Stock Continentals in Snow?

[wilk53]

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]

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

[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.

[wilk53]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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