Winter tires have to deal with much more harsh environments as compared to any other family of tires. To face the biggest challenge, I.e. slippery surfaces, winter tires have deeper and wider siping in lieu of any other tires.
The higher silica content within the tread, allows these tires to cope with the snowy/icy conditions accordingly.
Table of Contents
Snow/Ice Traction Comparison:
Blizzak DM V2 utilizes MULTI CELL compound with Nano ProTech for impressive traction over snow and ice, allowing you to have a safe yet comfortable ride. The Multicell technology is infused with hydrophilic properties that create a layer of snow around the tread for better cohesive properties assuring a safe ride with excellent traction.
WinterContact Ts 850P, on the other hand, utilizes Continenals’s S-GRIP pattern design. The S-GRIP pattern design features an asymmetric tread that provides the tire with an increased number of biting edges for better grip on snow and ice.
The longitudinal sipes are necessary for snow retention to enhance snow-snow traction for better control and handling over slippery surfaces. Without having the need for metal studs.
We tested both the tires for snow and ice traction and braking distances and Blizzak DM v2has the upper hand with results given below:
- WinterContact Ts 850 P has ice traction of 6(acceleration time up to 30 km/h in seconds) whereas Blizzak DM V2 has a traction of 6.57 (acceleration time up to 35 km/hin seconds)
- Upon testing these tires on snow, WinterContact Ts 850 P gave us a snow braking distance of 52.8 m (at 80 km/h) on the other hand Blizzak stopped after covering 51.6 m. (at 80 km/h)
Both Blizzak DM V2 and WinterContact Ts 850 P provide exceptional snow traction and are 3MPSF certified, which means this tire fulfilled the industry’s severe snow tests.
Wet Traction Comparison:
Wet traction is a rather essential factor that makes any winter tire suitable for ice/snow as well as wet terrain.
Blizzak DM V2 is awarded with 3D zigzag sipes and directional tread that provide the tire with 15 % more biting edges by generating micro-roughness in the tread surface; the rougher the surface the better the traction.
WinterContact Ts 850P uses an asymmetric tread pattern for enhanced traction, the sipes and tread blocks in the center and inside the shoulder support each other for better traction and handling over wet surfaces. The wide lateral circumferential grooves allow the quick evacuation of water and slush for reduced risk of hydroplaning.
We tested both the tires for their wet braking distance and Blizzak DM V2 has the clear lead with wet braking of 38.59 m whereas WinterContact gave some disappointing results with wet braking of 47.5m
Sound and Ride Comfort Comparison:
Winter tires are always louder than normal highway or even A/T tires, due to their peculiar tread and greater void with the tread blocks, winter tires sacrifice noise for superior traction over ice or snow. Greater the siping the greater the noise.
WinterContact Ts 850P harbors wide, outboard shoulder with PowerSipes for better handling, stability, and a smoother ride. WinterContact uses Continental’s ContiSilent ™ technology for better noise reduction.
The ContiSilent is specifically developed to reduce cabin noise on all kinds of roads. It has an internal structure equipped with an inner tire absorber, a polyurethane foam attached t the inner surface of the tread. According to Continental tires, ContiSeal ™ can lower the noise by up to 9 dB. Upon testing, WinterContact had a noise level of 72 dB.
Bridgestone Blizzak is one of the quietest models of Bridgestone tires. The DM V2’s defining feature is the noiseless ride it provides. Using asymmetric tread pattern DM V2 absorbs the impacts easily. Bridgestone tires feature resonance noise attenuated (RENOA) silencer grooves that reduce road noise.
Comparing Hydroplaning:
Hydroplaning, when simply put is a formation of a thin film of water resulting in loss of traction that could be a prologue to skidding or sliding of a vehicle.
WinterContact Ts 850P features wide outboard shoulders with PowerSipes for enhanced block rigidity to provide excellent traction over wet surfaces with minimal risk of hydroplane. The wide lateral circumferential grooves promote quick evacuation of water, slush, and mud from within the tread for maximal hydroplane resistance.
