Tires Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000: reviews. Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000: specifications, tests

Choosing a winter tire for your car, each driver tries to choose exactly the one that would correspond to his ideas about quality and reliability. To do this, a large number of thematic resources are re-read, but often they can only find out official information and test results conducted by various news media. In order to add an objective idea of this or that model, this may simply not be enough. Here, other drivers can come to the rescue, or rather, their feedback. Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000 will become the hero of today's review. First, we will analyze the official data about this rubber, and then turn to the reviews of drivers who already had time to test it. Find them will be easy, because the model is already quite old, and it was able to test a large number of motorists.

Briefly about the model

Designed and launched on the market almost 10 years ago, the model of Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000 tires is still relevant, because at one time this rubber was produced using the latest technology. This is evidenced by the fact that its production does not stop, and so demand is still present.

As you can see from the very name of the model line, the rubber is designed for the winter season. At its designing the special emphasis was made on operation in severe conditions like Russian winters. As far as the Japanese have managed to achieve good results, we can learn by analyzing the feedback. And now we will consider in detail all the features. Let's start with the structure of the elements of the tread and its pattern.

Central tread band and its function

If you look at the tire "Bridgestone" for the first time, a tread band surrounding the entire surface will immediately rush into the eyes, located in the very center of the picture. Its purpose is to fight immediately with several problems.

So, it is one inseparable block. This approach allowed to increase the strength of the entire tire structure and to reduce the level of its abrasive wear. At the moment of movement or when the obstacle is hit, the load is evenly distributed over its entire surface due to the central rib. Thus, it is possible to avoid damage to individual blocks and increase the service life of the tire.

However, it is not devoid of working edges, formed by short, but wide lamellas, made in a "Christmas tree" structure. They provide an increase in the dynamic characteristics of the tire. So, each of the slats on the central strip forms additional edges, which can manifest themselves well at the start and acceleration on the surface with loose snow or mud.

Lateral tread parts

Brachial zones "Bridgestone Ice Kruser 5000" are separated by two longitudinal lamellae, which run parallel to the axial protector element. Each of the lateral individual elements represents a kind of continuation of the overall pattern. Their separation from the center allows the effective removal of water from the contact patch. Closer to the lateral surface, the lamellas become almost perpendicular to the direction of motion. This allows you to use the edges formed on the blocks effectively not only during the acceleration of the car, but also during its braking.

The location of the spines and their structure

As practice shows, the Japanese manufacturer is famous for the high-quality fastening of the studs, which avoids the additional costs of installing permanently dropped elements. Their location is carefully thought out. There is a feeling that they are scattered chaotically over the surface of the Bridgestone rubber, but this is only at first glance. In fact, all the spikes individually form six working rows on the entire surface, which can significantly increase the quality of adhesion to the road surface when driving on such slippery coatings as pure ice or densely rolled snow.

In this case, the extreme rows of spines are almost on the side of the tire. What is it done for? This arrangement allows the tire to confidently take the car out of the rut when maneuvering, for example, overtaking, and in the same way return it back. This property will be useful if you like to drive in all weather conditions fast enough. The main thing at the same time - do not forget about professionalism and safety and do not overestimate your driving skills.

Increasing the width of the tread

In order to use the entire available surface as profitable as possible, it was decided to make the shoulder blocks slightly protruding. This allowed to increase the width of the Bridgestone bus itself, or rather, its working surface. As a result, the contact patch area increased by 16 percent compared to the previous model series. This, of course, positively affected primarily the dynamic and coupling characteristics of the tire.

In addition, this approach has reduced the level of abrasion, since the distribution of the load became even more uniform, which eventually resulted in financial savings, since now it is not so often necessary to change tires even with their intensive use.

Features of the tread pattern relative to the lamellas

In order to create the maximum possible number of working edges, when developing the design of the tread pattern, large enough lamellae with a three-dimensional structure were laid in it. This had a positive effect, allowing to increase the rowing characteristics. However, the main task of the slats is to remove moisture from the contact patch.

With their work they cope well, mostly due to a rather large width. In addition to it, the role plays an important role. So, if you look at the tire Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000 R16, you can see that all the grooves are directed to the side parts of the tire, which allows you to quickly push the water out of the working surface.

