Big_Sam

I agree that driver skill is of equal importance to the tyres. An example was a friend who I recommend to fit winter tyres on his people carrier as he was getting stuck in his driveway - once he had them one he stared driving around like normal with no regard for the conditions becuase of having more grip - not perhaps the safest thing to do. When I was learning to drive I was fourtunate to have an ex-rally driver as my instructor who insisted that I learn to drive on snow and ice and we spent many hours doing country driving and using a skid pan in the snow. Since then I have always done as much winter driving as possible to get more experiance and it is now my favourite driving conditions. Winter tyres are amazing when used correctly and with the right experience. Last winter I crossed the Scottish highlands every weekend over the hill and often had to drive on solid snow. On clear roads 50+mph is quite normal. Around town I went past many 4x4 who were stuck on icy hills and never got stuck once in the whole winter in my 2wd drive volvo estate. For me, the best thing about winter tyres is being able to control direction and stop quickly. My mum didn't belive me that we could stop quickly in snow until I proved it and threw everyone into the seatbelts. Got my set of Goodyear Ultragrip8 ready to go on the Fabia.

One of the factors that affects oil level is the water content. If you engine had been standing overnight and it is chilly, then there will be water in the oil in the morning so it will read higher than the actual oil amount. Once it is up to heat, switch off and let it drain for a few minutes then dip it and you will get a more accurate reading. That is why the manual says to do it when warm. It is the same with brake fluid, that is why you change it often, even though it is still full.

I had the same problem so I went to my Skoda dealer and they sold me a pair for £21. Worth a try sometimes

In the summer I fitted a full set of Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response and they are proving to be very good. Good grip in the wet and superb in the dry. They did well in the German tyre test so I got them, and I am very pleased. Just off to order some Goodyear Ultragrip 8's for the winter, don't want to get caught in the rush this year.

Indeed I agree, they are totally awful. Should be banned.

Winter tyres are superb, but you still need to know how to drive properly. I saw an example last year of someone I recommended winter tyres to after they got stuck in their driveway fitted a set then once they realised how much more grip they had started driving around everywhere like normal without making provisions for the conditions. Winter tyres give you lots more grip, but you still have to drive properly. When I was taking driving lessons my instructor (ex rally driver) used to take me out in the snow to teach me how to control the car, we went to a big flat concrete park in an industrial estate that was used for HGV tests and spent hours sliding the car around until I could control and catch skids. I think that snow driving should be a mandatory part of learning to drive.

About a month ago I bought a 2007 Fabia 2 which has the projector headlights. How can anyone think this is progress? I have seen brighter headlights on bicycles than these! I cannot belive that they cut off the light to dim them, it is so backwards. I had been driving a 1997 Volvo V70 prior to the Fabia which also used the H7 bulb, but had a seperate bulb for both the dip and full beam, and this was a much better arrangement. What I want to do is rip out these useless headlights and install the normal H4 ones that the cheaper models come with, as I know for a fact the the H4 is a better arrangement (had this on a fiesta). Does anyone know how much rewiring I will have to do? I have upgraded the bulbs to Philips Extreme which helps a little, but they are still awful. Cheers!

Mine had quite a big pull to the left when I got it, so I got the tracking fixed and now the it only pulls to the left very slightly, but it is still quite badly affected by road camber. But then I am comparing it to a 13 year old Volvo turbo which required muscles like Popeye to turn the steering wheel......

Well I was going on 2 x (195x0.55 - 185x0.60) = 7.5mm increase in diameter, Cheers

Thanks, yes I suppose that is only the difference between a worn set of tyres and a fresh set.

Hi folks! With winter just around the corner I am looking to start pricing my winter tyres, I always get a set for what every car I have as they are awesome on the snow and ice. My fabia has 195/55 R15 summer tyres on it, and I am looking to fit 185 /60 R15 winter tyres as this is the european standard size and thus the tyres are abotu 40% cheaper than the other size. Has anyone fitted this size? It is about 7mm bigger in diameter, which I don't think will make much different to anything. Thanks!