rivals due to its performance on ice - the ability to stop and accelerate on ice turned out to be especially good in this class of tires. The tires performed very well when braking and accelerating on snow. On pavement, they lost only to the outsider of ice and snow roads - Pirelli (Pirelli) Scorpion Ice & Snow.
+ Balanced performance on different surfaces - There are no obvious disadvantages
Yokohama Geolandar IT-S G073
		Q
	ID:	108
	The direction of the tread pattern:	There is
	Outer/inner side:	No
	Weight:	15,07
	Tread depth, mm:	10,55
	Shore hardness of rubber alloy (at -5 o C):	53
	Date of manufacture:	14 week 2010
Results 7.97	Manufacturer country:	Japan
Tires Yokohama (Yokohama) Geolandar I / T-S according to the final result are also worthy of attention. On snow and ice, they showed average tenacity in all types of tests. There are only complaints about lateral stability on ice and handling on snow. On packed snow, a car with these tires is prone to skidding. For experienced drivers, this makes it possible to cover the distance faster with controlled skids, but for the majority of car owners, this is not very good. In a snake in the snow, the speed is also less than that of the leaders. On asphalt, the tires are average. On a wet winding road, the car “floats” slightly outward in corners, but this happens very slowly, so that the stabilization system is rarely activated. On dry surfaces in a long turn at top speed, drift occurs, which, if not slowed down, can turn into a skid.
+ Stable average performance on all surfaces - Comfort
Continental (Continental) ContiCrossContact Viking
		Q
	ID:	108
	The direction of the tread pattern:	No
	Outer/inner side:	There is
	Weight:	15,325
	Tread depth, mm:	8,7
	Shore hardness of rubber alloy (at -5 o C):	53
	Date of manufacture:	6th week 2011
Results 7.96	Manufacturer country:	Germany
Conti Cross Contact Viking tires are also quite interesting in terms of performance stability. Since these tires are arctic type, they perform noticeably better on snow and ice than on pavement. In the test on ice, they go a little behind the leaders. On the snow surface, the experts noted a stable behavior - the tire does not have a pronounced predisposition to skidding or drifting. On the pavement, these tires in their class proved to be worthy. On wet and dry surfaces, the Cross Contact Viking generally provides adequate performance, only slightly behind competitors when braking on dry pavement.
+ Balanced characteristics + Braking on packed snow - Braking on dry pavement
Toyo Open Country WT
		V
	ID:	108
	The direction of the tread pattern:	No
	Outer/inner side:	There is
	Weight:	14,895
	Tread depth, mm:	8,7
	Shore hardness of rubber alloy (at -5 o C):	60
	Date of manufacture:	38 week 2010
Results 7.77	Manufacturer country:	Japan
Tires Toyo (Toyo) Open Country - from the category of tires for Central European not cold winters. However, thanks to their tenacity, they were able to overtake even one of the tires for harsh winters. This placement in the final results is mainly due to good tenacity and behavior on wet and dry surfaces. On pavement, they keep up with the Finnish rival Nokian (Nokian) WR G2 SUV and lag behind the Pirelli (Pirelli) Scorpion Ice & Snow tire. It has good aquaplaning resistance and a low level of comfort. On packed snow on a winding road, the tires are generally predictable - no sudden skids or drifts, but track times are long. On ice, the tires are noticeably inferior to the test participants.
+ Hydroplaning resistance - Tenacity and behavior on ice - Comfort level
Dunlop Grandtrek SJ6
		Q
	ID:	104
	The direction of the tread pattern:	There is
	Outer/inner side:	No
	Weight:	14,6
	Tread depth, mm:	10,8
	Shore hardness of rubber alloy (at -5 o C):	57
	Date of manufacture:	27 week 2010
Results 7.69	Manufacturer country:	Japan
Tires Dunlop (Dunlop) Grandtrek SJ6 for the most severe winter conditions. Thanks to the high tread and lots of blocks on snowy roads, they proved to be very stable. On a winding track, even with the stabilization system turned off, the tires allow you to confidently overcome turns in an easy skid. On ice, the tires also perform well when braking and accelerating. On the pavement, they did not show themselves very well, and therefore lagged behind their rivals. Soft tread, small and high blocks, which are still crushed by sipes, on dry and wet pavement cannot provide high precision in steering and stability. Due to these design features, braking also suffered.
+ Tenacity on ice and snow - braking on asphalt - Handling and stability on asphalt
Pirelli Scorpion Ice Snow
		H
	ID:	108
	The direction of the tread pattern:	No
	Outer/inner side:	There is
	Weight:	15,325
	Tread depth, mm:	8,05
	Shore hardness of rubber alloy (at -5 o C):	66
	Date of manufacture:	33 week 2010
Results 7.22	Manufacturer country:	Great Britain
Suspicions that tires Pirelli (Pirelli) Scorpion Ice & Snow will perform poorly on winter surfaces, were at the very beginning, where we measured the hardness of rubber and tread height. For these two indicators, they were very different from other winter tires and more like summer tires. Our worries began to come true as soon as we started riding these tires out of the box. On the way to the track, the VW Touareg's stabilization system began to work too often, and it became clear from the slipping and skidding of the car on small climbs that these tires were poorly prepared for winter roads. On test ice and snow tracks, they outperformed all test participants by a noticeable margin both in stability and handling, and in traction and braking properties. But on the pavement, they were out of competition, ahead of their rivals in all respects.
+ Tenacity and behavior on asphalt - Tenacity and behavior on ice and snow - Comfort

