John and Sally

This topic has been covered before and I agree with most respondents when they say "just take the 80Km/PH off". The best answer I have had is from my local tyre dealer who says, that in the event of a roadside tyre change you are unlikely to have a torque wrench to get to 140Nm. Hence the restriction. I now have 2 Fabias, 1 2010 and 1 2013. Both have 205/45/16s on alloys and 195/55/15 for the winter - which is the same as the full size steel spare.

I have seen a couple of issues posted about winter tyres and insurers. Our Fabia Elegance 1.6TDi Estate (2010) came with 205/55 R16s on alloys. For winter use Skoda recommend switching to 195 (or even 185) 55 R15s on steel rims. I bought Contis on-line and the genuine wheels from a Skoda dealer. When I informed the insurance company they refused to let the change go ahead. They say that any move away from the originally supplied kit is a modification, even though the SE version of this car comes with 195/55 R15s on steel wheels as standard and approved by Skoda not by the level of trim but by the suitability to the vehicle itself. Up-shot, had to cancel with Quote me Happy and re-insure elsewhere. After some wrangling have got a full refund of unused cover and waiver of cancellation fee. No other insurance company seems to be taking this stance.