Continental PureContact LS vs ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus

While the Continental PureContact LS comes in the category of grand touring all-season tires, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus comes in premium ultra high performance category. Let’s see which tire is a better fit for you.

Being a tire engineer, my testing shows that the Continental PureContact LS excels in fuel efficiency, ride comfort, and tread longevity, thanks to technologies like EcoPlus and Comfort Plus. In contrast, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus demonstrates superior dry and wet performance but compromises slightly on comfort and fuel economy.

Starting with Sizes

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus 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.

Review the tire in greater detail, apart form comparison: https://tiredriver.com/continental-extremecontact-dws-06-plus-review/

On the other hand, the Continental PureContact LS comes in 16 to 20 inches with following sizes.

• Speed ratings: H and V.
• Load ratings: SL and XL.
• Tread depth: 10/32″ on all.
• Weight range: 18 to 32 lbs.
• Treadwear warranty: 70k miles.
• UTQG rating: 700 AA.

Review this tire in detail: https://tiredriver.com/continental-purecontact-ls-review/

Tread Design

The ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus showcases a multifaceted asymmetric tread design.

This tread is segmented into four distinct sections, comprising two central ribs and two shoulder ribs.

Now of course the highlighting feature of its tread is the fastest of all central rib, which features distinct “plus-shaped” siping and pronounced edges, on blocks.

These blocks also integrate snow vices angled to the right. Though this feature is common with two other ribs as can be seen in the image.

The narrower central rib besides featuring these snow vices, also have angled notches and mere linear lateral siping.

A similar siping pattern is also seen on shoulder on both end.

And there’s isn’t much of the difference between the two shoulder ribs on either side.

In contrast, the Continental PureContact LS although also presents an asymmetric tread design, its not as biting.

Though still, out of all, its more aggressive rib is also in the very middle.

Here two two multi-angled groove notches are the most prominent.

Though the rib also features slanted linear siping, and chamfered edges with that too.

The surrounding ribs have almost similar features, where the slightly narrower rib features 2 in-groove lateral notches (facing the shoulders), on each block.

While the other rib is without them.

The shoulder lugs are the least aggressive, where simple linear siping is seen.

Though just like the DWS06, here one shoulder rib has snow vices, while other (on the other side, I mean), don’t.

Winter Performance

Neither tire carries the three-peak mountain snowflake certification, though they still offer appreciable overall performance overall.

And here the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus offers better snow grip, whereas the PureContact LS takes the lead on ice.

The DWS 06 basically offers abundance of biting edges throughout its tread combined with its interconnected central grooves.

These design elements effectively capture and retain snow particles, promoting a superior snow-on-snow contact, (which is highly important for snow grip, since snow tends to adhere better to itself than to rubber).

On the other hand, the PureContact LS employs specialized siping that’s more adept at gripping ice. Additionally, it utilizes temperature-activated functional polymers, ensuring the tire remains flexible and doesn’t stiffen in frigid temperatures.

Fuel Efficiency

When it comes to fuel economy, the Continental PureContact LS may not be the top contender, but it definitely outperforms DWS06 Plus.

The tire offers EcoPlus Technology, engineered to minimize harmful CO2 emissions. This technology incorporates compound elements that reduce rolling resistance, thereby promoting better fuel efficiency.

Moreover, its comfort plus technology is also helping here, as it evenly distributes the tire’s weight across the tread, ensuring that each lug bears less pressure.

And that paired with reinforced foundations under each lug, blocks don’t get to flex all over the place, preserving energy and enhancing the tire’s overall efficiency.

On the flip side, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus is pretty lacking here, and it makes sense given its superior grip and higher speed rating.

Speed rating is actually directly proportional to rolling resistance, so where the Purecontact LS goes up to V, the DWS 06+ goes up to W.

So it makes sense why the ExtremeContact eats up more fuel in comparison.

Dry Performance

Dry performance can be primarily broken down into 3 categories: dry grip, handling and steering response.

Let me discuss each of these aspects one by one.

Dry Grip

When it comes to the directional grip, the central region of the tread plays a crucial role, as most of the tire’s weight is concentrated here, (as it rolls straight).

And considering that, it makes sense why the the Continental PureContact LS needs a bump up in its braking efficacy (which is how this grip is calculated).

While this tire features a pronounced central rib, the array of lateral voids eat away the rubber that would otherwise make contact with the road, thereby providing grip.

Similarly, its adjacent (to the middle most) ribs also fall short in this aspect, where they are pretty voided up, laterally.

In contrast, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus takes the lead, providing a perfect balance between braking and acceleration.

In fact (on tests), it records one of the shortest average braking distances compared to all other high-performance all-season tires out there.

This is all attributed to its very well engineered tread design, where although there are a lot of grooves too, eating away the rubber, they are still beneficial, as they act as in-groove notches.

And since they run in all directions, you get a multi-angled grip, along with its superior longitudinal traction.

