Time for new tires...any 1st hand experience with the Continental DWS 06??

[Fgpalmer71]

It's about time for some new rubber and I've been attempting to do my due diligence. I bought my car with Goodyear Eagle F1 all season tires on it. They weren't new and after close to 9k miles they are on their last leg. I like them. They handle reasonably well in dry and wet conditions. Haven't driven the car in snow yet though.

I've narrowed it down to the Continental DWS 06's. My father is on his 2nd set on his 2015 Acura TL Type SH and he swears by them. He does spend a fair amount of time in either AZ OR FL during the winter months though. I've looked at the reviews on Tirerack and am pretty comfortable with this choice. The last piece of my research is to try to talk to someone who has them on their Genesis. So, does anyone have them on their Genesis? How has your experience been?

I live in southern Indiana so snow is in the forecast during the winter. I had a set of Blizzaks I used to run on my old Mazda 6 so I am familiar with the virtues of a dedicated set of snow shoes. My 2 Lexus's went without and I didn't have an issue with the touring all season tires on either of them. Both were FWD though.

 

[Man of Mystery]

I replace the Hankooks on my 2015 Genesis with Continental DWS 06s. I've been through 1 1/2 winters with them here in the DC area and I had no problems getting around. They seem to have great traction in the rain, too. Smoother ride and quieter than the Hankooks were.

I grew up learning to drive in the winters of Colorado, western Nebraska and Wyoming when all cars were rear wheel drive. It does take a little different technique with RWD and an appropriate amount of caution. I don't think I ever put my Genesis into Snow mode to try it out.

 

[StarPower]

I had the original Hankooks (I forget what model) replaced with the Continental ProContact TX due to the vibration issues. I then replaced the ProContact TX with the ExtremeContact DWS06, which have been on my car for about six months. Here's how the DWS06 compares to the ProContact TX (I've never used the Eagle F1, so I can't make a direct comparison):

• Traction: The DWS06 excels in both wet and dry traction. They easily outperform the ProContact TX in both wet and dry traction. I've never driven them in snow.
  
• Treadwear: The fronts have decreased from 10/32 to 7/32 after about 8,000 mi. This means they should last about 20,000 mi to 2/32. The rears wear out significantly faster on a RWD car with staggered wheels (can't rotate front-back), but I don't have measurements for the rear.
  
• Ride quality: The DWS06 are noticeably firmer than the ProContact TX, but aren't too stiff or harsh on my car (5.0 Ultimate with 19" wheels and CDC suspension). They seem closer in firmness to what the original Hankooks were (also an ultra high performance all-season tire), but it's been so long since I've had those that I can't say how close.
  
• Sidewall strength: Based on reviews, the ProContact TX were known for weak sidewalls that would easily blow out when hitting potholes (this happened a couple of times on my car). The one time that I hit a pothole hard enough to cause damage with the DWS06 it caused a bubble in the sidewall instead of an immediate blowout. I'm not sure if this is due to a difference in construction or just random chance.
  
• MIleage: Based on long-term averages from the DIC over similar driving conditions, the DWS06 averages about 1 - 2 MPG lower than the ProContact TX, which can be expected from a stickier tire.

 

[Fgpalmer71]

Thanks to you both!! Both extremely helpful. I've been a bit nervous about the winter performance of an UHP all season tire on my RWD car. I've been to DC in the winter and if your able to get around, cautiously, without issue then I'm comfortable. The tread wear Starpower is seeing seems to be quite a bit less then I was expecting to see though.

Star power, how would you describe your driving style?

 

[jsmit86]

I had 2 defective sets of the Michelin Primacy MXM 4s that had vibration problems. I got the DWS 06's last year, and they are a great tire. Excellent in snow here is the Chicago area, and they completely eliminated the vibration issue that I had. I strongly recommend them.

 

[Fgpalmer71]

Thank you jsmit86. That's exaclty what I needed to hear. If they are working well in DC And Chicago I feel much more comfortable with the decision to purchase.

 

[Lord Humunculous]

for the same price you could get Pilots.... just puttin it out there...

 

[Fgpalmer71]

for the same price you could get Pilots.... just puttin it out there...

I looked at those. They seem to be the best (per reviews) in terms of wet and dry performance but they seem to trail the Conti's when winter comes. That's why they dropped off my list. If I lived in a southern state with a near zero chance of snow those might be the ones. But, I live in Indiana and need a tire that will handle all 3 seasons. I plan to purchase in the next few weeks. Been shopping the DWS's and keep finding them a few dollars cheaper at every stop.

