Author Topic: Blizzaks treadwear (Read 2653 times)

blackdiamond · « **on:** November 26, 2004, 07:50:32 pm »

Hi,

my wife's car is equipped with Bridgeston Blizzaks WS-50 and I was wondering if there is any indication /marker when the soft compound has been used. I know those tires have 2 types of compound: one soft and one slightly harder.
The treadwear on those tires is pretty good (1 winter and no real visible signs of wear) at the moment and I am wondering if it is whether I don't realize that the compound is being used or just because they are still pretty good.
I seem to remember having read somewhere that there is a marker for when the soft compound has been used, but I just want confirmation of that.

Thanks a lot.

HeliDriver · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2004, 07:19:33 am »

Look for a series of small rubber bars in between the regular tread blocks. They're like regular wear bars, except that they're about 6/32nds tall instead of 2/32nds. There's an arrow on the sidewall that will show you where to look.

When the tread is flush with these winter wear bars, Bridgestone says that only 10% of the remaining tread consists of the sticky Microcell compound.

blackdiamond · « **Reply #2 on:** November 27, 2004, 03:51:25 pm »

Thanks a lot Sir_civic,
I had a look and I can see the normal tread wear bar, but not the winter ones. I found the arrow on the side and some bigger tread wear bars, but they didn't seem that high. Maybe it is just me, who's expecting something bigger than it really is.

Thanks a lot anyway.

slybry · « **Reply #3 on:** December 01, 2004, 11:15:23 pm »

Sir Civic
Do you know if the bridgestones are supposed to be tossed when they are down to these bars at 6/32. My friend has just bought a set 2nd hand and asked me to look at them. They looked pretty good to me until I noticed these wear indicators level with tread. I was baffled why the indicators were showing with so much tread left.
If they are toast at least my friend got a set of rims and winter mats in the deal so all is not lost.

morty · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2004, 12:48:27 am »

Tires are still good, they just dont have the microcell compound. May not perform as good as new, but no winter tire does. As any winter tire wears down it's winter capabilities are diminished.

TireTrends - Get ready for winter!

davidy · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2004, 02:01:37 am »

I have read that once the tread is down to 6/32" that a winter tire including other non-Blizzak brands should be used as an "all season" (i.e., no longer suitable for winter use; get new winter tires). Is this true from a performance standpoint?

Dave