You’re standing in a tire shop, staring at a wall of black rubber that all looks identical, and the salesman is pushing the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus like it’s the cure for every driving ailment. It’s annoying. You just want something that won't slide into a ditch when a light dusting of snow hits the pavement, but you also don't want your sporty sedan to feel like it’s wearing hiking boots on a dry highway. Honestly, most "all-season" tires are a compromise that leaves you feeling "meh" about your car's performance.
The DWS06 Plus is different. It’s the successor to the legendary DWS06, and while the "Plus" might seem like a lazy marketing addition, the engineering changes under the tread are actually pretty significant. Continental basically looked at the old version—which was already a fan favorite—and decided it needed to handle sharper turns and stop faster in the rain.
The Secret Language on Your Tread
Have you ever noticed those letters stamped into the rubber? D, W, and S. They aren't just for decoration. They stand for Dry, Wet, and Snow. Continental calls this their QuickView Indicator system. It’s a bit of genius, really. As the tire wears down, the letters disappear in order.
When the "S" fades away, the tire is no longer optimal for snow. When the "W" goes, stop trusting it in heavy rain. It’s a visual "health bar" for your grip. Most people ignore tread depth until their car starts hydroplaning, but this makes it impossible to ignore. You can literally look at your tires in a parking lot and know if you’re safe for the upcoming winter.
The DWS06 Plus uses something Continental calls SPORTPLUS+ Technology. It’s a fancy way of saying they put a lot of silica in the compound. This keeps the rubber flexible when it’s freezing but prevents it from turning into mush when the asphalt is 110 degrees in July.
Grip That Doesn't Quit When the Clouds Open
Wet traction is where this tire earns its paycheck. If you live in a place like Seattle or Florida where the sky regularly dumps buckets, you know that terrifying feeling of "floating" over a puddle. That’s hydroplaning. The DWS06 Plus has these massive circumferential grooves that act like water pumps.
They evacuate water so fast that the contact patch stays glued to the road.
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Compared to its predecessor, the "Plus" model improved braking distances on wet pavement by nearly 10 percent. That’s the difference between stopping a foot behind a minivan and ending up in its trunk. It’s not just about safety, though. It’s about confidence. You can take a cloverleaf on-ramp in a rainstorm and the car just tracks. No drama. No electronic stability control lights flickering on your dash. Just grip.
What about the "S" in DWS?
Let’s be real: this isn't a dedicated winter tire. If you live in the deep woods of Maine or the high Rockies, buy a set of Blizzaks or Alpin 6s. However, for the average person living in the "Rust Belt" or the Mid-Atlantic, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is surprisingly capable.
It features traction grooves and "X-Sipes." These are tiny slits in the tread blocks that bite into the snow. When you’re trying to move a 4,000-pound car from a dead stop on an icy hill, those sipes are your best friends. They create "biting edges" that grab the frozen surface. It’s way better than a standard touring tire, which usually acts like a hockey puck the moment the temperature drops below 40 degrees.
Handling the Corners Without Breaking Your Back
Sporty tires usually have a trade-off. If they handle well, they ride like a brick. If they’re comfortable, they feel like marshmallows in the corners. Continental managed to find a middle ground that feels almost like black magic. The sidewalls are stiff enough to give you crisp steering response—meaning when you turn the wheel, the car actually moves instantly—but they aren't so stiff that every pothole feels like a gunshot.
Many BMW and Audi owners swear by these because they maintain that "German" road feel. You get feedback. You know what the front wheels are doing.
I've seen people put these on everything from a Subaru WRX to a Tesla Model 3. On electric vehicles, the instant torque can shred cheap tires. The DWS06 Plus holds up because of its reinforced construction. It doesn't just fold over under pressure.
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The Longevity Factor
Tires are expensive. Dropping $800 to $1,200 on a set hurts the wallet. So, how long do these actually last?
Continental gives them a 50,000-mile limited treadwear warranty. In the world of Ultra-High Performance (UHP) tires, that’s actually quite generous. Most "sticky" tires are lucky to see 30,000 miles before they’re bald. The DWS06 Plus uses an improved tread compound that resists uneven wear, provided you actually rotate them and keep your alignment in check.
- Treadwear Rating (UTQG): 560
- Traction Rating: AA
- Temperature Rating: A
A 560 treadwear rating is high for a tire that performs this well. It means you aren't sacrificing half your mileage just to have a bit of fun on the weekend.
The Competition: Michelin vs. Continental
Everyone wants to know how it compares to the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4. It’s the Pepsi vs. Coke of the tire world.
The Michelin is arguably a tiny bit sharper in the dry. If you’re taking your daily driver to a track day (which, why?), the Michelin might give you a hair more precision. But—and this is a big "but"—the Continental DWS06 Plus is generally considered superior in the snow and much quieter on the highway.
Michelins tend to get "vocal" as they wear down. The Continentals stay relatively hushed. If you value your sanity during a long commute, the lower road noise of the Continental is a massive selling point. Plus, the Continental is usually $20 to $40 cheaper per tire. Over a set of four, that’s a nice dinner out or a couple of tanks of gas.
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Real World Nuance: It Isn't Perfect
No tire is perfect. If I’m being totally honest, the DWS06 Plus can feel a little "soft" right at the limit compared to a dedicated summer tire like the ExtremeContact Sport 02. If you’re a hardcore enthusiast who lives for canyon carving, you might notice a slight delay in steering weight.
Also, while the "S" rating is great for an all-season, ice is still its kryptonite. No amount of "X-Siping" replaces the specialized rubber compounds found in a True Winter tire. If you see "Black Ice" regularly, don't expect the DWS06 Plus to save you. Physics always wins.
Why You Should Probably Just Buy Them
If you drive a car that is even remotely sporty—a Civic Si, a Mustang, a Lexus IS, or even a hot hatch like a GTI—the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is the most logical choice for a "one and done" tire.
It handles the rain like a champ, doesn't freak out when it sees a snowflake, and lasts long enough that you won't feel robbed. It’s the "Goldilocks" of the tire world. Not too hard, not too soft. Just right.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Set
Before you pull the trigger, do these three things:
- Check Your Load Rating: Make sure the specific size you're ordering matches your car's requirements, especially if you drive a heavy EV or an SUV.
- Look for Rebates: Continental runs "promotional windows" usually in the Spring and Fall (March/April and September/October). You can often get a $70 to $100 Visa gift card just for buying a set of four.
- Confirm the "Plus": Some shops still have old stock of the non-Plus version. Ensure the sidewall explicitly says "Plus." The older model is good, but the Plus is better in every measurable metric, especially sidewall stiffness and wet braking.
Stop overthinking it. Unless you're living in the Arctic or racing for a podium finish, these are the tires your car actually wants.