Tire Review: Continental Pure Contacts

[acdii]

Recently had to replace the crapyear LS2 tires at 35K miles. They were shot. Noisy, so much so that at 60 MPH the drone went right through your bones. They thumped, and wandered badly.

 

I did some research and found the Pure Contacts to be good tires, long tread life, good road grip and are also stated as LRR tires. I also read that people in snow belts have had good results, thats a follow up to come.

 

First impression after having them installed, set to factory specs 36 PSI, was the car felt soft, in a good way. The noise level dropped considerably, drone was gone, and so was the thump. Felt like a new car again, actually better than when new. At first the car tracked a little funky, had a slight wander to the left, but after 100 miles that was completely gone. It could have just been me being used to the other tires having a pull in the other direction. Rides over road cracks and tar strips much quieter and smoother. Traction is good wet and dry. One thing I noticed right away is it takes longer to slow down with regen, a sign of lower resistance, which is good, I just have to retrain my right foot a bit.

 

MPG for 250 miles at 36 PSI in cold and wet weather has been right around the 42 mark. I raised pressure to 40 PSI yesterday, trip home returned up to 47 MPG, and this morning, with wet roads, in 40* temps I saw 47.6 MPG. Promising. With the other tires, if I saw 42 on cold wet roads I was lucky. I now have 350 miles on these tires, and the outlook is good. The ride at 40 PSI is not much different than at 36, a bit firmer, but still very comfortable.

 

Summary:

 

Quiet

Good traction

Handling is good

MPG is good

Price is a bit high, but so are many tires in this category.

Comes in 17" and 18" diameter so available for all models of the Fusion Hybrid/Energi(not in the 19" size)

 

 

Recommended for the FFH.

[jeff_h]

I'm glad you have had a positive experience with them thus far - I also got them and have had them on for 3,500 miles and don't like them at all (car is more shaky and shuddering at certain speeds such as 40-50MPH but then gets better over 60, and the only thing that has changed is the tires), and even aside for temperature variations I think my MPG has dropped about 20%, so once I burn through this set I won't be getting them again. But I did get them for $112 each from tirerack so the price was good compared to other tires available.

Edited November 4, 2014 by jeff_h

[hermans]

"(car is more shaky and shuddering at certain speeds such as 40-50MPH but then gets better over 60, and the only thing that has changed is the tires)," - Sounds like tire /wheel balance.

[hybridbear]

I'm glad you have had a positive experience with them thus far - I also got them and have had them on for 3,500 miles and don't like them at all (car is more shaky and shuddering at certain speeds such as 40-50MPH but then gets better over 60, and the only thing that has changed is the tires), and even aside for temperature variations I think my MPG has dropped about 20%, so once I burn through this set I won't be getting them again. But I did get them for $112 each from tirerack so the price was good compared to other tires available.

You had to replace tires on your Energi already? How many miles did you get out of the Michelin tires? I thought the Michelin tires were lasting a lot longer than the Goodyears for most ppl so I'm surprised to hear that you replaced tires already.

[acdii]

I have never seen them for $112 and I was watching constantly. They were at $160 for a while though. By the time shipping was included, they were less expensive at Walmart at $172 each.

[Texasota]

Recently had to replace the crapyear LS2 tires at 35K miles.

 

You have previously described how your driving style results in very fast tread wear. Others have reported reasonably good tread wear on their OEM Goodyear tires. You have also previously stated that you rotated your tires at 10,000 miles which is a long interval and exceeds the tire warranty recommendations of manufactures. A leading cause of tire noise is not rotating them according to manufacturer recommendations.

 

Most tire makes would probably not perform very well under the conditions that you have previously described for your tires.

[acdii]

I got 40K out of the tires on my 2010, and were still on it with decent tread left when I traded it. I only started driving harsh when the tires started to thump at 18K. Once they started making noise and were horrible in snow, I just drove it like I stole it. I was lucky to get the miles I got out of them. There are others with these same tires who also had to replace them before 30K miles, so not just me.

[Texasota]

I only started driving harsh when the tires started to thump at 18K. Once they started making noise and were horrible in snow, I just drove it like I stole it.

Okay, but I was refering to this post where you described your harsh driving style and followed it up by stating that you have been driving this way for years:

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/9068-real-world-feedback-on-2014-mpg-winter-driving/?p=84810

[jeff_h]

You had to replace tires on your Energi already? How many miles did you get out of the Michelin tires? I thought the Michelin tires were lasting a lot longer than the Goodyears for most ppl so I'm surprised to hear that you replaced tires already.

 

I swapped them out at 30k, normally rotate tires myself but with those fiberglass panels under there it makes it a PITA, so I blew it off and at 30k the OEM tires were going wubba-wubba-wubba big time, so I went to the tire shop and got a balance and rotation on them, gave it 1k that way and it still was not better so I said the heck with it and got a new set -- the OEM tires are half worn and sitting the shed -- going back to tire shop in a couple days to tell them it's been 4k miles (will have been by then) and ask them to check balance and rotate again (bought the unlimited balance/rotation thing during last visit)...

[GrySql]

Might as well re-post my 1,000 mile review in this Topic:

 

This is the 1,000 mile update on the 18" Conti PureContact EcoPlus LRR tires.

These tires are said to require a few hundred miles to 'break-in' and I believe it, my mileage went down 2-3 mpg's at first as the tread wore in.

Now, at just over 1k miles the mpg's are back and are even or better than the GY Eagle LS2's I took off.

I get some real nice numbers depending on conditions but 47+ mpg's is often seen on various trips.

