Smileyman

I'm running original VW 185/60/R15 alloys purchased second hand from a Skoda dealer, fitted with CrossClimate tyres. I wanted these tyres and they are not available for either the 16" or 17" size wheels. The tyre pressure plate covers this size wheel, they are a standard fit on lower spec cars (and the factory supplied spare is this size so there were no concerns "will it fit"). Tyres were considerably cheaper than the larger sizes. Ride is nicer, and fuel economy does not seem to suffer. Note the speedo will be marginally out, less than 1% so nothing to worry about unless you drive to the wire and play chicken with speed cameras.

The spare tyre that came with the car is 15" - and some cars were supplied with 15" tyres so I knew fitting would not be a problem - I purchased a set of this size alloys (genuine almost new found on ebay from an accredited Skoda dealer) and fitted CrossClimate tyres. The ride, noise and fuel economy are better, and these tyres offer the added benefit of winter capacity when / if it snows (not often in Kent)

won't give this any credit unless I know more about the brand of tyre used .. not all tyres are the same, be it summer. winter. all season etc.

I purchased replacement alloys 185/60/15 ... same size as the spare .. and fitted Michelin CrossClimate tyres, ride is much better, less noisy, more comfortable. This is a win-win situation, I didn't experience any snow last year but this winter is looking different. Tyres are much cheaper too ... gives rise to the question why the 17" were ever fitted in the first place ...

Engines are supposed to prefer frequent oil changes, I've kept to the 9,000 mile routine in preference to the long life oil option, I suppose only time will tell whether it was worthwhile or not.

Yes, I have had this problem. Simple solution, replace the battery!. Do it soon, before the battery dies. It's quick and easy, I searched online and found a video on how to open the key fob, batteries are freely available on the high street. From your comment I'd suggest buying new batteries as a first step, probably best to avoid the dead cheap batteries, they are cheap for a reason!

I've only had that problem after opening the driver's door, my guess is there is a sensor thinking the driver was about to get out.

Must admit, apart from the fact that it needs pushing to keep up on long fast inclines I have not experienced any problems - now am achieving around 50 mpg brim to brim. I do find myself in 3rd more than previous car, it's not unpleasant and overall the car meets my needs. True, the 16" and 17" tyre sizes are both rather silly, there are not many tyres to fit and those that are very expensive to purchase. Come October / November I will put the 15" wheels back on, with CrossClimate tyres, this wheel size is much more sensible with better range and prices for tyres. Over 40k miles on the factory fit Bridgestone tyres can't complain about that!

I drive a SEAT Toledo (Rapid clone) that came with 17" wheels. Come last winter I wanted something more winter friendly, luckily the car came with a 15" factory spare - 185/60 R15 is the size. I purchased a set of 4 alloys found on an auction site from an authorised dealer (priced realistically) and fitted CrossClimate tyres. I would suggest you research this size, there is a wide choice of tyres at realistic prices. Of course you will need to find the wheels, it's a challange but given time something will become available! The Rapid / Toledo also comes with a 16" size wheel too!

I would widen your search to include VW discussion forums for these engines. There are known issues with some of the first 1.4 engines, and developing issues being reported for the 1.5 engines. I'm not aware of reports of issues with the 1.2 or 1.0 engines.

You'll find a much wider selection of tyres and at a cheaper price for the 185/60R15 size ... you know they will fit because the factory supplied spare is this size ... this includes tyres like the CrossClimate which are not manufactured in the 16" or 17" sizes shown in the chart above.

These might help .. give information about sizes that fit cars, and impact on speedo. I would also check the manufacturer's website, look at other size wheels fitted across the model range. If your car has a spare, consider that size too. Just one word of warning, if the brake callipers vary in size across the model range make sure the wheels your select are not too small (sorry, it's not an easy one for me to advise, but I do know may be relevant consideration) https://www.willtheyfit.com// https://www.wheelfitment.eu/car.html https://www.wheel-size.com/size/ research the tyres here ... http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/

I was wrong, the rear lights are illuminated with the front day running lights .. checked over the weekend!