- We officially declare that we are better than our competitors! Didn't Bridgestone's representative speak too boldly at the presentation of the new Blizzak VRX and Blizzak Spike 01 tires, which took place at the Dmitrovsky auto test site at the end of last winter? Maybe a translation error?

The etymology of the name Blizzak for the Bridgestone winter tire line is interpreted by the company itself as a mixture of the English word “blizzard” (“blizzard”) and the German “Zacke” (“tooth”). Previously, only non-studded models were designated by this name, but now Blizzak Spike 01 studded tires have appeared.

The outwardly directional tread pattern is reminiscent of early Nokian studded tires: an aggressive herringbone with wide grooves is designed to increase traction on snow, and if the snow is deep, sawtooth grooves in the shoulder area should help. As for the “ice” properties, the holes for the spikes were improved (grooves appeared around them to remove ice chips), and most importantly, the spike itself has changed: a cross-shaped notch is now made on the end of the carbide insert. Are new spikes screwed into the tread body with a Phillips screwdriver? Of course not. These cuts are designed to increase the pressure on the ice and, as a result, increase the grip of the tire with the surface. As for the previous model, Ice Cruiser 7000, the spikes are produced by the German company Sitek. In a 16-inch tire, I counted 130 studs - the Japanese do not need to adjust these tires to the new European standards that limit the number of studs per linear meter of tread (AR No. 18, 2013). Blizzak Spike 01 tires are designed specifically for Russia.

The cross-shaped notch on the carbide insert is designed to increase the specific pressure of the stud on the ice - the load is the same, but the contact area is smaller. But how long will such a notch last when driving on asphalt?

I also took a look at the non-studded Blizzak VRX tires. Here is a new asymmetric tread pattern: its blocks, when compared with the previous Blizzak Revo GZ model (their test results are on the pages of the same Autoreview issue), have decreased, the rubber compound has become softer. As planned by the creators, this should provide better grip on rough roads. The composition of the rubber compound Multicell Compound has also been updated. Its porous structure allows it to "absorb" 30% more moisture than the rubber of the previous series. Special additives in the rubber compound increase the wettability of the tread micropores, which makes it possible to better dry the contact patch.

Teana, “shod” in Bridgestone Blizzak VRX, performs a “rearrangement” without unnecessary slips

On ice, the Blizzak VRX provides about the same grip as the Michelin X-Ice 3.

