My new Yeti is shod with 225x50xR17 Dunlops. I was rather shocked to find that there is only 7mm of tread; othre new tyres for my cars have had at least 7.5-8mm. Is this a cost saving specification????

OK - a number of questions that I am sure the experts on this forum can advise upon:

The tread pattern leads me to feel that these may not be very useful in the snow so I am thinking along the lines of winter tyres. Would just 2 winter tyres be OK on the front axle or is the advice to fit them all round?

Am I better just getting the tyres fitted to the present alloys and storing the Dunlops or should I get a set of rims?

If a set of rims, I would have thought a set of alloys would be fairly expensive so should I try for steel wheels and can I get steel wheels of this size; and if so from where? And would I be better off getting a narrower tyre as these would surely perform better in snow, and would that mean a different size rim, yet retaining the overall profile to ensure odometer reads correctly?

If I just swap tyres on my existing rims and the advice would be to go for a narrower tyre, what width can I go down to from 225mm on these alloys?

My new Yeti is shod with 225x50xR17 Dunlops. I was rather shocked to find that there is only 7mm of tread; othre new tyres for my cars have had at least 7.5-8mm. Is this a cost saving specification????

OK - a number of questions that I am sure the experts on this forum can advise upon:

The tread pattern leads me to feel that these may not be very useful in the snow so I am thinking along the lines of winter tyres. Would just 2 winter tyres be OK on the front axle or is the advice to fit them all round?

Am I better just getting the tyres fitted to the present alloys and storing the Dunlops or should I get a set of rims?

If a set of rims, I would have thought a set of alloys would be fairly expensive so should I try for steel wheels and can I get steel wheels of this size; and if so from where? And would I be better off getting a narrower tyre as these would surely perform better in snow, and would that mean a different size rim, yet retaining the overall profile to ensure odometer reads correctly?

If I just swap tyres on my existing rims and the advice would be to go for a narrower tyre, what width can I go down to from 225mm on these alloys?

My two week old Yeti is shod similarly to yours, and the tread, I must say, caused me a bit of concern too. I've also read that Skoda don't recommend the use of snow chains on this size tyre, and bearing in mind the quite steep and windy slope up to my house, if we get as much snow as we did last Winter, I can see my 2WD having a bit of a struggle! I'm even considering buying the Autosock in place of chains. I wonder if anyone has any experience of using these.

Hi survey,

a few owners on here have gone down the winter tyre route as certainly in my case anyway I found the 225 /50 profile sports tyre unsuitable (at one point dangerous) for the unpredictable winter weather on the Yorkshire Wolds.

If you are fitting tyres then it's advisable to have the same make and tread pattern on all 4 wheels irrespective of winter, summer etc. If you do go down the winter route then there are 4 tyre sizes recommended by the manufacture 2 summer and two winter, however there's nothing to stop you using any of these sizes for winter tyres.

Unless you know a friendly tyre fitter then swapping tyres off the rim can over time prove expensive, therefore an extra set of wheels if you can store them may be a better route.

Personally I went for new 16" steel rims from the dealer and 205/55 R16 tyres from the internet (fitted locally) as was the cheapest option for me.

If you don't mind paying a bit extra for your tyres (I'm a skinflint hence 205 for me ) then the standard 215/60 R16 in winter guise is probably the best bet on 16" rims (unless you take your Monster on skiing trips in the Alps and need to carry chains (stress carry ) then you need the 205).

See the tyre guide for further guidance My link

Regards,

TP

My two week old Yeti is shod similarly to yours, and the tread, I must say, caused me a bit of concern too. I've also read that Skoda don't recommend the use of snow chains on this size tyre, and bearing in mind the quite steep and windy slope up to my house, if we get as much snow as we did last Winter, I can see my 2WD having a bit of a struggle! I'm even considering buying the Autosock in place of chains. I wonder if anyone has any experience of using these.

Like The Plumber in his later e-mail, I have steel rims in 16x7 size that came from my local VW dealer when I ran a VW Passat. These are the same fitting as recommended by Skoda and as they have come from the VAG parts bin, I have no qualms about their suitability.

By way of a slight diversion, I actually have 215/55-16 Avon Ice Touring winter tyres fitted. That is my choiuce as these are what I used on my Passat.

These are on my Yeti now.

Regarding Autosocks, I have been using these for many years on various cars and they do work extremely well on snow and hard pack. I think they would also be OK on ice but if used on a mixed surface where the tarmac is showing through they will shred.

As an emergency traction aid, I would certainly recommend them. I have a set in my wife's M-B A Class and I also have a set (ex-Passat) in my Yeti although I cannot see that I would need them since if I'm stuck with 4-wheel drive and winter tyres, I am well and truly stuck!

I would just add that as a public transport operator running 140 buses in Lancashire, I have strong links with my local authorities who are preparing for another severe winter. It could be that they are being ultra cautious after the issues of last winter when many highway authorities ran out of salt, but I believe they have had long range predictions.

