Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 70%
Wet Conditions – 85%
Snow – 90%
Comfort – 80%
Noise Reduction – 80%
Durability – 75%
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Almost everyone who owns a light truck and drives in the snow has heard of the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2. Right from its release in 2015, this studless winter tire has retained the attention of light truck drivers who want to stay safe in harsh wintry conditions.
Which shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, not many tires can take on the Blizzak DM-V1 (this model’s uber-competent predecessor) and come out on top in several key areas. These include ice traction, snow-shearing force, hydroplaning resistance, and tread life.
However, to deserve a place on your truck, this tire shouldn’t just be better than the model it has replaced. For that, the Blizzak DM-V2 must also be better than its modern-day competitors. Is that something this winter tire can do? That is what this article aims to find out.
Pros
- Provides excellent snow and ice traction
- Carries Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol
- Delivers exceptional hydroplaning resistance
Cons
- No treadwear warranty
The Features of the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2
Almost everyone who owns a light truck and drives in the snow has heard of the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2. Right from its release in 2015, this studless winter tire has retained the attention of light truck drivers who want to stay safe in harsh wintry conditions.
Which shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, not many tires can take on the Blizzak DM-V1 (this model’s uber-competent predecessor) and come out on top in several key areas. These include ice traction, snow-shearing force, hydroplaning resistance, and tread life.
However, to deserve a place on your truck, this tire shouldn’t just be better than the model it has replaced. For that, the Blizzak DM-V2 must also be better than its modern-day competitors. Is that something this winter tire can do? That is what this article aims to find out.
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 in Dry Conditions
The Blizzak DM-V2 has many features that make it the ultimate winter tire.
The first of which is the multi-cell tread compound. This tread compound features pores that act like a sponge and trap snow between the treads. This, in turn, creates snow-on-snow contact, increasing the tire’s traction in harsh snowy conditions.
To increase this model’s grip on ice, Bridgestone equipped it with a hydrophilic coating. What this coating does (at least in theory) is keep the contact patch dry from water particles. This, as you might guess, helps this tire offer excellent ice traction.
Unlike its predecessor, which required some break-in time to reach peak winter performance, the DM-V2 behaves excellently on snow right out of the packaging. This is because of the micro-texture pattern that was originally introduced on the Blizzak WS80.
Given the presence of the above features, it shouldn’t be surprising to note that the DM-V2 has earned the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. This symbol indicates that the DM-V2 has proven to provide adequate traction in harsh wintry conditions.
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 on Wet or Slippery Roads
The following design elements make the DM-V2 a reliable performer on wet roads:
- Its directional tread design features circumferential grooves to aid with water evacuation. As simple as it may sound, the grooves’ action is highly effective in reducing the risk of aquaplaning on wet roads.
- A hydrophilic coating keeps the contact patch dry to increase this model’s traction on wet roads. Unfortunately, though, the coating will last only the first 55% of this tire’s tread life, after which its wet performance may take a hit.
- A large number of biting edges enhance this model’s wet grip. The result? Short braking distances in the water. Also, with an improved grip, you won’t have to slow down while cornering.
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 in Snow
The Blizzak DM-V2 has everything that distinguishes the best winter tires from the also-rans.
Its super-flexible tread compound faces no difficulty in staying pliable in extreme winter. In doing so, it fulfils a non-negotiable requirement for a dedicated winter tire. Additionally, its tread has 15% more biting edges than DM-V1, making it one of the best tires for snow plowing.
Multi-cell structure traps snow within the treads to increase this model’s snow traction, while the hydrophilic coating pushes water away from the contact patch to help the Blizzak DM-V2 perform incredibly reliably on ice. You can thus push it to its limits in the winter.
Still have doubts about this tire’s winter credentials?
The 3PMSF symbol on its tread should blow them away. This symbol serves as a guarantee that the Blizzak DM-V2 has what it takes to safely carry you from point A to point B in harsh wintry conditions.
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Off-Roading
If you’re yet to get the memo, the DM-V2 isn’t designed for off-roading.
Here’s what may happen if you ignore my advice. The DM-V2’s sidewall (much softer than that of an off-road tire) may get obliterated by the sharp objects which are everywhere on rough terrain. If you’re lucky, you will get off with ‘only’ a puncture’.
