| Not All Snowflakes Are Created Equal
A recent test day illustrates that you get what you pay for in winter tires
Montreal, QC - I was recently invited to a winter tire test day by the good folks at Bridgestone but this particular event differed than most. With the Province of Quebec mandating that all automobiles be fitted with "approved" winter tires beginning in November 2008, this was not just a day of assessing the latest Blizzak products. This day we were going to meet Nigel Mortimer of Transport Canada who would enlighten us about logos, testing standards and so on.
Now before you glaze over thinking that this is going to be some lecture from Big Brother about wearing sensible rubber boots when it snows, Mortimer has some serious high performance creds. He's really one of us, an undercover gearhead posing as a civil servant. Mortimer Racing has been around since 1970 and won the 2007 Ontario Formula Ford overall championship | 
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| with Matt White and the Diamond class with Lew MacKenzie. The team currently competes in Ontario and Quebec races, including the Canadian Grand Prix and has won hundreds of awards over the years.
We started the day with presentations by both the Bridgestone people and Mortimer explaining the principles of winter tires versus all-season or mud & snow. All approved winter tires carry the unique "peaked mountain snowflake" logo which first appeared in 1999. Times have changed since then and nowhere more than in traction electronic traction controls and rubber technology. Back in the day ABS was the newest innovation but today we have FWD, AWD and endless variations of 4-wheel drive. There are a bewildering array of traction assist technologies with enough acronyms to make a NASA geek swoon.
The one thing that |
hasn't evolved in the past 10 years is the little snowflake on the sidewall and more importantly, the standards that must be met to earn that designation. The standard was set as 110% performance level of an all-season tire. Hardly breath-taking stuff.
Today the quality of the top-of-the-line tires such as the Blizzak are far superior to discount house label tires at your local big box store. As Mortimer explained, electronic stability controls can't work their magic without traction.
We watched some video clips and the requisite PowerPoint slides with charts and graphs and lists of numbers but we don't go shopping for tires with a laptop in hand. Does all this really make a difference, especially to an enthusiast? The second half of the presentation took place on the ice of the sports complex where the | 
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Every tire we tested had this logo but it was clear that they weren't all equal performers | event was taking place. With a strict rule of no body checking each other we proceeded to do some side-by-side acceleration and braking tests between similar vehicles equipped with officially designated winter tires.
Each vehicle was equipped with a g-force monitor and a racing driver as co-pilot. The test was simple enough... accelerated from a standing start to 20 kph, coast and then on mark, jam on the brakes to activate the ABS. Then we would swap vehicles and do it again for comparison. Under braking there was not a huge difference in feel but the distance was shorter with the more "expensive" tires. Under acceleration you could definitely feel more grip with the Blizzaks. Stopping distances were dramatically shorter in a Toyota Camry, by up to 7 meters!
So what does all this have to do for a driving enthusiast? Isn't investing more money in really good winter tires kind of... well wimpy? We like to think of ourselves as superior drivers |
after all. Why then did you invest in a higher performing car? We're talking about higher performing tires so there is nothing to be ashamed of when shopping for winter rubber. Step up to that counter and demand the best and enjoy the results.
Take the time to watch this video by the Automobile Protection Association and decide which tires you'd rather have.
VIDEO: Winter Tire Demonstration
More info: What You Need to Know About Winter Tires
Consumer Winter Tire Safety Tips
Offered by Bridgestone Firestone Canada
- If you intend driving in severe winter conditions, install four snow tires on your vehicle that meet the "snow tire" designation. Snow tires will assist you to control your vehicle safely in slippery conditions. To help maintain control and stability of your vehicle in slippery conditions, snow tires must be installed in sets of four.
- Tires marked with the pictograph of a peaked mountain with a snowflake meet specific snow traction performance requirements, and have been designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions.
Remember also:
- As a tire wears, snow traction is reduced. Tires that are worn close to the tread-wear indicators have reduced traction and should not be used on snow-covered roads or in severe snow conditions.
- Mixing tires with different tread patterns, internal construction, and size degrades the stability of the vehicle and should be avoided.
