I've got an 05 reg Octavia 2 4x4 that's likely to be replaced by a Scout (post-Face Lift) this summer. I have a set of steel rims fitted with Vredestein Snowtrac 2 tyres - brilliant in this weather. The question is will these wheels fit the Scout? The 4x4 is fitted with R15 205 60, whereas the Scout has R17 225 50. The steel rims are Skoda originals.

Are the tyres the same diameter overall, or will the speedo need adjusting?

Are the brakes the same size? i.e. will the fit inside the rims? Knowing what size spare the Scout comes with would answer this one.

Anything else I should know?

Hi Splat

See my comments on this thread http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/148533-vrs-tdi-snow-tyres/page__view__findpost__p__1854629

You will need 16" steel wheels with stud size of 112. I don't think the 15" will fit over the discs.

If it has 288mm discs, then yeas the 15" wheels should fit (just) if it has 312mm brakes, then you will need 16" wheels.

Skoda only approved 205/55/R16 and 225/50/R17 for winter tyres (Load indicator 98) on the Octavia Scout. Only the R16 is allowed for snow chains, chains on the R17 will hit the suspension.

Only a certain R16 will accept chains (the 6J version) as even on the 6.5J version chains may foul the suspension and brake pipes.

Standard on the car are 6.5J IIRC.

And on the approved R16's you can only use 9 mm chains with no protruding parts, since there is only little margin for error. I use Maggi Traks on my R17's, expensive but no parts on the innerside of the wheels.

Skoda only approved 205/55/R16 and 225/50/R17 for winter tyres (Load indicator 98) on the Octavia Scout. Only the R16 is allowed for snow chains, chains on the R17 will hit the suspension.

98 as a load index seems quite high. A tyre's load multiplied by 2 must cover the gross single axle load of your vehicle. I am not sure fo the Scout Axle weight but the overall weights are as follows for the 2.0 TDi (this being the heaviest):

Kerb weight – with a driver (kg) 1,570

Payload – without a driver (kg) 600

Total weight (kg) 2,170

Assuming a resonable even distribution of overall weight (may be heavier on the front due to engine of course) and divide 2,170 by 4 this gives 542.5kg per tyre. From a chart such as the one at Tyre Chart then anything above 87 would be ok. However, to be in the safe side and allow for variation when moving then 10% should probably be added to the individual tyre weight (596.75) thefefore the load index should be 90 or above. The stock 225/50/R17 on my Scout came with a load index of 94. I am running a load index of 91 on my winter tyres.