Summerhillred

Have you hit a pothole at all? I hit a pothole and all those warnings came up but they did go off a wee while after. Turns out my alloy was badly dented on inner rim. Might not be the same thing but worth considering.

It's supposed to be designed to fit inside the spare wheel but it wouldn't have gone inside a skinny space saver. I don't want to trim it unless I make a mess of it and can't take it back. They have a 16" toolkit in stock so I'll try that first. This will do for the meantime.

naster, it has gone in but only just. No need for cutting the trim. Pity the Skoda tool kit doesn't fit even though it's supposed to be for an 18" wheel.

And there we have it. A full size 18" alloy with 235/45/18 tyre and no cutting of trim to be done. Yes it sits a few cm above the level of the boot floor but that's easily remedied with some foam or the like. What I can't understand though is that the 18" tool kit from Skoda doesn't fit flush inside the wheel. Never mind, I've got a spare scissor jack that can sit inside the wheel. Job done although it is a shame to lose the storage that was in the foam insert.

Naster, for me it's not just to get to the nearest tyre shop. I'm a self employed taxi driver and if I'm on a fare and have to put on a space saver then my fare terminates there and then. I also can't continue working at all until I have the tyre is repaired. And there's a good chance that my tyre would have to be ordered which means I can't work until the tyre arrives. All this time I'm losing money. Not only that, I tow a caravan and don't want to be towing it with a poxy space saver on my car if I was to have a blow out. I wasn't keen on cutting the trim but I've come round to the fact that I'll get a full size alloy in there and no one but me will know or see that the trim has been cut. If I come to sell the car then I'll explain why I did it and the new owner would have the choice of leaving it as it is or sourcing a new trim from a breaker or whatever.

Naster, you wouldn't bother doing what?

ApertureS, I appreciate the explanation but my point is that you don't necessarily have to have a diagnostic tool to do the job. It can still be done the manual way if someone so wished or couldn't afford a diagnostic tool

MartiniB, my apologies but firstly I haven't a clue to what all those figures mean. Secondly, that doesn't look like a full size 18" alloy and tyre in your picture

Yes. Did it exactly the same way on 2 Skodas and 2 Mondeos and never had a problem. As I said, until I encounter a problem then I'll carry on doing it that way. Choose to believe me or not, but unless you've tried it yourself, don't consider it to be impossible due to hearsay. What exactly do you think the EPB does when it's engaged and disengaged? It obviously winds the piston back and forth. Winding them back by a diagnostic tool is obviously done for ease and quickness of time.

Dat, nicknorman, of course it's possible. I've done it and on more than one occasion. Releasing the epb before you start the job means you can push the piston back no problem. Don't listen to what you hear. Unless these people have actually tried it for themselves then they don't know what they're talking about. And I mean that with all due respect.

MartiniB, I did think of putting a 17" wheel in there but I didn't know what tyre to get and no one I spoke to knew either. If I can get my 18" in there which I should then I'll be happy. Failing that, I might opt for the 17" but that would mean selling the 18" tool kit and buying the 17" one

Macsamillion, no need to purchase anything. Do it manually

Carlston, apologies. I thought it was you who put a full size 19" in the space. Either way, if his fitted then mine should fit

Carlston, my alloys are 18" with a 235/45/18 tyre so should fit once I've trimmed the plastic trim like you did.

Carlston, I've just bought the 18" spare wheel toolkit so looks like I'm going down your route 😬

Crasher, how do you know which is which? I've only ever wound them back and never had an issue. I'll never personally use a diagnostic tool again to wind them back. Not after what happened with my Mondeo.

numskull, it's not booloks at all. You don't need a diagnostic tool. I've done a few rear brake changes on cars with epb and have always just wound the piston back. Never had a problem. Until I do then I'll keep doing it the manual way

Ah OK. Thanks very much. Not keen on cutting anything but if it means I get a full size spare then I might. Cheers

Carlston, you talk about the inflated width of a full size spare wouldn't fit. Is it not possible to deflate the tyre slightly so it fits and then reinstate when the spare is needed?

JR RS, How did you manage to fit a 19" alloy in there? I've tried fitting a 5th 18" alloy in mine and it doesn't fit. Too wide to fit in the space. Cheers

@Nimby. I've done it both ways. I've wound it back with the caliper tool thing (not sure of technical name) and I've also just pushed it back with a g-clamp. Never had a problem either way. I may consider disconnecting the battery in future though. I agree that changing pads/discs should be easier for the owner instead of forking out possible £100s to a garage

Paws4Thot, aren't you supposed to indicate for every lane change 😜

ApertureS, I would have to disagree there. I've changed 3 sets of rear pads on Superbs with electronic parking brakes. Each time I've disengaged the parking brake, switched ignition off and wound the piston back, replace pads, engage handbrake. Never had a problem with the piston returning to its proper place or piston popping out. There is of course the other method of removing the electric motor and then pushing the piston

The door lights and boot (trunk) lights can be swapped over LEDs. They are plug and play. I don't know about the AC but would imagine it would be a big and expensive undertaking

I agree with ApertureS with regards to the Brembo pads. I fitted them on my Sportline and they were crap. Had the same issue as you. Swapped them for Apex not long after. Apex were cheaper but they were a lot better than the Brembo.