On 23/11/2017 at 10:03, 0ctavist said:

the official Skoda wheel combinations ...

 

 

 

Many thanks, Octavist, that's very useful.

 

This thread is full of dire warnings about invalidated insurance if you use the wrong wheel/tyre combination.  Is this just an urban myth, or received wisdom, or does anybody have actual experience of this happening, or better still, has it actually happened to them?

 

Thanks.

If you want a definitive answer, then contact your own insurance company and see what they say. 

 

When I first started fitting Cold Weather tyres to my Scout I used to declare it - them were the days! -  However, they stated as long as the wheel/tyre combo conformed with the manufacturers requirements there was no increase in premium, nor any reason to inform them. And I haven't since. 

Edited 24 November, 20178 yr by Guest

59 minutes ago, Fin69 said:

If you want a definitive answer, then contact your own insurance company and see what they say...

 

Thanks Fin69.  I'm still inclined to fit the "wrong" wheel and tyre combo, for the same reasons that the OP stated, so I may not like what my insurers say!

Edited 24 November, 20178 yr by scandalxk

On 23/11/2017 at 10:03, 0ctavist said:

the official Skoda wheel combinations with(ja) or without(nein) snow chain(Schneeketten zulässig) permission( if snow chains not more than 15mm)

 

Look for your engine code, than the type, and compare your  e xxxx-  numbers

 

 

 

I've got the engine code (BMM) but I don't know where to find the type and the e xxxx numbers.  Can you help please?  Here's my data sticker (it's a 2007 Scout).

 

On 22/11/2017 at 21:41, scandalxk said:

 

Toonfan, what did you get in the end? I was searching for information on this topic because I had, independently, come to the conclusion that 205/60 R16 were the best option - but my concerns are exactly the same as the ones in your original post.  Oh - and one additional problem: I do a lot of work on construction sites where I need good clearance, and of course the smaller the wheel and tyre combination, the lower the sump.

Wow, was really surprised when I got an email alert as haven't been on Briskoda for ages (Sold the Scout last year, great car but bought a new (big) caravan and needed something a bit heavier as a tow car), but as you've asked I'll answer as best I can.

 

I went for 205/55R16 in the end, decided that going for the same size as the spare, and also the much better availability in this size tipped the balance. I had no issues at all, didn't notice any reduction in clearance, in fact the only thing was they looked a bit 'weedier' than the standard fit wheels, but then again they were a bit smaller and narrower so that was to be expected.  I'm a complete winter tyre convert, and have even done the same with my new car and have a seperate set of winter wheels/tyres that I swap over when the temperatures plummet.

 

In fact I still have the 16" steelies, shod with winter tyres (a few years old now so I'd probably change the tyres if I used them again), stacked on a covered wheel tree in the garage, even have 4x VW hub covers (like wheel trims but smaller and just cover the centre of the wheel, incl bolts) but no car to fit them on anymore.  Did try to sell them at the time although was not that focussed and sort of let it drift.  Still have them is anyone's interested (apologies if this unintentional plug is flaunting any rules).

11 minutes ago, toonfan66 said:

 

In fact I still have the 16" steelies...Did try to sell them at the time...

 

Ha ha, if you had replied to this topic a few days ago you may well have sold them to me! However, I've now ordered 205/60s after taking advice from my garage. They told me they always see insurance assessors check the condition and tread of tyres on cars involved in accidents, but they have never seen them check the tyre homologation list. Famous last words...

 

My car's original equipment is 225/50R17, while the spare is 205/55R16, and if Skoda isn't worried about the difference, then neither am I.

 

The 205/60s that I have ordered are just a fraction smaller overall diameter than the OE, and narrower by 20mm, so will not foul the wheel arch or suspension, and as 16" are an option on this car they will not foul the calipers either. The only limitation is that I will not be able to fit snow chains - but I wouldn't anyway.

 

Maybe I'll report back at the end of the winter. Thanks for replying.

19 hours ago, scandalxk said:

 

...if you had replied to this topic a few days ago you may well have sold them to me ...  Thanks for replying.

 

Timing is everything, and you're welcome

I appreciate this is a "Scout" thread,( but I did not wish to start another winter tyres thread)

Anyway a 130 mile run today on a mix of ordinary roads, back country roads, with sharp curves on steep hills, dual carrigeway, and Motorway, all with varying degrees of snow, ice, & including wet ice at a downhill facing urban roadend/Stop sign  .  .  . and, of course the ubiquitous mushy slush.

 

Merely served to confirm my 7 year faith in winter tyres, on FWD, cos as somebody earlier pointed out 4WD only assists with acceleration,

 

BUT! has zero effect on steering or braking, which, quite genuinely some 4*4 nuts absolutely refuse to believe, if their touching faith in the merits of summer tyre shod 4WD's are to be believed.

 

Now if I was routinely towing in wintery conditions, 4WD would be a consideration, since this is where FWD is at a disadvantage (i.e. easy wheelspin)

 

I also run my previous set of Continental winter tyres done, or rather tried too, over the course of last (i.e 2016) summer, before fitting a fresh set of Continentals for the winter.

 

And I absolutley could not fault reasonably worn, say about 3mm-4mm tread, Continental winter tyres for summer driving, at least not during our Northern Irish summers, in respect of handling or noise or undue/over-rapid wear.

 

Good tyres are cheap, compared to the overall cost of car ownership, and always were.

 

 

Marcus

 

Edited 11 December, 20178 yr by marcusthehat
Addendum

On 02/12/2017 at 22:39, toonfan66 said:

Wow, was really surprised when I got an email alert as haven't been on Briskoda for ages (Sold the Scout last year, great car but bought a new (big) caravan and needed something a bit heavier as a tow car), but as you've asked I'll answer as best I can.

 

I went for 205/55R16 in the end, decided that going for the same size as the spare, and also the much better availability in this size tipped the balance. I had no issues at all, didn't notice any reduction in clearance, in fact the only thing was they looked a bit 'weedier' than the standard fit wheels, but then again they were a bit smaller and narrower so that was to be expected.  I'm a complete winter tyre convert, and have even done the same with my new car and have a seperate set of winter wheels/tyres that I swap over when the temperatures plummet.

 

In fact I still have the 16" steelies, shod with winter tyres (a few years old now so I'd probably change the tyres if I used them again), stacked on a covered wheel tree in the garage, even have 4x VW hub covers (like wheel trims but smaller and just cover the centre of the wheel, incl bolts) but no car to fit them on anymore.  Did try to sell them at the time although was not that focussed and sort of let it drift.  Still have them is anyone's interested (apologies if this unintentional plug is flaunting any rules).

Hi - have you got rid of the steels? Just got a Mk11 and preparing it for ski trips so would be interested. Thanks Roger

I have nokian Weatherproofs (225/50/17) on mine. Mountain snowflake marked (comply with German winter tyre rules). Coped perfectly in Les Arcs despite us getting 90cm one night, didn't need to dig the car out - just power and let the Haldex sort it out! Didn't need chains (good job; they don't fit with these tyres).

They are not the last word in handling in summer, but then it's not a sports car.

 

If you need to put chains on, get 205/55/16 winters on steels. Any bigger and chains will foul the arches.