Continental Truck Tires in 2026: How to Read the Range, Route by Route

Key takeaways

• Continental’s 2026 guide sorts its truck, bus and trailer tires by route (Long Haul, Regional, Urban, Construction, Off-Road), and then by position (steer/all-position, drive, trailer). The older way of browsing by size or tread is no longer the main structure.
• Every product page follows the same layout: size, load range, article number, tread depth, speed, radius, dimensions, approved rims, dual spacing, revolutions per mile, weight, and a load-at-pressure table. Once you know how to read one page, you can read them all.
• Two platform features run through the range: the 3G Casing, which standardizes retreadable casings for steer, drive and trailer positions, and the Intelligent Tire, which places a pressure and temperature sensor on the inner liner.
• The digital tools (ContiConnect, Conti360° Fleet Portal, ContiLink, TrukFix) are part of the product offer. For many fleets, they matter as much as the tread compound.
• This guide is written for the North American market. Check size availability, SmartWay status and warranty terms with a local Continental representative before you buy.

Why this catalog matters

Continental’s 2026 Product Data Guide is one of the most practical tire references a fleet manager can keep on the desk. It is not a marketing brochure with a few photos. It contains full product data pages for dozens of tires, load and inflation tables, reading guides, and descriptions of the digital services that sit alongside the tires.

For a fleet manager, the guide answers three questions quickly:

1. Which tire is designed for the route my trucks run?
2. What are the physical and load specifications of that tire at the pressure I will run?
3. Which services and sensors come with it, and what do they cost to operate?

For a driver or owner-operator, the guide answers a simpler question: is this the right tire for the axle I am buying for? The same data pages can answer both questions, as long as you know how to read them. That is the purpose of this article.

The guide describes itself as “Built to Keep America Rolling.” The product data is for the American market. Some product names and sizes will differ elsewhere in the world, so use the guide as a reference for the logic of the range, not as a universal price or availability list.

How Continental organizes the range

By route, not by size

The most visible change in the 2026 guide is how products are grouped. Continental now classifies tires by the route they serve:

The guide notes that the classification is intended to help buyers match the tire to the job. It also warns that product details are subject to change, and that buyers should check the Continental website or a local representative for current information.

By position within each route

Inside each route, the guide groups tires by axle position:

• Steer / all-position: used on the front axle and, where traction is less critical, on trailing axles.
• Drive: used on the drive axle, where traction and torque matter most.
• Trailer: used on trailer axles, where rolling resistance and casing life usually matter most.

The overview tables give a recommended-position marker for each product. Continental also notes that steer-axle tires are suitable for trailing axles on many trucks, and for all-position use where traction is not the main concern. This is useful for fleets that want to stock fewer SKUs.

The application overview

The “Products by Application” table is the quickest way to see the range. It lists each product, its tread depth in 32nds of an inch, the position it is designed for, and the competitor products it is compared with. Some examples:

• Long Haul steer: Conti EcoPlus HS3+ (19/32 tread), Conti EcoPlus HS3 (15/32), Conti Coach HA3 (17/32).
• Long Haul drive: Conti HDL 3 EP (26/32), HDL2 Eco Plus (27/32), HDL2 DL+ (32/32), HDL2 DL Eco Plus (32/32).
• Long Haul trailer: Conti EcoPlus HT3 (13/32), HTL1 (13/32), HTL2 Eco Plus for 17.5” heavy haul trailers.
• Regional steer and all-position: Conti HSR 3 (23/32), HSR2 (20 to 23/32), HSR2 SA (18 to 19/32), HTR2 (21 to 22/32).
• Regional drive: Conti HDR2+ (24 to 30/32), Conti HDW2 (27/32), Conti Scandinavia HD3 (27/32), Conti HDR (26/32).
• Urban: Conti Urban HA3 (23/32), Conti HAU 5 (24/32), Conti HAU 3 WT (26/32).
• Construction: Conti HSC 3 (24/32), Conti HAC 3 (22 to 24/32), Conti HDC 3 (30/32), HDC1 HT (32/32).
• Off-Road: HCS (severe service, all-position), Conti Terra HD3 (19.5”).

