Rain drop warning for high performance tyre

TYRE-MAKER Continental has introduced a new safety warning on its brand new premium tyre, the ContiSportContact 5 P.

The tyre is fitted high performance cars, such as the Audi TT RS, Maserati Quattroporte, and Mercedes AMG range.

The new ContiSportContact features a new hybrid tread design for grip and handling – which is what you would expect. But when the tyre wears down to 3mm a rain drop symbol appears to provide a safety indicator for wet conditions.

While it might appear a marketing gimmick to encourage owners to replace tyres more quickly – the legal minimum tyre tread is 1.6mm – Continental’s marketing director, Guy Frobisher, denies this is the case.

“With a high performance tyre, the wear from new to 3mm is even and stable,” explained Mr Frobisher. “Beyond 3mm and degradation begins to speed up, which will start to increase braking distances, for example. The rain drop symbol is there to remind owners that they should start considering replacement. It’s an extra visual safety indicator.”

Independent research by the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) found that worn tyres significantly increased the chances of having an accident on wet roads by increasing the stopping distance.