Continental ContiSportContact 5 SSR FR 225/50 R18 95W

Description

The Continental ContiSportContact 5 SSR FR 225/50 R18 95W is a premium Max Performance Summer Run-Flat tire designed for sporty cars, coupes, sedans, and SUVs with a focus on high-performance driving. Continental is a renowned German tire manufacturer known for its advanced technology and original equipment (OE) fitments on many luxury and performance vehicles.

Let’s break down its specific characteristics: Continental ContiSportContact 5 SSR FR 225/50 R18 95W

Tire Specifications (225/50 R18 95W SSR FR):

• 225: The tire’s width is 225 millimeters.
• 50: The aspect ratio is 50, meaning the sidewall height is 50% of the width. This indicates a relatively low profile for sporty handling.
• R: Denotes Radial construction.
• 18: The rim diameter is 18 inches.
• 95: The Load Index is 95, meaning each tire can carry a maximum load of 690 kg (1521 lbs).
• W: The Speed Rating is W, indicating the tire is safely rated for speeds up to 270 km/h (168 mph), categorizing it as an Ultra High Performance (UHP) tire.
• SSR: Stands for Self-Supporting Runflat. This is Continental’s run-flat technology, which uses a reinforced sidewall to allow the tire to be driven for a limited distance (typically up to 80 km or 50 miles at a maximum speed of 80 km/h or 50 mph) after a puncture, even with complete air loss. This eliminates the need for a spare tire.
• FR: Denotes a Flange Protector (or Rim Protection). This is a raised rubber element on the sidewall designed to protect the rim from curb damage and other impacts.
• * (Star marking): Often seen on BMW Original Equipment (OE) tires, indicating that the tire was specifically developed and tuned for BMW vehicles.

Key Features and Technology: Continental ContiSportContact 5 SSR FR 225/50 R18 95W

The ContiSportContact 5 (CSC5) is known for its “Black Chilli” technology and adaptive macro-block design, focusing on grip, braking, and efficiency.

• Black Chilli Technology: This advanced tread compound is a key innovation. It uses short-chain polymers that react to braking forces by generating heat, which improves energy absorption and results in shorter braking distances in both wet and dry conditions. At constant speeds, long-chain polymers efficiently release absorbed energy, leading to reduced rolling resistance for improved fuel efficiency and mileage.
• Flexible Macro-Block Design: The tread features large, flexible “macro-blocks” on the outer shoulder. These blocks adapt to the road surface, increasing the contact area, which leads to superb grip and stability during cornering, enhancing steering precision and overall handling.
• Asymmetric Tread Pattern: This design combines a solid outer shoulder for dry grip and cornering stability with an inner pattern that effectively channels water through four wide circumferential grooves, significantly improving hydroplaning resistance and wet traction.
• Continuous Center Rib: Promotes sharp steering response and excellent straight-line tracking, crucial for high-speed stability.
• Reinforced Sidewall (SSR – Run-Flat): The self-supporting reinforced sidewall allows the tire to maintain its shape and function even after a complete loss of air pressure. This provides temporary mobility, allowing the driver to reach a service station safely.
• Rim Protector (FR): An extra rubber rib near the bead protects the rim from minor abrasions and curb damage.

Performance Characteristics: Continental ContiSportContact 5 SSR FR 225/50 R18 95W

• Season: Max Performance Summer tire. It is NOT intended for use in near-freezing temperatures, snow, or ice.
• Handling: Excellent dry and wet handling, precise steering response, and superior cornering stability due to its adaptive tread design and UHP capabilities.
• Braking: Outstanding short braking distances on both wet and dry roads, a hallmark of Black Chilli technology.
• Comfort & Noise: While a performance tire, it offers a relatively good balance of comfort and lower road noise for its category compared to more aggressive racing-derived tires. However, being a run-flat, it might inherently be slightly firmer than a non-run-flat equivalent.
• Fuel Efficiency: Engineered for reduced rolling resistance, contributing to better fuel consumption and potentially higher mileage.