Driving in snow can be a bit challenging by itself, now if you don’t have suitable winter tires, you become a victim to some deep sludge. Winter tires are necessary when it comes to having a safe drive in snow or ice. Snow tires have a tread design with larger gaps than those on conventional tires, increasing traction on snow and ice. Tires designed for winter conditions are optimized to drive at temperatures below 7 °C (45 °F).
We have shortlisted Bridgestone Blizzak and Yokohama ice guard IG51v for comparison. Both the tires are exceptional winter tires, here we shall be comparing which is better.
Bridgestone is a renowned tire manufacturer known for its many tire series. The Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2 is a popular model that further cements the company’s standing as a top-notch tire manufacturer.
The Bridgestone Blizzak DM V2 is marketed as a studless winter tire, which is developed to make driving in extreme weather safe and enjoyable.
The Blizzak DM V2 was developed after the success of its predecessors. Vigorous tests were conducted in different driving conditions to ensure that the tire is an improvement from the earlier variant, the WS 90.
Founded in 1917, Yokohama is currently the seventh-largest tire manufacturer in the world, and believe that they offer good value, premium tires. Yokohama strives to constantly improve its products and operational processes to ensure that they meet the ever-changing needs of the modern consumer.
Yokohama makes tires for cars, 4WDs, 4x4s, light trucks, and more. They want to assist their customers in bringing out the best in their vehicle We were the first Japanese tire manufacturer to be granted ISO9001 certification in recognition of a quality-assurance model-company in design, development, manufacture installation, and related services.
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Goodyear Blizzak DM vs Yokohama IceGuard
We tested both the tires under different circumstances and got different results, read till the end of the article to find out!!
Comparing Snow and Ice Traction:
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.
Yokohama ig51v, on the other hand, utilizes Yokohama’s advanced winter tire technology for excellent performance in cold temperatures on wet, dry snow-covered, and slushy roads. the central zigzag circumferential grooves feature 3D shaped wall to expel slush and snow for better traction and handling. The interlocking and adaptive 3D Sipes work in tandem to enhance stability and grip on icy surfaces. The slush grooves are placed horizontally to expel slush and snow.
We tested both the tires for snow and ice traction and braking distances and Blizzak DM v2 has the upper hand with results given below:
- IceGUARD ig51v has ice traction of 7 (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/h in seconds)
- IceGUARD IG51v has an ice braking of 25.14 m while Blizzak on the other hand has an ice braking of 23.87 m
- When we tested these tires on snow, IceGUARD IG51v gave us a snow braking distance of 52.5 m (at 80 km/h) on the other hand Blizzak stopped after covering 51.6 m. (at 80 km/h)
Both iceGUARD ig51v and Blizzak DM V2 are awarded three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbols.
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.
One of the most innovative and obvious features is the arrangement of a V-shaped design.
IceGUARD provides competitive wet traction. With advanced dual action shoulder (the upper part is responsible for snow grip while the lower part is responsible for evacuating water) and circumferential grooves, it assures you a safe ride.
We tested both the tires for their wet braking distance and Blizzak DM V2 has the lead with wet braking of 38.59 m whereas ig51v lies at 40.46m
Hydroplaning Comparison:
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.
With the lower part of dual action shoulder grooves and zigzag shaped circumferential grooves, iceGUARD provides exceptional wet traction, to prevent hydroplane, the iceGUARD uses slush grooves that are horizontally placed for removal of water and slush, that prevents the building up of a film or water.
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.
We compared both the tires for their wet handling time and Blizzak takes the lead with a wet handling time of 41.33 sec whereas the iceGUARD lies at 45.63 sec
Comparing Noise and Comfort of both:
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.
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.
In the iceGUARD, the continuous center tread around the middle of the tread does a good job making these tires quieter and reducing the cabin noise.
However, we think that Blizzak was somewhat quieter than iceGUARD.
Rolling Resistance and Fuel Efficiency Comparison:
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.
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
iceGUARD IG51v, however, has the edge. It uses a Yokohama low-heat generating under-tread compound, two layers of rubber increase stiffness to lower the overall rolling resistance, IG51v has a rolling resistance of 16 kg/t.
iceGUARD ig51v are included in the yokohama BluEarth series, an ecologically friendly series of tires, that reduces the rolling resistance to provide increased fuel mileage.
When it comes to fuel efficiency and rolling resistance, we conclude that for winter tires, both Blizzak and iceGUARD performed marvelously.
Handling Comparison:
Both DM V2 and X ICE 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.
IceGUARD IG51v is made of a unique compound, that compound is molded into a directional tread that incorporates the variable angle center rib that increases block rigidity for enhanced handing and steering responsiveness.
We tested both the tires for their handling and Blizzak DM V2 has the clear edge with snow handling of 95.97 whereas IG51v has a handling time of 100.5 sec. Blizzak DM V2 has an ice handling of 79.1 sec iceGUARD on the other hand, has an ice handling of 79.3 sec
Treadwear and Warranty Comparison:
Yokohama iceGUARD IG51v utilizes a high-density reinforced tread compound to enhance tread block stability that accounts for longer and even wear.
Yokohama offers a 5-year warranty on the X ICE Snow (when worn to 2/32) “half mileage for the rear if different size than front must be seen only during the winter months 9/1 to 4/30
It also comes with a one-year uniformity guarantee or the first 2/32 ” along with a 30-day satisfaction warranty.
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.
Parting words:
We tested both the tires and both iceGUARD IG51v and Blizzak DM V2 performed marvelously but, if we have to choose one, we’d go with Blizzak DM V2. Blizzak gave exceptional results for snow, ice, wet traction, Blizzak was found to be exceptionally quiet and comfortable when compared with iceGUARD IG51v.
Blizzak however, lacks a bit in rolling resistance and dry traction. Needless to say, winter tires are meant to be used on snow or ice, IceGUARD, on the contrary, can also be driven on dry roads.
