Hi

I have got Toyo T1R 205 50 R17 tyres fitted all round on my octy vrs and the fronts are well ready for replacement. I have read lots of posts saying go for 225 45 R17 as they are a lot cheaper.

A few questions though

Can I replace 2 now and the other 2 and the spare later?

Would the new ones need to go on the front, back or does it not matter?

Is it something that my insurance company will be interested in as they are not std anymore?

If I need to use the spare which is a 205 50 R17 to replace one of the new 225 45 R17 is it dangerous?

Thanks

Hi

I have got Toyo T1R 205 50 R17 tyres fitted all round on my octy vrs and the fronts are well ready for replacement. I have read lots of posts saying go for 225 45 R17 as they are a lot cheaper.

A few questions though

Can I replace 2 now and the other 2 and the spare later?

Would the new ones need to go on the front, back or does it not matter?

Is it something that my insurance company will be interested in as they are not std anymore?

If I need to use the spare which is a 205 50 R17 to replace one of the new 225 45 R17 is it dangerous?

Thanks

Around £15-20 per tyre cheaper

Your best to replace back 1st so you the newer tyres on the back and old tyres on the front.

Insurance should be fine(but don't quote me in this)

Leave the spare as it is and it will be fine.

This is the one time I would put the new tyres on the rear regardless.

If you run different diameter tyres front to back you will more than likely upset the (ASR) traction control system and it will be cutting in all the time.

Different tyre sizes will invalidate insurance, It would need to be declared as a change. This info came from a mate at a tyre fitter last time I asked him.

Different tyre sizes will invalidate insurance, It would need to be declared as a change. This info came from a mate at a tyre fitter last time I asked him.

Nobody would know really, at different times in the VRs's life it has been supplied new with 225/45 tyres from the factory when 205/50s are in short supply. I ran 225/45s on my old one with no problems whatsoever in the 4 years the car was in the familly.

afaik you have to put wider tyres on the back for MOT reasons, but dont hold me to this

@ #4 - Wrong. 205/50 and 225/45 are the same overall diameter (to within 3 mm or 0.47%)

@ #5 - Wrong. After 30+ years in insurance there is no requirement to notify of change of tyres. Wheels yes, tyre, no

@ #7 - Wrong. Tyres must be the same size on the same "axle" No requirement for same sizes all round.

How much percentage difference in tyre diameters can VAG traction systems compensate for?

The reason being a member on seatcupra had different size tyres fitted between front and back, (3% or 19.5mm) and his traction control system kept playing up.

See: http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=53565

Also it is worth bearing in mind that if the 205/50R17's were worn to to near the wear indicators and the 225/45R17's were brand new the percentage difference in diameters has just jumped from 0.47% to 1.6%, does this still stay within the VAG traction control systems tolerance?

I suppose there is only one way to find out.

Thanks for replies

I can save £25 a tyre at camskill (£66 for 225/45, £91 for 205/50) so very tempted.

What's the effect on mpg - looking to save money main reason to change for me, but will they cost me more in petrol over the life of the tyre?

According to trip computer typically get 32 to 33 mpg average over 2000 miles

The MPG effect will not be measurable.

Get the wider tyres and put the savings towards something else for your home or car.

@ #4 - Wrong. 205/50 and 225/45 are the same overall diameter (to within 3 mm or 0.47%)

@ #5 - Wrong. After 30+ years in insurance there is no requirement to notify of change of tyres. Wheels yes, tyre, no

@ #7 - Wrong. Tyres must be the same size on the same "axle" No requirement for same sizes all round.

I was going to say that as long as they are matched pairs, there shouldn't be any problems.

...and it makes no difference to traction control - I've been running this set up for three months now and my traction control works fine!