Dry Handling

Handling is the mixture of lateral grip and steering response of a tire.

And the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus again takes the lead, showcasing impressive results, thanks to its well designed shoulders.

As shoulders make the most contact with the road (as tire turns), the DWS06 Plus with its minimal tread features, maximize the rubber to road contact, yielding unparalleled handling and superior lateral traction values.

Whereas in case of the PureContact LS, you can’t expect the same results.

I mean sure, this tire offers good enough lateral grip, its overall steering response is sluggish, especially when you compare it with the ultra high performing all season tire like the DWS06 Plus.

The PureContact basically comes with a softer construction, where its Comfort Ride Technology (a cushioning layer above nylon cap plies), and single ply polyamide casing in its construction, cause its lugs to bend more.

In contrast, the lugs on the Continental ExtremeContact are sturdier and less susceptible to flexing, owing to its robust nylon caps and reinforced foundations beneath each block.

But how does this matter?

Well, significant flexing of the lugs can be detrimental, as the tread needs time to return to its initial form. And that time is saved up more in case of DWS06, as seen by its faster laps (on tests, on average).

Wet Performance

Wet performance is highly dependent on how well the tire clears water from its tread. And its two parts, traction, and resistance to hydroplaning.

In terms of traction, the Continental PureContact LS is pretty great, delivering very appreciable braking abilities and lateral traction. And this performance is attributed to its well-designed rectilinear siping.

Now sipes are slits on tread, which “flex” to create a suction, soaking up water particles.

And although rectilinear sipes typically face challenges in water displacement, mainly due to their tendency to getting stiffen, the PureContact’s multi-angled siping successfully mitigates this issue. Meaning its sipes are flexible at all times, allowing for decent wet traction.

Though its still not enough to outperform the ExtremeContact, which offers much better steering feedback.

This is mainly due to the tire’s well engineered central rib, which disperses water off better, through its grooves.

Basically since it has better grooves inter-connectivity, it throws more water out in a given time. And more water going out, means less is there on sipes.

And speaking of which, the tire with its plus shape siping in the middle, and numerous in-groove traction enhancers spread in multiple directions, offer superb grip to begin with.

Ride Quality

Driving comfort is fundamentally influenced by two critical elements: tread noise and the tire’s capacity to cushion road imperfections.

Let’s start with noise.

Tread Noise

Tread noise primarily stems from air movement within the tire’s tread. Air particles typically infiltrate, especially through shoulder voids, causing disruptions by colliding with the tread walls.

And this leads to various acoustics, such as tread vibrato, in-groove resonance, impact tones, and so on.

Now to put things simply, although both tires are just okay here, you still get slightly better results with PureContact LS, even though both tires are equally voided from their shoulders.

So why is that?

Well, the PureContact basically offers a more sophisticated pitch sequencing technology to curb groove resonance.

This technology uses strategically varied lug angles, so when air hits them, they produce different tones that (try to) neutralize each other, dampening the overall noise.

Ride Smoothness

The smoothness of a tire’s ride is determined by its ability to cushion road imperfections, with the tire’s material composition being instrumental in this regard.

And here, the Continental PureContact, being a luxury sport performance tire, is taking the lead.

The tire basically offers Comfort Ride Technology, which features an added layer atop its nylon cap plies, carefully engineered to mitigate road disturbances.

Furthermore, its internal structure, also employs a softer single-ply polyester, which guarantees a gentler and more compliant ride, relatively.

On the other side, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus although offers greater on-road stability, the overall ride is still not as cushioning.

This can largely be attributed to its more rigid nylon cap ply, predominantly enveloping the shoulders. Meaning, the ride is pretty jittery especially when the tire is cornering.

Tread Life

In terms of tread longevity, the Continental PureContact LS is taking the lead.

As a newer generation from Continental, it’s infused with optimal amounts of silica, complemented by the latest +Silane additives. This combination allows this to have an more enhanced treadwear durability.

Additionally, its Comfort Plus Technology is also pretty helping here, since it allows its weight to be distributed more evenly across the tread, thereby diminishing the pressure exerted on each lug as it rubs against the road’s surface.

And so this further helps with the tread longevity.

And as a result, it earns a treadwear rating of 700 whereas the DWS 06+ provides you with 560.

To put this into perspective, relative to a reference tire, the DWS06+ offers approximately 5 times the tread life, whereas the PureContact impressively extends this to nearly 7 times.

Take Home Points

After a thorough examination of both tires across various performance metrics, it’s evident that both boys have their strengths and weaknesses.

The Continental PureContact LS shines in terms of fuel efficiency, tread noise reduction, ride smoothness, and tread longevity, showcasing advanced technologies like EcoPlus and Comfort Plus.

Whereas, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus stands out in dry and wet performance due to its advanced tread design, offering superior grip and handling.

However, note that these are very impressive and the tire trades off some comfort and fuel efficiency for these attributes.