I've seen that Elk-test movie, and after the initial shock, I thought I would look into this matter a bit more.

My lovely new Superb is new, but it is a pre-registered vehicle that has been sitting in a showroom for a few months. It's how I got one without the wait and maybe why I've not been informed of this issue and why the fuel flap sticker is out of date?, the manual has NO tyre pressures mentioned in it period.

The NORMAL load pressures are 2.2 - 2.2 and HEAVY are 2.4 - 3.0 as shown on fuel flap sticker.

I read that Skoda now recommend 2.7 - 3.2. but for what load? is this for Heavy load only or for Normal load, or both?

If it is for Heavy load only, do I need to up the Normal pressures by same amount?

It's as clear as mud eh? OR is all this some worry for Swedish cars only that have different tyres?

Sorry for all the questions, but the thought of having a tyre come off the rim, scares the **** out of me.

Anyone know the answers or who in Skoda will know.

PS. I've put pressures at 2.5 - 2.5 for now, as that seems more realistic for tyres of 225/40-18 (Same as previous Mondeo was)

The tyre pressures are not in the handbooks, I have two previous Superbs in the last 8 years, and the tyre pressures are only in the fuel filler cover.

So far I have not heard of any tyres coming off the rims in this country, I do stand to be corrected , but if there had been it would have been reported widely and especially on this website. There have been sveral reports on the internet, and it seems that the only tyres that came off the rims were those fitted in Sweden, tyres fitted at the factory were not involved. That tyre test was taking the cornering to the extreme limits, way beyond normal driving.

Hi!

This test is often downplayed by the manufactures as some exotic elk-test, take Mercedes for one. But you can (and should!) easily change that elk for any other sudden obstacle (another car, stroller, loose truck tire...) on the road you don't wanna hit. This is a emergency maneuver and put the car to the limit. Most of the drivers never plan for an emergency maneuverer, it just happens and therefore the car should be able to handle this kind of situation rather then causing another accident. It should also be noted that the test is performed with the car loaded up to it's maximum allowed weight (by the manufacturer). This weight is many times not real due to all extras on the car such as the DSG, tow bar, ACC and so on. In this case it was found that the car was too heavy and the recommended tire pressure somewhat to low. This failure did never happen on the 17 or 16 inch rims. Nor did it excel in this test either.

As the Merc boys found out finally on the A-class, it is is better to fix the car properly then trying to "talk it" away. And, oh boy, it did cost them BIG time! A car laying on the roof is seldom a good selling point. Toyota has learned the same lesson with the Hilux. They never rolled over but was very close to do so.

As a little side note: In Sweden, Skoda of all brands should take this seriously. In the 70s they actually did a rollover with a car in a pre-historic variant of the elk-test (at low speed!). That one killed Skoda as a brand in Sweden for the next decade.

/Superbjoser

Edited 6 November, 201015 yr by Superbjoser

When my Superb II was delivered I noticed the tyre pressures were very high all round - i reduced the pressures in line with the filler cap pressure, ie 2.2.

Having driven on this pressure for a couple of weeks it seemed to accentuate body roll too much so increased it to 2.4 all round as an experiment - this increased theride and handling significanlty.

I will be sticking with this pressure from here on in - unless of course I need to increase with increased load.

Regards

I can say that the 36psi (2.5Bar) all round feels quite firmer on the motorway, or "jiggly" is how I'm going to explain it.

I'll leave it a week, then I may drop it a wee bit?

I use 2.5 bar and the profile noise is quite low, good fuel consumption and excellent car stability on highway.

Summer tires Dunlop Sport Fast Response 225/45/17" 94W.

I've settled on 35psi (2.4Bar), it seems fine on the bends and not too hard on the motorway. Thats with 2 passengers and no luggage BTW

Edited 22 January, 201115 yr by Tankdave

FWIW 2.4 Bar seems to be just right for me.

Phil