Overall Rating
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Tire
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Only a few tires can truly embody the characteristics of the Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2 all-in-one. It has an extraordinary ability to deliver almost three times more traction than all-season tires.
When it comes to winter conditions, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 stands as one of the best winter tires. In fact, you can consider this tire to be a solid pair of snow boots for your SUV, truck, or crossover.
The manufacturer uniquely built this tire to surmount the icy challenges that accompany the winter season. The tire’s unique rubber compound remains flexible at temperature levels even less than 32°F (0oC).
Its proficiency in delivering additional confidence in snowy terrains and slush-filled roads is really something else.
It’s obvious the tire is tailor-made for vehicles built to handle heavier burdens and usually features all- or four-wheel drive powertrains. This includes popular vehicle models like the Toyota 4Runner, the Ford F-150, and the Kia Telluride.
Suitable for
Not Suitable for
What Do Drivers Say About Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Tire?
There are lots of accolades from satisfied users to Bridgestone for the DM V2 tire’s performance. They continuously praise its excellent grip and stable handling in snowy conditions. Users have named the Blizzak DM V2 an exceptional tire for a satisfactory winter driving experience. The high sales of Blizzak DM-V2 is a proof of its popularity among customers.
Others commend the tire’s dry and wet handling. They stated that it sticks excellently well to the road, making driving on cold, damp terrains comfortable. In fact, users claim it has one of the best handling.
Conversely, some consumers noted quick wear in using this tire. However, you can avoid this by using the tire specifically in winter months. Furthermore, users generally praise the Blizzak DM V2 for its revolutionary traction capabilities and comfort.
Pricing and Availability
The Blizzak DM V2 prices range from $136 – $340, depending on the size you’re buying. With this price range, I think it is relatively affordable. This is mostly when compared to premium winter and snow tires from its competitors – Continental, Michelin, and Nokian.
Specifications of Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Tires
- Category: Winter tires
- UTQG: N/A
- Maximum Speed: 112 MPH
- Treadwear Warranty: N/A
- Workmanship & Materials Warranty: 5 Years / Prorated until 2/32″ remaining depth.
- Manufacturer’s Road Hazard Warranty: No
- Maximum Inflation Pressure: Ranges from 29 to 45 psi depending on tire sizes
- Tread Depth: 13/32″ – 14/32″
- Rim Width Range: Rim width comes in different sizes with a minimum of 5.5 inches and a maximum of 11 inches.
- Load Range: SL or XL
- Tire sizes: This tire is designed for 15-22-inch wheels, offering 60 sizes.
- Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) Rating: Yes
Key Features of Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Tires
- Specifically built for cold temperatures with the capacity for high performance in ice and snow conditions.
- Features a directional tread design, having a zigzag 3D contour which enhances effective anti-slip and wet handling.
- Special rubber compound designed to remain soft in extreme cold for maximum grip.
- Adaptive NanoPro Tech Multicell compound for excellent grip, effective water resistance, and enhanced ice braking.
- Thousands of sipes on the treads provide ultimate traction in loose snow.
- Professionally built carcass optimizes tire-road contact.
- Features tire wear indicators that reveal when the tread depth attains specific levels that may require replacement.
Detailed Performance Analysis of Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2
Treadwear and Tread life
Bridgestone utilizes a unique rubber compound in manufacturing the Blizzak lineup. This rubber compound consistently remains soft and pliant despite operating in freezing temperatures below zero. With this, the tire can maintain its grip on the road surface in cold conditions.
Furthermore, the edges of the tire’s tread are sharp and angular. This ensures a more confident bite into deeper snow and snowbanks.
Generally, traditional winter tires do not come with any treadwear warranty. The same is true for the Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2. Nevertheless, consumers with proper maintenance have celebrated its long tread life even with the challenges of winter.
The manufacturer used conventional wear indicators for the Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2 range. In addition, the tire has narrow rubber bars recessed into the circumferential grooves. These rubber bars become more visible once the tire wears out.
Conversely, once the tread depth attains 5/35 inches, the bars automatically become flat to the surface. It is vital to note that the tire cannot work on ice anymore at that particular point. However, you can still use them in light and deep snow. When the tread depth reaches 4/32, the deep snow traction also diminishes and only light snow traction remains.
Typically, the first 55% of the Blizzak DM-V2 tire’s tread depth is built with the NanoPro Tech Multicell Compound. Meanwhile, the remaining 45% has a standard winter tire compound. They are winter tires to the point of being worn out.
Generally, the softer compound has a high tendency to wear out faster in warm weather around 15,000 miles. Conversely, if you strictly use them in winter, they can last 3 – 5 years, attaining about 35,000-40,000 miles.
Now I think you should know this. If you frequently subject the tire to rough or gravel roads during winter, its service life will decline. You will only be able to get 20,000 – 25,000 miles.
Winter Performance (Snow and Ice)
The DM V2 offers excellent traction, easy/swift acceleration, impressive cornering, and precise maneuvers on snow-covered surfaces. In fact, this tire delivers almost three times more traction than all-season tires.
