RLX-Sport Hybrid

So as you know I had to replace my OEM tires prematurely and I decided to purchase the Contis slightly up-sized. Visually the sidewalls look to be the same as the 245/40/19 size tire (I kept one for comparison reasons in case anyone was interested in seeing them side by side). The ride is markedly better than the OEM rubber. I can't say they are much quieter than the last ones, but with an app on my phone it is showing 58 db at 60 mph on new pavement. On rough concrete at the same speed the app registered 65 db, still very quiet but I can't say how that relates to the measurements I did last year with the professional equipment a friend helped me with. Handling seems to be very good to the point that I doubt most would miss the stiffer sidewalls of the OEM rubber for more than a minute. These are not track cars so it is largely not an issue for most. Rain traction seems to be spot on. No flat spotting on cold mornings. MPG has not been affected to any measurable unit worth reporting. However the slight over-sizing does provide a slightly sinister look and a little more rim protection that I prefer. I hope that is helpful everyone. I would strongly recommend others consider these tires if they are not satisfied with the hard ride the OEM tires provide.

Malibu Flyer

How do the Conti's compare price wise with the OEM tires? Did you need to special order them or could you find them in stock at your local preferred tire dealer?

RLX-Sport Hybrid

I paid $1135 installed including tax. The OEM tires are definitely more expensive so if Acura picked the OEM tires, it was not because of price unless Michelin is using it as a mass distribution channel to get the replacement tire business. Some people just say "put on the original tires" when replacing them and don't give it another thought. Maybe that was their angle?

RLX-Sport Hybrid

After driving with the new tires now, my initial impression is unchanged. These tires are an amazing improvement over the OEM Michelin tires. The brittle ride has been instantly smoothed over the normal everyday bumps in the roads we all put up with. If the db measurement is the same, the tone or sound quality is better regarding road noise. Maybe what I am referencing is the frequency of noise is lower, thus the perception of less noise. Either way my wife says the car is quieter than it was before, not that it was loud by any interpretation. I'm still thoroughly impressed with how this car creates serenity for me while behind the wheel. It is in the silence and effortless way one can travel, while knowing that you can surprise you passengers with thrust they were not expecting at any moment that makes the Sport Hybrid such a rare joy.

Back to the topic as I just saw a little blue sky for a moment, the Conti tires are a must buy for anyone looking to replace the OEM rubber. I hope this is helpful.

rick sambora

iTrader: (1)

I am interested in how these behave with some wear on them. The OEM Michelins are average at best. On grooved concrete(which is most of the newly resurfaced freeways in the Chicagoland area) the Michelins are terrible. I will probably swap them out sooner than later.

neuronbob

The OEM Michies are made for max fuel economy and not for driving fun. The Contis are much better.

However, I did not lose a single bit of the already poor fuel economy I have on my car, with the change in tires, so no worry there.

sotiri

how was it mounting the wider rubber on the oem rims? and did the installer give any cautions? why did you opt for slightly wider than oem?

George Knighton

Every car is a track car!!

LOL....

RLX-Sport Hybrid

No issues. Easy-pezy.

ceb

When a manufacturer specs a tire it has to be a compromise. What is a luxury car buyer looking for? A soft ride? Considering the time the tires were spec'd, fuel economy and long tire life was a consideration. The Michelin fits those specs.


However, most folks here on the board are a bit different, so driving dynamics are important - that's where the Contis shine as they are the closest thing to high performance most season tires for these cars.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

I'm truly convinced that much of the ride issues or complaints would have been largely avoided if these tires were the stock ones the car came with originally. The ride is still stiff for sure, but the suppleness that exists now in my car over the smaller bumps is a welcome change for the better. The handling on curvy roads at 40-55 mph are every bit as good as before, if I am not giving the slightest give towards the OEM Michelin for a sharper turn in. Once you get past that fraction of a second, the car sets just as well in the turn as the OEM tires on the sames roads at the same speeds. Granted I am not pushing the car to its limits as nobody should on a public road.

