I've had some experience with cross climates and vector4seasons, but none with conti all-season contacts. Anyone used them and thoughts vs the others?

Some reviews here, looks like latest version was launched September 2017, appear to be a bit more winter biased than cross climate +

 

https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Continental/AllSeasonContact.htm

 

https://www.continental-tyres.co.uk/car/media-services/newsroom/all-seasons-all-weathers-all-winners

 

 

Edited 3 December, 20187 yr by SurreyJohn

I've got 3 different VW brands fitted with Weatherproofs, CrossClimates and now AllseasonContact on the most recent addition.  Not really had an opportunity to test them in anger, but I'll be happy if they perform mid way between the other 2. They have to cope with 300PS via Haldex so are more likely to get pushed hard across most conditions whereas the Nokians are used for the worst conditions via quattro and aren't used "dynamically".

 

The CrossClimates only have to cope with 69Ps but on 2WD but are a good choice for a driver with limited experience of winter conditions.

 

I've been increasingly enthusiastic with the Contis which should cope with my 4 mile commute for 99% of the time while still making me smile each way. They don't have to cope with high summer temperatures as I'm only 10 minutes slower on a push bike.

It gets a good write up here:
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/92863/all-season-tyre-test-20182019-top-all-weather-tyres-tested

I've just reread my earlier post and can't edit it.  All the tyres are good but occupy different areas of the all-season Venn diagram.  The Contis probably represent a very large centre spot with the other two at opposite ends of the spectrum but still good.

 

My comment about the CrossClimates reads wrong out of context.  I fitted them to the car my son uses.  This will be his second yeard of winter driving, so they were put on as a "fit and forget" option when he passed his test to cope with normal conditions without a step change between summer and winter options which might otherwise have given false confidence.  I'd suggest that most people who read about tyres on forums are more in tune with the grip available and don't just get in and drive naively - although that's probably where we all started.

 

Only disappointment for me is that the Contis are only rated V whereas the Bridgestones have a higher rating so will be considered for my 19" wheels when I've shredded my Conti summers.  That may be a couple of years away and there are sure to be some developments by then.

V rated tyres are 240km/h 149mph,

Probably high enough for most peoples supermarket run

 

 

12 hours ago, Jeeves said:

I've just reread my earlier post and can't edit it

Your ability to edit posts is timed out after a few hours.

11 hours ago, SurreyJohn said:

V rated tyres are 240km/h 149mph,

Probably high enough for most peoples supermarket run

 

 

Yeah not a problem here, but if I were to Vmax it there's potentially another 20 mph to go to, hence it's got Y rated as OE.  Probably not something I'd want to do on an unrestricted autobahn in the winter though.

Booo, another well regarded all-season tyre,  from one of the big manufacturers that isn't offered in 235/40 R19.   I'll be sticking with Vredestein for the foreseeable future then....

I wanted to put the Contis on my Superb but the speed index in the 215/55/17 size is V but Skoda homologated the car on W tyres and I'm just not running the risk with the insurance.  There's no way my car can do 149mph let alone 168mph!

@4StringBass,  what is the recommended tyre size from the manufacturer if 'Snow Chains' are fitted?

 

I doubt they have a homologation with a 'W' speed rating'.    The 'Summer' tyres the car has as the OEM fitting with the 'V' speed limit are a all year round greater risk to safety in the wet, cold or snow, as the insurers well know. 

There is no risk with the insurers running the correct speed and load rated tyres for adverse weather and if you ask them when 'Winter' or Winter weather might be in Scotland they have no 'official answer'.

2 hours ago, Offski said:

@4StringBass,  what is the recommended tyre size from the manufacturer if 'Snow Chains' are fitted?

 

I doubt they have a homologation with a 'W' speed rating'.    The 'Summer' tyres the car has as the OEM fitting with the 'V' speed limit are a all year round greater risk to safety in the wet, cold or snow, as the insurers well know. 

There is no risk with the insurers running the correct speed and load rated tyres for adverse weather and if you ask them when 'Winter' or Winter weather might be in Scotland they have no 'official answer'.

 

Don't know about snow chains, but guessing 16" as that's the smallest wheel that will fit.

 

Most insurers seem happy to lower the speed index over winter for winter tyres, but not in summer, which is nuts as the car still would not be physically able to exceed the tyre's speed limit, whether -5ºC or 25ºC.  Never mind the fact that the UK speed limit is 70mph, not 130mph.  If I fit 16" wheels, I can fit V, if I fit 17" for normal summer use it has to be W.  Nonsense but nothing I can do about it.