Note that tread depth is a design feature, not a promise of mileage. A deeper tread gives more wear life to work with, but mileage also depends on the compound, the load, the pressure, the route and the maintenance program.

How to read a Continental product data page

Every product page in the guide has the same structure. Learn it once and you can compare any two tires in minutes.

The header block

Each page opens with the product name and a short marketing line (for example, “Fuel-Efficient Steer” or “Fuel-Efficient, Super Single Drive”). Below that is a row of icons and labels:

• 3G Casing: the tire is built on Continental’s standardized retreadable casing.
• Intelligent Tire: the tire is available with a built-in pressure and temperature sensor.
• SmartWay Verified: the tire is on the EPA SmartWay list of low rolling resistance tires for line-haul tractor-trailers.
• Retread Available: a retread version exists.
• EV Compatible: the tire is listed as suitable for electric vehicle applications.
• Mud + Snow and 3PMSF designations: the tire carries the relevant winter markings.

The product table

The product table is the core of the data page. Each row is one size and load range. The columns are:

• Tire size: for example 11R22.5, 295/75R22.5, 285/75R24.5.
• Load range: the letter code (G, H, J, L and so on) that defines the ply rating and the load at pressure.
• Article number: Continental lists two article numbers for most products, one for the Intelligent Tire version and one for the Standard version. Use the correct article number when ordering.
• Tread depth (32nds): the tread depth when new, in 32nds of an inch.
• Max speed (mph): the speed rating. Most tires in the guide are rated 75 mph, and some are rated 68 mph.
• Static loaded radius: the distance from the axle centre to the ground under rated load. It matters for gearing and speedometer calibration.
• Overall inflated diameter and width: the physical size of the tire when inflated.
• Loaded section width: the width of the tire under load, which affects clearance.
• Approved rim(s): the rims the tire is approved for. The rim listed first is the measuring rim.
• Minimum dual spacing: the minimum distance between dual tires, calculated without chains.
• Revs per mile (or per km): how many revolutions the tire makes per mile. This affects odometer calibration and mileage analysis.
• Tire weight: useful for payload planning and for comparing wide-base and dual setups.
• Max load at inflation: the single and dual load limits at a given pressure, in lbs and kg, with the pressure in psi and kPa.

The footnotes

Read the footnotes. Several of them change what the numbers mean:

• Rim listed first is the measuring rim.
• Minimum dual spacing is calculated without chains.
• Overall widths change by 0.1 inch for each 1/4 inch change in rim width. Adjust dual spacing accordingly.
• Continental notes that exceeding the lawful speed limit is neither recommended nor endorsed.
• Some sizes carry specific restrictions. For example, 315/80R22.5 tires on 8.25” rims are restricted to 7,610 lbs at 120 psi in dual use and 8,000 lbs at 120 psi in single use.

The footnotes are also where Continental states that specifications are subject to change without notice. Always confirm current data with the manufacturer before ordering.

The intelligent and standard article

Many products in the guide list two article numbers, one marked “Intelligent Article” and one “Standard Article.” The intelligent version includes the sensor. If you do not plan to use digital monitoring, the standard article is the right ordering code, but check that your fleet’s monitoring plan does not depend on the sensor later.

Reading the sidewall: load index, speed symbol and date code

The product page tells you what a tire is designed to do. The sidewall tells you what this particular tire is. Continental’s guide explains how to read it, and the same logic applies to any brand.

Load index and speed symbol. A sidewall reads something like “144/141 L”. The first number is the single load index, the second is the dual load index, and the final letter is the speed symbol. The guide’s conversion chart maps each index to kilograms and pounds. A few examples from that chart:

The load index tells you the maximum load at the speed the symbol allows. If your route requires a higher speed than the symbol allows, the load limit drops, and the guide’s speed tables apply (see below).

