Winter tires "Continental": reviews. Tires "Continental" winter spike

In winter time, the characteristics of rubber are extremely important, in which your car is "shod": if something is wrong with it, you have all chances to get into a serious enough accident. Not surprisingly, when choosing this type of tires only a rare motorist will not approach this issue in the most balanced and comprehensive manner. This is a fully justified precaution.

In our country are quite popular winter tires "Continental", reviews about which are often quite benevolent. I need to say a few words about the history of the manufacturer. And it began already in 1875, and the "Continental" from the very first days was engaged in the production of tires. True, for bicycles. So the company has been engaged in its craft for almost a century and a half, constantly accumulating new knowledge and creating advanced technologies.

The first appearance on the market

Strangely enough, but winter tires "Continental" are known to our customers since the beginning of the 90s. Then used mass imported foreign cars. In addition to the good quality of the cars themselves, not too spoiled motorists immediately drew attention to tires in the "kit" with which cars were delivered. They were really reliable and perfectly "kept" the road.

At the same time, a good business was done by the "shuttle traders" who used trucks to bring used and sometimes discarded tires to Russia. What is surprising, but in quality they often were not worse than completely new domestic models. That's how the winter tires "Continental" for the first time proved themselves in the domestic market.

Official position

In principle, in the European market, the products of this manufacturer are constantly among the top three. In many respects such popularity is explained by the "omnivorousness" of these tires, which more or less predictably behave on any surface, be it pure asphalt or a roll from snow and ice.

Yes, and our motorists love the German tires of this manufacturer because of a particularly strong frame, which can withstand even the most substandard roads, found in our region everywhere. In addition, the winter tires "Continental" (reviews about which we now disassemble) perfectly tolerate operation in almost any climatic conditions: even at extreme temperatures of our North, they only slightly lose in quality and performance.

Official Tests

Strangely enough for a European manufacturer, but the lion's share of its winter models are spiked varieties of tires. It is this type of tire that is most in demand among domestic motorists, while in recent years there has been a clear worldwide trend towards their replacement and replacement with Velcro. Almost all official tests of eminent publications and automobile experts indicate that the winter tires "Continental" (the reviews confirm this in full) are perfectly adapted to operation under tough domestic conditions.

So, a couple of years ago, this rubber gave way to the first place only for the famous Finn Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7. But even then almost all experts agreed that the German is far superior to the winner in terms of handling, only a little losing in the characteristics of adhesion to the road surface in icing conditions of the latter .

Tires for off-road

Particularly good are the winter tires "Continental Conti Ice Contact 4x4", which are specifically designed for all-wheel drive vehicles. They are especially appreciated by fans of "pokatushki" in extreme conditions. They note that even on broken country roads, on which there is nothing but snow porridge and ice, these tires keep the brand.

Tires perfectly keep the direction, do not slip into a rut, and wide "Christmas trees" on the tread handle even with significant snow drifts. The only thing that in this situation somehow confuses - the cost of these tires. Give more than 40 thousand rubles and ride them on an eerie roadless? However, everything depends on financial possibilities. Rubber is excellent, thorns do not fly out, there are no censures.

Main characteristics claimed by the manufacturer

• The rubber mixture is made on the basis of silicates and high-quality artificial rubber. This guarantees the maintenance of high performance in any climatic and road conditions.

• The protector has a characteristic V-shaped pattern, which minimizes rolling resistance.

• If you look at the same Continental Viking tires (winter ones), you will see a central wedge in the form of a Christmas tree. This shape contributes to the maximum possible exchange rate stability when driving on snow porridge.

• The same is promoted by lateral grooves, which quickly remove snow and water from the tread, preventing the development of aquaplaning.

• Hard diamond-shaped checkers on the tread are responsible for handling in bends.

• In some models, Z-shaped slats are also used, which dramatically increase traction in the most unfavorable conditions.

• The highlight is the considerably strengthened (in comparison with other manufacturers) sidewall tires, which makes it possible to operate it even in very poor, broken roads.

• The specially designed shape of the studs and their thoughtful, mathematically designed arrangement on the protector prevent the car from sliding off even from a heavily rolled road.

• A lot of small grooves on the tread almost instantly divert excess water, and therefore even a sharp braking on the winter road will not lead to the departure from the roadway.

• Relatively low noise level (rather controversial).

Spikes or Velcro?

But such reviews are typical for thorns. For example, the widespread German "Velcro" Viking Contact from the same firm showed quite contradictory results in the tests. Yes, journalists were impressed by the fact of excellent grip on the road on snow and ice conditions. However, pure winter asphalt and soaked coating clearly showed that not everything is so good, the results were frankly average. All this somewhat spoils the general impression of rubber with a proud stamp Made in Germany.

