Both the General G-MAX AS-05 and the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS are Ultra High Performance All-Season tires. But do they live up to the mark? Well, let’s find out.
So the key-takeaway is this: The General G-MAX AS-05 excels in directional grip, attributed to its unique rib design, though it lags slightly in wet and winter conditions, though that’s acceptable, looking at it’s price tag. In contrast, the DWS06 Plus offers superior handling and wet traction, with its precise steering and groove efficiency but compromises slightly on ride comfort. And similarity wise, both tires are closely matched in tread life and fuel efficiency.
Table of Contents
Available Sizes
The Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus (review), comes in 16 to 22 inches rims. And all those sizes have following specifications.
- Speed ratings: W and Y.
- Load ratings: SL and XL only.
- Tread depth: 10/32″ on all.
- Weight range: 18 to 35 lbs.
- Treadwear warranty: 50k miles.
- UTQG rating: 560 AA.
On the other side, the General G-MAX AS-05 (review), comes in 16 to 22 inches wheels. And all of those sizes have following specifications.
- Speed ratings: W only.
- Load ratings: SL and XL.
- Tread depth: 10/32″ on all.
- Weight range: 16 to 32 lbs.
- Treadwear warranty: 50k miles.
- UTQG rating: 500 AA A.
Construction
The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus, comes with a asymmetric tread pattern.
Now this tire comes with a more voided up structure, which is mainly attributed to its 2 ribs.
One of them have a lot of blocks, forming curved laterally and longitudinally aligned grooves.
These lugs are seen with plus-shaped sipes, and snow vices.
These snow vices are also common with 2 adjacent ribs on each side of it.
One of them (shoulder rib), also carry linear sipes and lateral grooves (common with shoulders on the other side of the tread).
While other comes with notches as well.
Internally, the tire offers 2 ply polyester with twin steel belts, and single ply nylon cap.
Moving to our next tire, the General G-MAX also offers a very biting asymmetric tread design.
It’s central most rib is laced with two different kinds of “sideways facing” notches, and siping connecting them.
Moving towards the neighboring/adjacent ribs, you get very different designs.
Here one rib has notches (facing the middle rib), and lateral linear siping connecting them.
While other comes with you can say, “T” shaped in-groove notches, connected with slightly slanted linear siping.
Shoulder ribs are again very different on each side, where one comes with smaller less aggressive blocks.
While on the other side, you get more prominent notches, with linear siping, (I mean sipes here are oriented in both lateral and longitudinal angles).
Internally tire comes with 2 ply polyester, with 2 steel belts and a single ply nylon cap ply (though some sizes also have two layers of cap plies).
Overall Dry Performance
Dry performance is categorized into three primary aspects where two focus on traction (having directional and lateral grip), with the third emphasizing steering characteristics.
Let’s talk all these one by one.
Directional Grip
Directional grip addresses the tire’s ability to sustain longitudinal stability, commonly gauged by its braking efficacy, (measured by braking distance). Moreover, this type of grip is largely gets influenced by the tire’s central tread.
Now, the General G-MAX AS-05 stands out in this domain (even though its only by a margin).
As I discussed it, in its tread design section (above), the tire features 3 longitudinally aligned ribs which form better and more consistent rubber-to-road contact, due to their continuous running structures (having reinforced foundations underneath).
Additionally, the tire’s efficient design, enriched with multi-directional in-groove slanted notches, further enhances it’s braking efficacy.
On the other side, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus although does great in overall handling, it just a little shy of achieving the same average braking distance as that of G-Max, (less than half a feet in difference).
And it makes sense, since its more voided up, comparatively.
Overall Handling
Handling is primarily characterized by two aspects: lateral grip and the tire’s steering feedback or response. And when considering these aspects, the General G-MAX AS-05 falls short overall.
Its under-performance in lateral traction is evident, indicated by its slightly decreased average lateral g-forces. Furthermore, it also can’t offer the same steering responsiveness as that of its competitor.
I mean it falls short in conveying a clear sense of grip level, and wheel positioning to the driver. This vagueness (for the most part) leads to understeering, meaning the vehicle’s front doesn’t turn as sharply as desired, even if it remains controllable.
In contrast, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus excels with clear-cut steering feedback, especially during mid-cornering and a distinct on-center feel upon corner exit, allowing for superior overall handling, as seen by its leading lap times (on average).
I’m actually referring to 3 distinct phases of cornering:
- Entry: This involves braking as one approaches the turn.
- Mid-Corner: Here, the tire’s traction limits are most challenged.
- Exit: As the tire straightens, it’s the cue to accelerate out of the turn.
So, in case of the General G-MAX AS-05, the tire only has an advantage in directional grip, so although it tends to offer quicker corner entry, it’s sluggish steering feedback can’t offer similar results, mid cornering, and exiting.
