Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position

Thursday, April 11, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position Reviewer's Overall Rating: 7.8
 
 

2001 BMW 325i
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Miles driven on tires: 5,000
Location: Akron, OH
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 5,000 Miles on Tires
April 02, 2013

I purchased this tire to replace an aging set of Continental ContiProContact tires that were on the car when I bought it. Let me say first that these tires are an enormous upgrade over the Continentals. I commute 35 miles each way to work and the weather in Northeast Ohio is nothing if not unpredictable. These tires have given me a tremendous amount of confidence in every situation I've encountered. Wet and dry traction is outstanding but it's the wet traction that really stands out. I have never had more confidence at speed on slick roads. I enjoy throwing my car around as much as possible and these tires are an ideal compliment to my driving style. At highway speeds they are quiet, comfortable, and have a reassuring sense of straight ahead. I've made it through one winter now and although these tires are not particularly good in deep snow, they are passable. Performance in light snow is excellent. I would highly recommend these tires to anyone looking for a meaningful performance upgrade over a standard all season tire. In addition, with their combination of wet and dry capability, I think these tires are a tremendous value in the Ultra High Performance All-Season class.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9.55
 
 

2013 Ford Mustang GT Convertible
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Miles driven on tires: 5,000
Location: Akron, OH
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 5,000 Miles on Tires
March 14, 2013

Amazing Snow and Ice performance out of these OE tires on my '13 Mustang GT. I had a CTS prior to this that I had equipped with Continental DWS high Performance All Season. The Caddy had to be parked if 2 snowflakes fell. I can drive the Mustang GT equipped with thes P Zeros all day in any weather (including light to medium SNOW) !

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.5
 
 

2007 Mercedes-Benz CLS550
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Miles driven on tires: 30,000
Location: Kemptville, ON
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 30,000 Miles on Tires
April 01, 2013

I just went through a winter that delivered record snowfalls and the tires performed as I had hoped they would - excellent. I drive in deep snow all the time and despite driving a high performance rear-wheel drive car, I had no problems driving on ice and deep snow on a regular basis. I put them to the test while driving through the Adirondacks in a blizzard after a day of skiing Whiteface...the tires got me through 6-8 inches of snow on the icy roads without a problem...even the step hills and sharp turns...outstanding winter tire fit for my car. I know winter and I love winter driving..great recommendation Tire Rack

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9.2
 
 

2005 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster
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Miles driven on tires: 16,000
Location:  
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 16,000 Miles on Tires
March 24, 2013

Excellent performance tire. But, i also have Conti high perf tires as well, and they are less expensive, and seem to perform just as well.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Yokohama AVID ENVigor (W-Speed Rated)

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.


Yokohama AVID ENVigor (W-Speed Rated)Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.88

2007 Audi A6 3.2 Quattro
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Miles driven on tires: 9,500
Location: Summit, NJ
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 9,500 Miles on Tires
March 23, 2011

So here's an update after 9,500 miles or so. The tires performed well all winter, handling rain and snow as well as can be expected of an all season tire. They remained responsive, good handling, quiet and smooth, and I was happy with them until returning from a 900 mile trip. On the way home they developed a high speed vibration which was not cured by rotation and rebalance. In fact, the rebalance only found 2 tires out of balance by 0.25 oz! Finally, a road force balance by my Audi dealer found both right side tires were out of round.



The rotation/rebalance was routine, but the road force balance/diagnosis was expensive ($130). The really important fact is that TireRack and Yokahama stood behind the tires. Maggie at TireRack was exceptionally helpful and 2 replacement tires were provided without charge. How good is that?!



There seems to have been some change in the tires, as now they take a set when standing in cold weather, reminiscent of the old nylon tires. After a few miles they smooth out. I think this must be just the replacement tires, as it didn't happen before.



If the tires hold up and don't go out of round again I recommend them highly. And TireRack is exceptional - no reason to buy form any one else.