 

During this time I have really liked the handling, road bump/tar strip control, general silence and cornering - these are nice tires and an upgrade from the OEM LS2's.

Their wear rating is much higher that the LS2's as well, so I am expecting a long tire life I have retained the 40 psi settings and have grown used to the ride, my wife is happy too.

I'm hoping for better mpg's in future.

 

--

jeff_h, your experience is surprising. My brother also has these on his '13 VW Golf TDI with a Stage II performance chip and he gets real great mpg's with them.

Edited November 4, 2014 by GrySql

[jeff_h]

--

jeff_h, your experience is surprising. My brother also has these on his '13 VW Golf TDI with a Stage II performance chip and he gets real great mpg's with them.

 

I have an appt on Friday at tire shop for tire rotation and alignment... will see how it feels over the weekend - then have appt at dealer next Tuesday for 14E02 PCM update and state inspection, and if things still feel funny will have them check further for something else.

[jsolan]

So what's the verdict of how these handle in the snow? I'm at 32k on the Goodyears and they need replaced. I was hoping to wait until next winter, but I don't see that happening. These Continental's seem to be the go-to's for this community, but I haven't read a snow review for them on here yet.

[acdii]

Well I haven't driven in snow yet, but my wife has and she said they work pretty good. The only thing I do know is when the roads are slick to where these slip, not many other brands would have traction either.

[GrySql]

No snow here but I still like these Conti's,

They handle very well and after playing around with tire pressure (42, 40), I'm now using 34 psi.

These tires sidewalls are so stiff, unlike the GY LS2's, that the higher pressure isn't needed, for me anyway.

 

There are a lot of different Continental tire variations so make doubly sure you get the right tire model when you buy.

Mine are for the 18" wheel: 235/45R-18 Continental PureContact with EcoPlus Technology

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=PureContact+with+EcoPlus+Technology&partnum=345VR8PUREC&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Ford&autoYear=2013&autoModel=Fusion&autoModClar=Hybrid

 

Edit: One thing that hasn't been discussed is that these have a Road Hazard Warranty that Tire Rack adds on.

Edited February 11, 2015 by GrySql

[mwr]

The owners manual for the 2015 FFH recommends rotating tires at 10,000 miles.

 

You have also previously stated that you rotated your tires at 10,000 miles which is a long interval and exceeds the tire warranty recommendations of manufactures.

[Texasota]

The owners manual for the 2015 FFH recommends rotating tires at 10,000 miles.

It is important to comply with the tire manufactures rotation policy and other key points as posted here:

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/9396-how-often-do-you-rotate-your-tires/?p=88526

[acdii]

I rotate mine every time I drive..................

[Iwejun]

I put these tires on my wifes BMZ 2010 Z4 and my daughters 2001 Lexus GS300 (81K on it). The BMW was going through tires at the rate of backs being replaced at 12K and the Lexus always had a rolling,floaty feeling when you went over the entry of an overhead bridge which we have a ton of in the DFW area. Wear has been great so far on the BMW with good traction on icy days here, and the Lexus is a whole different ride. Now it feels like its on rails and I thought the Michelins that were on it were good but these are much better and it got rid of the floaty feeling on bridges at highway speeds

[nv rick]

I rotate mine every time I drive..................

Hey, your back tires are going forward!!

[smr2112]

Just put these on my 2013 and just have a few hundred miles so far. Like then alot and

the car is much more at ease and mileage appears to be going up already.

 

Right now - Continental has a $70 rebate, so for a prices of $163 - $17.50 = ~$145 - great deal from Tire Rack.

 

Same technology on the LX20 my wife has on her SUV which is why I got them, they are still doing

very well @ 20k miles. So that sold me on these.

 

[keybman]

With 71,000 on my original Michelins, it is time to replace them. Tread is still holding up well, but we're approaching the 4 year mark, and completing 4 Texas summers. Based on recommendations here on the forum, I was planning on going with the Pure Contacts.

 

Since this thread was started 2 years ago, I am hoping that I could get some feedback for those that have made that same choice. What has been your experience? How many miles? Would you choose differently? If so, what would be a better choice?

 

Thanks in advance! :)

[smr2112]

Just to confuse things, I would also seriously consider the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus.

 

About the same price and rating and I put these on an older car and it changed it dramatically.

I would choose these now even though I have the PureContacts on my 2013 FFH and love them.

The wet handling of both of these is dramatically better than the original Goodyear LS2s - yuck!

 

Consumer Reports gave the edge to the Pirellis because of treadwear being better.

Either way you won't go wrong.

[keybman]

Thanks, smr.

 

These are the 2 tires that I am considering. Since snow is not an issue here, for me it comes down to 3 deciding factors - 1) handling rainy roads, 2) long treadwear and 3) quiet driving. If I can get 70,000 out of my next set of tires and accomplish those 3 things, I am sold.

[md13ffhguy]

I'm in the same boat, a little more than 73k on these Michelins, although I think they still have a little life on them. Everyone compares those other tires to the stock Goodyears, but I think the stock Michelins might be better. Why not go with Michelin again?

[smr2112]

What is the exact tire model you are referring to, I know Ford switched between Goodyear LS-2 and Michelin something.

 

The 3 tires in the CR review were Michelin Premier A/S, Continental PureContact and Pirelli P7 Cinturato Plus A/S

As I said, all did very well, similar specs and they gave the edge to the Pirelli as they actually got the rated miles

in their test. In general, the Michelins were about $40-$50 per tire more than the other two. Easy to price out

on TireRack.