I have to say TP, that thread is so useful, well done again for sorting all that out, must have taken a while.

Well I've just been out and test fitted the"winter" alloys to the Yeti and they fit fine, but wow, those wheels and tyres look really lost in the arches compared to the Annapurnas.

They look smaller than the 3.8% the tyre calc works out.

Now to see if I can sort that winter rubber........

edit, and some Skoda centre cap stickers.

Edited 29 November, 201015 yr by loadswine

You need some 215/60 R16's to fill them properly.

205/55/R16's seem to be about 33 smaller diameter according to some photos on the french forum TP posted.

Mike

I agree Mike, but availability is the issue right now.

I agree Mike, but availability is the issue right now.

That's why I bought a few weeks ago :-)

Mike

Smaller wheels yes, but that means you have more room so that the snow does not clog up your wheel arches. Practicality over appearance when it comes to winter.

Smaller wheels yes, but that means you have more room so that the snow does not clog up your wheel arches. Practicality over appearance when it comes to winter.

Personally Id rather have the greater ground clearance underneath the vehicle than worry about snow in the arches. :yes:

Personally Id rather have the greater ground clearance underneath the vehicle than worry about snow in the arches. :yes:

That's why I bought a few weeks ago :-)

Mike

I didn't have the alloys to do this a few weeks ago, and yes, in an ideal world its much better to plan ahead, specially for these items.

Ground clearance,I take the point, but if it gets that bad that i have to worry about that extra 15mm in my ride height on my yeti, then I'm really in trouble. You 4WD chaps and those in special locations, its absolutely essential I'd have thought.

Arch clearance is also a good point, there would be plenty of that!

Still unsure whether to go for the 205/55s or keep on looking for the 60s. :wonder:

Ok, i agree that winter tyres should be on all 4 corners, but, i run 2 winters on the front axel of my wife's Kia Cee'd, and did do last year.

We've had no issues at all.

If its a case of getting her home, or getting stuck of on the roads by herself, then i choose get her home.

When the rears wear out, she will have 2 more winters, until then, i believe it's the best economic / safety mix.

Al.

Ok, i agree that winter tyres should be on all 4 corners, but, i run 2 winters on the front axel of my wife's Kia Cee'd, and did do last year.

We've had no issues at all.

If its a case of getting her home, or getting stuck of on the roads by herself, then i choose get her home.

When the rears wear out, she will have 2 more winters, until then, i believe it's the best economic / safety mix.

Al.

Best economic route certainly but not strictly the best safety mix. Putting the winters on the front driven wheels provides maximum grip naturally but for greater stability the better (grippier) tyres should be on the rear. In the event of a FWD car under-steering with better tyres on the rear then simply easing off the gas should bring you back into line. In the event of a FWD car under-steering with the grippier tyres on the front then you are far more likely to throw the car into a spin by lifting off as the fronts regain grip and the rears keep on going. Having said that, in the current winter conditions I very much doubt that you'll be anywhere near to the point where the winter tyres lose grip sufficiently to cause understeer (least I hope not!) so in reality I daresay the extra traction is more relevant for you.

Personally Id rather have the greater ground clearance underneath the vehicle than worry about snow in the arches. :yes:

I'm currently driving through mountains of snow each day so I am snow obsessed at the moment. I see huge chunks of snow and ice in the arches each time I stop so for the moment I would take wheel arch space. If I did off roading then you would be absolutely right, as you are anyway for you. Each person has their own needs.

Best economic route certainly but not strictly the best safety mix. Putting the winters on the front driven wheels provides maximum grip naturally but for greater stability the better (grippier) tyres should be on the rear. In the event of a FWD car under-steering with better tyres on the rear then simply easing off the gas should bring you back into line. In the event of a FWD car under-steering with the grippier tyres on the front then you are far more likely to throw the car into a spin by lifting off as the fronts regain grip and the rears keep on going. Having said that, in the current winter conditions I very much doubt that you'll be anywhere near to the point where the winter tyres lose grip sufficiently to cause understeer (least I hope not!) so in reality I daresay the extra traction is more relevant for you.

Wife, 20 miles away from home, stuck, on her own at -10 degrees with summer tyres, or 2 winter tyres, and wife home, safe and sound - no contest really.

Ok, yes, winters grippier in the winter, cant deny that, but, driving carefully (as you need to in this weather!) 2 winter tyres are better than none. - IMHO of course... - this is the second winter she's had them on, and has had no issues. (i had to rescue her the year before - for those who know the area... she works in Consett!)

Al.

I'm currently driving through mountains of snow each day so I am snow obsessed at the moment. I see huge chunks of snow and ice in the arches each time I stop so for the moment I would take wheel arch space. If I did off roading then you would be absolutely right, as you are anyway for you. Each person has their own needs.

I didnt strictly stick to the roads in the Swiss Alps last month so maybe thats why I said more ground clearance but I also found the front of the car was 'pushing' a lot of snow when I was doing the really deep stuff - more ground clearance here would help a little imo. The arches got loads of snow in them but that didnt hamper my progress. The biggest issue I had was the snow left in the alloy throwing the wheel balance off when I came onto the main road. :yes:

Wife, 20 miles away from home, stuck, on her own at -10 degrees with summer tyres, or 2 winter tyres, and wife home, safe and sound - no contest really.