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Dunlop SP Sport 01 A/S

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Dunlop SP Sport 01 A/S Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.56
 
 

2012 Volkswagen GTI
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Miles driven on tires: 19,000
Location: Keizer, OR
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 19,000 Miles on Tires
April 05, 2013

Not understanding all the hate for this tire. Most likely it's because they come standard on 2010 thru 2013 GTI's and drivers who never experience sub-zero temperatures and snow have no need for an A/S tire on a high-performance car. As a result, they compare this tire to either max or extreme performance summer tires.
However, comparing this tire to the Kumho ECSTA 4X A/S tires on my son's Mazda 3, I would rate them at least as equals, and probably a bit better when below zero.
Additionally, using a regular rotation period of 5k miles, these tires demonstrate fantastic wear resistance. Currently at 19k miles and less than 50% wear. Very quiet on the freeway as well. The only negative is the braking and cornering traction in the wet should be a little higher.

 

Hankook's Latest All-Season Performance Tire, the Ventus S1 noble2

Friday, April 5, 2013 by Colin .

Hankook has introduced a new Ultra High Performance All-Season tire with the Ventus S1 noble2. It appears it'll be a superior option to the Ventus V4 ES H105.

The Ventus S1 noble2 has an asymmetric tread design compared to the directional design of the V4 ES H105. This offers you the ability to fully rotate the tires on the vehicle to maximize treadlife. In addition, asymmetric tires tend to stay quieter as they wear. Hankook uses a hybrid tread compound technology silica that offers lower rolling resistance, improved treadlife and enhanced wet traction. 

Ventus S1 noble 2 tires are offered with a 50,000-mile treadlife warranty and a road hazard warranty for the first year or 2/32" of treadwear. This is an improvement over the Ventus V4 ES H104's treadlife warranty, which only extends to tires with a 40-series sidewall and up. 

Kontrol Technology is a Hankook philosophy, as well as a set of proprietary innovations applied during tire research, development and production to ensure controlled driving experiences. The "K" denotes "kinetic" to show that the interaction of this tire with the road lies at the heart of driving control. This technology provides a range of benefits across four areas that drivers identify as key when choosing quality tires: performance, safety, comfort and environmental impact. And just as with other Hankook tires, this new option is priced as a great value for the performance it offers. 

When you purchase a set of four Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 tires before June 30, 2013, you can receive an American Express® Reward Card valued at $60 by mail-in rebate. View details here.

What Are the Longest Lasting Run-Flat Tires for a C6 Chevrolet Corvette?

Thursday, April 4, 2013 by Zig Ziegler

In 1953, Chevrolet introduced America's first true sports car with the revolutionary sleek look of the Corvette. American's have been enamored with this vehicle ever since its humble beginnings when there was no manual transmission made that could handle its unbelievable 150hp. Things have changed since every model came with a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission to the roaring 430hp V8 used in today's C6 models. Most current C6 Corvette (2005-2013) models are equipped with run-flat tires.

 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus
ZP
 Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT


Frequently I hear from C6 Corvette owners: "What are the longest lasting run-flat tires?" Switching to an all-season rubber compound can significantly increase treadlife. For instance, the Max Performance Summer Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP has a UTQG rating of 220, while the Ultra High Performance All-Season Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP has a much higher UTQG rating of 500. Many C6 Corvette owners are willing to give up a bit of ultimate grip in order to switch to run-flat tires that can wear upwards of 30% longer. The two most popular Ultra High Performance All-Season run-flat replacement tires are the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP and Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT

The Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP (Zero Pressure) is the Ultra High Performance All-Season run-flat tire member of Michelin's Pilot family of low profile, high-speed tires. Developed in the Original Equipment sizes for Chevrolet Corvette C-5 and C-6 coupe and convertible sports cars, the Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP is designed to temporarily support the weight of the car even after a loss of air pressure, as well as combine enhanced all-weather performance, wet grip and treadwear along with year-round traction, including in light snow.

Bridgestone's Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT tire is developed for drivers looking for enhanced ride quality and all-season traction for sports cars, sports coupes and performance sedans originally equipped with O.E. run-flat tires. It features Bridgestone 3G RFT Technology designed to offer almost the same riding comfort as conventional tires while providing temporary extended mobility for a distance of 50 miles at up to 50 mph even after a puncture has allowed complete air pressure loss. Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT tires provide year-round driving flexibility by offering predictable handling, traction and control on dry and wet roads.

When it's time to replace the tires on your Chevrolet C6 Corvette, be sure to shop by vehicle and view the list of longer wearing all-season run-flat tires.