The DOT code. Continental’s guide explains the DOT3 standard, which NHTSA made mandatory for tires from 13 April 2025. Under DOT3, the identification number has a 3-digit plant code, a 6-digit manufacturer’s code and a 4-digit date code, replacing the older format with a 2-digit plant code, a size code and a type code. For a fleet, the date code tells you how old a tire is when it arrives, which matters for storage and for warranty claims. The guide states that the new format is mandatory for all tires from that date. Any tire with the older format should be checked against its production date before it is accepted.

The product name. Continental’s 2026 naming system is built to help buyers match the tire to the vehicle. The name has four parts:

1. A global prefix: “Conti” for new tires, “ContiTread” for retreads.
2. A technical area that combines the vehicle class (heavy or light), the axle configuration (steer, all-position, drive or trailer) and the application (long haul, regional, urban, construction, off-road or winter).
3. A generation number.
4. An optional descriptor.

The guide’s example, Conti HAU 3 WT, reads as a heavy, all-position, urban product, generation 3, with a wide-base descriptor. Learn this structure and you can place a product in the range before you open its data page.

Load and inflation tables: what they tell you

The guide contains load and inflation tables for medium truck and bus tires. They are split into three groups: normal and wide-base sizes on 5-degree or flat-based rims, metric and wide-base sizes on 15-degree drop-center rims, and conventional sizes on 15-degree drop-center rims.

How the tables are built

Each table lists the maximum load in pounds and kilograms for a given tire size, at a series of cold inflation pressures in psi and kPa. The load values are shown for single and dual positions. Load range letters appear in brackets next to the maximum load at each pressure, showing the load range that governs that value.

Continental notes three conventions that matter:

• The tables use TRA (Tire and Rim Association) values, marked with an asterisk, for most sizes.
• Some metric and wide-base sizes use ETRTO (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation) values, marked with a double asterisk.
• The guide states that 825 kPa (120 psi) replaces 830 kPa in the TRA equivalency table. Older tables still show 830, so check the year of any table you cite.

The tables are for 65 mph operation unless marked otherwise. For higher or lower speed ratings, the guide includes separate load limits at various speeds, which should be checked before you choose a tire for a high-speed route.

Two worked examples

These examples use values printed in the guide’s table for 11R22.5 and 11R24.5 at 120 psi (830 kPa in the table; the 2026 guide uses 825/830 notation for this pressure). Check the table in your own copy before relying on them.

• 11R22.5, load range H, 120 psi: single 6,610 lbs (3,000 kg), dual 6,005 lbs (2,725 kg).
• 11R24.5, load range H, 120 psi: single 7,160 lbs (3,250 kg), dual 6,610 lbs (3,000 kg).

The difference between single and dual loads is the reason many fleets run wide-base tires on the drive axle: one wide-base tire can replace a dual set, but the load and pressure must be matched to the tire’s own table, not to the dual table.

What the table does not tell you

A load table gives the maximum load at a pressure. It does not tell you the correct pressure for the load you actually carry. Inflation should always be set against the real axle weight, the vehicle manufacturer’s guidance and the tire manufacturer’s table, not against the maximum rating. Continental’s guide and the TMC and FMCSA references it cites both point to the same practice: keep pressure at the level the load requires, and check it frequently with a calibrated gauge.

Load limits at other speeds

The tables assume 65 mph. The guide includes separate tables for speeds above and below that figure, and two conditions apply:

• For tires not rated at 75 mph, the guide lists the load and pressure changes needed at higher speeds. For metric and wide-base tires, the table gives a pressure increase of 5 psi and a load reduction of 12% in the 71 to 75 mph band.
• For tires rated at 75 mph, the guide lists how the load limit can increase at lower speeds. In the 41 to 50 mph band, for example, the table allows a 7% load increase for metric and wide-base tires and 9% for conventional tires, with no pressure change.

The point for a fleet is simple: speed changes the load a tire can carry, and the sidewall speed symbol sets the ceiling. A tire that is fine at 65 mph may be overloaded at a higher cruising speed unless its own table allows it.

The product families by route

This section walks through the main product families. Descriptions are based on Continental’s own product text. Comparisons with other brands are taken from the guide’s “Compares to” tables, which show Continental’s cross-reference and are not independent tests.

