Winter tires are a guarantee of traffic safety for any driver who prefers to get to any place on his own transport year-round. However, such confidence can appear only when he reasonably approaches the choice and acquires only those tires that are able to cope with any extreme conditions. These are the Continental ContiVikingContact 6 models, designed for use in areas with fairly harsh winter climates. Let's see what the manufacturer promises with regard to its products, and then compare these data with the reviews of drivers who have already had the opportunity to test these tires for some time. After all, this is how you can see how the rubber behaves in fact, without embellishment and artificially created testing conditions.
The main purpose
First of all, rubber was specially created for operation in places where there are very low temperatures. The basis was a rubber compound capable of maintaining softness even when competitors are already beginning to lose dynamic performance due to tanning. Many drivers were pleased with the previous model from the German manufacturer, which had the number 5 in the name, but the developers did not stop there and were able to further improve Continental tires, releasing an updated version, which became the hero of today's review.
First of all, tires are intended for installation on cars, but a large grid of standard sizes allows you to choose suitable options for larger vehicles, for example, SUVs, crossovers and even some minibuses. Especially for such cases, reinforced modifications with Continental ContiVikingContact 6 XL and SUV indices have been released, which we will talk about a little later.
Asymmetric tread pattern reveals more possibilities
All Continental tires from this range were originally produced with an asymmetric tread pattern. This approach allows you to make the working surface of the rubber more universal, which has a positive effect on its directional stability in any circumstances. It is also important that the comprehensive direction of the lamellas and the cutting edges they create makes it possible not only to quickly gain speed without slipping at the start, but also to urgently reduce it. Rubber has a rather low probability of skidding, since contact with the track is ensured by a combination of multiple factors carefully thought out by designers and calculated using modern computer systems. Not without test drives and prototypes. In the process of such studies, changes were made to the tread shape and arrangement of individual blocks. The result was an almost perfect product that we can find today on the shelves of specialized stores.
Features of tread blocks
At first glance at the working surface of the Continental ContiVikingContact 6 SUV tire , it was difficult to describe unambiguously to which structure the pattern belongs. However, individual blocks immediately harmoniously located and cut by a web of lamellas immediately strike the eye.
Each of them has a specific purpose. So, in the central part of the tire there is a kind of line surrounding the surface with virtually no interruptions. Its task is to maintain directional stability when driving on any type of road surface, whether asphalt or soil, and in any adverse weather conditions.
The double structure of the blocks in this area has significantly improved the efficiency of their application. Basically, the changes affected speed driving. Now, with an aggressive driving style, during which rather rapid acceleration and the possibility of a sharp start from a place are provided, these blocks can support each other, relying on adjacent tread elements. As a result, tire deformation, despite its softness, is minimized, and the hitch remains reliable.
The humeral zones are divided by wide slots capable of creating sufficient rowing force on loose surfaces, whether it is snow or snow porridge during the thaw. Due to their location, they can cope with moisture and effectively remove it from the contact spot with the track, squeezing it to the sides beyond.
Positive aspects of the updated lamella web
First of all, if you pay attention to the structure of the slots located between the individual tread elements, you can see that they have different widths and depths. In each place, this parameter was calculated in order to enable the Continental ContiVikingContact 6 R16 tire to have high strength and resistance to the negative manifestations of the laws of physics, but at the same time not to reduce the efficiency of the drainage system.
The different orientation of the lamellas allows more efficient to divert water from the point of contact with the road working surface. As a result, the likelihood of the car “floating away” due to the effect of aquaplaning is minimized even with a sharp entry into a puddle. In addition, this approach allows you to create slats that can collect snow at the moment of passage along the road surface, and then immediately effectively get rid of it, while keeping the working parts of the cutting edges open.
The built-in small jumpers between the blocks, which, as it might seem at first glance, overlap the lamellas, actually serve the exact opposite purpose. Their task is to prevent the possibility of bonding of the tread blocks to each other at high loads, and they cope with it perfectly.
Reinforced side
Shoulder tread zones extend beyond the working surface, this is clearly visible if you look at the tire close. Such an approach makes it possible to achieve three important goals at once.
