Why I will never stray from the Conti DWS
I have DWS on 20's as well and I really like them for WA state, especially for rain and snow. I agree they are more square in shape but I run a mild stretch. 225/35 on 9" and 265/30 on 10 and 10.5 (when running Vossens).
Curious... Why did you get DWS for Florida? Just asking because if I didn't have to deal with snow, I would have chose another tire.
Curious... Why did you get DWS for Florida? Just asking because if I didn't have to deal with snow, I would have chose another tire.
Agreed 100%. My first set wore out and I replaced them with the new A/S 3. I switched back to the A/S Plus under Michelin's 30 day warranty. The A/S 3s were very loud and harsh in 245 40 18 (probably because of the XL load rating). The A/S Plus are quiet and comfortable. And, as an added benefit, they've been fantastic in the snow (probably because they're so new and have a lot of tread). They do make the car drift to the right, though, as the directional tread pattern seems to follow grooves and crowning of the road.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 49
From: Illinois
Over the weekend, I was this --> <--- close to ordering another set of A/S Plus for when mine need replacing. Tirerack.com still has some in stock and I debated storing them in the basement until i need them. I figure it's at least 18 months before I'll need tires, so decided to wait and hope that Michelin offers a lighter load rated option in the A/S 3. Worst case, there are other options in 245 40 18. Bigger disappointment for my wife's SC400 as there aren't as many comparable tire options in the size her car takes. A/S Plus was a perfect tire for our needs - sad to see it replaced.
I am also a fan of DWS, the recent snow we had they handled great, I was going in the left lane 50 mph with 3-4 inches of snow while everyone in the middle going 20 mph. I have read a lot of people complaining about flat spots, I have never noticed it buy today, wow those 3 minutes of riding on flat spots sucked. Not sure why it happened but it did. Overall this tires gets a 9 out of 10 from me, and the only reason for a 9 because side walls ARE TOO SOFT, I almost feel like the sidewalls bend in when I make a turn. My next tire is defiantly going to be MIchellin A/S 3's, looks like a perfect combo between all season and summer tire handling.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 953
Likes: 10
From: NYC
My car came with Dws new tires when I bought it. Love them.
Super quiet all the way to 100 mph. Great in dry and wet condition. Manageable in snow as well.
30 k miles on them and I'd say I have half a thread left at least.
Tire looks great too. Will be buying a new set in a few years.
Super quiet all the way to 100 mph. Great in dry and wet condition. Manageable in snow as well.
30 k miles on them and I'd say I have half a thread left at least.
Tire looks great too. Will be buying a new set in a few years.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: Jacksonville, FL
My car came with Dws new tires when I bought it. Love them.
Super quiet all the way to 100 mph. Great in dry and wet condition. Manageable in snow as well.
30 k miles on them and I'd say I have half a thread left at least.
Tire looks great too. Will be buying a new set in a few years.
Super quiet all the way to 100 mph. Great in dry and wet condition. Manageable in snow as well.
30 k miles on them and I'd say I have half a thread left at least.
Tire looks great too. Will be buying a new set in a few years.
To be fair, I did have the Pilot Sport A/S Plus for the first 45,000 miles. IMO (and it's only that), the Michelins had a much sturdier sidewall so the handling was sharper. However, that caused a bit of a rougher ride. The Contis are quieter and smoother and, IMO again, better in the rain. I remember hydroplaning on I95 in a heavy storm with the Michelins. Have never hydroplaned with the DWS. And since I'm now older and don't take corners at 50 mph, the Contis work better for me - softer, quieter, more of a Grand Touring feel to the tire.
Last edited by Coolpop; Jan 9, 2014 at 09:01 AM.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
When I bought my IS250, I bought it CPO and specified a number of requests, one of which was that they install a new set of Conti DWS tires. I did this based on comments from this forum primarily about how these would last much longer than other tires, e.g. The stock Michelins. I only drive <10K Km per year and wanted my tires to last five years so to me, these would give me the best chance at not needing replacement for those years.
I'm mostly happy with them - to me, it's been great as far as tread life as they seem to be holding up very well 2.5 years in and approx 20K km, with the "S" indicator far from being worn down. I would say though that I'd prefer a softer ride so may consider another tire when replacement time comes. (If I don't bail and trade this for an RC-F by then!)
I'm mostly happy with them - to me, it's been great as far as tread life as they seem to be holding up very well 2.5 years in and approx 20K km, with the "S" indicator far from being worn down. I would say though that I'd prefer a softer ride so may consider another tire when replacement time comes. (If I don't bail and trade this for an RC-F by then!)
