Reviews of Continental ContiSportContact 5. Summer tires Continental ContiSportContact 5. Tread pattern tires

With the onset of heat, almost all people have new concerns. Someone is going to the dacha, someone is starting to put his apartment in order. Often at the same time, the wardrobe is updated. Drivers who have their own car also have an urgent business. Since winter tires become too soft and wear increases, the question of replacing it with summer tires is particularly acute. In order to understand which tires will suit you, it is best to apply not only to official data from the manufacturer and tests, but also to the reviews. Continental ContiSportContact 5 will be exactly the model of summer rubber, for which we will carry out a similar analysis in this article.

Some historical facts about the manufacturer

The company began its first steps on the way to worldwide fame as a proven manufacturer of rubber for cars in 1892, becoming the first in Germany to develop a pneumatic tire.

At the turn of the century, when the development of the automobile industry became particularly tangible, the company was able to establish large-scale production. It was one of the first to suggest the development of pneumatic anti-slip tires, which were later replaced by studded models.

In addition, the company served as a pioneer in two other areas. In 1908, the leadership presented the world with a replaceable rim for tires, which in our time is called a wheel drive, and a year later began to produce synthetic rubber tires. All this taken together gave a serious impetus for further development and predetermined the glory of the brand worldwide. That's why we are now able to discuss the new summer tires Continental ContiSportContact 5, made with the most modern technology.

Brief information about the bus

This model is designed for installation on passenger vehicles with larger diameter discs in the summer. So, there is a large number of sizes, mounted on wheels with a diameter of 16 to 23 inches. First of all, the manufacturer wanted to equip this rubber cars with powerful engines, such as sports coupes and crossovers. However, if your car is equipped with wheel disks with a larger diameter, you can also use this tire model.

The development of the Continental ContiSportContact 5 R17 was spent several years, during which the designers created a tread pattern that was optimally suited to solve the problems that arise on the summer routes with high-speed traffic. During the testing of test specimens, it was possible to achieve significant results in reducing the rolling resistance and reducing the length of the braking distance. According to statistics, there is an increase in the passability, which may interest drivers of all-wheel drive vehicles. But first things first.

Special rubber compound

During the development of chemistry, the formula of an ideal rubber compound was derived, which could be used to create a quality Continental ContiSportContact 5 tire. It was patented under the name BlackChilli and is used only by the Continental brand. Its main feature is the ability, if necessary, to adapt to the varying frequency of tire vibrations that occur when driving.

Soft and elastic at the same time, the innovative silicone is able to adapt to the road, as if reading out roughness and flowing around them. Thanks to this, the contact patch with the track always remains quite large. This, in turn, leads to high-quality grip and increased safety and responsiveness of the car when driving, which is important, if you practice aggressive driving and speedy driving.

Development of the tread pattern

At first glance, the appearance of the tire may seem unremarkable. However, do not underestimate its capabilities.

The protector is made in the classical version, which is not the first year used to create high-speed summer tires. However, he received some secrets that can not be found in competing firms.

So, in the center along the entire circumference there is a strip, surrounding the rubber "Continental". Its main task is to maintain the exchange rate stability in both straight-line traffic and maneuvering. In addition, it makes the tire more rigid and distributes the load on its surface evenly. Due to this, tire wear is more smooth, which increases its overall service life.

To the right and to the left of this strip there are sets of blocks that, in fact, repeat it, but are separated by lamellas diagonally. They are responsible for increasing the contact spot while driving. At the point of contact with the road surface, the lamellas become thinner, and the blocks are practically connected to each other, which makes it possible to increase the total area of interaction with the track.

Special Purpose of Shoulder Zones

In this model of rubber for the summer shoulder zones are made of large protector blocks, which can still be called macroblocks. They encircle the tire from two sides, separated by lamellas, directed at an angle to the inner grooves.

If you are on a car equipped with these tires, at the speed will enter the turn, then at this moment the contact spot will move from the center closer to the edge of the tire. It is then in the course are the side blocks of the tire tread pattern, holding the car and allowing it to steer it confidently, and also reducing the likelihood of a side skid. On a clean track thanks to them, you can practically not reduce the speed before maneuvers, which, undoubtedly, is a big advantage.

In addition to these tasks, they increase the strength of the tire, because in the case of a side impact on an acute obstacle they can take the main load on themselves, and the side part will not be torn or punctured.

Webs of slats as a means to fight water

The Continental ContiSportContact 5 205 * 55 R16 tire is designed for driving not only over dry asphalt roads. She can easily cope with various options for summer weather, including heavy rains. Wide lamellas, located on the entire surface, effectively drain water from the contact patch with the track, increasing adhesion to the surface and ensuring the sustainability of a sharp entrance into the puddle.

The same slots form the edges on the individual blocks of the tread. They will be especially useful if you decide to ride on a dirt road. Off-road tires have small chances, so do not advise without need to go to the virgin soil, but with the already rolled off country roads, she will cope without problems.