- Proper air pressure extends tread life, improves safety, and reduces fuel consumption — all vital factors in saving energy and protecting the environment. Tire pressure decreases as | 
Nigel Mortimer of Transport Canada was happy to explain the dynamics of winter tires and the standards used to rate tires |
When he's not at the office Mortimer (center) runs a very successful Formula Ford team and competes himself | temperatures drop, so be sure to check the pressures at least once a month when the tires are cold, preferably after the car has been out all night.
SOURCE: Transport Canada and the Rubber Association of Canada.
- Underinflation increases rolling resistance, which increases fuel consumption and reduces tread life. Operating a vehicle with just one tire underinflated by 8 pounds per square inch, can increase the vehicle's fuel consumption by 4-percent and can reduce the life of the tire by 15,000 km.
- Tires lose pressure when the air temperature gets colder (about 7 kPa or 1 psi for every 5 degree C drop in temperature). Tires may also lose a certain amount of pressure due to their permeability (about 14 kPa or 2 psi per month).
SOURCE: Transport Canada
- Studies show that 80% of all accidents could be prevented if the driver had |
one more second to react.
SOURCE: NHTSA
- In a test conducted on an ice rink, a car fitted with Blizzak tires stopped an average 35 feet shorter than a similar vehicle fitted with premium all-season tires.
SOURCE: Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire
- One of the most important factors in starting, steering or stopping on ice and snow is your tires. It makes no difference if you have a front-wheel, four-wheel or rear-wheel drive, your vehicle will perform better in most winter driving conditions if it is equipped with purpose-built snow tires instead of all-season radials.
- All-season radials are designed to perform year-round and cannot have the softer rubber compounds and unique tread of snow tires.
SOURCE: Mark Cox, Bridgestone Winter Driving School
Multicell Compund
- The Multicell compound contains thousands of microscopic cells, or pores, which resemble the consistency of Swiss cheese when examined through a microscope.
- As the Blizzak wears, the pores are exposed and create thousands of biting edges that grip the road.
- In addition to the biting action, the pores remove the thin layer of surface water, which often develops on top of icy roads, allowing the biting edges to adhere to the surface with less interference. The result is enhanced resistance to hydroplaning and greater driving and braking force on ice- and snow-covered surface.
- The pores are uniformly distributed throughout the Multicell compound so as the tire wears, new pores are constantly being exposed along the tire tread surface.
Winter Driving Tips
Before you drive:
- Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Letting air out to drive in snow can reduce the gripping action of tires because the tread will not meet the road surface as it was designed to do. Over-inflation has the same effect.
- Use dedicated snow and ice tires if you live in areas where snow and ice are certainties of winter driving. Snow and ice tires have a softer tread compound and a unique tread design to provide enhanced traction and road-gripping capabilities. Install snow tires all the way around the vehicle, not just on the drive axle.
When you drive:
- Adjust your speed to the current conditions. When driving in challenging conditions, decreasing your speed will allow more time to respond when a difficult situation arises. Remember that posted speed limits identify the maximum speed allowed when weather conditions are ideal. Law enforcement agencies can write citations to motorists driving the posted speed limit if weather conditions warrant a slower speed.
- Use grip effectively. When roads are slippery, use all of the grip available for one thing at a time. Brake only before the curve when the car is traveling straight. Taking your foot off the brake before you steer into the curve allows you to use all of the grip available for steering. Don't accelerate until you begin to straighten the steering wheel when exiting the turn. This technique will allow you to be 100% effective at each maneuver.
- Turn on your lights. To make sure other drivers see you, always drive with your lights on. At night, in fog and heavy snow conditions, low beams may be more effective than high beams
- Keep a smooth, progressive and light touch on the brakes for normal braking. Even in a car equipped with ABS (Anti Lock Braking System). In the event of an emergency in an ABS-equipped car, press the pedal HARD and hold it down. Remember that an ABS-equipped car can also steer around many obstacles while braking. Perhaps a better description of ABS would be: "Allows you to Brake and Steer."
Bridgestone Blizzak Now The Official Tire of Winter
The original dedicated snow and ice tire is still the best
Mississauga (Ontario), October 25, 2007—- When the weather outside turns frightful, motorists turn to the tire that makes driving delightful - the Bridgestone-brand Blizzak tire, "The Official Tire of Winter."
Introduced in North America in 1992, the Bridgestone Blizzak - developed in the 1980s for the Japanese market - is an original pioneer of the dedicated, studless snow and ice tire revolution and set the standard for stability and handling in adverse winter driving conditions.