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The driving program began by comparing Michelin X-Ice 3 and Bridgestone Blizzak VRX tires on a Nissan Teana. Acceleration and deceleration, both on ice and on snow, did not reveal an absolute leader. And stability during acceleration turned out to be close - cars on both tire models required significant steering. But the “rearrangement” with the stabilization system turned off has already tipped the scales towards Bridgestone tires - Teana did not fall into drifts so deeply and not so long. On the “snake”, the grip limit also turned out to be slightly higher - the car responded better to steering turns at higher speeds, however, with a subsequent sharper breakdown into a skid. So I'm not sure that Bridgestone tires proved to be safer "on a circle".

The next exercise is driving on packed snow on Volkswagen Touareg SUVs, “shod” in Bridgestone Spike 01 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV tires. On Finnish tires, rolling is accompanied by a high-frequency hum, while Japanese tires are either "silent" or emit a low-frequency hum. Again, which is better? I don't have a definite answer. But in terms of smoothness, the Bridgestone is clearly inferior to Finnish tires: the winter “comb” of the Touareg on Nokian tires is softer. But Bridgestone representatives have a strong trump card in this regard: “Yes, the frame is rigid, but this minimizes the likelihood of damage to it on a bad road.” I won’t argue here: the results of our crash tests, to which we subjected both studded and non-studded tires (AP No. 18 and No. 19, 2013), showed that Bridgestone tires are indeed the most durable.

As usual, we will compare new Bridgestone tires with competitors as soon as possible - unlike the representative of Bridgestone, I am not yet completely sure that the really best tires were shown to me at the test site. But one advantage is obvious to me - a wide range of dimensions: Bridgestone Blizzak VRX non-studded tires are available in 53 sizes (from Zhiguli 175/70 R13 to impressive 245/45 R19), and Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 01 studded tires are even wider - 60 sizes, from 175/70 R13 to 265/60 R18. It is important that both those and others will be produced in Japan. And it is very important that the prices for Japanese winter tires will remain among the most attractive on the market.

Ice braking: in the absence of measuring equipment, the difference between Bridgestone tires and competitors' tires is barely noticeable

If the first one is with or without spikes, the answer is found relatively quickly, there are only two options, but it is becoming more and more difficult to answer the second every year. Not only do manufacturers from Korea and China appear on the market along with the usual Nokian, Bridgestone, Hakkapeliitta, Michelin and GoodYear, but tire manufacturers produce various brand lines, and within these lines there are also individual brands.

However, it seems that some of the market leaders are already beginning to realize that you can’t tear the brain of a buyer like that, who is about to go over to competitors ... There is another explanation for the act of marketers from Bridgestone, who convinced Japanese bosses, people who are very conservative in everything the slightest changes, reduce the number of winter tire lineups. Now all Bridgestone winter tires will bear the “surname” Blizzak, and it will be possible to separate the spike from the “Velcro” by the “name” - Spike or VRX. The first two new items of the new range of Bridgestone winter tires - non-studded VRX and studded Spike-01, were shown to us at the Dmitrovsky training ground.

A very representative landing of Japanese top managers, designers and marketers “landed” in the Moscow region to present new winter tires. We started our acquaintance with new products with the Bridgestone Blizzak VRX. The manufacturer positions it as a city tire for experienced drivers. In order to cover the market demand as much as possible, Bridgestone will produce this tire in 53 sizes. The Japanese claim that the main advantages of this tire are good grip on ice and high braking performance on snow. Structurally, this is ensured by a new asymmetric tread pattern and a new rubber compound Multicell Compound. In confirmation of their words, the owners showed impressive shots of comparative tests, in which the Bridgestone Blizzak VRX convincingly beat European competitors. However, during such presentations, there is no other way…

But irony aside, the enlarged images showed that the rubber resembles a sponge, which, when it enters the water and experiences pressure upon contact with the surface, collects moisture in the pores-cells. They stick to the surface, and then, wrung out in the contact patch, self-clean the tread. This is the design idea of ​​the new Multicell Compound rubber compound, designed to improve the water drainage of the asymmetric tread pattern. The competitors of this tire in the Japanese company are Michelin X-Ice 3, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R, GoodYear Ultra Grip Ice +, Continental Viking Contact 5).

