2006 S60R Conti EC DWS in snow?

[erikv11]

This is my first winter with this car. My FWD P80 cars I have always put snows on the highway runners, and stuck with just all season tires for the in-town cars. That has worked very well especially with the heavier wagons.

So how about these ExtremeContact DWS 06 on an S60R, any experienced opinions for running them on a highway car? They rate well at TireRack, just looking for user opinions on this vehicle. They are 235-45-R17. It's a heavy car, that certainly helps. I would rather not cough up the $ for a set of snows and wheels if not necessary.

[Rattnalle]

As a general rule any tyre that works well in snow is crap in the summer because it's too soft when it gets warmer. Both rubber and tread requirements are too different. All season is just marketing BS.

Good and seasonally correct tyres is a quite cheap life insurance.

Or at least this is the accepted wisdom here in VisionZero-land.

[abscate]

I think Matt is running them,so once CO wakes up I bet he will chime in.

I run snows the other way..on the around town car, but all seasons on the cruise car. If the forecast is Blowing, I ain't going. Four snows on a FWD with a stick shift is unstoppable in snow.

[oragex]

Four snows on a FWD with a stick shift is unstoppable in snow.

Happy to read this from a neighbor American. I'm under the impression is a common thought in the States that AWD + All Season tires is the correct receipt for snow. When 98% of Quebecers run with with FWD and snow tires in the worst of the winter (winter tires are mandatory here). To me, All Season with AWD or not is a real hazard in all but dry surfaces in winter. I tried to run on Pirellyi All Season years ago when the law wasn't yet in place, and going slowly in little snow in the city was like riding the sled. To sum in up, in the mildest winter conditions, winter tires feels like glued to the road, while All Season feels like riding a sled.

The OP mentioned the apparent hassle of having two sets of tires and wheels. I can say we get used to it and switching wheels it's actually one of the fun things to do, much like removing the leaves in autumn. I got used wheels and good used winter tires in good condition for $350.

[matthew1]

I did a bunch of research in 2010 on all seasons for my 2004 V70 R. The research led me to Conti DWS, like Steve mentioned above.

I liked them. I was about as sure as one guy can get that they were the best option for a year-round (heh, get it?) tire. I didn't get to observe their behavior in mid/late tire life because my ex and I split up, and she got the R, which was totalled not long after. See V70 R - the end.

I also ran them on my 1997 850 T5, and they were just as good on that FWD Volvo. Note a DWS sidewall blowout from a very low-speed pothole.

On that car they seemed to lose their snow traction after the second season, which is normal.

[Cookie-the-Swede]

I have been running the Continental DWS tires (235/45/r17) on my S60 AWD for the past few months. Here is my personal feedback:

I was running Falken performance summer tires previously and I LOVED them! But living in a ski town (high up in the Rockies) makes running summer tires year round a non-option. And illegal during winter months.

The Conti DWS's stick to the road in snow and ice conditions. They are snow rated so I never need to chain-up on the highways during storms. I can honestly go places that most 4x4 SUV's fear to tread and have complete confidence driving in bad road conditions.

As far as dry road performance, I HAVE noticed that my cornering is not as precise as it was before with my summer tires. The Conti's feel "squishy" in hard cornering, adding a slightly noticeable 'shift' in the car's cornering. In a perfect world, I would run two completely different sets of wheels and tires in summer/winter but I don't drive much at all and can't justify the expense and storage of a dedicated second set.

I'm happy with them since they achieve a good balance between dry road performance and wet/snow traction. I'd buy them again for sure!

[erikv11]

Well staying home is not an option, my wife drives it to work and there are basically no "snow days" here in Iowa, nor is converting it to a manual . I'm looking for peoples' actual experience here rather than just going with conventional wisdom but I'll keep it in mind!

Cookie that is a very encouraging report from the same vehicle with the same tires! I am not looking for winter sport driving.

The tires were reportedly replaced last spring and we bought the car this summer, I will check the tred depth. I will probably be rotating them again next week.

Just to keep the thread on track: read the OP again - there is no mention about any hassle in switching wheels. The Camry and one of the P80 cars always get snows. Those two cars live with the kids, I'll be swapping the wheels next week. Anyway as is routine for me with keeping so many cars on the road, I'm all for avoiding unnecessary expense, but I'll spend where it's needed.

[abscate]

Get a set of steel wheels and snows for that R if its for SWMBO, Erik. If she drives sensibly like 99% of our better halves do, wear won't be a factor and the extra traction in snow will be noticed and appreciated.

[JRL]

My older DWS were terrific when new in snow up to about 4-5"
After that no one should be out in heavy snow without dedicated snow tires and AWD (if possible).

My current V70 2.5T FWD has newer DWS06's. I'll let you know if I get stuck out in snow (I try not to go out in snow these days, if possible).

[erikv11]

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm running the DWS06 as well.

For steelies, I'm not sure just any 17" rim will fit, the R has those big brake calipers. I did see some 17" Volvo wheels locally, 200 for the set not too bad. Not likely to jump on those just yet, still undecided ...