On the other hand, for better hydroplaning resistance, DM V2 uses a rather unique tread combines with its Multicell technology that resembles Swiss cheese. The name is given due to the presence of multiple small air-filled cavities within the tread that temporarily retain water. The compound is molded with aggressive block edges, the wide lateral and circumferential grooves help evacuate the water and slush.
Upon comparing both the tires for the hydroplane we noticed that WinterContact Ts 850 P had the lead with a float speed of 83.7 km/h on straight aqua whereas Blizzak lied at 82.6 km/h.
Rolling Resistance and Fuel Efficiency:
The rolling resistance is the energy that needs to be sent to your tires by your vehicle to sustain motion over a surface at a constant level. In other words, keeping a tire rolling is the effort needed.
Even though…
WinterContact Ts 850P has PowerSipes and G-Grip pattern for better handling and reduced traction, and rolling resistance, these technologies don’t do much for rolling resistance and fuel economy. The SSR (self-supporting reinforced sidewall) allows you to drive without the need to keep a spare tire, thus taking off some excess weight for improved mileage.
Blizzak DM V2 incorporates two different types of sipes; notched sipes and variable thickness sipes, these combined with the MULTICELL technology of Bridgestone, DM V2 has reduced rolling resistance resulting in 2.1 % lower fuel consumption and has a rolling resistance of 17.35 k/t.
WinterContact Ts 850 P, on the other hand, has rolling resistance of 9kg/t, giving it the edge over Blizzak.
Handling:
Both Blizzak and WinterContact Snow provide exceptional handling over snow, ice, wet, and dry terrain.
The DM V2 shoulder bocks are a lot smaller as compared to its earlier variant, thus it has 20 % increased biting edges that allow you to have premium handling. With 3d zigzag sipes, you can enjoy excellent corner and handle over snow and icy terrains. The directional pattern of DM V2’s tread features block stiffness to deliver better steering responsiveness.
WinterContact Ts 850P uses two technologies for exceptional handling and control in snow, wet, and dry terrains. On one hand: PercisionPlus guarantees you a safe ride with control during driving and cornering. On the other hand, the PowerSipes increase the block rigidity thus proving stable cornering, handling, and grip on snow as well as dry terrain.
We tested both the tires for their handling and Blizzak DM V2 has a clear edge with snow handling of 95.97 sec and an ice handling of 79.1 sec. WinterContact Ts 850P, on the other hand, has an average snow handling speed of 86.4 km/h and a snow handling time of 81.8 sec
Treadwear and Warranty:
WinterContact Ts 850P features Continental’s ContiSeal technology, which is developed to seal a punctured tire for the time being, without having the need to change the tire on the roadside. ContiSeal is a sticky, sealant material that is applied on the inside of the tread. According to Continental tires, It seals around 80 % of all the punctures.
The SSR System, developed by continental keeps the tire compatible with all standard rims. It prevents the sidewall from being crushed in case of a puncture allowing you to travel without a spare tire thus freeing up both space and weight thus improving fuel efficiency.
Continental offers a 6-year warranty on the tread and a free replacement for first-year or 2/32 of wear.
Continental also offers a 60-day trial period. And free 3-year flat change.
Blizzak WS DM V2 on the other hand provides a 5-year warranty that extends from the date of manufacture. It does not provide a mileage warranty whatsoever.
However, If a Bridgestone winter or temporary use replacement tire becomes unusable for whatever purpose outside the manufacturer’s influence, it will be replaced by an identical replacement tire for a pro-rated retail price.
Blizzak has a treadwear indicator incorporated within the tread. When the tire is approximately 50% worn, it allows the user to know that the tire is reaching the limit of its traction.
Summing up:
We compared both the tires under harsh circumstances that compiled mixed results. Both Blizzak DM-V2 and WinterContact Ts 850 P performed well on snow and ice.
WinterContact, however, gave disappointing results for wet traction. In the case of Ride comfort, noise reduction, and handling, Wintecontact had the lead.
WinterContact Ts 850 P was found to have much less rolling resistance as compared to Blizzak making it a more eco-friendly choice.