On the first test, the advantage of Blizzak, whose name has long become synonymous with Velcro, was clearly noticeable. Although, as soon as we went beyond 40 km / h, which the instructor insisted on, the difference between the “Japanese” and “European” became not so noticeable. Approximately the same result we saw on the "moose test". But where the Blizzak VRX turned out to be head and shoulders above the competitor was when passing through the “snake”. At a speed of 60 km / h, the behavior of the car was much easier to control and straighten the car out of a skid on Bridgestone tires, and the rear axle drift itself was noticeably less. If at the site of the landfill the extra centimeters of demolition are just a knocked down cone, then in the city stream it is someone's wing or door ...

We tested the new Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-01 studded tire on VW Passat and VW Touareg. The main difference of this tire model was a new type of stud, German development and production. Its tip is divided into four small spikes, each of which clings to the ice and helps the tire to cope with its task more efficiently.

The set of exercises was similar. There was no undisputed leader in acceleration on ice, although earlier at the presentation we were shown shots in which a car with Bridgestone tires confidently kept its trajectory and stopped, and also took a turn along a noticeably smaller radius than a car on competitor tires. In braking on snow and "snake", the performance of Spike-01 and its competitor, Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7, were approximately equal, but in braking on ice, the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-01 outperformed the Finnish competitor by 0.5 to 1 meter. To the standard set of exercises for Spike-01, a section was added, which demonstrated the behavior of the tire in high-speed cornering and when accelerating uphill. At a speed of 80 km / h, the VW Touareg, shod in Blizzak Spike-01, turned out to be easier to control than a car with Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 tires. It seems that the advantages demonstrated at the presentation are not just a marketing ploy.

It is still difficult to talk about how successful these new Bridgestone products will be on the Russian market. Moreover, answering the question raised during the press conference about plans to localize production, the Japanese answered the question with a question - “Which Bridgestone rubber would you buy - made in Japan or in Russia?”. True, they obviously did not receive the answer they were counting on: “The one that is cheaper. We buy Japanese cameras made in Taiwan, and Japanese cars made in Europe…”. The faces of the Japanese managers turned to stone for a moment, but then they confidently uttered a mantra about the excellent quality of their products and the connection of this quality with the Made in Japan label. One could, of course, argue about this, but something else is important - today Bridgestone does not plan to localize production. Consequently, Bridgestone tires will remain as expensive as they are efficient. However, as the authorities say, the car's handling and the quality of the brakes are no less than half dependent on the quality of the tires, which means that this is clearly not the consumable that is worth saving on ...

Choosing the right winter tires for your car can be a daunting task. A huge number of manufacturers offer products that differ not only in price, but also in quality. According to polls, the Japanese company can rightly be considered the leader, and the models of which we will consider below are very popular among car owners around the world.

Brand information

The history of the Bridgestone company begins in 1930, when the founder of the company Shojiro Ishibashi created the first tire. Over time, the founder of the brand, Shojiro Ishibashi, realized that he would like to become the first rubber manufacturer in Japan. His dream came true already in 1953.

It currently has branches in 27 countries around the world and is ranked first among other rubber manufacturers. The company's products are used to complete racing cars participating in Formula 1. The company is a leader in the production of run-flat tires. The tires received reinforced sidewalls that help keep the shape of the tire even with a complete loss of pressure. This allows the driver to drive about 80 km on a flat (punctured) tire to the nearest car service.

The lineup

Tires "Bridgestone" are presented in a wide range. The manufacturer offers high-quality winter, summer and all-season tires. Each model is developed taking into account various weather conditions.