Ok, yes, winters grippier in the winter, cant deny that, but, driving carefully (as you need to in this weather!) 2 winter tyres are better than none. - IMHO of course... - this is the second winter she's had them on, and has had no issues. (i had to rescue her the year before - for those who know the area... she works in Consett!)

Al.

I fully understand that you are happy with that setup but as general advice to other forum users Id strongly suggest that two winter tyres on a fwd car being better than none is incorrect. In any unexpected manoeuvre, you would experience massive oversteer where the inferior grip on the rear axel would be 'out gripped' by the front. From experience :S unexpected oversteer is far worse than, relatively controllable understeer. Just my opinion however. :yes:

Wife, 20 miles away from home, stuck, on her own at -10 degrees with summer tyres, or 2 winter tyres, and wife home, safe and sound - no contest really.

Ok, yes, winters grippier in the winter, cant deny that, but, driving carefully (as you need to in this weather!) 2 winter tyres are better than none. - IMHO of course... - this is the second winter she's had them on, and has had no issues. (i had to rescue her the year before - for those who know the area... she works in Consett!)

Al.

Consett!! That is a place that strikes fear into me and anyone else from the NE when you are talking about winter driving. I suspect a JCB digger is the best bet for Consett. For those who don't know it has it's own micro climate and can get snow in August. When the snow comes it gets cut off as quick as anywhere in the country. Best of luck to your wife for this and every other winter.

Think I have answered my own question!!!

See the last segment of this video:

tom

Yes it does show the hugh difference between all season (not summer) winter and a mix of winter on the driven axle and all season on the rear. I don't want to do that! 4 winters for me.

Mike

Think I have answered my own question!!!

See the last segment of this video:

tom

Brilliant video. I hope that will convince anyone to never ever fit just two winter tyres!!! All fine and well driving to the shops and back but come an emergency you know now what the tail of that car will do after watching that video!

Brilliant video. I hope that will convince anyone to never ever fit just two winter tyres!!! All fine and well driving to the shops and back but come an emergency you know now what the tail of that car will do after watching that video!

Maybe so, but can we please see a video of full set of 4 summer (not all weather like they are using) tyres on snow please? - These scenes will be Available to film at your local Sainsbury's or Asda Car Parks across the north

I know he's just playing around

under no control

Myabe it just time for the UK Goverment to enforce a Law, like the European's, that cars MUST use winter tyres.

Think I have answered my own question!!!

See the last segment of this video:

tom

With this demo NOBODY should have any doubt. there are two choices:

1. Winter tyres on all 4 corners.

or

2. Pussyfoot around very carefully and maybe not get where you want to go with summer tyres in winter conditions.

but can we please see a video of full set of 4 summer (not all weather like they are using) tyres on snow please? -

But in that scenario you are clear from the off that there is a traction and control issue. It doesnt give you a false sense of security and then bite you when you dont expect it.

Interesting vids though

Done a few miles locally in my 2WD SM and it is a revelation on winter tyres!

The difference compared to my stock tyres ( Dunlops) is night and day. I've been on new snow over ice, sheet ice, slush and wet and its just amazing. I don't feel ashamed to call it a Snow Monster any more! I'm not going mad, but have tested the braking grip on various surfaces when nobody has been around and the ABS hardly kicks in at all. I've driven up slushy hills that I would have avoided like the plague before.

The only thing that worries me is people driving close behind( vans usually), as if I stop quickly, they won't, so gentle on the brakes and big gaps for me.

Done a few miles locally in my 2WD SM and it is a revelation on winter tyres!

The difference compared to my stock tyres ( Dunlops) is night and day. I've been on new snow over ice, sheet ice, slush and wet and its just amazing. I don't feel ashamed to call it a Snow Monster any more! I'm not going mad, but have tested the braking grip on various surfaces when nobody has been around and the ABS hardly kicks in at all. I've driven up slushy hills that I would have avoided like the plague before.

The only thing that worries me is people driving close behind( vans usually), as if I stop quickly, they won't, so gentle on the brakes and big gaps for me.

Great news for us 2WD 'ers. Sorry if I've missed a previous post, but did you put 17inch winters on, if so what size/make? With cost and storage problems for extra wheels, swapping tyres on the originals would be the answer for us. Be grateful for some info Tony

Just found TP's tyre info page which answers the questions, and your piece about your Seat wheels, should have searched first, I'll go away now!! Tony

Edited 2 December, 201015 yr by jessica

That's okay Tony, always happy to answer questions matey. :yes: To recap, Seat alloys 16" 6.5J with Continental TS830 Winter Contacts at 205/55/16 91H.

Got the wheels off ebay and tyres on special currently at Kwik Fit, about £82 per corner.

Stock wheels will be stored under a breathable car cover I have spare in my back garden. KF do a wheel "hotel" deal as well, where they store your spare wheels for a sum.

Some Skoda dealers have done that as well,I've heard.

I think the winters would be great for the DSG. I had DSG on my last car and that was a bit of a challenge in the snow and ice as I had no control over how the ecu let out the clutch, but that was an earlier incarnation of the system, should be better on the Yeti.