Due to the large width of the lamellas, the tire also received a good passability. This property is useful when you have to go on loose or freshly fallen snow. It is simply pressed into lamellae, and after that it is quickly pushed out of them. Constant cleansing from the accumulated snow allows the rubber to repeat this process again and again, providing stability and maneuverability. The same scheme works also when driving on dirt, for example, on a country road during a thaw.

Application of two different rubber compounds

In order to increase the strength of the Bridgestone Ice Kruzer 5000 tire and its durability, it was decided to use one type of rubber for the main body and sides, which has high rigidity and resistance to damage, such as punctures and cuts. Having supplemented this aspect with a good cord, the manufacturer managed to make a reliable tire that is able to cope with obstacles encountered on the road without getting any damage, due to which it had to be repaired. Also, this approach reduced the likelihood of the appearance of a hernia on the surface.

The very protector, on the contrary, is made of softer rubber, so that even in conditions of severe frosts, it can maintain its elasticity and not lose coupling characteristics with the road surface.

Available assortment of sizes

Despite the fact that the model of Bridgestone rubber Ice Cruiser 5000 is quite old, it can still be purchased at dealerships and tire shops. The manufacturer positioned it as a good option for passenger cars. Because of this, internal diameters of only 13 to 18 inches are available. This means that to install such a rubber on a large SUV, a crossover or minivan simply does not work.

But for the presented diameters of the wheel, there is a large choice of dimensions regarding the height of the profile and the width of the tire. So, the model range includes more than 60 standard sizes. Therefore, to find the option that is required for your car, it will not be difficult. At the same time, the price for Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000 is relatively low. The smallest sizes can be purchased already for 2000 rubles.

Positive feedback about the tire from drivers

It's time to compare the official data given above with the information contained in reviews written by real drivers who had the opportunity to exploit this rubber for a while. So, among the main positive points, according to reviews about Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000, we can distinguish the following:

1. High strength tires. Thanks to the use of a reinforced rubber compound, the tires were resistant to external influences and able to cope with sharp objects encountered on winter roads, be they ice fragments or broken glass.
2. Low cost . This model can be called budgetary, especially if we take into account that over time, its value is reduced, since newer versions appear.
3. Resistance to wear . Due to the fact that the rubber is erased slowly, it is perfect for those drivers whose cars are rarely idle in garages. Therefore, if you work in a taxi or a delivery service, you can think about buying this option. The Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000 test, carried out by more than one driver, confirmed this data.
4. A competent arrangement of thorns . Despite the fact that there are relatively few of them, they perfectly cope with their task. That's why rubber allows you to feel confident on any road surface, whether it's ice or rolled snow.
5. Strong fastenings of thorns . Another plus that concerns these metal elements - they are securely fixed to the seats and do not crash if the rubber has passed the proper break-in at the very beginning of its operation.
6. Good adhesion to the surface . Thanks to the increased contact patch, the rubber keeps the machine firmly in all weather conditions.
7. Well-thought spider web . A competent arrangement of the slots allowed not only to increase the rowing characteristics of the Bridgestone rubber when driving on snow, but also to reduce the effect of aquaplaning when traveling during a thaw. The chance to go into the skid is minimal even if there is ice under the layer of water, because in this situation the above mentioned spikes come into play.

As can be seen from the list of advantages listed above, the manufacturer fulfilled its promises regarding strength and stability. However, this model is still not perfect, and has its drawbacks, which should also be considered before buying.

Negative points in reviews

Among the negative reviews can be found the opinion that this rubber is quite noisy. Especially this effect is manifested when driving on clean surfaces, such as refined asphalt or solid ice. The noise is caused by the presence of thorns, and from it, unfortunately, it will not be possible to get rid of.

The second drawback, noted by some drivers in the reviews about Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000, is the property of rubber to harden at very low temperatures. Therefore, if you plan to purchase it for your car, then take into account the fact that with serious frosts you will have to drive the car more carefully due to a partial loss of rubber properties.

Conclusion

As you can see from the analysis of the reviews, the Japanese tried their best, introducing a rubber model suitable for operation in the harsh Russian winter. Of course, no rubber can be perfect, but the quality of this model is hard to overestimate.

If you are ready to put up with the few shortcomings listed in the reviews of the Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000, then its purchase for the car will be an excellent solution that will not only ease the load on the purse, but also secure the ride during the winter season.