Long Haul

Conti EcoPlus HS3+ (steer). The guide describes this as a fuel-efficient steer with 19/32 tread depth, built on the 3G Casing and SmartWay verified. Continental states a 27% improvement in removal mileage with even wear over its predecessor, the HS3, and a 10% improvement in decoupler durability. Its features include a technologically advanced cap and base compound with improved cut and tear resistance, and an improved footprint shape for wear. Sizes include 285/75R24.5, 11R24.5, 295/75R22.5 and 11R22.5.

Conti EcoPlus HS3 (steer). A 15/32 steer with a low-rolling-resistance design, a reinforced belt package and pocket sipes for wet traction. It is positioned as the predecessor to HS3+.

Conti Coach HA3 (steer, coach). A fuel-efficient all-position coach tire with 17/32 tread depth. It is built for premium retreadability and carries the Intelligent Tire, with a sensor warranted for five years and a true casing temperature reading. It is listed as SmartWay verified.

Conti HSL 3 (steer). Continental describes this as a fuel-efficient super regional steer with a 20/32 tread, a reinforced belt package, and the 3G Casing. It sits in the Long Haul section of the overview table, so check whether your application is long haul or regional before choosing it.

Conti HDL 3 EP (drive). A mileage-balanced drive tire with 26/32 tread depth. The compound uses a silica-based system that Continental states gives up to 10% better rolling resistance than the HDL2+, and up to 15% better chip and cut resistance against the same comparison. It is built on the 3G Casing and SmartWay verified.

Conti HDL 3 LTL (drive). A fuel-efficient single-axle drive with 24/32 tread depth and 3D matrix sipes. The guide highlights resistance to irregular wear from high-torque single-drive positions, and lists 3PMSF and M+S designations for winter performance.

HDL2 Eco Plus (super single drive). A fuel-efficient super single drive with 27/32 tread depth. It is described as using a lower-weight super single construction with a closed shoulder and 3D center sipes.

HDL2+ Eco Plus (drive, car carrier). A drive tire for car carriers, with 24/32 tread depth, a closed shoulder and a patented groove technology that reduces stone retention.

HDL2 DL+ and HDL2 DL Eco Plus (deep lug drive). Deep lug drives with 32/32 tread depth, built on the 3G Casing. The Eco Plus version is described as having 33% less rolling resistance than the original HDL2 DL.

Conti EcoPlus HT3 (trailer). A fuel-efficient trailer tire, built on the 3G Casing and SmartWay verified, with sidewall protection against curbing, cuts and abrasions.

HTL1 (super single trailer). A super single trailer tire with 13/32 tread depth. The guide emphasizes the shoulder defense groove, which is designed to protect against rapid shoulder wear.

HTL2 Eco Plus (17.5” heavy haul trailer). A heavy-haul trailer tire for 17.5” applications, with a low-rolling-resistance compound and heavy ply construction.

Regional

Conti HSR 3 (all-position). A fuel-efficient all-position tire with 23/32 tread depth. It features an enhanced belt package, a zigzag center groove for traction and a pyramidal stone ejection system. It is built on the 3G Casing and is SmartWay verified.

Conti HSR2 (all-position). A regional all-position with 20 to 23/32 tread depth, a protective curb rib for high-scrub applications and patented groove technology against stone retention.

Conti HSR2 SA (all-position, buses and RVs). Designed for buses and larger recreational vehicles, with 18 to 19/32 tread depth and customized tread geometry for even wear and wet traction. It is SmartWay verified.

Conti HTR2 (all-position). A mileage-balanced all-position tire, available in 17.5”, with a precise balance of compound and tread geometry.

Conti HDR2+ (drive). A regional drive tire with 24 to 30/32 tread depth. It uses chambered tread blocks to withstand higher drive axle torque and is built on the 3G Casing.

Conti HDW2 (drive, all-season). An all-season drive tire designed for winter conditions from ice to deep snow, with more than 1,000 sipes and 3D technology. It carries 3PMSF and M+S designations and is built on the 3G Casing.