Some of the best summer Bridgestone tire models are Ecopia EP150, Turanza T001, Bridgestone B250, Regno GR-8000. They are characterized by high reliability, reduced rolling resistance and complete acoustic comfort. All-season tires for passenger cars and SUVs are available in such models as Bridgestone Dueler H/T, Dueler M/T, Dueler A/T 693.

Particularly noteworthy are winter ones, which are maximally adapted for operation in climatic conditions characteristic of some regions. Such "winter" models as Revo GZ, Ice Cruiser 7000, Blizzak VRX, Blizzak Spike-01 are considered to be among the most popular among domestic motorists.

Production of winter tires

The brand manages to maintain world leadership due to the creation of high-quality products and the introduction of innovative technologies. Winter tires are in the highest demand. Bridgestone offers both friction and studded models. Velcro for the cold season is chosen by most drivers. Such rubber showed itself well both on dry pavement and on slush and ice. It has high wear resistance. Some of the most popular wheels among consumers are the Blizzak Revo GZ, Turanza T005 RFT, Blizzak Revo DM-V1, Blizzak VRX, Ecopia EP300, Blizzak LM001 Evo and Blizzak LM-30.

Studs from the Japanese brand are ideal for use in regions with harsh winters. They give complete confidence in the safety of driving on winter roads, have excellent traction and good handling on a flat road and off-road. The following models have gained popularity in the domestic market:

1. "Bridgestone" Blizzak Spike 01.
2. "Bridgestone" Ice Cruiser 7000.
3. "Bridgestone" Noranza 2 evo.
4. "Bridgestone" Ice Cruiser 5000.
5. "Bridgestone" Noranza SUV 001.

Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ

"Bridgestone Blizzak" - a winter range of tires. Among the many modifications, Blizzak Revo GZ deserves special attention. Velcro has earned a lot of positive feedback and is considered one of the best winter tires. It was first introduced in 2010 and almost immediately won the trust of car owners.

Friction rubber is designed for operation with a serious "minus". This model received excellent grip properties from the developers, thanks to which the car can safely drive on ice, slush and rolled snow.

Tread

The tire received an asymmetric tread pattern, which was specially created using computer modeling. This made it possible to transfer the entire load to certain areas of the tread surface. The asymmetric tread is great for braking and accelerating on any type of surface.

Rapid removal of water and snow porridge from the contact patch is provided by wide grooves. Three-dimensional sipes and advanced shoulder blocks are responsible for safe control. The sidewall curves received unusual asymmetric contours from the developers. This solution made it possible to reduce vibrations and body sway during cornering, as well as maintain directional stability.

Expert reviews of Bridgestone winter tires indicate that the outer part of the tread helps protect the rubber from deformation due to densely spaced blocks and the presence of checkers with peculiar jumpers. The "toothy" inner tread pattern is responsible for the car's handling on winter roads. Tread wear can be monitored using special indicators.

Rubber compound

The softness of rubber, even at very low temperatures, can be maintained through the use of special Multicell Compound technology. Its essence lies in the fact that the rubber inside has many micropores, which are designed to absorb a water film as quickly as possible, which impairs adhesion to the roadway. Moreover, the number of these micropores does not decrease during operation. When the tread wears out, new cavities appear, which allow you to maintain the technical characteristics of the tires throughout the entire service life.

Reviews and cost

A huge number of motorists prefer to “shoe” their vehicle in rubber from the Japanese tire giant Bridgestone. "Winter" in the Blizzak Revo GZ model proved to be excellent not only during the tests, but also during operation on domestic roads. The presence of high technical characteristics declared by the manufacturer is confirmed by both experts and drivers. Rubber quickly responds to steering commands, moves clearly and confidently on snow, slush, ice and dry asphalt.

You can buy Bridgestone tires in this model in almost any specialized store. The cost of tires starts from 2400 rubles (R13).

