Winter Tires
Do we need them? What makes them special? These are questions that our developers asked themselves more than 90 years ago. In 1934, the time had come – Continental introduced its first winter tire!
It all began in 1934 with the "Gelände" model. A tire that was specially developed for snow and ice – that was a revolution at the time. A lot has happened since then, but one thing has remained: our relentless commitment to safety and quality.
Winter tires are not only required by law in some countries, but they are also a safety plus. They offer better grip and shorter braking distances on snow, ice, and wet roads. Because in some situations, already a couple of centimeters can make all the difference.
As an example: When braking hard from 40 km/h, a car with winter tires comes to a standstill after 18.25 meters. That is about six vehicle lengths earlier than a car with summer tires. It only comes to a stop after 44.18 meters. The English trade journal "Tyre Review", among others, has determined these values in a direct comparison of summer and winter tires.
Softer rubber compounds improve adhesion, while sipes provide grip on snow and ice. And wider grooves displace water particularly effectively
Martin Welzhofer, Head of Global Tire Testing
at Continental Tires
Continental relies on state-of-the-art technologies and extensive tests to ensure the safety and performance of its winter tires. A specially developed tread design in combination with the tire construction significantly improves the driving characteristics. Unlike summer tires, winter tires are made with a softer and more flexible rubber compound. It offers optimal adhesion at low temperatures. The specially optimized block and sipe edges interlock with the snow, while the sipes – small incisions in the tread – ensure a secure grip on snow and ice and prevent slipping. Wider and deeper grooves absorb a lot of water and drain it away quickly. This ensures more contact with the road.
The tires are then tested under extreme conditions on Continental's snow-covered test tracks near the Arctic Circle in Arvidsjaur, Sweden, and on the indoor ice track at the Contidrom near Hanover, Germany. A new winter tire model undergoes the equivalent of up to 500,000 test kilometers in more than 20 test disciplines. Factors such as traction, lateral support and braking performance play a decisive role in this.
Winter tire tests on the indoor ice track at the Contidrom near Hanover, Germany
Test drive on the test track in Arvidsjaur, Sweden
Winter tires from Continental regularly receive top marks in independent tire tests. For example, German automobile club ADAC recently awarded the WinterContact TS 870 as the test winner. The testers praised its precise and safe driving characteristics on dry, wet, and wintry roads. Awards like these are the result of hard work and constant improvement. This year alone, winter tires from Continental were ranked among the top 3 in 13 of 17 different tests. Continental is the test winner in 7 of them.
Continental is constantly researching new profiles, materials and technologies to further improve safety on winter roads. With over 90 years of experience and a clear focus on innovation, Continental remains a leading supplier of winter tires.