Conti Scandinavia HD3 (drive, all-season). An all-season drive tire with 27/32 tread depth in the 22.5” and 24.5” sizes, and a 19.5” version. The guide describes deep tread, low void design, heavy siping and an open shoulder for snow traction.

Conti HDR (drive). A fuel-efficient drive tire with multi-service compound for local and long-haul use, offset center blocks for all-weather traction and tapered grooves to reduce stone retention. It is SmartWay verified.

Conti Hybrid HT3 (trailer, spread axle). A regional trailer for spread-axle applications, with an advanced tread compound for high-scrub work and low rolling resistance. Continental states it performs better than HSR2 in spread-axle trailer applications, but notes that this is based on projected calculations. Treat that claim as a projection until you see test data.

19.5” products. Continental’s 19.5” line includes Conti HSR 5 (steer), Conti Hybrid HS3 (all-position), Conti HDR 5 (drive), Conti Hybrid HD3 (drive) and Conti Hybrid HT3 (trailer). These are for buses, medium-duty trucks and regional work with 19.5” rims.

Conti LAR 3 (16” all-position). A 10-ply light-truck all-steel casing for 16” applications, designed for durability, puncture resistance and retreadability.

LSR1 (17.5” all-position). A multi-rib 17.5” all-position tire with wet traction, lateral stability and reduced noise.

Urban

Conti Urban HA3 (all-position). A city tire with 23/32 tread depth. It has increased sidewall gauge for resistance against curbing, cuts and abrasions.

Conti HAU 5 (all-position, metro service). A 24/32 urban tire that the guide lists as EV compatible. It is designed for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles, and includes sidewall wear indicators that show when the tire should come off service.

Conti HAU 3 WT (urban, wide-base). A 26/32 wide-base urban tire for city work. Check the product page for the exact sizes and rim approvals before ordering.

Construction

Conti HSC 3 (steer and all-position). A construction steer with 24/32 tread depth, the 3G Casing and an Intelligent Tire option. The guide claims up to 10% cut and chip improvement while keeping mileage.

Conti HAC 3 (all-position). A construction all-position with a four-belt package that resists impacts and penetrations. It is available in the Intelligent version.

Conti HDC 3 (drive). A construction drive with 30/32 tread depth for vocational work.

Conti HDC1 HT (drive). A 32/32 construction drive with high tread depth for cut and chip resistance.

Off-Road

HCS (severe service, all-position). The guide describes this as a severe service all-position with extreme cut and tear resistance, a most-durable casing design and outstanding traction in harsh terrain. The guide states that the HCS is not for highway use.

Conti Terra HD3 (19.5”). An off-road 19.5” tire for mining, quarry and construction vocations.

The 3G Casing: a platform for retreading

The 3G Casing is the most important structural idea in the range. Continental says it is designed for consistent retreading at 240 mm and 245 mm widths when you buy a new steer, drive or trailer tire built on it.

The practical benefits, as the guide describes them:

• Uniform tread widths make casing management simpler. Matching mounted tires is easier when tread widths are consistent across the fleet.
• Standardized retreading lets fleets use the same retread widths across positions, which reduces the number of casing types to track.
• Tighter belt angles, improved bead design and enhanced penetration resistance are presented as improvements for retreadability.
• Heat reduction and deflection are claimed to lower rolling resistance and improve fuel economy.

The guide lists 3G Casing products across long haul, regional, urban and construction, including HDL 3 LTL, HDW2, EcoPlus HS3+, HDL 3 EP, Scandinavia HD3, HSL 3, HDL2 DL+, HDC 3, HSR 3, HDL2 DL Eco Plus, HDC1 HT, HSC 3, HDR2+ and EcoPlus HT3.

For a fleet that retreads, the question is not only whether the new tire lasts, but whether the casing can be retreaded more than once and whether the retread partner supports the same width. The 3G Casing is designed to answer both. Confirm the retread program with an authorized retreader before you commit to a casing plan.