Otherwise, if the damage to the sidewall exceeds a certain point, you may have no choice but to replace the affected tire altogether. Therefore, if you care about the money you’d spend on this tire, it’s recommended to mainly use it for highway or street driving.
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 for Sporty Driving
As you might have guessed by now, the Blizzak DM-V2 isn’t designed for the track.
A comparison between this tire’s design elements and those of performance tires should make the above point clear. While performance tires feature a shallower tread pattern with fewer sipes, this model has a deep tread pattern with more sipes than you care to count.
Also, the DM-V2 has a much softer rubber compound than even your average performance tire. This is done to improve its grip on slippery surfaces. Its working temperature range is also much lower than UHP tires, which are optimized for water temperatures.
Thus, if you value your reputation, never use the DM-V2 for racing.
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Warranty
Bridgestone provides no treadwear warranty on the Blizzak DM-V2.
This may not seem like a deal-breaker, unless you check out this model’s competitors, such as the Michelin X-Ice Snow.
Michelin’s flagship winter tire comes with a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty, giving it an edge over the DM-V2, which only features a 6-month workmanship and defects guarantee.
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Pricing: Is It Worth the Money?
At the time of writing, this model’s asking price beings from $142.99.
How does that compare with its competitors? The Michelin X-Ice Snow costs around the same, albeit with the added advantage of a 40,000-mile guarantee. The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 costs around $40 fewer, but it also lacks a treadwear warranty.
Overall, the DM-V2 costs equal to or, in some cases, more than its premium competitors. Which was expected given the use of high-end design elements in its construction. So, if you’re in the market for a reliable winter tire, the DM-V2 is definitely worth the amount on its price tag.
Should I Buy the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2?
The Blizzak DM-V2 is a must-have for drivers who own SUVs, CUVs, or light trucks and want a tire that can perform reliably in harsh wintry conditions.
Sure, this model doesn’t come cheap. But that is something you can say about just about any other premium winter tire. And while the absence of a treadwear warranty might seem like a glaring flaw, most snow tires don’t come with one either.
So, if you want a tire that can safely carry your SUV, CUV, or light truck in harsh wintry conditions, opt for the Blizzak DM-V2.
What Vehicles Will the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Fit?
Here’s a sample list of the cars that the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 will fit:
- Acura RDX, MDX, ZDX
- BMW X3, X5
- Chevrolet Tahoe, Silverado, Suburban
- Ford Expedition, F-150, Explorer, Ranger
- Nissan Pathfinder, Armada, Titan, Rogue
- Toyota Highlander, Tacoma, 4Runner
- GMC Terrain, Yukon, Sierra, Canyon
Tire Sizes for Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2
15″
- 235/75R15 109R XL BW
16″
- 215/70R16 100S BW
- 225/70R16 103S BW
- 225/75R16 104R BW
- 235/70R16 106S BW
- 245/70R16 107S BW
- 245/75R16 111R BW
- 255/70R16 111S BW
- 265/70R16 112R BW
17″
- 215/70R17 101S BW
- 225/65R17 102S BW
- 235/65R17 108S XL BW
- P235/70R17 108S XL BW
- 245/65R17 107S BW
- 245/70R17 110S BW
- 255/70R17 112S BW
- 265/65R17 112R BW
- 265/70R17 115R BW
18″
- 235/50R18 101T XL BW
- 235/55R18 100T BW
- 235/60R18 107S XL BW
- 235/65R18 106S BW
- 245/60R18 105S BW
- 255/55R18 109T XL BW
- 255/60R18 112S XL BW
- P255/65R18 109S BW
- P255/70R18 112S BW
- 265/60R18 110R BW
- P265/65R18 112R BW
- 265/70R18 116R BW
- 275/60R18 113R BW
- P275/65R18 114R BW
- 285/60R18 116R BW
19″
- 235/55R19 105T XL BW
- P245/55R19 103T BW
- 255/50R19 107T XL BW
- 255/55R19 111T XL BW
- P255/60R19 108S BW
- 265/50R19 110T XL BW
20″
- 235/55R20 102T BW
- P245/50R20 102T BW
- 255/50R20 109T XL BW
- P255/55R20 107T BW
- 265/50R20 107T BW
- 275/40R20 106T XL BW
- 275/45R20 110T XL BW
- 275/55R20 117T XL BW
- 275/60R20 115R BW
- 285/50R20 116T XL BW
22″
- P285/45R22 110T BW