The truth about Conti Extreme Contact DWS wear

[Badgerry]

I asked the guy on the other end of the line at tirerack.com if the Conti Extreme Contact DWS tires are like the Blizzaks in that you only get the great winter traction for about the first 12-15K. He said they weren't, but now i've read that when the "S" layer wears down, the tire is just a "DW" tire, the the tire has indicators to let you know when that top layer is gone. So the logical next question is, how many miles do you get out of that top layer?

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Who knows? Every time I've seen them mentioned here they've been on "backorder".

 

[Nabber]

I asked my tire person if the compound was different based on the depth, like the Blizzak. He said no but the depth alone was enough to affect the tires effectiveness as stated.

 

[Badgerry]

Who knows? Every time I've seen them mentioned here they've been on "backorder".

Yeah, the tirerack person said two months. We've got particularly slippery roads in Packerland this morning, so wish me luck, new friends! I'm CREEPIN' to work (is there a way to disable, like , 6 or 7 of the cylinders???).

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Yeah, the tirerack person said two months. We've got particularly slippery roads in Packerland this morning, so wish me luck, new friends! I'm CREEPIN' to work (is there a way to disable, like , 6 or 7 of the cylinders???).

Yeah there is (in a sense):
Slide the lever over to the pseudo-manual tranny and shift to 2nd when at a stop. Takes enough torque off the rears to move forward easily. Once moving you can shift back to auto.
Helps with slowing down and stopping too.
Have fun!

 

[Badgerry]

Yeah there is (in a sense):
Slide the lever over to the pseudo-manual tranny and shift to 2nd when at a stop. Takes enough torque off the rears to move forward easily. Once moving you can shift back to auto.
Helps with slowing down and stopping too.
Have fun!

Of course! I forgot all about that--I used to start my old Mustang in 2nd for the same reason. I even did it when rocking out of a snow jam. Since I just got this car, I haven't played with the "manual" side at all yet, so I guess now is the time.

For the record, I didn't go in to work at all today, and even cancelled my appointment at the Hyundai dealer (my disc player won't recognize discs, and now won't eject one). Turned on the police scanner, heard all the spinouts, collisions, ditchdiving, and said no thanks.

Just why are the Contis on 2 month backorder?

 

[robthoke]

The DWS's on my wife's Vette have a 50,000 mile warranty. I love them and if I have my Genesis long enough to wear out the Dunlaps, they will be replaced with the DWS as well. My tire dealer was able to get them in two days.

 

[CanukV6]

I have the Conti DWS tires on my Summer wheels so I don't really have any snow experience with them. I bought them mainly on the recommendation of others here and the Tire-Rack mostly for their wet weather performance and wear ratings. As I understand it, the tire has small grooves moulded into the edges of the tread blocks and some of the main circumferential grooves that provide better grip in snow. I'm sure once these "biting" grooves wear from the tread block edges, the winter performance will be diminished. The "DWS" logo moulded into the main central rib has different depths for each letter. Once the "S" disappears the tire loses its enhanced snow grip. When the "W" goes the wet weather performance is lessened. I guess when the "D" disappears you are on 'slicks' and it's time to head for the Drag Strip!

The DWS tires were hard to get last Spring when I got mine, so I assume they are very popular, or at least in our tire sizes. I like these tires for their wet weather grip, although dry grip is not quite as good as the OEM Dunlops. They aren't as quiet as I expected (from the tire-rack rating) but still not bad.

 

[ottobody]

I've had the Conti Extreme DWS on my wifes Gen coupe for about 16 months and 23,000 miles later the DWS is still there, with Plenty of tread left. The fronts are 245/40/19 and the rears are 285/35/19 on HRE 560c wheels. I like them so much that I'm going to put them on my Gen sedan.

 

[Badgerry]

I finally got my Contis, which had been backordered, two days ago. I'm glad to hear about the wear, ottobody, but the real proof for me will come next winter, when the rubber hits the snow. I'm not expecting Blizzak performance on the white stuff, but based on what I got when I put Extreme Contacts on my old 2000 Accord and my wife's 2006 Accord (both V6's), I am expecting a significant improvement.

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[ottobody]

my wife drove her car this winter and had no problems( 8" or less) until we got hit with 18". Also performed well on icy roads, driving carefully. Hope you have as good performance as we have.