Having driven about 430 miles today in torrential rain, heavy rain, drizzle, snow and ice, I was amazed at the performance of the winter tyres in the wet. Every other vehicle I have driven, of which all had summer tyres fitted, always pulled to the side whenever I hit a puddle at speed.

What I noticed today, was that I noticed the puddles, but didn't feel the tugging at the steering wheel I was expecting - the tyres just went straight through the water and dispersed it without any drama. I was impressed, as today was the first time I had driven on them in serious wet weather.

So not only brilliant in the snow and ice, but in the wet too.

But the mirrors, as I have said before - I feel like complaining to trading standards, as they are not fit for purpose in wet weather.

Mike

.........always pulled to the side whenever I hit a puddle at speed.

Not to be argumentative, but the credit should probably go to the ESP rather than the tyres. Braking performance on the test track with one set of wheels on normal asphalt and the other on the skid pan was very convincing.

The outside mirror/water on the window problem seems to be a RH drive phenomenon - don't quite understand why, but maybe the location of the wipers, aerodynamically speaking.

Not to be argumentative, but the credit should probably go to the ESP rather than the tyres.

Agreed! Not long after I took delivery, there was a nasty wet spell of weather, and I deliberately attacked a deep puddle with the nearside wheels - just to see what happened. I hardly felt it at all on the stering wheel, and it held a straight course.

Albeit good tread depth (always helps), this was with standard 255/55 DunlopSP summer tyres. Majority of the credit goes to the electricks, though!

Having driven pretty much the same journey, in the same conditions with very similar tyres, I completely agree with Mike. Standing water doesn't seem to be a problem with the Yeti plus winters. I think it is the tyres rather than the electronics, as you still get tugging at the wheel in extreme wet conditions with ESP and normal tyres, or at least it was like that in my old Altea. The car felt very secure in the wet, which meant I could concentrate more on trying to see anything in the flipping mirrors. The side window vision into the mirrors was obscured on both sides, not just the driver's side.

I sat there thinking; 1. They really haven't thought this through at all. and 2. There has to be a simple aerodynamic fix for this.

I think a small piece of trim with a slightly curved profile, just ahead of the leading front corner of the side glass should deflect airflow sufficiently to at least leave the area of glass adjacent to the mirror, relatively clear.

The car felt very secure in the wet, which meant I could concentrate more on trying to see anything in the flipping mirrors. The side window vision into the mirrors was obscured on both sides, not just the driver's side.

actually

I sat there thinking; 1. They really haven't thought this through at all. and 2. There has to be a simple aerodynamic fix for this.

I think a small piece of trim with a slightly curved profile, just ahead of the leading front corner of the side glass should deflect airflow sufficiently to at least leave the area of glass adjacent to the mirror, relatively clear.

I have been thinking the same and wondering about experimenting with part of a 4litre milk bottle - the Purina one is white

I the mean time I will look for some rainX or similar.

Mike

Edited 8 January, 201115 yr by rockhopper

Having driven pretty much the same journey, in the same conditions with very similar tyres, I completely agree with Mike. Standing water doesn't seem to be a problem with the Yeti plus winters. I think it is the tyres rather than the electronics, as you still get tugging at the wheel in extreme wet conditions with ESP and normal tyres, or at least it was like that in my old Altea.

That is what I thought.

Mike

A simple application of Rain-X or similar on the side windows works wonders! Or at least it does once you are travelling above about 40mph. The drops of water merely blow off in the airflow. It'a also easier to clean the windows when washing the car as the dirt seems to wash off easier too, though they dont seem to get as dirty in the first place!

However, I dont use Rain-X on the windscreen, as it sets up odd blurring of oncoming headlights in the wiper arc at night for some reason.

Edited 8 January, 201115 yr by speedsport

My vote goes with winter tyres; had them now on two different cars both with ESP but one 4x4 and the other 2wd. The more open tread pattern and multitude of additional sipes appear much more willing to cut through the water rather than as with the summer tyres, slam into it then try ride over it.

Tried to get away without winters on my wife's new Fabia but the standard fit sports tyres are just hopeless in these cold climates; to wide, shallow and rigid due to the excessive W speed rating. The only negative I've noted with both the Yeti and Fabia on winters is a slight sensation of 'instability' on fast sweeping bends. Put this down to the soffter rubber side-walls being more flexible thus creating additional sideways movement :wonder:

Regards,

TP

The only negative I've noted with both the Yeti and Fabia on winters is a slight sensation of 'instability' on fast sweeping bends. Put this down to the soffter rubber side-walls being more flexible thus creating additional sideways movement

Skoda, and other manufacturers, appear to be inconsistent in their recommendations for tyre pressures, but I've seen multiple recommendations in owners handbooks, (either printed or online), that winter tyres need an extra 0.2 bar compared to the normal pressures. This might make a difference to your instability perceptions.

Gareth, that info is in the Yeti handbook.

It may not have been in the Fabia handbook, which TP also mentioned. It isn't in my paper Octavia Mk1 handbook although it is in the online version, (or maybe it was the other way around). When I specifically asked Skoda they didn't seem able to provide a definitive answer.

Obviously can't answer for other models, but I'm sure I found it somewhere in the Yeti bumf!

Obviously can't answer for other models, but I'm sure I found it somewhere in the Yeti bumf!

P216 of the latest Yeti manual "winter tyres + 0.2bar", which is what TP will have been using as I do.

Mike

P216 of the latest Yeti manual "winter tyres + 0.2bar", which is what TP will have been using as I do.

Mike

Hi Mike,

yes thanks

Running with 0.2bar above summer tyre pressure as indicated in the owners manuals for both the previous Monster and the Fabia II. The Fabia currently has Bridgestone Blizzak LM30 in 195/55 R15 85H size fitted, which I purchased from mytyres on their own steel rim's; so far been impressed with this tyre, so one to recommend.

Regards,

TP

Not to be argumentative, but the credit should probably go to the ESP rather than the tyres. Braking performance on the test track with one set of wheels on normal asphalt and the other on the skid pan was very convincing.....

Like wise I have experienced exaclty the same thing when driving through a puddle and I have summer tyres.

As far as I understand its down to the very fast acting Haldex 4 kicking in as soon one of the front wheels hits the puddle.

Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Like wise I have experienced exaclty the same thing when driving through a puddle and I have summer tyres.

As far as I understand its down to the very fast acting Haldex 4 kicking in as soon one of the front wheels hits the puddle.

Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Interesting! My earlier post was based only on summer tyre experience, so no arguements with the winter tyre boys: they are the only ones who can make a proper comparison!

And, as I said, my tyres were nearly brand new at the time - loads of tread depth. Things might be different now that my summers are half worn. Next opportunity, I'll try it again.

I doubt if its the Haldex making a difference in the conditions that Mike and I were driving in, as our experience was pretty much the same and although Mike's car is 4WD, mine is only 2WD. As far as comparisons with our older cars are concerned, they had very similar power trains. ( Seat Altea 2.0 TDi DSG and Ocatavia 2.0 TDi DSG)