The SportContact 6 is Continental's Max Performance Summer tire developed to meet the engineering demands of vehicle manufacturers' highest performing models. Introduced to the U.S. as the Original Equipment tire on the exclusive Audi R8 V10 Plus, the SportContact 6 is designed to combine responsive handling, ultimate grip and high speed stability in dry and wet conditions. However, like all Max Performance Summer tires, the SportContact 6 is not intended to be serviced, stored nor driven in near- and below-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice. The tread rubber of the SportContact 6 is Continental's Black Chili compound, which utilizes a special racing grade carbon black designed to interact with the texture of the road for maximum adhesion, in addition to quickly reaching operating temperature. The asymmetric tread pattern features a strong outboard shoulder with a closely spaced intermediate rib for lateral stability during at-the-limit handling. The continuous center rib provides uninterrupted contact with the road for solid on-center feel and responsive turn-in. The deep, circumferential grooves and lateral notches efficiently evacuate water from beneath the contact patch to resist hydroplaning.Internally, a two-ply rayon casing supports two high-tensile steel belts. Continental's exclusive Aralon 350 hybrid cap ply reinforces the steel belts and helps maintain the tire's shape at high speeds for increased stability and control. Note: Tires exposed to temperatures of 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C) or lower must be permitted to gradually return to temperatures of at least 40 degrees F (5 degrees C) for at least 24 hours before they are flexed in any manner, such as by adjusting inflation pressures, mounting them on wheels or using them to support, roll or drive a vehicle.Flexing of the specialized rubber compounds used in Max Performance Summer tires during cold-weather use can result in irreversible compound cracking. Compound cracking is not a warrantable condition because it occurs as the result of improper use or storage, tires exhibiting compound cracking must be replaced.