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Anyone have personal experience with Continental Cross Contact LX25 on a Crosstrek

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14K views 19 replies 8 participants last post by  fuel98rider  
#1 · (Edited)
Anyone have personal experience with CONTINENTAL CROSSCONTACT LX25 on a Crosstrek UTQG: 740 A A
Does it make it ride rough?


I have read that the sidewalls are to robust and made for heavier vehicles
Therefore, make a Crosstrek ride rough, but that could be just a made up story?
I'm looking for a stock size 225/55r18" to get the Dealer to swap on a new Crosstrek 2024 Onyx
To get rid of the stock low wearing FALKEN ZIEX ZE001A A/S UTQG: 360 A A tires from day 1, for the longer wearing Conti's
Theoretically, I could go more than twice as far before replacing

 
#2 ·
Albertan here. No personal experience with the Continental CrossContact LX25.

But given the range of challenging road conditions we Canadian drivers face each year, I highly recommend that you focus on selecting an ALL-WEATHER tire that has high ratings for control rather than an all-season tire that has high ratings for tread wear. Super-durable tires will be of little use once you turn the steering wheel but keep going straight, or when the rear end starts passing the front end, or when you find yourself in the ditch pointing in the direction from which you came.
 
#3 · (Edited)
I will be using dedicated snow tires on OEM steel Outback 17" steel rims ($118.00 from dealership) to get the 55 mm proper offset and new 114.3 bolt pattern for the scrub radius for winter, as it is impossible to find a aftermarket rim with a 55 mm offset, if that's what you meant, unless you meant using all weather tires in the summer?
Continental Cross Contact LX 25's have no trouble stopping or steering on wet/dry pavement (friends X5) , I just wondered if they had to robust of a sidewall to make a light Crosstrek ride rough, as a Crosstrek is just a light subcompact hatchback car lifted about 3", nothing more
The Continental Cross Contact LX 25 doesn't look like it keeps going straight or spinning out of control even when pushed to it's limit on a wet track in Tire Rack video, and my friend brags about them on his BMW X5, that's why I want a set
A fraction of a difference between a Michelin Cross Climate 2 Snowflake rated tire that is loud and picks of gravel in the grooves to make even more noise, also when they were are all over the place, as they have no center groove, as they wear down and get even louder, they also burn up pretty fast, this is from personal experience on my wifes Crosstrek
Here is the 2 compared together in link below, also in another Tire Rack video that they used to compare Michelin Cross Climate 2 to different tires, that I can't find , the Michelin Cross Climate 2 scored longer wet and dry braking compared to themselves in this test and the Continental Cross Contact LX 25's in this test on the same Audi Q5 and exact same tire size, I sent the screen shots to Tire Rack and they replied that 6 feet is negligible in tests, as the different temperatures, driver reaction, etc etc etc would make that much difference
Here's the link from user reviews for Tire Rack
Here's a video from tire rack
 
#5 ·
Aspect ratio doesn’t matter, and running tires at lower pressures causes premature wear and blow outs, that's why the placard is on the door for the proper size and tire pressure, not to mention the TPMS in the dash
I’m running the stock 225/55r18”, and I would have to go wider and taller to a 255/50r18” to get a 50 aspect ratio that is as close to the stock diameter as possible, and it would make the ride better not worse, as I would gain more sidewall

5.02” for the 255/50r18” vs 4.87” for the stock size 225/55r18”


I am just using this as an example to make a point that aspect ratio doesn’t matter
I am using the stock tire size, and not trying to cram the biggest tire I can fit in there without rubbing
Sidewall height and tire construction is what matters, not aspect ratio
The stiffer sidewall construction on Ultra high performance tires and truck tires is what matters compared to standard touring tires, not aspect ratio
I’m afraid that the Continental Cross Contact lx25 would be more suited for a heavy SUV (like a truck tire) vs a Light subcompact hatchback car lifted about 3”, meaning Crosstrek
I don't know
That's why I asked specifically for personal experience with the Continental Cross Contact lx25 on a Crosstrek Would the Continental Cross Contact lx25 make the Crosstrek ride rough?

Thanks for the response
 
#6 ·
the aspect ration does matter if you keep the width is similar because it determines the sidewall height, but in your example it grows till 255 width that definitely will cause wheel rub and it is not a common way people replace tire when they keep the same rim because the OE wheel is just too narrow for 255 width.

the tire load capacity is defined by load index, as long as the load index is similar, the sidewall will not make it super hard. it is another story if you use higher load index tire with reinforced(extra load) construction, when you pump at recommended full carrying load, yes it may feel hard because typically the pressure can be 10-15 psi more than standard load.

it is ok to adjust within 10 kpa from recommended pressure to find balance between handling and comfort as long as car is not fully loaded and the tire is not severely underinflated that generate the excessive heat.
 