Bridgestone Blizzak VRX

Another representative of high-quality winter tires from Bridgestone is the Blizzak VRX. The model belongs to friction and looks very similar to the Blizzak Revo GZ discussed above. By inheritance, the rubber inherited an asymmetric type of tread pattern and a unique compound technology.

The central part of the tread was subjected to refinement - the shape of the blocks and the density of their arrangement changed. The blocks are shorter and more rigid. This has a positive effect on the behavior of rubber on dry and wet road surfaces. Multidirectional edges and sipes allowed to shorten the braking distance and improve the dynamics of acceleration.

Test results

Numerous tests have proven the excellent performance of this tire model. In winter, when the weather conditions are almost aggressive, drivers may not worry about passing even the most difficult sections of the road. Velcro "Close VRX" will provide good grip on snowy and icy asphalt, will allow you to get out of any snowdrift without slipping.

Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 Overview

From "Bridgestone" - with a directional symmetrical tread pattern. Among experts and car owners, it is considered one of the best in its category and rightfully takes prizes in tests. What is the peculiarity of this model? First of all, it is suitable for operation in the most difficult weather conditions.

"Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000" has components in the rubber compound that increase its grip, repel moisture and reduce rolling resistance. The manufacturer notes that this result was achieved through the use of natural rubber, silica, absorbent gel and other substances. This model is specially made for operation on domestic winter roads.

Only at first glance it seems that all winter tires in the world are the same, they are divided into studded and non-studded, and the test of a new tire is reduced to a “hold / not hold” rating. In fact, there are many evaluation criteria, and an observant owner will feel the difference in rolling, the subtleties of grip and the changed noise accompaniment. So the Blizzak DM-V2 tires surprised us first of all with the fact that they are soft and quiet. Winter wheels tend to be much more pliable than summer ones, but Blizzak DM-V2 are made of microporous, very soft rubber, and you can even feel it to the touch. The first hundreds of meters are a real surprise. Extraordinary silence! Any sound that accompanies the rolling of the wheels has disappeared, small irregularities are swallowed, and large ones are largely leveled out. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 are designed for crossovers, and therefore are not without good traction in specific conditions. On wet pavement, the foam rubber tread absorbs moisture, while the tread's V-groove and well-developed grooves wick water away. The tires also handle snow drifts quite well, even if they are partly wet slush mixed with mud. Additional recesses in the shoulder blocks help here, which begin to work when the wheel falls a little into the snow.

It is noteworthy that confident grip, good handling and stable contact with the road are maintained at high (up to 150 km / h) speeds. And the stronger the frost, the more noticeable it is. Here, without a doubt, the main role is played by the suppleness of the soft mixture, which does not tan at low temperatures. Tires transmit braking forces very well. It should be noted that under loads in the longitudinal direction, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM–V2 has almost no competitors among other winter models. In addition, in loose snow and sand, on wet and dry roads, the grip quality is stable, which is rare.

But deepening into the winter reality revealed those factors that should alert the owner. First of all, DM-V2 noticeably lose ground when there is clean ice under the wheels. No matter what anyone says, banal spikes are the only guaranteed solution. Ice is rare in the city, but if you periodically have to deviate from your usual route and make your way along unexplored winter roads, be careful - these tires do not hold lateral loads on ice so well and grip may not be enough in a critical turn. Another notable disappointment is a direct consequence of the soft tread. The tire wears out pretty quickly, and two or three intense winter seasons will be the limit for them. Well, one more thing, again arising from the frosty specifics of tires - they categorically do not like positive temperatures (above 10 degrees). The car begins to noticeably float, rolling resistance and fuel consumption increase.

Summing up, let's define the scope of tires Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2. Mostly these are trips outside the city and winter trips on snow-white roads. That is, where there is a high probability of meeting an uncleaned track with poor coverage, pits and dirt. For continuous urban use, they are also suitable, but to a lesser extent, and they will be erased on asphalt faster.