Neither- I have no association with the motor industry and would never do anything as nasty as report anyone - it's just a friendly "heads up alert" that you have discussed this matter in a public place and need to be aware that it is in the public domain for anyone to read ...

Just be mindful, any matter discussed openly on an open discussion forum (such as this) is open for all to see. This includes any dealers / manufacturers as well as other owners driving the same / similar products.

On my Toledo the rear lights are not illuminated - note I have not used Carista to make any software changes) .. and when I go under a bridge / tunnel / trees the interior panel lights dim too, which is good as it makes sure I don't drive under day running lights in poor light (all cars with DLR's should do the same) also, the parking sensors often kick in when in traffic, for instance when joining a queue at traffic lights - or if a pedestrian walks very close past the car! I still miss the reversing camera I had on my previous car, as I purchased a pre-packaged car at the sensible price I was unable to add the reversing camera or winter pack as options. I have found garages that could fit these for me, but at a high cost that I am not prepared to pay!

it's a car not an investment ,,, I intend to run my car for many years so not interested in resale vale ... more concerned about long term reliability!

I presume when you say "open" you mean "switched on" and heated mirror you mean rear window (or door mirrors?) ... you can't the system automatically switches off after a few minutes

I would not hesitate to recommend the Toledo / Rapid to anyone, OK some make comments about ride or handling or other matters but for normal driving the car is good, However I have noticed much better ride since switching to 15" wheels with CrossClimate tyres than OEM 17" Bridgestone Potenza tyres and the aesthetics really do not suffer. (manufacturer spare size 185-60-15 so certain to fit)

I'm running a 1.0 petrol engine, keeping a log of fuel use since purchase. Now have driven 30k miles, MPG log is showing 47.3 overall since purchase, recent averages have been closer to 50 ... 500+ miles per tank is easy to achieve.

When I start up the car I turn the temperature to high and fan off. Also set the display to monitor engine temperature - as soon as the engine has started to warm up I slowly increase fan speed to max, once the car is warm I reduce fan speed to 2 and reduce heating to 22 (or 21.5). Don't use aircon in winter, except for occasional short "maintenance" runs for just a few minutes - usually with the windows open. I am not impressed with the way the climate control works, on my previous car the fan only started to blow air once the engine had some warmth, in this car the fan immediately blows even if the engine is cold creating a cold draft across my legs!

It depends what you want to achieve see links below and test out your options. Note fitting a different size wheel or tyre will make the speedo inaccurate, in some cases not by much in others more. I've just changed from 215/40/17 to 185/60/15 (the size of the spare that came with the car) and am now using CrossClimate tyres instead of the factory supplied Bridgestone. It's too soon for me to test the MPG (OBC is showing an improved MPG) but the ride is smoother and less noisy whilst I've not noticed any change in handling. So I'm ready for winter when (if) it comes, the original alloys with part worn tyres are in my garage ready for swap back until the tyres are worn out / next winter. Note I'm running the Toledo spec version of the car but mechanicals are identical. https://www.willtheyfit.com// https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/rapid/2017/

will be pleased to know how the fuel consumption compares with your previous tyres ....

Hired a car is Iceland at the end of October, it had studded tyres, constant clickity clack sound from the studs on the tarmac ... didn't seem to damage the tarmac either, Temps were 7c and raining on day I returned the car. Studded tyres compulsory after 1st November. Plenty of Skoda cars there too. As stated above, studs are illegal on public roads in UK at all times.

I saw the Bridgestone voucher on the Kwik Fit website for online purchases only ... but it does not look generous. Anyway, as much as I like the prospect of these tyres Kwik Fit are not advertising them on their website size 185/60/15 ... nor for that matter the Michelin CrossClimate either. Which is a pity as Kwik Fit do have a winter kit offer for Michelin tyres. Indeed one of the best offer I've seen for this tyre size is with ATS, Amazon Echo device and heavily discounted price, with a further discount if fitted on a Saturday afternoon. Seems to be online purchase required.