Topic: Blizzak DM-V1

[sailor723]

The winters on the ML are just about down to the point where Blizzak's lose their soft compound so it looks like it's snow tire time again. Are these  Blizzaks still among the top of the heap for SUV's or has something else new and wonderful come along in the last 3 years?  Tiretack has 235/65/17 for 127/tire  (that what would work out to about $210 CDN tax in and on the car)

[BradT]

Based upon the reviews I have read, the Michelin Latitude Xice2 looks pretty good.  Check a Canadian price, there are rebates for Bridgestone, $70 prepaid VISA and for Michelin, $70 mail in rebate, both start in October.  I'm still deciding myself what to buy.

[bridgecity]

I have the DM-V1s on my truck, and the Latitude  Xice2 on the CR-V.  I am very happy with both, however I can't really say which tire performs better as they are on two different types of vehicles.  The DM-V1's are probably better in deeper snow and slush as they have a more open tread design than the Latitudes.  The Latitudes seem designed more towards traction on ice, which is preferable for me, as I find polished road surfaces in the winter usually present the most challenge.  6" or even a foot of fresh snow isn't a problem with either vehicle.  I've pushed snow with the bumper of the CR-V on a few occasions with no issue. 

[84im]

I recently read a winter tire rating in Consumer Reports on SUV/pickup tires.  The Michelins scored slightly higher than the Bridgestones (66 to 64 points)
Overall comments:
Michelins:  A very good choice with impressive winter traction.

Bridgestones:  Impressive grip on snow and ice.

I just ordered a set of Bridgestone DM-V1s from Costco for my wife's Chevy Tracker.

[sailor723]

.........but, then again,maybe not.

I just put a tread gauge on my Blizzaks and found two tires spot on 8/32 and 2 at slightly over 8. From what I read these lose winter compound at 55% worn. My 235/65/17 XL's had 13/32 to start according to the specs so that would mean they'd be done at just under 6/32 tread remaining (5.85).. By my calculations I've worn them down 5/32 over 3 seasons and have another 2.15/32's to go before they are down.

If I only average wear of 1.66/32 per year I'd say they are probably good for this year.

Am i missing anything?

[HeliDriver]

^^ Nope.

With only three winters on them and 8/32" left, I know I wouldn't be replacing them yet. And once you do get them down to 6/32", I'd be tempted to take advantage of that all-season tread and run them for an extra summer or two.

[sailor723]

I don't know that I'd want to run them through a summer (low speed rating, don't know how they'd handle high heat etc etc) but I will certainly not rush to get them off in the spring.

[HeliDriver]

Oops... Can't believe I posted that above.  I know better.

Blizzaks haven't used an all-season compound in like a decade. The bottom half or so of the tread is still a winter compound, just not the fancy Multicell winter compound.

[HeliDriver]

Well, I'd still replace them at around 6/32", just because you need some tread depth to deal with deeper snow and slush anyway. But I bet you'd notice more of a difference with these tires once you hit the other compound. But again, the compound is kind of a moot point once the tread is worn that far down anyway.

[sailor723]

I'd say it would partly depend on the tread depth they had as new. Some models came with 14/32 and others with 13/32. Using the "replace at 55% worn rule it would be either at just over or just under 6/32 tread remaining

[Angry Chicken]

The winters on the ML are just about down to the point where Blizzak's lose their soft compound so it looks like it's snow tire time again. Are these  Blizzaks still among the top of the heap for SUV's or has something else new and wonderful come along in the last 3 years?  Tiretack has 235/65/17 for 127/tire  (that what would work out to about $210 CDN tax in and on the car)

http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,89721.0.html  <--- Yokohama IceGuard iG51v.  They're now on the Q5 and jury's out still since we have yet to have snow, but so far happy with the way they roll and handle.  Less squibby sidewalls than the DM-V1s.  I, like you, found that the Blizzaks fell off the cliff in terms of grip when they went down to a certain tread depth.

My DM-V1 review:  http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,77193.msg964989.html#msg964989

The Yokohamas were quite attractively priced and they are a much newer generation of winter tire than the Blizzak DM-V1s.  Plus there's a $70 rebate right now for 4 tires.

[HeliDriver]

^^ Is he still shopping?

[Angry Chicken]

^^ Is he still shopping?

Yup. Waffles I think.

[HeliDriver]

Mmm, waffles. 

[Angry Chicken]

LOL 

[sailor723]

^^ Is he still shopping?

No   I made the call to keep the Blizzaks when I did the math and realized I had another season's worth of the "winter compound" left to go