Hey all, I have a set of Continental Extreme Contact DW tires on the way for DD duties in stock ap2 sizes, and have a question regarding them. I was speaking with a friend that told me that tire pressures and alignment play a big part in how long these tires last. I tend to believe that since these are well tires. In my research I have found people seeming to run around 36-38 psi rear and 35-36 psi fronts, so I was going to start there with tire pressures. He went on and said that I might need a non stock alignment setting with these tires though. I am planning on getting an alignment anyway since I just do that with new tires, but I am mainly wondering if the stock alignment setting is ok, or if there is any merit to his argument. He is one of those guys who has a lot rolling around upstairs in the smarts department, but also has an equal proportion of full of crap too. Ha ha, any insight would be much appreciated though. Thanks in advance.

-Ian

 

These tires are known to have a softer sidewall than most max/extreme performance tires for this car. Because of this, you are going to get more sidewall "roll over" during hard cornering maneuvers. Higher tire pressures and a little extra camber will reduce uneven wear by this roll over.

That said, under normal street driving, you shouldn't have to make any extra concessions for this tire. The extra pressure/camber is mainly for the track and autocross guys.

 

Ah I see. I have a different set for track and this set it just for driving around town and for road trips we take it on. Thanks for the insight

 

I have these tires in stock ap1 sizing, tons of canyon driving on them, 2 track events and 2 autox's. I run them 41psi hot all around with -2.3 camber in the front and about -2.5 in the rear. Ive got 0 toe in the front and about 0.2 total toe in the rear, so far the wear is exactly on the outer shoulder during hard driving and with this alignment settings im getting pretty even wear. Ive got about 12k miles on them so far and they are still extremely quiet and handle great in the rain. They do have softer sidewalls so I would advise slightly higher tire psi. The stock alignment setting should be fine for these tires if they are your daily set, I would just zero the toe out in the front and run a total toe in the rear of about 0.2.

 

I have a street alignment on my '06 with Continental DW tires and I'm getting great mileage out of them. If I tracked my car the alignment would get more aggressive but tire wear would be much greater.

ROD

 

They make great street, rain, and even auto-x tires. I ran mine about 36 psi. One thing they don't do well is mid-summer time trials or track days. The super soft compound combined with the deep grooving can chunk away at these really high operating temperatures. But for everything else, they are great. Highly recommend them. Like the others have said, higher pressures are good. (compared to running something like 32 hot in a star spec or rs3)