If you’re in the market for a new set of tires, consider a set from Continental. The renowned manufacturer produces quality performance, touring, and standard all-season tires that fit a variety of cars, trucks, and SUVs. Their exclusive technologies and decades of tire-producing experience ensure you’ll get a set of tires you can always depend on.
A Brief History of Continental Tires
Headquartered in Hanover, Germany, Continental first entered the tire industry with its production of tires for bicycles and carriages. This was in 1871, a decade and a half before the first automobile was manufactured. However, by 1901, Continental was manufacturing pneumatic tires for the very first Mercedes model, which won the Nice-Salon-Nice car race, thanks in part to state-of-the-art tires. This historic win inspired innovative new car designs and propelled Continental into global fame. Today, the company continues to manufacture tires that are leading the way in performance and sustainability.
What Makes Continental Stand Out From Other Tire Brands?
Continental uses exclusive technologies to construct its tires and equips them with unique features, including:
QuickView Indicators
To let you know when your tires need maintenance or are unfit for certain conditions, Continental equips them with QuickView Indicators. These are visible markings molded into the tire tread. For example, Continental’s PureContact LS, TrueContact Tour, and ExtremeContact DWS06 tires feature QuickView Tuned Performance Indicators. These indicators are the letter D, which stands for “Dry,” the letter W, which stands for “Wet,” and the letter S, which stands for “Snow.”
When all three letters are visible, it’s safe to use your tires on dry roads, wet streets, and snow-covered surfaces. If the S wears away, the tires aren’t suitable for snow or ice. When you can’t see the W, the tires don’t have enough tread to handle wet surfaces. Finally, the D wearing away indicates that the tires need to be replaced.
EcoPlus Technology
Drivers looking for a tire that improves their vehicle’s fuel efficiency will appreciate Continental’s EcoPlus Technology. Tires featuring this innovative tech have TG-F polymers that reduce rolling resistance, enabling less fuel consumption and fewer carbon dioxide emissions. EcoPlus Technology also gives tires +Silane additives that strengthen the tread and deliver an exceptional grip on wet roads. Continental tires featuring EcoPlus Technology include the TrueContact, PureContact, and ProContact passenger tires.
Asymmetrical Tread
All Continental tires feature a signature asymmetrical tread, with one pattern on the inner half of the tire and a different pattern on the outer half. The inner tread expels water to prevent hydroplaning, while the outer tread features rigid tread blocks that provide exceptional grip when cornering and traveling on dry roads. Another advantage is a quieter cabin, even when driving at highway speeds.
ContiSense and ContiAdapt
Continental’s ContiSense system uses rubber-based sensors to monitor tread depth and temperature continuously. When the depth and temperature fall outside Continental’s predefined limits, the sensors will send electric signals to a receiver in the cabin, alerting the driver. Likewise, if debris pierces the tire, the sensors close the circuit and send a warning to the driver. In addition, Continental plans to pair the ContiSense system with ContiAdapt, which allows ideal adaptation to wet, uneven, or slippery patches. While the ContiSense and ContiAdapt are currently in development, Continental promises that they will revolutionize automated and all-electric driving.
Which Continental Tire Is Most Suitable for Your Vehicle?
Continental designs each line of tires to suit specific driver needs and vehicles. Here are the top Continental tires to consider, depending on what you drive:
PureContact LS
If you drive a premium passenger car, you can’t go wrong with the PureContact LS tires. The LS stands for “luxury sport,” indicating that the tires deliver a luxurious yet lively driving experience. PureContact LS tires provide consistent traction across various driving conditions, optimizing your vehicle’s braking power when traveling on wet roads. Best of all, they’re comfortable and quiet, enhancing instead of compromising your car’s ride quality.
ExtremeContact Sport
Continental’s ExtremeContact Sport tires are designed for sports cars, performance sedans, and powerful luxury vehicles. As a Max Performance Summer tire, the ExtremeContact Sport delivers maximum wet and dry traction when temperatures are well above freezing. Continental uses a specialized rubber compound, tread pattern, and carcass design to construct the ExtremeContact Sport, ensuring that the tire gives drivers a superior road feel, stability at high speeds, and consistent contact on wet and dry surfaces. While the ExtremeContact Sport delivers a thrilling drive, it doesn’t compromise on comfort, which is why it features on BMW’s halo M cars.
CrossContact LX25
If you drive an SUV or crossover vehicle, you expect it to help you accomplish various tasks in all sorts of driving conditions. The CrossContact LX25 can provide your SUV with dependable all-season traction without compromising ride quality. Continental integrates sound-deadening materials right below the tire tread, adds continuous ribs that prevent the tires from making too much noise in the first place, and uses a tread compound that maximizes fuel economy and extends tread life. The result is a tire that helps you confidently handle your SUV while giving you a luxurious driving experience.
TerrainContact H/T
Whether you’re a truck owner who uses your vehicle on the construction site or the campsite, you need a tire that can handle heavy payloads while delivering exceptional traction. With Continental’s TerrainContact H/T, you get a tire that does just that. However, TerrainContact H/T tires aren’t just durable and suitable for all weather conditions — they’re also quiet and comfortable to drive on.
Please note that while this guide indicates which Continental tires are suitable for cars, trucks, and SUVs, you should always consult your owner’s manual before fitting your vehicle with new tires.
Continental Tires Reviews
On the Mavis Tire website, Continental tires typically score between 3 and 4 stars out of 5. Customer reviews note that the tires are durable, have an excellent grip on the road, and reduce unwanted noise. Reviewers also point out how versatile Continental tires are, helping drivers take on busy highways and make their way up tricky mountain roads. When comparing their Continental tires to other brands, many drivers notice an improved vehicle performance after switching to Continental tires.
It’s easy to see why so many drivers equip their cars, trucks, and SUVs with Continental tires. When shopping for a new set of tires, Continental is certainly a brand to consider.
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