Edward'TLS

A "track car" deserves nothing but super-sticky summer compound tires. All-season tires just won't cut it.

Remember this. No matter how good it is the factory suspension tuning, and how advanced it is the torque-vectoring/hybrid-tri-motor AWD system, it all comes down to the 4 small patches of tire rubber that come in contact with the roads.

Therefore, the choice of tires will make or break any high performance car, let alone a "track car".

pcloadletter

You can void a warranty if a different size is used and some shops, Costco for example, will refuse to mount a non-OEM size tire.

The RLX could benefit from more tire, both in ride comfort and traction.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

I don't believe so. I would go to another tire retailer.

pcloadletter

Got the DWS06s with the made in Germany marking installed yesterday in the stock size. I have been to a Continental factory in Mexico and do not recommend purchasing tires from there.

Most of the warranty questions were from truck forums going with oversized tires. Oversized tires will show a slower speed and record less overall miles. It will also put more stress and strain on the driveline. Either way, there is a potential of voiding the warranty.

Limelight

Anyone have any experience in snowy conditions with the Extreme Contact DWS06 tire?

Considering the fact that my area doesn't typically get loads of snow (and I'll work from home on those days anyway), coupled with reviews saying they perform very well in light snow, I think I'm going to get a set to put on my stock 19's for fall/winter/spring (I use Rotiform wheels with my OEM tires for summer driving).

I quite dislike the OEM rubber for feeling everything in the road, so based on member experiences, I'm thinking this will help address some of my suspension beefs.

pcloadletter

I have not used the DWS06s in the snow, but plan to. I liked the OEM Michelins in the dry and they did provide good fuel economy, but hated them in the wet and did not attempt using them in the snow. The Continentals have a softer feel and provide better grip in wet and dry conditions with one downside, fuel economy. I am seeing about a 2 mpg loss.

How far off is the speedometer with the larger tires? Any noticeable average mpg change?

RLX-Sport Hybrid

Sorry for my delay in responding.

No mpg difference and the mph seems to be nearly exact. When I compare the mpg on the dash and HUD, it is the same with the speed meter I have on my phone (app). Now that I have 10,000 miles on the tires, my impressions are the same now as the day I purchased them. Very good choice. HOWEVER, I measured the tread depth this evening at about 7.5 and 10.0 is how deep the tread is when new. Seems quick to me but I think the first 1-2 mm always come off the fastest and then it slows down. I don't drive terribly aggressively most of the time.

I might try these next time: Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ in the same size 255/40/19

fsmith

Sure you don't.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

I did say most of the time. Now when I do "get on it", that is a whole different story.

stagefoursurvivor

Interesting, I was just looking for comments on these in ZR performance.
I have the DWS06 on the RL & the '11 S60 but, will want to change out the OEM when I find the RLX Hybrid.
The DWS06s seems good if a little noisy.
Anyone try these newer 245/40/ZR19s?

wstr75

Installed Continental Extreme Contact DWS06 tires on my 2016 RLX Hybrid today taking the OEM Michelins off at 21,944 miles. I put the same Continental tires on my 2014 RLX P-AWS and really liked their performance in all conditions.

RLX-Sport Hybrid

At 25,000 miles I am at 6/32nds of tread still and they are still awesome. They are wearing like iron.

wstr75

Glad to hear you have 6/32" at 25,000 miles. My OEM Primacy tires were good for another 4 - 6K miles and this was the opinion of the Acura service advisor when the car was serviced a month ago and receiving a state inspection. As a long time business road warrior, I've always changed tires on the early side. I've seen too many rainy day accidents and experienced hydroplaning first hand. Our home is in a neighborhood on a small mountain (out west they would call it a hill) and while we cannot justify fitting true snow tires here in central NC, all season tires with reasonably soft rubber for winter driving are usually the best choice. My previous experience with Continental DWS on my previous 2014 RLX-PAWS and my current 2004 BMW ZHP convertible has found the tires to be excellent in winter conditions and also quite good in summer conditions as well.