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Continental ExtremeContact DWS

Monday, April 1, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.45
 
 

2013 Ford Taurus
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Miles driven on tires: 7,000
Location: Southfield, MI
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 7,000 Miles on Tires
March 24, 2013

Phenomenal tire.

I have a modified Taurus SHO putting down about 405hp and 450tq, and these tires perform great in all conditions. I don't consider these all-seasons, i consider then 4 season tires.

Good in all conditions. I swapped out my Goodyear Eagle F1 summer tires, and expected a drop off in handling, but I seriously can't tell.

They are also extremely loud when you try to break traction, which means there is some serious grip from these tires. They are very quiet and smooth on highway cruising, and high speed stability is impeccable. No reason to keep summer tires around. Just mount these and you're done.

Oh, and the tread life is also amazing. I can barely measure any wear after 7000 miles. And my car is about 4400lbs.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW-3

Monday, April 1, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW-3 Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.45
 
 

2003 Audi A6 4.2
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Miles driven on tires: 5,000
Location: Barre, VT
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 5,000 Miles on Tires
March 23, 2013

In Vermont, we run winter tires pretty much from November until April, so it's important to choose wisely when shopping for a new set. These Eagle Ultra Grip GW-3 winter tires replaced Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 winter tires, and I couldn't be happier with the selection. Every objective measure of performance (and satisfaction) went up with the Goodyear tires: grip on icy surfaces; deep snow performance; slushy and wet road traction; and overall comfort (NVH). And on dry, cold roads, I really appreciate the stability and responsiveness of a performance winter tire -- especially in a heavy, V8 powered sedan. It's been a 'real' winter this year, and these tires have exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus

Monday, April 1, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus Reviewer's Overall Rating: 7.9
 
 

2005 Volvo S60 R
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Miles driven on tires: 4,000
Location: Pueblo, CO
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 4,000 Miles on Tires
March 24, 2013

Got these tires on my s60R and they are great. They stick to the road like I am driving on glue. Great traction in the snow for being AWD, but mind you it is a Volvo and they TCS is great. I drove in pretty bad conditions on the highway and did not slip at all! Great dry traction and wet traction. Definitely can hold the road. A little noisy but this is my first set of high performance tires. Overall I think I will be getting these again!

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Continental ExtremeContact DW

Monday, April 1, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Continental ExtremeContact DW Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.5
 
 

2008 Mazda MAZDA3 4-Door
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Miles driven on tires: 20,000
Location: Pearland, TX
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 20,000 Miles on Tires
March 30, 2013

Wow!!! THis is hands down THE BEST high performance street tire out there. It's the perfect balance of quiet smooth driving, AMAZING wet performance and great dry traction. It's not as good in the dry as a Hankook RS3 or Pilot Super Sport, nor as quiet as a grand touring tire designed for the ultimate in comfort, but it IS the best of all worlds. As I said...the wet traction is the best out there from what I've found. And all this grip with a long tread life? Wow. :) I can't wait to buy another set!

 

BFGoodrich Brings Back Classic Red Line Tire for New Camaro and Challenger

Thursday, March 28, 2013 by Doc Horvath

Do you own a new Camaro or Challenger with 18" wheels? We've just received our first batch of 245/55R18 BFGoodrich Radial T/A Spec tires with the famous red stripe! This size is standard on LS and most LT Chevrolet Camaros and will also work on the Dodge Challenger equipped with factory 18" wheels. The 1/4" wide stripe recalls the muscle car days of the late sixties when similar tires were a factory option. The tire is being used by Hurst on their limited Redline Edition Camaro. 

With a 102T service description, the Radial T/A Spec is designed to provide a comfortable and quiet ride for cruising around town, while the 245/55R18 sidewall height provides plenty of cushion. While not a high performance tire intended for the track, it does provide plenty of wet and dry grip for the occasional enthusiastic drive. Take a look at what our customers are saying about their experience with the BFGoodrich Radial T/A Spec:

"This is the most comfortable tire I have run in an 18". It has a level of comfort and still lets you feel like you're in a sports car without cringing every time you hit a bump. The tire holds the car out of the hole and exceeded my expectations in the corners. You get a lot more than you pay for!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2012 Chevrolet Camaro LS

"These tires well exceeded my expectations. This is an excellent tire and I will definitely buy it again." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2011 Chevrolet Camaro LT

"This is a phenomenal tire. I can't believe they can make a tire this good for such a great price. Probably the best tire I have owned." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2011 Chevrolet Camaro LS

Our customer's feedback is a great tool to use when shopping as it'll help you with input from other drivers and their long term experience with each tire.