#7 · (Edited)
No tire exists that comes in a 225 with a 50 and 55 aspect ratio that is the same diameter or even close
You would have to go wider to a 255 to even get close to to correct stock diameter, 255 WAS JUST AN EXAMPLE
Here's why it won't work
FYI: a 255 will fit the stock rim as it is 18" x 7" and even came with a 245, so 255 would probably work with a spacer?
But, that was just an example, not something I would even consider doing, like I stated earlier
I am using the stock tire size, and not trying to cram the biggest tire I can fit in there without rubbing
And the rim width range for a 255/50r18” is 7" to 9"
And some sidewalls are stiffer construction no matter the load index, like truck tires, meaning BIG SUV tires and ultra high performance have stiffer sidewalls, and again, THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE, I don't want to put Ultra high performance tires on a Crosstrek, just showing that both are stiffer = rough ride
And I never stated the Cross Contact LX25 were XL, where did that come from
The link I put in earlier shows they are 98H, not XL
And do you think 1.45 psi will make a difference in ride? it will just cause sloppy handling, tire wear and hurt mpg for no noticible difference in ride, that's why the tire pressure placard is on the door is for, to tell you the correct tire size and correct pressure
It doesn't read put in whatever pressure you feel like to find balance between handling and comfort, this pressure was just a suggestion

All of this for the simple question

Anyone have personal experience with CONTINENTAL CROSSCONTACT LX25 on a Crosstrek
Does it make it ride rough?

Apparently not
 
#8 ·

“The CrossContact™ LX25 is a premium all-season touring tire for crossovers…”

And the Tire Rack customer surveys give them a 9.2 for ride comfort. And you can filter the reviews by vehicle and read the comments. Lots of Foresters, Outbacks and the odd Crosstrek there.

Seems like a perfectly good choice for a Crosstrek.
 
#9 ·
Thanks, I found this review

Excellent tire for our Crosstrek
4 years ago
The CrossContact LX25 is the second Continental tire we've had on our Crosstrek's. It's unfortunate the TrueContact Tour (read my previous review on it) doesn't come in a 225/55/18, it would have been my first choice for our new 2019 Crosstrek. The LX25 however is an excellent tire, so quiet you hardly know they're there. I think Continental did an amazing job regarding this. They seem to be a bit softer than the TrueContact Tour, they're a bit more planted at highway speeds when passing or when needing to react quickly, conversely they absorb bumps in the road very well. Grip on snow and dirt isn't as refined as the Tour but nothing that we're too concerned with, we noticed mileage has improved with the LX25 vs the Tour. Have had great discussions with the engineers at Continental, they're truly committed to putting out a top rated product. Overall we're very pleased with the LX25.

Now, this is the review I was looking for, softer than a TrueContact Tour, so quiet you hardly know they're there
Doesn't get better than that
Thanks again

Image
Image
 
#10 ·
Anyone have personal experience with CONTINENTAL CROSSCONTACT LX25 on a Crosstrek UTQG: 740 A A
Does it make it ride rough?
I had Continental CrossContact LX25's installed on 1/09/24 and found them to be a bit quieter and smoother than the OEM.

I've had Continental's on motorcycles and vehicles and like the brand!


Image
 
#13 ·
I had Continental CrossContact LX25's installed on 1/09/24 and found them to be a bit quieter and smoother than the OEM.

I've had Continental's on motorcycles and vehicles and like the brand!


View attachment 320369
Continental is good brand, the typical complaints for their tire is the price/longetivity ratio, and for certain model is some noise.
Currently I am using their Premium Contact 7, which so far I find has the best dry and wet handling from many tires I had for the Crosstrek.
 
#12 ·
Thank you, and thanks for the picture
I went to Continentals website and took the time to register the tires - which is very simple. They have a nice warranty, which is worth looking into.

Interesting month. Replaced the battery with an AGM. Then punctured the sidewall and had to replace the OEM's with 28K on them. Then the ceiling fan went out. Love the new AGM battery. Like my Continentals. The new ceiling fan is doing great as well.

:)
 
#16 ·
I replaced the OEM Falken Z1EX ZE001 tires on my 2019 Crosstrek Limited a month ago at 30581 miles and currently have put 500 miles on them. I also replaced the OEM tires on my 2018 Outback Touring this past September and have put 2000 miles on them.

I was very impressed by the quiet ride of the LX25’s on my Outback and that‘s why I purchased them for the Crosstrek. Compared to the original Falken tires which had about 3/32” left on them, I find them VERY slightly noisier, not intrusive at all like the Blizzak WS80’s on my Outback. The ride is not harsh at all, probably smoother, and the tires feel confident when cornering hard In dry conditions. They also do well in snow and wet conditions. I can’t really comment on mpg difference but so far, my gas mileage has not changed. So far, I’m pleased with my purchases.
 
#20 ·
Just ran across this thread as I’m looking to replace my Continental Cross Contact 25s. I put these tires on my 2018 Crosstrek Limited at 58k miles. On a completely different note, getting 58k on the OEM Falken tires was quite a shock.

About two months before putting these on the Crosstrek, I put these tires on my wife’s Honda Pilot. After 2k miles on the Pilot, including a trip from GA to CO, I was sold on these and decided to put them on the Crosstrek. Well, after 69k miles, I will replace them with another set of the Cross Contacts. They are not at the wear indicators, but as we get into the rainy season in GA, I don’t want to take any chances. They have had remarkable little wear, handle rain extremely well, and are still quiet. It’s in the rain where they excel. I had to drive through a couple of hours of rain on I-70, and was able to maintain 65-70 safely in a steady downpour. They compliment the AWD system on the Crosstrek, easily handling gravel/mud/sand forest service roads and a little rocky terrain in CO with ease. They are not AT tires, and you have to remember that, but they can easily handle anything the Crosstrek can navigate (meaning they don’t hamstring the Crosstrek, but won’t add to it’s ability either). They are a great upgrade. When it came time to replace these on my wife’s Pilot, these were the exact replacements. Another set will be going on the Crosstrek as well. I cannot recommend them enough.