Michelin or Continental
09-30-2018, 08:38 AM
#21
AudiWorld Member
The SHAPE of the contact area can make a difference however, long and narrow vs short and wide will change the way friction is generated in different directions, or in the case of snow and rain, how easily hydroplaning might occur.
https://www.discounttiredirect.com/learn/contact-patch
09-30-2018, 03:17 PM
#22
AudiWorld Junior Member
I have the Conti DWS on my Porsche Cayman as winter tires for an occasional trip it SE Nevada (Lincoln County) to visit my father. For those unfamiliar, the letters DWS are embossed into the tire tread, with each letter at varying depths. When the tread is warn away too much for snow conditions, the “S” disappears. Further wear makes the “W” disappear and wet usage is not recommended. The rubber is still good for cold winter temps, but it would lack tread depth for snow/rain when the S/W is gone. That’s the theory...
i was alarmed to see how quickly the “S” disappeared, meaning Conti felt remaining tread depth was not appropriate for snow conditions. This was with no aggressive driving (have a Michelin PSS wheelset for summer). Using the Conti DWS with my S5 SB is a non-starter as we have a Tahoe cabin and make much more frequent trips there; I’d be replacing the tires annually!
i was alarmed to see how quickly the “S” disappeared, meaning Conti felt remaining tread depth was not appropriate for snow conditions. This was with no aggressive driving (have a Michelin PSS wheelset for summer). Using the Conti DWS with my S5 SB is a non-starter as we have a Tahoe cabin and make much more frequent trips there; I’d be replacing the tires annually!
09-30-2018, 04:25 PM
#23
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For the record, I put DWS06s on my car at approximately 450 miles on the odo, when I bought my wheels. Just took them in for my 1 year service actually on my 1 year anniversary (at 8300 mi) and the dealer put them at 9/32" tread depth. I don't believe the snow markings disappear until 8/32" (at most), so YMMV on how long you have adequate snow traction.
Also keep in mind that any other AS tire will have similar characteristics - losing snow/ice traction after tread depth diminishes - but simply don't show it. Don't be fooled that DWS tires lose winter traction quicker than the competition.
Also keep in mind that any other AS tire will have similar characteristics - losing snow/ice traction after tread depth diminishes - but simply don't show it. Don't be fooled that DWS tires lose winter traction quicker than the competition.
Last edited by Neon01; 09-30-2018 at 04:41 PM.
09-30-2018, 06:49 PM
#24
AudiWorld Senior Member
For the record, I put DWS06s on my car at approximately 450 miles on the odo, when I bought my wheels. Just took them in for my 1 year service actually on my 1 year anniversary (at 8300 mi) and the dealer put them at 9/32" tread depth. I don't believe the snow markings disappear until 8/32" (at most), so YMMV on how long you have adequate snow traction.
Also keep in mind that any other AS tire will have similar characteristics - losing snow/ice traction after tread depth diminishes - but simply don't show it. Don't be fooled that DWS tires lose winter traction quicker than the competition.
Also keep in mind that any other AS tire will have similar characteristics - losing snow/ice traction after tread depth diminishes - but simply don't show it. Don't be fooled that DWS tires lose winter traction quicker than the competition.
10-01-2018, 08:50 AM
#25
I'm using the A/S 3+ on my S7 in New England year round. In the warm weather they are just as good off the track as the OEM Continentals. They are fine in the snow but not as good as dedicated snow tires. I just can't be bothered changing tires/wheels twice a year, so the compromise of the all seasons works best for me.
10-01-2018, 10:14 AM
#26
AudiWorld Member
I'm using the A/S 3+ on my S7 in New England year round. In the warm weather they are just as good off the track as the OEM Continentals. They are fine in the snow but not as good as dedicated snow tires. I just can't be bothered changing tires/wheels twice a year, so the compromise of the all seasons works best for me.
10-01-2018, 10:19 AM
#27
AudiWorld Senior Member
Not according to the people who know more about this that us.
http://www.boeing.com/assets/pdf/com...ontactarea.pdf[left]
Sure, they are talking aircraft tires here, but the physics is essentially the same. It's the same principle as displacement in water. As the tire is lowered to the ground the contact area will expand until an equilibrium is reached between the weight pressing down on the tire and the air pressure inside the tire pushing back. So a tire inflated to 34 pounds per square inch will support 34 pounds per square inch of surface area (approximately). If the downward load on the tire is 1000 pounds, then the contact area is about 29.5 square inches. It doesn't matter how tall the tire is, how short the sidewalls are or how wide the tire is. The primary determining factor is the air pressure in the tire.
The SHAPE of the contact area can make a difference however, long and narrow vs short and wide will change the way friction is generated in different directions, or in the case of snow and rain, how easily hydroplaning might occur.
https://www.discounttiredirect.com/learn/contact-patch
http://www.boeing.com/assets/pdf/com...ontactarea.pdf[left]
Sure, they are talking aircraft tires here, but the physics is essentially the same. It's the same principle as displacement in water. As the tire is lowered to the ground the contact area will expand until an equilibrium is reached between the weight pressing down on the tire and the air pressure inside the tire pushing back. So a tire inflated to 34 pounds per square inch will support 34 pounds per square inch of surface area (approximately). If the downward load on the tire is 1000 pounds, then the contact area is about 29.5 square inches. It doesn't matter how tall the tire is, how short the sidewalls are or how wide the tire is. The primary determining factor is the air pressure in the tire.
The SHAPE of the contact area can make a difference however, long and narrow vs short and wide will change the way friction is generated in different directions, or in the case of snow and rain, how easily hydroplaning might occur.
https://www.discounttiredirect.com/learn/contact-patch
Quality post, nj.
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