Since Continental ContiVikingContact 6 195/65 R15 rubber is quite soft, it can play a little on the disc with high-speed movement and maneuvering during it. At such moments, it is the side blocks that take on all the loads associated with the change in the trajectory of movement. As a result, adhesion to the road surface remains reliable, which will definitely please fans of high-speed driving, even in winter.
The second aspect is stability when you exit the track and return to it. If in the summer this problem is relevant only when driving on bad roads or off-road, in winter the track can appear even on federal roads, because snow-removing equipment does not always cope with large amounts of rainfall. It is at such moments that the side blocks of the tread help to safely leave the track for overtaking, ahead of vehicles or during parking.
The third problem that can be solved with these elements is the issue of protecting the side parts from damage. If there were none, then tearing the sidewall against the reinforcement protruding from the destroyed curb would be much easier, despite its strengthened structure.
Reinforced Models
As stated at the beginning of the article, the manufacturer made sure that not only drivers of light vehicles could use the products. As a result, models with special Continental ContiVikingContact 6 SUV or XL indexes appeared, indicating that they have an increased size and a more reinforced structure. They use an increased amount of cord, which increases the strength of the tire as a whole and protects it from damage during movement. They also have the ability to withstand greater air pressure and a larger mass of the vehicle.
Choice
In order for everyone to be able to choose the size that is required by the operating manual of his car, the developers took care of the release of models with different inner diameters, tire heights and working surface widths. Thanks to this, Continental ContiVikingContact 6 tires are available for purchase, mounted on wheels from 13 to 22.5 inches in size. Such a variety actually shows the care on the part of the manufacturer about its customers and its focus on their needs. So, there are the main standard sizes used on budget cars, and those who care about their safety can purchase them.
No spikes
The German developer deliberately does not install these metal elements in the tires of this lineup. This trip is due to an attempt to create the most comfortable rubber for use. The fact is that the spikes, regardless of how they are fixed, create unpleasant noise and vibration effects that are especially felt in domestic cars with low noise insulation.
To avoid this problem, the spikes were replaced by a reasonable approach to the development of both the tread pattern and the composition of the rubber compound, which allowed the creation of Continental ContiVikingContact 6 winter tires, which are not inferior to studded tires in terms of reliability, but at the same time devoid of their shortcomings.
The main advantages based on reviews
It's time to turn to the opinion of drivers about the quality of this rubber. Among the main advantages, most often they mention the following:
High softness . This parameter allows you to easily operate rubber at low temperatures and increases comfort, because small bumps and stones simply “swallow” it.
No noise. Of course, a certain level remains, however, it is comparable to a rustle that does not distract or irritate the driver and passengers.
Reduced fuel consumption. Proper construction of tread elements allowed to reduce fuel consumption by reducing rolling resistance.
Confident grip in all weather conditions. Despite the general opinion that Velcro is unable to cope with icy conditions , the Continental ContiVikingContact 6 model proves the opposite and makes it possible to be confident in your car.
High cross. Rubber, due to its structure, is able to cope with rather deep snow without going into a skid and without burying in it even at the start.
As you can see, this model is endowed with all the necessary aspects that make it possible to call it reliable for winter operation. However, it has a number of shortcomings that cannot be ignored.
Cons noted in reviews
Among the negative aspects noticed by users, the key ones are the following:
The need for balancing. Many users note that after installing the rubber on the disks, it was necessary to hang rather heavy weights, which indicates the initial “curvature” of the rubber.
Weak side. After serious strokes, there is a chance of a hernia. In fairness, it is worth noting that during the first year after purchase, tires with such problems will be replaced without a word in the warranty.
Pretty high cost. However, in its price category, the price of Continental ContiVikingContact 6 has an average value (from 4000 rubles), so you can just conclude that you still have to pay for the brand.
Output
The rubber that fell into this review has excellent dynamic and driving characteristics, but may require additional care, careful handling, and may be short-lived. Tests Continental ContiVikingContact 6 talk about its merits, and reviews reveal some negative aspects. If safety while driving is the most important thing for you, then it will be the best choice.