Last edited by Sfrt; Feb 14, 2014 at 07:45 AM. Reason: Typo
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 6
From: of insanity
I always wonder how far I can push my car before the DWS slip. But I don't have a control field/track to test and try.
So I use the basic rule of thumb.
1) Bad weather = slow down and go to right lane.
2) pass when needed and safe.
3) best stay home and off the road during bad weather.
So I use the basic rule of thumb.
1) Bad weather = slow down and go to right lane.
2) pass when needed and safe.
3) best stay home and off the road during bad weather.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
I live in the Toronto, Ontario area and this was (to be) my third winter on the DWS. I follow most of your winter driving rules but have to say I've never felt the need to shy away from driving because of extreme conditions. The DWS had served me well through the first two winters and given the low mileage I drive, buying a separate set of winters didn't seem financially sensible to me ... Until November's icy weather when I basically skated into a car in front of me (it was the tiniest of taps, no harm done to either vehicle). However, that did convince me that for those times when you experience true harsh conditions, any all season is no match for a proper winter tire. I'm now on Michelin XICe for the winters. Summary: I'm all for the DWS for 90% of conditions - but when it comes to extreme winter conditions, you have to make the call that's right for you.
I always wonder how far I can push my car before the DWS slip. But I don't have a control field/track to test and try.
So I use the basic rule of thumb.
1) Bad weather = slow down and go to right lane.
2) pass when needed and safe.
3) best stay home and off the road during bad weather.
So I use the basic rule of thumb.
1) Bad weather = slow down and go to right lane.
2) pass when needed and safe.
3) best stay home and off the road during bad weather.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 6
From: of insanity
^ you broke the 3rd rule. hahaha Icy and bad but you didn't stay home.
I always wonder how a winter tire deal with a slopped icy road. At what angle the icy slop have to be before the winter tire slip and unable to keep the car on the slop.
I always wonder how a winter tire deal with a slopped icy road. At what angle the icy slop have to be before the winter tire slip and unable to keep the car on the slop.
Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 189
Likes: 2
From: oklahoma
you guys are going to laugh at me, probably pretty hard, but here goes.
got my gs430 with p-zero neros on it, reaplaced those when they wore out, inside camber wear, went with Goodyear eagles, nice tires but again inside wear killed them. I have had the alignment checked and adjusted everytime i get tires. i drive 40k a year mostly highway and cannot afford 600+ twice a year for tires. So i took the plunge and got these Primewell PZ900's. hahahahaha yeah i know. Well they now have 35,000 on them and they have none of the inside camber wear issues i have had with all other tires. Traction is great, i drove on them from Oklahoma City to Dallas 2 Sundays ago on 3" of ice covered with snow. had no issues. Best of wait for it...wait for it....lol...354.92 for all 4 with tpms excluding tax. less than 100 bucks a tire.
http://www.hibdontire.com/
Laugh all you want, but i have used them now for 35000 and i will be getting my next set before the end of the month.
got my gs430 with p-zero neros on it, reaplaced those when they wore out, inside camber wear, went with Goodyear eagles, nice tires but again inside wear killed them. I have had the alignment checked and adjusted everytime i get tires. i drive 40k a year mostly highway and cannot afford 600+ twice a year for tires. So i took the plunge and got these Primewell PZ900's. hahahahaha yeah i know. Well they now have 35,000 on them and they have none of the inside camber wear issues i have had with all other tires. Traction is great, i drove on them from Oklahoma City to Dallas 2 Sundays ago on 3" of ice covered with snow. had no issues. Best of wait for it...wait for it....lol...354.92 for all 4 with tpms excluding tax. less than 100 bucks a tire.
http://www.hibdontire.com/
Laugh all you want, but i have used them now for 35000 and i will be getting my next set before the end of the month.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,154
Likes: 14
From: Toronto
I like my Ecsta LX Platinums... was going to go DWS at the time but they weren't available. I have no complaints about these tires and their wear rating is sky high. I don't think the car is going to outlast the tires in my case lol.
I've never tried them in the winter, x-ices go on as soon as the temperature drops to 6C and stay on until temperature is back up past 6C. I see no point in not having a proper set of winter tires the difference is night and day even with "good" all seasons. I still avoid "summer" tires because I also don't like being rushed into changing wheels or getting caught in surprise conditions in the fall - never mind that they wear so much longer than summers and often cost less anyway.
I've never tried them in the winter, x-ices go on as soon as the temperature drops to 6C and stay on until temperature is back up past 6C. I see no point in not having a proper set of winter tires the difference is night and day even with "good" all seasons. I still avoid "summer" tires because I also don't like being rushed into changing wheels or getting caught in surprise conditions in the fall - never mind that they wear so much longer than summers and often cost less anyway.
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