On October 8, 1871, the Continental Caoutchouc & Gutta-Percha Company began operations in Hanover, Germany, as a manufacturer of bicycle and carriage tires. In 1904, Continental introduced the world’s first automotive tire featuring a patterned tread. Since then, the company has become famous for its high-quality yet affordable tires for cars, trucks, and SUVs. If you’re in the market for a new set of tires, consider Continental and its line of PureContact LS tires.
What is the PureContact LS Tire?
Continental’s PureContact LS is a luxury all-season touring tire suitable for passenger cars and crossover vehicles. The PureContact LS is designed to take on dry surfaces, wet roads, and light snowfall while enhancing the performance of premium vehicles. As one of Continental’s newest offerings, the PureContact LS offers drivers the latest features and technologies.
What Makes the Continental PureContact LS Stand Out from Other Tires?
Continental equips the PureContact LS with temperature-activated functional polymers that enhance the tire’s compound bonding to minimize wear and tear while optimizing fuel efficiency. The tread compound’s +Sylane additives enhance traction and grip while protecting the tread from water damage. Like every tire in the Continental lineup, the PureContact LS features the manufacturer’s signature asymmetrical tread pattern, which teams up with sturdy shoulder blocks to improve lateral grip and stability at high speeds. A wide central rib delivers an exceptional on-center feel.
The PureContact LS tire’s wide circumferential and lateral grooves expel water, minimizing the chance of hydroplaning. When driving on snow-covered roads, the tire’s siped shoulders, intermediate tread blocks, and traction grooves deliver exceptional contact, optimizing traction and grip. Continental constructs the PureContact LS with a single-ply polymer casing that reduces the tire’s weight, making it more responsive and better at accelerating and cornering. Two steel belts improve stability and durability.
PureContact LS Safety Indicators
The PureContact LS tire features Continental’s Alignment Verification System, which consists of three rectangles on both sides of the outer tread. When you see the same number of rectangles on each side, your PureContact LS tires are wearing evenly, and your vehicle is in alignment. However, if you notice that one side has more rectangles than the other, the tires aren’t wearing evenly, and your car’s alignment needs to be checked.
Continental also molds the letters D, W, and S into each PureContact LS tire tread. These letters are Tuned Performance Indicators that tell you what conditions suit your tires. For example, if you see all three letters, you can drive on dry roads, wet roads, and snow-covered surfaces. The tires are no longer safe on snow and ice when the S wears away. If the W wears away, you shouldn’t drive your vehicle on wet roads. After the D wears away, it’s time to replace your tires.
What Sizes are Available for the PureContact LS?
The Continental PureContact LS is available in the following wheel sizes:
- 15 inches
- 16 inches
- 17 inches
- 18 inches
- 19 inches
- 20 inches
Before you fit your vehicle with a new set of tires, consult your owner’s manual to ensure that you purchase the correct size.
What Vehicles Can Accommodate PureContact LS tires?
Continental PureContact LS tires are designed for passenger cars, crossover vehicles, and small SUVs, including:
- Acura MDX
- Audi Q3
- BMW X3
- Ford Escape
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Lexus IS
- Mercedes C-Class
- Subaru Forester
- Toyota RAV4
- Volkswagen Touareg
Again, consult your owner’s manual to ensure that you purchase the correct set of PureContact LS tires for your particular make and model.
How Does the Continental PureContact LS Perform in Different Conditions?
Continental designed the PureContact LS to perform on dry, wet, and snow-covered surfaces. Here’s how the tire handles these different situations:
Dry Roads
On dry surfaces, the PureContact LS delivers responsive steering for a fun and exhilarating drive. You can also expect exceptional traction and grip and remarkably short braking distances. Even at highway speeds, the PureContact LS optimizes traction and stability, giving you maximum control.
Wet Roads
Whether traveling on slightly wet surfaces or saturated roads, the PureContact LS performs just as well on dry streets. Thanks to the tire’s water-expelling grooves, you can look forward to a drive free from hydroplaning. You also won’t have any issues braking, making the PureContact LS ideal for drivers who frequently drive on wet roads.
Light Snowfalls
As an all-season tire, the PureContact LS is designed to deliver dependable performance on snow and ice. Remember that the PureContact LS is not a dedicated snow or winter tire. If the tire tread’s S indicator is no longer visible, you shouldn’t use your PureContact LS on snow or ice. Drivers who live in areas with heavy snowfalls might want to buy a set of winter tires in addition to the PureContact LS tires.
It’s also important to note that the PureContact LS is unsuitable for off-road driving. If you want to take your crossover or small SUV off-road, you’ll want to equip it with all-terrain tires.
PureContact LS Ride Quality
Continental designed the PureContact LS to complement the performance of premium vehicles, meaning that it delivers a superior ride quality. So whether you’re cruising at highway speeds or maneuvering busy city streets, you’ll enjoy a quieter, smoother, and more comfortable drive when you equip your vehicle with PureContact LS tires.
Continental PureContact LS Reviews
On TireRack.com, the PureContact LS has an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of five, while Mavis Tire customers give the tires 4 stars out of 5. Mavis Tire also asked its customers if they would purchase the PureContact LS tires again, and 94% of respondents answered yes. In addition, customers on both sites praise the tire’s performance on dry roads, wet surfaces, and in cornering situations.
Reviewers also noted that the tires are good at resisting hydroplaning and provide exceptional traction on snow and ice. When comparing the PureContact LS to other tires, some customers remarked that they like the PureContact LS better than their previous tires.
As you can see, there are many benefits to equipping your vehicle with Continental PureContact LS tires. If you drive a luxury vehicle and are looking for a set of all-season touring tires, the PureContact LS is one you’ll want to consider.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
