Introduced in North America in 1992, the Blizzak line pioneered the dedicated, studless snow and ice tire for stability and handling in adverse winter driving conditions, according to Phil Pacsi, vice president of consumer tire marketing.
“The ‘Official Tire of Winter’ title emphasizes that Bridgestone remains a leader in developing proven and reliable winter tire technology and products to meet the ever-changing needs of consumers,” says Pacsi. “We’re proud to say the Bridgestone Blizzak family of winter tires is available in more sizes to fit more vehicles than any other winter tire sold in North America.”
The tread compound is more pliable than traditional tires, remaining flexible in cold temperatures, he notes. When water freezes to ice, tiny irregularities form on the surface. If the tread compound is rigid, the tire will tend to slide across these irregularities. Flexible tread compounds incorporated into Blizzak winter tires “dig into” jagged surfaces, providing drivers better control of their vehicle, Pacsi points out.
If you are in a climate where winter conditions are commonplace for three or more months of the year, the Blizzak winter tires are a smart investment, he says. Depending on the customer’s driving habits, one set can last several winters.
All of the Blizzak tires have the snowflake-on-the-mountain symbol on the sidewall, meaning they provide a high level of snow traction.
The line has 13 patterns and more than 200 applications to fit most vehicles on the road today.
They include the DM-Z3, DM-V1, MZ-03, WS60, WS70 and the W965 – all featuring the company’s Multicell tread compound. The LM-25, LM-25 4x4, LM-50 RFT and the LM-60 contain a conventional winter driving compound.
For more information visit www.bridgestonetire.com/winterdriving.