Winter Traction
While both tires provide appreciable winter traction, they are not awarded the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification.
Basically this certification is given to tires which offer at least 10% better acceleration compared to average/standard all season tires (without this label).
So its understandable that neither tire excels on ice, though their performance in snowy conditions remains noteworthy.
Nonetheless, overall the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is a better pick here, and that’s mainly because of it’s multi-directional grooves and snow vices, (both discussed in the “construction” section above).
Both these features, basically grab up the snow particles, facilitating effective snow-on-snow traction. And this is crucial, given snow’s innate tendency to bond more readily with itself than with rubber.
Wet Performance
To accurately measure wet road performance, focus primarily on two essential factors, overall grip (and steering), plus the tire’s resistance to hydroplaning.
Let’s discuss them both.
Hydroplaning Resistance
The essence of hydroplaning resistance lies in a tire’s ability to efficiently displace water from its tread, predominantly via its grooves.
And by doing so, it prevents the formation of a water film between the tread and road, a scenario that leads to hydroplaning or tire’s floating.
Now of course, the Continental DWS06+ excels in this area with its superior multi-angled channels, throwing water out in all directions.
And with this rapid water evacuation, it thereby reduces reliance on its sipes, enhancing its overall wet performance.
Conversely, the General G-MAX AS-05 struggles in this domain, where the main culprit is the absence of lateral connectivity in its circumferential grooves.
Moreover, the tire’s compacted shoulders further hinder it’s effective lateral water displacement, resulting in decreased float speeds, and lowering it’s overall aqua test scores.
Wet Traction
So in wet conditions, although the General G-MAX AS-05 delivers satisfactory results, especially when you check out it’s price tag (comparatively), but it doesn’t quite stand up in it’s ultra high-performance all-season category.
But why is that?
Well, it’s the same issue, the tire faces in dry, it’s lacking steering. I mean although the tire comes with excellent grip due to its interlocking and rectilinear siping, it’s understeering prone handling puts it way behind it’s competitor.
Actually, when it comes to wet handling, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is one of the best in its category, (as seen by its top-notch lap times in tests).
And it makes sense, as the tire offers an abundance of traction elements, including full-depth interlocking siping and numerous strategically placed grooves, which remain flexible, even during sharp turns.
In simpler words, the Continental tire is more efficient in clearing off the water.
As discussed in the above section, its grooves take away more volume of water relatively, in the first place, taking burden off sipes.
And its sipes don’t need a lot of help, because they on their own, are pretty effective sucking up the remaining particles, clearing off the surface for the rubber to grip on effectively.
Fuel And Tread Life
Examining tread wear and fuel usage, it’s evident that rolling resistance plays a significant role here. And this resistance is influenced by the tire’s weight and its grip.
In this domain, the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus falls short, largely due to its heftier build and increased number of biters. This added weight means more pressure is exerted when the tire contacts the road, leading to increased friction.
While the tire’s interlocking in-groove notches, although provides you with more effective wet grip and efficient water clearance, they also raise friction levels (further), impacting fuel efficiency.
However, note that the distinction in performance between the two is marginal. And that’s clearly evident, as both tires come with similar 50k-mile warranties.
Ride Smoothness
The ride comfort is determined by the tire’s ability to mitigate road imperfections. And here the tire’s overall construction and composition play a pivotal role.
That’s why with softer internal built the General G-MAX AS-05 offers ride quality consistent with many performance tires in its class.
Though that only goes for smaller bumps, as for bigger ones, it tends to struggle, (where its tread reaches it’s flexibility threshold sooner than desired, on tests).
Nonetheless, General’s overall performance is still better compared to Continental ExtremeContact.
This is because the DWS06 Plus comes with a pretty stiff nylon cap ply (in its internal construction), and this makes its ride very jittery, especially when you’re cornering, lowering its overall subjective comfort scores.
Conclusion
Both tires have notable attributes and areas of specializations.
The G-MAX AS-05 stands out for its directional grip, benefiting from its 3 longitudinally aligned ribs and enhanced braking efficacy. While it offers decent ride comfort, it’s in wet and winter conditions that it doesn’t quite match up to the standards of its category.
On the flip side, the DWS06 Plus showcases superior handling characteristics, stemming from its clear steering feedback during various phases of cornering. It also outperforms in wet traction, largely due to its effective groove design and sipe efficiency, and is marginally better in winter traction.
However, when it comes to ride smoothness, the DWS06 Plus’s stiffer nylon cap ply slightly hampers comfort, especially during cornering.
Lastly, in terms of tread life and fuel efficiency, both tires are fairly comparable.