While we won't see the red line option in other sizes soon, availability of the 245/55R18 size is limited. If you have a new Camaro or Challenger with 18" wheels, consider the BFGoodrich Radial T/A Spec.

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Yokohama Parada Spec-X

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Yokohama Parada Spec-X Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9.27
 
 

2003 Toyota 4Runner 4wd Limited
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Miles driven on tires: 50,000
Location: Jewett City, CT
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 50,000 Miles on Tires
March 16, 2013

Update to previous 4,000 mile review. A phenomenal tire, and I can see none rated better that I would buy. Exceptional in dry and wet conditions, even heavy rain. Good in light to deep snow, but fair in icy conditions. Have maybe 5-10,000 miles of tread left now that I've put on 50,000. Quiet, smooth, what we all would expect a good tire to be.

Interestingly, I work in construction. My previous Continental Cross Contacts which I loved, had a number of flats from picking up nails, etc. None with this tire, which is either coincidence, or signs of better tire composition, which I believe it is. Continental has none in this size, so I will buy this tire again.

This winter, I looked at the tread and had concerns about winter driving on worn tread. But, decided to stick it out and tires performed SURPRISINGLY well.

My Toyota V8 all wheel drive limited has the best of everything, and these tires meet my expectations. Mileage in summer averages 18.4, and less in winter due to gas reformulation.

Highly recommended for those who appreciate quality, safety and consistency. But, if you live where ice and snow abound all winter, you may want to consider winter tires, but these are more than able to take on CT winters. Best to you all.

 

Sign your Teen Driver Up for a Tire Rack Street Survival Class

Monday, March 25, 2013 by Cy Chowattukunnel

This past Saturday, I watched my niece play in her youth basketball league. I ended up running the scoreboard and used my close proximity to the court to offer words of wisdom, such as "use the backboard" and "shoot it." Kids, you got to love them!

Inevitably these kids will get bigger, their jump shots will start falling and they'll be teenagers driving themselves to practice. When that time comes, preparing them to be the best drivers they can be will be extremely important. One of the ways to do that is to take your teen driver to a one-day Tire Rack Street Survival class.

Classes are held at our headquarters in South Bend, Indiana, as well as locations across the country. Tire Rack Street Survival classes allow your teen to learn how to properly control his/her car so they don't panic during an emergency, along with helping improve their overall driving skills.

In addition to proper training, teenagers (and all drivers) need the safest tires. If you're in a snowbelt region, then dedicated winter / snow tires are the way to go. If you live in a warmer climate, an Ultra High Performance All-Season tire could work best because of how unpredictable weather can be. For example, in Dallas, Texas, it's not uncommon to receive some light snow, and the all-season option will come in handy compared to a summer tire.

View more information on the Tire Rack Street Survival program and find a class for your teen driver!

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Pirelli P Zero Nero

Thursday, March 21, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Pirelli P Zero Nero Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9
 
 

1996 Acura Integra GS-R
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Miles driven on tires: 5,000
Location: Arlington, VA
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 5,000 Miles on Tires
March 19, 2013

I have worn out a number of very high performance tires on this car. All have their quirks. These are still low miles, so I haven't really tested them much, but so far so good. The PZero Nero offer surprisingly civilized ride, fairly low noise, with strong and predictable cornering. My suspension is mostly stock with Koni shocks, and these tires will out perform my suspension with no drama or unexpected motion, and max cornering on ramps is very stable and predictable. I am impressed that wet traction is very good and they still behave well. I can't wait to put them back on after snow season!