Due to the fact that the lamellas have a fairly large width, they are capable of removing not only water, but also mud and sand, which increases the roadability on dirt roads after rains. Therefore, in a car equipped with this model of rubber, you can safely go on fishing or at the dacha without worrying that it will be stuck somewhere in a complex area. Of course, in doing so, you should move carefully, so as not to be buried, especially if the ground is substantially blurred, since this tire tread pattern was primarily intended for tracks that have a coating.

Wide range of sizes

The manufacturer made sure that the user had the opportunity to choose exactly the size that suits his car. Thus, in addition to the fact that it is possible to select the desired inner diameter, more than 200 different versions of profile height and tire width are available. Thanks to this, you are guaranteed to be able to choose the option that suits your machine according to the operating requirements from its manufacturer.

Improvements in the development process

The work of designers and chemists in this case can be estimated only in figures. Compared with the previous generation of tires from Continental, as well as with the first working prototype, the final version remains in a big gap.

So, in the development process it was possible to reduce by as much as 10 percent rolling resistance. This means that the roll increases, and with it the fuel consumption also decreases. In addition, such an indicator should affect the reduction of the noise level produced by rubber during driving.

Properly designed rubber mixture not only reduced the abrasive wear of tires, but also allowed to increase the level of adhesion to the track. This, in turn, had a positive effect on the dynamic characteristics. However, perhaps more importantly, due to improved contact with the road, the length of the braking distance has decreased, which can become decisive in an emergency situation.

When creating a tread, small sections of large blocks were added to it, which were not on previous versions. This entailed an increase in patrolling along the ground routes. According to research and professional test Continental ContiSportContact 5, this indicator has increased by as much as 13 percent.

The cost of rubber

Considered in this article tires can not be called a cheap or budget option. The price of Continental ContiSportContact 5, depending on the size, is from 6 to 25 thousand rubles apiece. However, given the fact that they are installed mainly on premium segment cars, they are large and of excellent quality, and they are guaranteed against damages and factory defects, which is more than justified. If there is a need to pay for safety and comfort, then it is better to do this, then not to regret in case of an unforeseen situation.

Positive drivers reviews about rubber

It's time to compare the information provided by the manufacturer, with reviews of the Continental ContiSportContact 5 real drivers who have been using these tires for years. Analyzing the reviews, we can distinguish the following positive points:

1. No abrupt noise . Of course, any rubber will make noise. However, thanks to the competent arrangement of the tread elements and the middle ring, which surrounds the tire and allows it to roll smoothly, its level was reduced to such a level that no sound is heard in the passenger compartment. Also, there is no fine vibration, often caused by incorrectly placed blocks of the tread.
2. Good exchange rate stability . As the reviews on Continental ContiSportContact 5 say, a car equipped with this rubber with a qualitatively executed breakdown does not try to "swim" off the track. In addition, the rubber does not react to small irregularities, so the course also does not get lost.
3. Good responsiveness when maneuvering . The lateral parts of the tread also successfully fulfill their role, providing a good grip on the surface during bends. Therefore, when maneuvering on the highway with the condition of pure asphalt, it is possible to make turns without reducing the speed.
4. Confident braking regardless of the condition of the surface . Thanks to individual blocks and their edges, it becomes much easier to brake. The machine does not go into a skid, so even emergency braking is safe.
5. Quality balancing of tires from the factory . When installing on a drive, problems do not arise from the word "absolutely", only a minimum weight of weights is required, and sometimes you can do without them at all.
6. Wide choice of sizes. Regardless of what kind of car you have, if the inner diameter is under your disks, then the height of the profile and the width of the rubber "Continental" can not be chosen easily.

These are some of the main positive points. But nevertheless it is necessary to dilute them a little with negative sides of this rubber.

Negative opinion of drivers about some aspects

Among the minuses of these tires, there are several main points. The first is a fairly high cost. However, given that this model range is aimed primarily at the premium segment of the market, this can not be called a full-fledged problem.

A more significant disadvantage is excessive softness. Yes, it allows you to "swallow" some irregularities, but drivers of rear-wheel drive vehicles with powerful engines complain that the rubber wears out in the summer after 40, and sometimes 30 thousand kilometers, which is a rather low indicator.

Compare reviews with official information

As you can see, the manufacturer said the truth when he said that this rubber will help make driving a car really safe. However, at the same time to achieve good durability, it did not work out. Instead, according to reviews on the Continental ContiSportContact 5, the tires were able to interact more gently with the track, which affected comfort in a positive way. Since you always have to choose between some characteristics, in this case you just need to decide what is most important for you. And the owners of front-wheel drive cars did not receive such information.

Conclusion

If you appreciate high-speed driving and confidence in your car, then these tires will be very welcome. However, be prepared to pay for the comfort of the ruble, because they have a fairly high cost and, depending on the driving style and the condition of the roads, can quickly wear out.