The Intelligent Tire and digital monitoring

Intelligent Tire

The Intelligent Tire carries a TPMS sensor on the inner liner. The guide lists four features:

• The sensor provides accurate, real-time tire pressure and temperature readings.
• It is warranted for 5 years to reduce disruption.
• It reports the true casing temperature, which supports preventive action.
• Mounting on the inner liner avoids valve damage and air leaks.

Continental offers the Intelligent Tire as a standard or intelligent article. The choice affects the monitoring plan, the sensor replacement cycle and the total cost per mile. Build that cost into your analysis rather than treating it as a free add-on.

The digital solutions

The guide describes a set of digital services built around the sensors:

• ContiConnect Pro: precise pressure and casing temperature readings, with in-app push notifications. Available only through the ContiConnect mobile app.
• ContiConnect Lite: daily tire monitoring alerts even when not connected to a power unit, with GPS location.
• ContiConnect LIVE (truck + trailer, truck or bus): real-time alerts for slow and fast leaks, over and under inflation, rapid pressure loss, temperature and mileage. Access is through a web portal and mobile app, with a receiver in the cab.
• ContiConnect LIVE Trailer: tire monitoring for trailers, including when they are disconnected from a power unit, with GPS location and daily notifications.
• ContiConnect Yard: monitoring for fleets that return to a fixed location. A Yard Reader can be fixed or mounted on a service truck, and gives real-time alerts when a vehicle comes within range.

The guide notes that the Yard and LIVE systems support telematics integration, including with Samsara Smart Trailer.

Why the numbers matter, and what to check

The guide cites several industry figures to justify monitoring. They are useful, but you should check the original source before quoting them:

• The guide states that a 10% drop in tire pressure can reduce tread life by 15% and casing life by 20%, citing the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Tire & Wheel Study Group.
• It states that 85% of tire failures start as a slow leak, citing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
• It states that tire problems cause nearly half of all roadside breakdowns, also citing the FMCSA.
• It states that improper inflation, defined as little as 10 psi low, reduces fuel economy by about 1%, and adds about $1,000 a year in tire-related cost per tractor-trailer combination, citing TMC’s S.2 study.

[VERIFY: confirm each figure against the TMC and FMCSA publications before publishing. The guide’s figures are not reproduced here as independent findings.]

A monitoring system does not replace a regular inspection. It shortens the time between a leak starting and someone reacting to it. Whether that is worth the cost depends on your route, your tire count and your current breakdown record.

Services that come with the tire

Continental’s service network is part of the product offer:

• Conti360° Fleet Portal: a platform for financial controls (approve or reject receipts before invoicing, track credits and disputes, pay invoices securely), price look-up for tires and retreads, ContiConnect data, TrukFix service access, custom reports on purchases, wear, breakdowns, service history and retread tracking, and a dealer locator.
• ContiLink: a dealer platform for ordering, claims (warranty, shipping, sales tax, advertising and waste fee claims), invoices and marketing material.
• TrukFix: a 24/7 emergency roadside service for national account customers. The guide states there is no enrollment fee and that customers pay only for active services, with access to more than 6,500 locations. Customers who do not already have a Continental national account must be set up for one before they can use TrukFix.

For a fleet, these services can change the purchase decision. A lower tire price may not be the lowest cost if the service network does not fit your routes. Ask for the service coverage map and the response-time commitments in writing.

A worked comparison on the same route

Comparing two products from the same family is the fastest way to see what the data page is telling you. Take the two Long Haul steer tires, the EcoPlus HS3+ and the EcoPlus HS3.

Three things stand out.

First, the deeper tread on the HS3+ (19/32 against 15/32) gives more wear to work with, and Continental attributes the mileage gain mainly to the compound and footprint, not to tread depth alone. Second, the 3G Casing listing matters if you retread: the HS3+ is in the 3G family, while the HS3 is not in the guide’s 3G product list, so the retread plan for the two tires may differ. Third, both are listed as SmartWay verified, so the fuel-efficiency case does not separate them on that criterion.

The percentage gain is Continental’s own claim, measured against its predecessor. It is not a like-for-like comparison with other brands, and it does not tell you what your trucks will achieve on your routes. The right test is a fleet trial with tracked removal mileage, cost per mile and irregular wear.