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position

Thursday, March 21, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position Reviewer's Overall Rating: 7.9
 
 

2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI
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Miles driven on tires: 5,000
Location: Dublin, OH
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 5,000 Miles on Tires
March 19, 2013

I replaced my OE ContiProContact's at 36k miles after getting stuck in 6" of snow. These tires are just as quiet and proved increased traction in all weather conditions. In addition, the stiffer sidewalls greatly increase response, while not noticeably increasing harshness. I don't have enough mileage on the tires to comment on tire wear or fuel economy impact from switching to non LRR tires, but I would highly recommend these tires for a nice performance upgrade. They got me through a couple snow storms of 4-6" without too much drama, but they aren't a replacement for winter tires. They're more like a higher mileage summer tire with moderate winter capabilities, which is what I was looking for.

 

Warmer Weather is Coming - Time for a New Ultra High Performance All-Season Tire

Thursday, March 21, 2013 by Doc Horvath

With the snow melting in most of the country, driving enthusiasts are looking forward to a spring and summer of high performance driving fun. For those on a budget, there's a great selection of Ultra High Performance All-Season tires, including the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season. The tire is currently ranked sixth in our Tire Survey Results.

Our extensive Real World Road Ride and test track have always separated the contenders from the pretenders. A couple years ago we tested the Pirelli against the Dunlop SP Sport Signature, Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 and Yokohama AVID ENVigor with the P Zero Nero All Season delivering the quickest and most direct-feeling steering of the group. The Yokohama AVID ENVigor and Dunlop SP Sport Signature followed, with Sumitomo's HTR A/S P01 right behind. All three options exhibited an excellent direct steering feel. Overall noise levels for all four tires were similar, with all producing some amount of tread pattern hum. The AVID ENVigor generated a small ringing tone when it encountered sharp impacts on the highway, and the HTR A/S P01 produced a little more tread noise than the rest.

On the track in dry conditions, the Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season had the quickest overall lap time with its very quick steering response and good overall grip. Dunlop's SP Sport Signature followed with plenty of cornering traction and similar predictable handling. The Yokohama and Sumitomo repeated their standings as before. In the wet, the SP Sport Signature was fastest, thanks to its responsive steering and good ultimate grip, especially under braking.

If you're in the market for new Ultra High Performance All-Season tires, read "Finding the 'Ultra' in Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires" before making your selection.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS Returns to the Number One Spot

Wednesday, March 20, 2013 by Hunter Leffel

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS has been a customer favorite for almost five years. It has stood the test of time, especially with its good ratings in winter conditions. Bridgestone's Potenza RE970AS Pole Position was the latest entry to threaten Continental's number one ranking. We put them up against each other in a test cycle where we run them on a wet and dry track, as well as on the road. Our team favored the Bridgestone in the meeting. The Bridgestone gives a better overall performance feel and traction in both the wet and dry, especially in the track events which are designed to simulate emergency maneuvers.

In an earlier test, we noted we'd like to see an improvement in winter conditions where the Bridgestone was concerned. This happens to be the Continental's strong suit and as it turns out, the ace in the hole. When the Bridgestone initially debuted on the survey results, it came it in at number one. The Bridgestone takes top honors in wet and dry traction, as well as cornering and steering response. However, as owners had some time to experience the winter elements, the ExtremeContact DWS rose back to the top. This Continental tire betters the competition in traction in light snow, deep snow and on ice.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
Bridgestone Potenza RE970 AS Pole Position
Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position


To see the complete results of our latest test, read "Testing Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires."

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Michelin X-Ice Xi2

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Michelin X-Ice Xi2 Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9.36
 
 

1998 Honda Accord Sedan EX 4cyl
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Miles driven on tires: 4,200
Location:  
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 4,200 Miles on Tires
March 16, 2013

This is my second review of this tire, and THIRD season of use. They continued to perform beyond what I expected from a winter tire. Braking on ice is completely drama-free. These tires stop right NOW when you want them to.
I would say the tire's worst performance occurs on rough unpacked "cruddy" snow. There, the directional stability becomes iffy and the car feels like it's just floating over the snow as opposed to digging through it. (This may be because my tires are 205 instead of the OEM 195, less weight per surface area)
I did a lot of highway driving with this tire and they made no annoying road noises at high speeds and had no problem standing up to warm highway use in terms of wear. In fact, the tires appear to have lost only 0.5mm of tread over 4200 miles (half of which was dry highway!) Wow!!
I love these tires and I will always use Michelin winter tires and recommend them to everyone I know.