In addition, the "spikes" win from the "stickies" from the same manufacturer at least four to five meters in emergency braking.

The positive qualities of studded rubber

So, what is so good about winter tires "Continental"? The testimonies indicate the excellent results of the security of thorns. And this in recent years, alas, a rarity. So, last year prizes repeatedly took tires "Pirelli", but only experts who conducted trial races, noted the loss of four or five spikes from the front tires after several "hard" circles.

On the same lamentable results of the same Japanese "Yokohama" and even written whole "sheets" of negative impressions. So, the Germans are clearly in the lead in this respect. Rubber from this manufacturer is not European hard, but because the spikes in it are kept perfectly even if operated on the broken roads of our vast expanses.

Reviews of motorists

As usual, we are interested in the opinion of real motorists, and not official testers. What do average users say? They really like Continental tires (winter studded ones), since they behave beautifully not only on winter asphalt and downhill, but also on snow porridge and ice crumbs.

There are also negative opinions. As a rule, they are associated with a high level of noise, which produces winter tires. In fairness, it should be noted that this problem is typical for all studded models, except for products from Japanese manufacturers (they use especially soft rubber).

"Chip" of these tires is the protector of the "diamond" shape. Such a picture, according to the assurances of the motorists themselves, contributes to good removal of moisture from the tire surface. Given the presence of thorns on it, the grip on the road even in corners on the winter track becomes almost ideal (as far as it's possible). Thus, the tires "Continental" (winter studded) are an excellent choice in most cases.

What are the conditions for?

They are great for both the city and the conditions of the track. They are especially good for countryside: the car perfectly "holds" the track and does not swing when overtaking, quickly gaining speed. In snowy urban courtyards, everything is also fine: the car easily leaves its course from virtually any deep gauge (subject to normal clearance). Especially famous for this winter tires are Continental Contact, which are characterized by a particularly dense landing stud and a rare durability.

The only drawback is the price, which is definitely far from democratic. So, the cost of a complete set of winter tires of this brand could well exceed thousands for 50 rubles, which is far from acceptable for everyone. In any case, not every family budget can tolerate such mockery.

Some shortcomings

When reading the article you might get the impression that the same winter tires "Continental" 4x4 generally do not have negative qualities. Unfortunately, it is not. Disadvantages are associated with long-suffering spines.

So, if you prefer a rather aggressive nature of driving, do not be surprised at the absence of half of the hooks after two seasons. To this many complain. However, in their loss it's silly to blame the manufacturer: extremely rarely winter tires are generally designed for racing style. And they definitely do not buy in ordinary stores. Simply put, if you like to get out on the winter roads, you'll have to pay for everything.

The advantages of Velcro

As we have already said, winter tires without thorns from this manufacturer do not differ in any way by any special qualities in principle. It shows fairly average results along the length of the braking distance, and other characteristics of it do not impress the imagination.

However, she still has positive qualities. Germans almost never flirted with excessive softness of rubber, but because of wear, their products are almost beyond competition. So, if you choose winter tires (Michelin or Continental, for example), experienced drivers almost always prefer German tires. They can travel a few seasons in a row, while losing a little in their quality.

Behavior on the ice is very good, the car barely touches. All this is very valuable. But here in heavily snow-covered courtyards "Velcro" shows not the best results. No, in every snow drift you will not sit, but you need to have a shovel. This is what practically all user reviews of motorists from domestic northern cities say.

In general, there is nothing criminal in this, because it is difficult to find non-studded rubber that would show really outstanding results in winter conditions.

Remember about safety!

Important! If you look at the statistics of accidents on the winter roads, then the picture turns out to be rather bleak: they often get those motorists who "shod" the car in "Velcro". Why is this happening? It's simple.

It is enough to read at least a few reviews of motorists. In them they often honestly admit that they are often "forgotten" and do not distinguish between spikes and ordinary tires without them. As a result, especially "gifted" can even carry out experiments on sudden braking on ice covered with a layer of snow. Nothing good such experiments never end, even if you use the winter tires "Continental Conti Ice Contact". Therefore, we would recommend refraining from conducting such experiments, the payment for which may well be your own health, and even life.

conclusions

So, what to say in the final part of the article? Suppose you bought a tire "Continental" winter (studded). Testimonies indicate that you did absolutely right! Despite the high cost, these tires will ensure you confident control of your car in the most difficult conditions of the domestic harsh winter. And it's worth a lot!

Claims to the products of the German tire manufacturer are not (unless the cost). Tires "tolerate" at least three seasons, losing at the same time not more than a few thorns (if it's normal to drive). If we talk about "Velcro", then it is characterized by excellent resistance to wear, perfectly keeps the car on a snow-covered and icy track.