A similar comparison can be made on the drive axle: the HDL 3 EP (26/32 tread, 3G Casing, SmartWay verified) against the HDL2+ Eco Plus (24/32 tread, car carrier drive). The guide says the HDL 3 EP achieves up to 10% better rolling resistance than the HDL2+, but the two are positioned for different vocations, so check the recommended vehicle types before comparing.

Matching tires to vocations

The guide includes a chart that links vocations to suggested products by position. It is useful for a first shortlist, but the guide itself warns that the tires shown are primary suggestions and not a complete portfolio. Examples:

• Car carriers: steer EcoPlus HS3+; drive HDL2+ Eco Plus, HDL 3 LTL, HDR; trailer Conti Hybrid HT3, HSR2 SA.
• Refrigerated trucks: steer EcoPlus HS3+, HSL 3, HSR2, HSR 3; drive HDL2 DL+, HDL2 DL Eco Plus, HDL2 Eco Plus, HDW2; trailer EcoPlus HT3, Hybrid HT3.
• Tankers and liquid bulk haulers: steer EcoPlus HS3+, HSL 3, HSR2, HSR 3; drive HDL2 Eco Plus, HDL2 DL+, HDR2+, HDW2, HDL 3 EP; trailer HSR2, EcoPlus HT3, HTL1, Hybrid HT3.
• School buses: steer HSR2 and HSR 3; drive HDR2+ and HDW2.
• City buses: Conti Urban HA3 and HAU 5 for steer and drive.
• Construction material transport: steer HSR2, HSR 3, HSC 3, HAC 3, HTR2; drive HDC 3 and HSC 3; trailer HSR2, HSR 3, HSC 3, Hybrid HT3.
• Mining and quarry: steer HCS, HSC 3, HAC 3; drive HDC 3, HDC1 HT, HCS, Terra HD3 (19.5”); trailer HAC 3, HSC 3, HSR2, HSR 3, Hybrid HT3.

Use the chart to build a shortlist, then check the data page for the exact size, load and rim approval for your axle.

How to choose: a step-by-step method

1. Identify the route. Long haul, regional, urban, construction or off-road. The route determines tread depth, casing and compound priorities.
2. Identify the axle position. Steer, drive or trailer. Each position has different wear patterns and load demands.
3. Confirm the size and load range. Check your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended size and load index. The replacement tire must meet or exceed that rating.
4. Check the load at your operating pressure. Look up the load table for the size and read the maximum load at the pressure you will run. Remember the TRA and ETRTO convention and the 825/830 kPa note.
5. Check the rim approval and dual spacing. A tire is only as good as its rim. Confirm the approved rim and minimum dual spacing before ordering.
6. Decide on the casing plan. If you retread, check the 3G Casing options and the retread partner’s support for matching widths.
7. Decide on monitoring. Choose the Intelligent or standard article, and cost the sensor and portal over the life of the tire.
8. Check the services. Confirm TrukFix coverage, dealer network and portal access for your routes.
9. Check the certifications you need. SmartWay status, winter markings (3PMSF, M+S) and EV compatibility should match your operation and your customers’ requirements.

Where the range is heading

The guide does not state a strategy in so many words. The following is an analysis based on what the 2026 catalog shows. It is marked as an analyst’s reading, not a company statement.

• Route-based organization suggests that Continental wants buyers to start from the job, not from a tire number. That reduces the chance of buying a tire for the wrong route.
• The 3G Casing appears on most of the range, across long haul, regional, urban and construction. A platform casing across positions suggests a focus on retreading economics and casing management.
• EV compatibility is marked on the Urban HAU 5 and several other products. This points to electric buses and urban delivery as a growing part of the business. [VERIFY: check the EV-compatible list against the full catalog.]
• Digital monitoring now appears across tires, trailers, yards and portals. The Intelligent Tire, the warranted sensor and the ContiConnect family show that Continental is selling monitoring as part of the tire, not as a separate product.
• SmartWay verification is listed on many long haul and regional products, and the guide notes that the EPA’s verification depends on correct axle position use, fitment on all positions, and proper inflation. This is a sign that fuel efficiency is a central claim.

