ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus Traction Issues

[Humphrey]

I purchased these tires new a long with 17x9 Gram Lights. After installation onto my car from Big Brand Tire the car feels much much more floaty.

Switching from 17x7 rims and single A traction tires to double A traction tires I expected to gain confidence on turns. Now when taking turns on the freeway I have to be careful and traction control has saved me a few times.

I've found people saying the tires need to be broken in. I'm wondering if there is truth behind this and/or if anyone else has had a similar experience. Or is this what I should expect from the new setup below?

Switch was:
Stock rims (215/45/R17 All Season Single A Traction)
to
17x9 Rays Gram Lights (245/40R17 ExtremeContact DWS06+)

[weederr33]

I didn't have the Plus versions, but I did have the regular DWS06 a few years back on my FR-S and they do tend to understeer a bit. I still felt planted and could handle most turns, but they were an all-season after all.

[glhs386]

Tire traction ratings are for wet surfaces, they have no direct correlation to grip on dry pavement. I had a set of Yokohama A032Rs back in the day with a C traction rating, I assure you they had plenty of dry grip (for the time). You bought 560 treadwear all-seasons with squishy sidewalls designed for comfort. Hate to say it, but that's the wrong type of tire if your goal is handling and performance. There's really no comparison with a 200-300 treadwear summer tire.

[Humphrey]

Originally Posted by glhs386

Tire traction ratings are for wet surfaces, they have no direct correlation to grip on dry pavement. I had a set of Yokohama A032Rs back in the day with a C traction rating, I assure you they had plenty of dry grip (for the time). You bought 560 treadwear all-seasons with squishy sidewalls designed for comfort. Hate to say it, but that's the wrong type of tire if your goal is handling and performance. There's really no comparison with a 200-300 treadwear summer tire.

I agree summer tires will preform much better but I’m running Good year eagle sports on my automatic BRZ with single A traction but still 560 tread wear and the car handles much much better.

[Clipdat]

Tread squirm and mold release are real things that affect brand new tires that will take a couple hundred miles to subside.

But yeah 500+ tw tires aren't going to be ideal for grip/handling.

[Breadman]

What is your tire pressure? 255s feel really bad if you have too much tire pressure. Also what everyone else said.

[DriftMethod]

Worn tires with reduced tread (within reason) can have larger contact patches. And as already mentioned, you'll have less tread squirm than on new tires. I think Continental has a 60 day trial warranty, so if they really aren't working, you might be able to trade them for a different Continental tire (might have to go with summers though).

[Desertnate]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Tread squirm and mold release are real things that affect brand new tires that will take a couple hundred miles to subside.

But yeah 500+ tw tires aren't going to be ideal for grip/handling.

Mold release on a new set of tires is something people rarely think about. I've had some really good tires feel downright scary in the rain simply because they were brand new. After they got some miles in them, everything was fine. In several instances there was a visible change in thread surface of the tires after 200-ish miles.

I had great luck with DWS06 tires. They aren't summer tires when it comes to grip, but they were still pretty competent. I've even several people running them on their cars at our local autocross and at least one of them put up numbers which were better than others running summers or 200TW tires. If you drive them right, they should hold up pretty well.

[Capt Spaulding]

Originally Posted by Desertnate

Mold release on a new set of tires is something people rarely think about. I've had some really good tires feel downright scary in the rain simply because they were brand new. After they got some miles in them, everything was fine. In several instances there was a visible change in thread surface of the tires after 200-ish miles.

I had great luck with DWS06 tires. They aren't summer tires when it comes to grip, but they were still pretty competent. I've even several people running them on their cars at our local autocross and at least one of them put up numbers which were better than others running summers or 200TW tires. If you drive them right, they should hold up pretty well.

Ride a motorcycle for any length of time and scuffing the release compound off new tires will move up your “to do” list.

[Wally86]

Originally Posted by Desertnate

Mold release on a new set of tires is something people rarely think about. I've had some really good tires feel downright scary in the rain simply because they were brand new. After they got some miles in them, everything was fine. In several instances there was a visible change in thread surface of the tires after 200-ish miles.

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

Ride a motorcycle for any length of time and scuffing the release compound off new tires will move up your “to do” list.

Always chill out for the first 100 miles

[Pat]

Originally Posted by Wally86

Always chill out for the first 100 miles

....or two laps.

[Desertnate]

Originally Posted by Wally86

Always chill out for the first 100 miles

I use one tank of gas in normal commuting if the timing is right. More than 100 miles and probably much longer than needed, but foolproof and easy to remember in case I didn't look at the mileage when I left the tire shop.

[DocWalt]

Normal, the Conti DWS06(or + variant) and even their ECS or ECS02 tires are all kinda "floaty" and that makes them ride well and drive nicely but they're definitely not precise.

[Capt Spaulding]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Normal, the Conti DWS06(or + variant) and even their ECS or ECS02 tires are all kinda "floaty" and that makes them ride well and drive nicely but they're definitely not precise.

Wow. I need to broaden my tire horizons. I’ve been on ECSs for a couple of years and would not have associated floaty with them.

I just don’t wear tires out fast enough to play the field.