With a “good”/”highly recommended” rating, the ContiWinterContact TS 850 emerged from the joint winter tyre test conducted by ADAC, ÖAMTC, TCS and Stiftung Warentest as the best winter tyre in both sizes. The tyre experts tested 14 winter tyre models in each of two sizes: 175/65 R 14 and 195/65 R 15, suitable for compact to mid-range cars. In their assessment of the bigger Continental winter tyre, the testers called it “a very balanced tyre” giving it “top marks on snow and for fuel consumption, top marks on ice, top marks on dry roads and top marks for wear.”
The smaller ContiWinterContact TS 850 similarly finished best in test and in the words of the testers also won its outstanding rating through its “balance, its handling on ice and in the wet, and its very good wear performance.” The winter tyres tested were made by manufacturers from Europe, the USA and Asia. In both size classes, two tyres had to settle for a “not recommended” rating, mainly on account of poor performance on wet roads.
The ContiWinterContact TS 850 is a premium winter tyre for compact to mid-range models and has turned in numerous outstanding performances in both the current series of winter tyre tests by leading consumer magazines and automobile clubs, and in last year’s tests as well. The ContiWinterContact TS 850 is available from tyre dealers and car dealerships in around 50 sizes for 14- to 17-inch wheels.
Continental recommends that safety-conscious drivers take a critical look at the tread depth on their existing winter tyres. If there is less than 4mm of tread remaining, Continental advises drivers to arrange to have new winter tyres fitted short term, because below this limit tyre performance fades rapidly on snow and in the wet.