The manufacturer molded the tread blocks with its proprietary multicell compound. This structure helps eliminate the thin layer of water between the tire and the road. This significantly enhances braking on icy surfaces.
Additionally, the tread blocks come with thousands of sipes, or tiny cuts. They help to grab and hold the snow perfectly – snow sticks to snow effectively (that’s why it’s possible to build a snowman) – to further enhance traction.
Furthermore, there’s less wheelspin when driving off the line. Meanwhile, steering inputs automatically command directional changes.
Here’s my take on this tire’s winter performance. The overall rating of the Blizzak DM V2 for ski performance is simply amazing. It can speed up excellently without any issue whatsoever. Also, safety is guaranteed with the emergency braking phase.
Dry Grip and Traction
The Blizzak DM V2 is built with intelligent operating patterns which enhances dry traction. With that, your vehicle can move and perform safe and accurate sharp turns at the same time. The tire also has one of the shortest braking distances on dry surfaces in winter.
Conversely, you may battle with some handling challenges on dry pavement. This is because the Blizzak DM V2 doesn’t have a similar dry traction with all-season tires. Of course, this is due to the tire’s winter-type design with some aggressive tread pattern. However, the tire is just perfect for your winter driving experience. For me, I think that’s okay because it is meant for winter use.
Wet Grip and Hydroplaning Resistance
The Blizzak DM V2’s next-generation multicell compound with hydrophilic coating removes water from the tire’s surface. This helps to improve grip. As a result, heavy rain cannot have an impact on the tire performance. It is built to cut through the water just like a sharp knife. This is due to the two wide and deep circumferential grooves.
Besides that, the tire features numerous sipes all over the tread. This helps to ensure ultimate grip and anti-slip operations on wet roads. Also, with the wide shoulder design, this tire corners quite well on wet surfaces even at high speed. As far as I’m concerned, the Blizzak DM V2 performs excellently in wet conditions.
Braking and Stopping Distance
The manufacturer ensured a significant improvement in the Blizzak DM V2’s braking on snowy and icy surfaces. The tire stops strong enough on snow and ice to push passengers forward against their seatbelts. The DM V2 generates G-forces. In fact, no “all-season” tire has the capacity to do that no matter the brand.
Fuel Efficiency/ Gas Mileage
The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 winter tire has a high rolling resistance. In that case, they are relatively less fuel-efficient when you place them side-by-side with all-season tires. This is a minor drawback that you may face with this tire.
Noise and Comfort
The Blizzak DM-V2 winter tire offers a quiet and comfortable ride. You can enjoy this even at high speeds on wet roads, as well as light and packed snow. On the contrary, you may likely experience some noise when driving on dry roads in winter. Why? It is simply due to the aggressive tread pattern, wide shoulders, and strong sidewall.
Here’s my take on all – this tire offers satisfactorily smooth rides, making your driving experience enjoyable and safe.
Comparison with Competitor Tires
When it comes to wet traction, Blizzak DM-V2 is a little behind the Nokian Hakkapeliittas. However, its light and deep snow traction is the best. Talking about ice traction, the Michelin X-Ice Snow performs a little better.
On the other hand, the DM-V2’s lateral traction is better than that of Michelin X-Ice Snow. However, the X-Ice Snow seems to outshine the DM V2 on black ice braking. Nevertheless, that’s a negligible difference between these two.
The DM-V2 comes with moderately better characteristics when it has to do with cornering and controlling at the limit. It outshines the Michelin X-Ice Snow and the Yokohama IceGUARD in this aspect. Also, the DM V2’s pricing is far less than that of its biggest competitor – the Michelin X-Ice Snow.
Finally, the Michelin X-Ice displays slightly better road manners compared to the Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2. It has a stable on-center feel, as well as a direct steering response and minimal tread noise level. The Blizzak DM-V2 displays a slight delay in response to small inputs. However, it eventually becomes more direct and responsive when it comes to bigger maneuvers.
Nevertheless, its overall performance is simply exceptional. The Bridgestone’s Blizzak DM-V2 still ranks as one of the best winter tires on the market. You can take my word for it.
Some Notable Alternatives
1st Alternative
Michelin X-Ice Snow
Michelin X-Ice Xi3 has comparable performance to that of Blizzak DM-V2. Its black ice grip tread life is impressive. Also has excellent ride comfort and tread life.
2nd Alternative
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is a close contender having good overall wet and snow traction.
3rd Alternative
Yokohama iceGUARD iG51v
Yokohama iceGUARD iG51v tire is cheaper than its counterparts and offers a strong grip in snow and other winter conditions.
How We Review the Tires?
There is a lot of work behind our detailed tire reviews. We adopt a multi-dimensional approach rather than just a ‘single person experience’. Our reviews are a collective wisdom of many users rather than a single user.
Before reviewing, we undertake extensive market research, meticulously examine the specifications of each tire, and carry out a very thorough analysis of user reviews from top retailers. Finally, our keen tire experts apply their experience and expertise and provide a well-rounded assessment of tires. Read our detailed review process.