Proprietary innovations, such as its patented Multicell tread compound, have helped make the Bridgestone Blizzak the winter tire of choice for millions of drivers for more than 15 years and have ensured the one-horse open sleigh will forever remain an outmoded means of winter transport!
"We've named the Blizzak "The Official Tire of Winter" to emphasize that Bridgestone remains the leader in developing superior winter tire technology and products to meet the ever-changing needs of consumers," said Phil Pacsi, Vice President, Consumer Tire Marketing, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). "We're proud to say the Bridgestone Blizzak family of tires is available in more sizes to fit more vehicles than any other winter tire sold in North America."
The new brand slogan will appear in Bridgestone Blizzak promotional campaigns this year. Coincidentally, the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) group, an organization of professional automotive journalists who live and drive in the diverse and rugged Rocky Mountain region, named the Bridgestone Blizzak the "official tire" of RMAP in 2005.
What's new?
This year, the Bridgestone brand welcomed a new addition to the Blizzak family of tires, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60. Featuring the company's UNI-T technology, the tire also incorporates the latest winter tire advancements such as an exclusive Tube Multicell compound and NanoPro-Tech technology that work in concert to wick water away from the tire's contact patch and improve tread flexibility for better grip on snow and ice.
How do Blizzak tires work?
Multicell tread compound is a distinctive advantage of many Bridgestone Blizzak tires. The compound contains thousands of microscopic cells (or pores) which resemble Swiss cheese. As the tire wears, the pores are exposed and create thousands of "biting" edges that grip the road.
In addition to the biting action, the pores help remove the thin layer of surface water that often develops on top of icy roads. This means the edges can adhere to the road surface with less interference from the water. The result is greater driving and braking force. The pores are distributed throughout the Multicell compound so that as the tire wears, new pores are exposed along the tread surface.
The tread compound of Bridgestone Blizzak tires is also more pliable than that of traditional tires and remains flexible in colder temperatures. When water freezes to ice, tiny irregularities form on the surface. If the tread compound is rigid, it will tend to slide across these irregularities. Flexible tread compounds, meanwhile, "dig into" the jagged surface, affording drivers better control of their vehicle.
How do I identify a winter tire?
Look for a snowflake-on-the-mountain symbol branded on the tire's sidewall. It identifies tires that provide a high level of snow traction. All Bridgestone Blizzak tires have this symbol.
How do I know I need winter tires?
If you live in a climate where snow, ice and freezing temperatures are commonplace for three or more months of the year, Bridgestone Blizzak tires are a smart investment. Depending upon your driving habits, one set can see you through several snowy seasons. The cost of winter tires can also be less than what you would likely pay as a deductible in the event of an accident. They also extend the life of your summer tires (the Bridgestone Blizzak should only be used during the winter season to maximize its life span).
Another good idea is to invest in a separate set of steel rims for your Blizzak tires, making it quick and easy to properly equip your vehicle as the seasons change.
All in the family
With 15 patterns and more than 200 applications to fit most every sedan, sports car, light truck and sport utility vehicle on the road today, the Bridgestone Blizzak family of tires can help you enjoy a safer, less stressful winter driving experience this year.
In addition to the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60, the Blizzak WS-50, REVO1, MZ-03, DM-Z3 and W965 all feature the Multicell tread compound. The Bridgestone Blizzak LM-18, LM-22, LM-25 and LM-25 4x4 utilize a conventional winter driving compound.
Where to go?
You can visit www.bridgestonetire.com to learn more about Bridgestone Blizzak tires or visit an independent Bridgestone Firestone dealer in your neighborhood for all your tire and auto care needs. With nearly 1,000 retailers in Canada, Bridgestone Firestone is the solution for your busy lifestyle.
ICE can save your life
As a safety precaution, it's a good idea to store the name and telephone number of an emergency contact in your mobile phone under the name "ICE." This acronym, which stands for "in case of emergency," helps rescue personnel quickly locate a friend or family member when a victim is in a state of shock or unconscious. For more information, visit www.icecontact.com.
And, to discover additional winter driving tips, be sure to visit the Bridgestone Blizzak Chill Zone at http://www.bridgestonetire.com/winterdriving/winterdriving_us/index.aspx |
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