Safety notes from the guide

The guide’s safety section is short and direct. Three points belong in any fleet procedure:

• Mounting is dangerous. Continental warns that a tire and rim assembly can explode if mounted improperly, and that only specially trained people should mount tires. Use a safety cage and a clip-on extension hose.
• Never inflate beyond 40 psi to seat the beads. If both beads are not seated at 40 psi, deflate the assembly, reposition the tire and try again. Pressure can be raised above 40 psi only after the beads are fully seated.
• Stay out of the trajectory. A tire blow-out or side ring separation can release enough energy to cause serious injury or death. Deflate tires before handling, and inflate only in a safety cage.

The guide also notes that excessive speed on an unloaded tire can cause it to explode from centrifugal force. These warnings are not optional extras. They belong in every shop procedure that handles truck tires.

Common mistakes when reading the guide

Most purchasing errors come from a few habits, not from the data itself. These are the ones to watch for.

Comparing tread depth alone. A 32/32 deep lug and a 24/32 drive can both be right for the job. Tread depth is a design choice that trades wear life against other factors such as weight, rolling resistance and heat. Compare products on route, position and load first, then on tread.

Using the single load for dual sets, or the reverse. The single and dual columns answer different questions. A dual set on a drive axle is limited by the dual figure at the operating pressure. A single or wide-base tire is limited by its single figure. Mixing them up is one of the most common ways to overload a tire without noticing.

Ignoring the rim footnote. The rim listed first is the measuring rim. Some sizes are approved on more than one rim width, and a tire on the wrong rim can carry a different load limit or fail to meet the approval. Check the approved rim list before you order.

Setting pressure from the maximum rating. The load table gives the maximum load each pressure supports. It does not tell you the pressure your axle should run. Set pressure from the real axle weight and the table, and check it with a calibrated gauge.

Assuming the same tire number means the same product everywhere. Product names, sizes and availability vary by market. A tire sold under a given name in one country may have a different load index or approval in another. Confirm the exact specification with the local distributor.

Forgetting the total cost of the services. A tire with an intelligent sensor, a monitoring subscription and a roadside program has a different cost structure from a standard tire. Build the full cost per mile, including sensors and service fees, before comparing prices.

FAQ

Is the 2026 guide for every country? No. The guide is published by Continental Tire the Americas, LLC and describes products for the American market. Check the local range and specifications in your own country.

Does a deeper tread always mean more mileage? No. Tread depth gives more wear life to work with, but mileage also depends on compound, load, pressure, route and maintenance. Compare products on the same route and position.

Can I use a steer tire on a trailer axle? The guide states that steer-axle tires are suitable for trailing axles on many trucks, and for all-position use where traction is not the main concern. Check the recommended position on the data page before deciding.

What does the minimum dual spacing mean? It is the minimum distance between the centre lines of dual tires, calculated without chains. Use the figure to confirm that the tires will fit your axle. Adjust it if you run a different rim width.

Why are there two load tables for some sizes? The guide uses TRA values for most sizes and ETRTO values for some metric sizes. Check which convention applies to your size before comparing loads across brands.

What is the Intelligent Tire worth? That depends on your monitoring plan, the number of tires you run, your breakdown record and the sensor cost over the tire’s life. The guide does not give a cost figure, so build the calculation from your own data.

Is TrukFix available to any fleet? The guide says customers must hold an active Continental National Account, or be set up for one, before they can use TrukFix.

Sources and notes

• Continental Truck, Bus & Trailer Tires, 2026 Product Data Guide (Continental Tire the Americas, LLC, 01/2026). Used for the product overview, product data pages, route classification, 3G Casing, Intelligent Tire, digital solutions, services and vocation chart.
• The TMC and FMCSA figures cited in the guide are listed for reference. They must be checked against the original publications before publication.
• Comparisons with Michelin, Bridgestone and Goodyear products come from Continental’s own “Compares to” tables. They are cross-references, not independent tests.