 

[jsmit86]

I looked at those. They seem to be the best (per reviews) in terms of wet and dry performance but they seem to trail the Conti's when winter comes. That's why they dropped off my list. If I lived in a southern state with a near zero chance of snow those might be the ones. But, I live in Indiana and need a tire that will handle all 3 seasons. I plan to purchase in the next few weeks. Been shopping the DWS's and keep finding them a few dollars cheaper at every stop.

Exactly- the DWS are really good in snow. About as good as it gets without having to get dedicated snows. Last winter we had a few significant snows, and I always felt confident driving. On a side note, the Conti DWS06s rate better than the stock Michelin Primacy MXM4s, and my first day with the car in Nov of '15 there was a 10" snow storm. I was on the road that day, and I was able to get in and out of a condo parking lot that had about 8" of snow, and had not been plowed yet. The Conti's will be even better. Pilot Sport A/S is a very good tire, but not for winter in the snow belt.

 

[Fgpalmer71]

Exactly- the DWS are really good in snow. About as good as it gets without having to get dedicated snows. Last winter we had a few significant snows, and I always felt confident driving. On a side note, the Conti DWS06s rate better than the stock Michelin Primacy MXM4s, and my first day with the car in Nov of '15 there was a 10" snow storm. I was on the road that day, and I was able to get in and out of a condo parking lot that had about 8" of snow, and had not been plowed yet. The Conti's will be even better. Pilot Sport A/S is a very good tire, but not for winter in the snow belt.

👍......You've sold me!

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[Roc 5.0]

Only problems with '06s are a little unforgiving over road irregularities and balance/vibration problems once they get higher mileage. Insure you get unlimited rebalancing option.

 

[Fgpalmer71]

Thanks for the advice Doc. I think I'll take it.

 

[Roc 5.0]

Unfortunately, Let me add my recent experience with the DWS 06s. After my 3rd blowout I decided to chuck my Continentals. After 35k miles they just can't hold up with tires getting out of balance, harsh ride. small chuck holes blowing them out. Seems as though side walls can't stand ageing. Got a set of of Mich Pro 3+ and the difference is amazing!!! Softer ride over irregularies, great on curves, precise steering, and quiet!! Seems like a different car. Pricing was the same.

 

[Fgpalmer71]

Haven't purchased yet. 3 blowouts!?

I read you were at 35k miles, how old were the tires? That's about 2.5 years of driving for me.

 

[Chuck's 5.0]

How did the DSW's compare to the Procontact TX's in terms of ride noise? I just bought a 2015 5.0 Ultimate with the TX's and feel like I get a lot of road noise from them. They are a touring tire and the DSW's are UHP. I had the DSW's on an RX-8 and drove it all year round in Ohio and they were great but the RX-8 was NOT smooth and quiet!

 

[Roc 5.0]

Original swap tires. Still above wear indicators when latest blown. First blew at 25K, about same time balance problems began on older tires, ride became progressively harsher.. Car used for 100+ mile trips and occasional street running.

 

[Fgpalmer71]

Thanks for all of your useful information folks! I truly appreciate it.

Long story short, I ordered the DWS06's and will have them installed tomorrow. Based partially on Roc's advice I got them from Tirebarn instead of the dealer. Same price but in the event I experience any issues with balancing I just felt more comfortable with a dedicated tire shop versus the dealer. Both offered me lifetime balancing and rotations.

Thanks again folks.

 

[Seabeejack]

How are the DWS06 for early morning flat spots? My OEM Michelins have to be driven 1-3 miles before they smooth out.

 

[Aquineas]

The DSW06 get the morning flats pots too, at least with the V8. One thing to note about every Continental tire I've driven is they can get a little loud when they get miles on them. That being said, when I looked into buying them, they had the best combination of wet/dry/snow traction. I live in Texas, but with lots of (older) family in the Northeast, I never know when I'll have to make a trip that way, and although I'd prefer to fly, sometimes driving gives me time to think/reflect.

 

[Fgpalmer71]

I can confirm that they do have the morning flat spots. Had them installed Friday afternoon and have noticed it every morning since. I have to say that they don't handle as well as the Goodyear Eagle F1's they replaced. That's not to say they're bad by any stretch of the imagination, just not as sticky. They are a bit better in the rain, provide a much softer ride thus far (I didn't mind the firmness). I can feel that the sidewalls aren't as stiff as the F1's. I can deal with the softer, more cushy ride as long as they handle this winter as well as I'm hoping they will. We will see in a month or 2. I think the tread pattern looks really good too.