Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Review: Does this tire fit your vehicle?

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 is special. It has leading edge features that enables the tire to deliver unyielding traction and grip in true all-season driving. The DWS stands for Dry, Wet, and Snow. Yes, ExtremeContact DWS06 is meant to deliver performance handling and traction in dry, wet, and snowy roads.

From the looks of it alone, it seems the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 can do it all. When was the last time an ultra-high performance tire can handle snow? But the one thing I really like about this tire is the asymmetrical tread design. It really does look like a sporty high-performance tire.

You can think of the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 as a more advanced all-season tire with enhanced wet and snow characteristics. It can even be called a hybrid tire that merges the attributes of a touring tire with the cold-weather capabilities of a snow tire. You might find this hard to believe, but Continental utilized all the tricks in the book to develop the brilliant all-season performance of the ExtremeContact DWS06.

What are the features of the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06?​

Let’s start with the D in the DWS. The tire comes equipped with an asymmetric tread design. The chamfered edges and special traction grooves are designed to deliver outstanding grip on dry tarmac. The wider shoulder blocks are also responsible for the enhanced handling and accurate steering feel.

The W in the DWS stands for wet. The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 is constructed from an advanced silica all-season tread compound. This is further enhanced with +Silane additives and Continental’s Sport Plus Technology. All of this contributes to sporty handling on wet and snowy roads. The rubber is engineered to maintain the desired level of pliability in both extreme hot and cold weather. And if you know anything about tires, this means the rubber can grip the road better regardless of the weather or road condition.

The S stands for snow. The tire also comes with multiple traction grooves that provides the necessary biting edges to conquer slippery, icy, and snowy pavement. Unlike other all-season performance tires, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS only comes with three circumferential grooves courtesy of the extra-wide center grooves. But this doesn’t deter the capabilities of the tire in the wet as it can still dissipate water and slush to improve grip.

Is it really good in the snow?

It depends on two things: the S marking on the built-in QuickView indicators and the amount of snow on the road. You see, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 is also equipped with fading tread indicators. If the S indicator is present, it means the treads are thick enough to provide better handling and grip in the snow.

Some all-season tires are only good for very light snow. But not the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06. As long as the S indicator is still visible, you can expect the tires to deliver steady traction even on roads covered with an inch of snow or ice. However, if you live in places with heavy snowfall, it is better to place your bets on a set of winter or snow tires.

How good is the wet performance?

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 excels in wet weather driving. It provides relentless and powerful grip on the wettest roads. The tires were felt composed and stable when rolling over standing water puddles at high speeds. Braking felt strong as the tires will enable your vehicle to stop with confidence without excessive slipping or sliding. It is rare for an ultra-high performance tire to have greater attributes in wet weather driving, but Continental was able to pull it off with the ExtremeContact DWS06.

How do the tires behave on dry roads?

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 is an awesome performer in the dry. There is no denying the sporty DNA of the tires when driven hard. The steering is precise and accurate, while the handling is stable and secure. Braking also felt strong as the tires can grip the road like glue, especially when the tires have reached the ideal operating temperature. If there’s one thing I noticed about the ExtremeContact DWS06 is the fact the tires will need to be hot enough to deliver massive amounts of traction in the dry.

How about comfort and refinement?

Let’s start with the road noise. Ultra-high performance tires may deliver higher traction and grip, but this will come at the expense of more road noise. On the other hand, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 is different. As if offering better performance on dry, wet, and snowy roads is not enough, this tire is also a class-leader in terms of silent comfort. This tire is whisper-quiet even at highway speeds, even beating proper touring tires in this regard.

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 also offers class-leading comfort. It is capable of a softer yet controlled ride on a variety of road surfaces including harsh concrete and uneven tarmac. It can also absorb the shock caused by running over deep potholes without upsetting the balance and stability of your vehicle.

Is it economical?

The only chink in the armor of the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 is the mediocre wear. Unlike a proper set of touring tires that are designed to achieve incredible mileage, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 has a tendency to wear faster. Of course, this will also have something to do with your driving habits. But for what it’s worth, the treadwear is really not that bad. But if you like to drive fast, you can expect the tires to fade faster as well.

You can see more Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Review here: Videos created by Sean McGuigan

Should I buy the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06?

Here’s another thing you need to know about the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06: it is more expensive than other high-performance tires. But if you take into account the true all-season capabilities and handling performance, these tires will deliver good value for money. If you have a proper sporty car, luxury sports coupe, or GT sports car, you should seriously look into the multifaceted nature of the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06.