Stock Continentals in Snow? - Subaru Outback

wilk53 · 04-18-2011, 11:40 PM

Just got a new 2011 Outback that came with Continental ProContact tires.
How are these in snow? I'm worried because the vehicle I traded in (a 2009 Forester) was horrible in snow with the stock Bridgestone Dueler H/T D687 tires that came with it. We had numerous low speed spinouts in it. My wife was afraid to drive it in snow. We go up to the mountains frequently in winter but don't currently live in an area that gets snow so getting winter tires doesn't make sense. I was thinking if they were no good then maybe I'd get the Hankook Optima 727 tires and sell the Continentals. Be a shame since they are nice quiet riding tires (my Altima has them too).

MNOutback · 04-19-2011, 04:29 AM

They suck. Get winter tires. I got the mich ice x and they are amazing on snow

subiesailor · 04-19-2011, 12:33 PM

They work fine but are not as good as the really good winter only tires. If your only going to have one set of tires - put some miles on them before you go all crazy and replace tires that are fine just not fantastic.

wilk53 · 04-20-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subiesailor

They work fine but are not as good as the really good winter only tires. If your only going to have one set of tires - put some miles on them before you go all crazy and replace tires that are fine just not fantastic.

I think I will give them a try through next winter. Consumer Reports rating of the tire in snow and ice is "average" which isn't bad for an all weather tire.

MNOutback · 04-20-2011, 09:26 PM

I drove a Forester with the duelers and I found like the contis they were barely okay on fresh powder and slush but horrible on packed snow.

tennvol · 04-20-2011, 09:44 PM

We only had 1 big storm in DC after I bought my 11 OB. About 8 inches of wet slippery snow with sleet and a little more snow ontop. The stock tires were fine.

aggreX · 04-20-2011, 10:14 PM

Over the past 7 winters using regular a/s tires on the CRV, Pilot, OB powered through the icy storms, snow blizzards or winter state of emergencies. Dedicated winter tires would be great but driving intellegently and using the 4wd traction made all the difference between getting stuck or ending up in a ditch. I have no negative issues to report with the oem conti this past winter

jason beallie · 04-23-2011, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNOutback

I drove a Forester with the duelers and I found like the contis they were barely okay on fresh powder and slush but horrible on packed snow.

As a current Forester owner that came with the B.S. Duellers, I can concur about the poor winter traction

. I bought a set of General Altimax Arctics and they rock in wintery conditions

. Unless you buy the Nokkian all weather tires, an 'all-season' tire is really just a compromise in all-season conditions.

JoelK · 12-04-2011, 09:32 AM

The continental procontact tires are TERRIBLE is the snow.
I have already taken out one mailbox and yesterday my wife did a low speed spin out on 1" of snow. Thinking about changing to winter tires. Any recommendations?

**AWDFTW** · 12-04-2011, 01:59 PM

Bang for the buck General Altimax Arctic or Hankook iPike's are hard to beat.

04-18-2011, 11:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
wilk53 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 10 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Stock Continentals in Snow? Just got a new 2011 Outback that came with Continental ProContact tires. How are these in snow? I'm worried because the vehicle I traded in (a 2009 Forester) was horrible in snow with the stock Bridgestone Dueler H/T D687 tires that came with it. We had numerous low speed spinouts in it. My wife was afraid to drive it in snow. We go up to the mountains frequently in winter but don't currently live in an area that gets snow so getting winter tires doesn't make sense. I was thinking if they were no good then maybe I'd get the Hankook Optima 727 tires and sell the Continentals. Be a shame since they are nice quiet riding tires (my Altima has them too).

04-19-2011, 04:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
MNOutback Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Byron, MN Car: 2011 Forester XT touring Posts: 338 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	They suck. Get winter tires. I got the mich ice x and they are amazing on snow __________________ Rolled and totaled 2010 2.5 Outback premium March 2011

04-20-2011, 09:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
MNOutback Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Byron, MN Car: 2011 Forester XT touring Posts: 338 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I drove a Forester with the duelers and I found like the contis they were barely okay on fresh powder and slush but horrible on packed snow. __________________ Rolled and totaled 2010 2.5 Outback premium March 2011

12-04-2011, 01:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
AWDFTW Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Displaced to Chicago. Car: 2003 2.5 4EAT with AWP. Posts: 6,017 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Bang for the buck General Altimax Arctic or Hankook iPike's are hard to beat. __________________ 2003 Outback: "Kaylee". 124,000 and counting. Mods: GE Nighthawk low beams, HIR1 9011 high beam upgrade, Nokya 25k yellow fog lights, Fumoto valve, 04 Forester XT shift knob. Basics: G-Oil Bio-based Advanced Full Synthetic 5w30, Purolater oil filter, STP air filter, Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc ATF, Valvoline Durablend 80w90, Michelin Primacy MXV4. Also: More rust and parking lot scars than I care to think about.

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04-19-2011, 12:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
subiesailor Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 11,448 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	They work fine but are not as good as the really good winter only tires. If your only going to have one set of tires - put some miles on them before you go all crazy and replace tires that are fine just not fantastic.

04-20-2011, 09:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
tennvol Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NoVA / Boulder, CO Car: 2011 3.6R Premium Posts: 207 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	We only had 1 big storm in DC after I bought my 11 OB. About 8 inches of wet slippery snow with sleet and a little more snow ontop. The stock tires were fine.

04-20-2011, 10:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
aggreX Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PA Car: 2011 Outback Limited Posts: 357 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Over the past 7 winters using regular a/s tires on the CRV, Pilot, OB powered through the icy storms, snow blizzards or winter state of emergencies. Dedicated winter tires would be great but driving intellegently and using the 4wd traction made all the difference between getting stuck or ending up in a ditch. I have no negative issues to report with the oem conti this past winter

12-04-2011, 09:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
JoelK Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The continental procontact tires are TERRIBLE is the snow. I have already taken out one mailbox and yesterday my wife did a low speed spin out on 1" of snow. Thinking about changing to winter tires. Any recommendations?

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