If you're based in East Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has set up a Winter facebook presence which might be of interest:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/BWDWinter

John

Hi survey,

a few owners on here have gone down the winter tyre route as certainly in my case anyway I found the 225 /50 profile sports tyre unsuitable (at one point dangerous) for the unpredictable winter weather on the Yorkshire Wolds.

If you are fitting tyres then it's advisable to have the same make and tread pattern on all 4 wheels irrespective of winter, summer etc. If you do go down the winter route then there are 4 tyre sizes recommended by the manufacture 2 summer and two winter, however there's nothing to stop you using any of these sizes for winter tyres.

Unless you know a friendly tyre fitter then swapping tyres off the rim can over time prove expensive, therefore an extra set of wheels if you can store them may be a better route.

Personally I went for new 16" steel rims from the dealer and 205/55 R16 tyres from the internet (fitted locally) as was the cheapest option for me.

If you don't mind paying a bit extra for your tyres (I'm a skinflint hence 205 for me ) then the standard 215/60 R16 in winter guise is probably the best bet on 16" rims (unless you take your Monster on skiing trips in the Alps and need to carry chains (stress carry ) then you need the 205).

See the tyre guide for further guidance My link

Regards,

TP

My Yeti is on 17" alloys. I would want to buy a set of steel rims and presumably these would have to be for 17" tyres to maintain the accuracy of the odometer. I then would wish to get the narrowest winter tyres that are sensible to fit. Can anyone help with where to obtain the rims, what size they should be and suggested tyres and tyre size please?

My Yeti is on 17" alloys. I would want to buy a set of steel rims and presumably these would have to be for 17" tyres to maintain the accuracy of the odometer. I then would wish to get the narrowest winter tyres that are sensible to fit. Can anyone help with where to obtain the rims, what size they should be and suggested tyres and tyre size please?

No you don't need to use 17" rims for winter use - the plumbers guide shows you what you can use. Most people who buy an extra set of rims use the 16" steel ones. I use 215/60 R16 as recommended by Skoda & the Plumber. The Plumber uses 205/55 R16. The 215/60 R16 are very close in size to the 225/50/ R17, whereas the 205/55 R16 reduces ride height by about 12mm.

Mike

My Yeti is on 17" alloys. I would want to buy a set of steel rims and presumably these would have to be for 17" tyres to maintain the accuracy of the odometer. I then would wish to get the narrowest winter tyres that are sensible to fit. Can anyone help with where to obtain the rims, what size they should be and suggested tyres and tyre size please?

Hi again survey,

not looked but I think it would be difficult to find suitable steel 17" rims. Therefore you should look at 16" diameter and to virtually match your current set-up go for 215/60 R16 (as fitted to the Yeti 'S' trim). According to the tyre size calculator My link you will be doing very small fraction over your actual speed 60 = 60.7 mph. As speedos are set to over-read anyway and it's such a small amount, this is not an issue.

If you want to stay at 17" then either fit winter versions of your current tyre size or if you want a narrower profile 205/50 R17 93H to either your original alloys or a second set.

Alternatively go for the Skoda 'Flash' 17" winter alloys (6Jx17) with 205/50 R17 93H winter tyres, although this is the most expensive option.

Hope that helps,

TP

According to the Met Police, the Yeti they tested at a constant speed of 60mph, was indeed only doing 56.5mph according to their data logger.

Mike

Regarding Autosocks, I have been using these for many years on various cars and they do work extremely well on snow and hard pack. I think they would also be OK on ice but if used on a mixed surface where the tarmac is showing through they will shred.

John

Just purchased a set of Snow Socks for the wife's Fabia II, as it also has daft 'sports tyres' (205/45 R16 85W) No hills thankfully on her commute to work so I thought I would give these a go if she gets caught out in a snow fall.

Look very straight forward to fit; just hook the elasticated 'ring' over the top 3/4 of the tyre and move the car a bit to finish off.

Purchased these from My link as they appeared to be a good price at the time.

Regards,

TP

Just purchased a set of Snow Socks for the wife's Fabia II, as it also has daft 'sports tyres' (205/45 R16 85W) No hills thankfully on her commute to work so I thought I would give these a go if she gets caught out in a snow fall.

Look very straight forward to fit; just hook the elasticated 'ring' over the top 3/4 of the tyre and move the car a bit to finish off.

Purchased these from My link as they appeared to be a good price at the time.

Regards,

TP

I've used autosocks in this country and in Europe. The first time was on a BMW 316 which was all but undriveable on the slightest of snowy inclines. They're dead east to fit and they also self centre on the tyre.

John

According to the Met Police, the Yeti they tested at a constant speed of 60mph, was indeed only doing 56.5mph according to their data logger.

Mike

I can go with that as I notice a similar reading on my sat nav as compared to the speedo.

John