Skoda Octavia Scout Winter tires

[acbone]

I have a 57 plate Octavia Scout 2.0 tdi. Currently the tires are Uniroyal Rainsport2's size 225/50/R17 94W as per the size from the manual. Although these have been great tires in the recent wet summer, I have my doubts on them for the winter. I looked at winter and all season tires last year , but the best size I could get was 225/50/r17 94V or 98V. Various manufacturers offer this size. The problem was when I called the insurance company (Direct Line) they would not quote me for insurance if I had fitted this lower speed rated tires to my car. Has anybody else seen this issue with the insurance?

Can anybody let me know what All Season or Winter tire sizes they will be running please, on the standard alloys?

To be realistic, the only difference I could see was the 'V' instead of a 'W' which equates to a max speed reduction from 168mph to 149 MPH.Bearing in mind my car has no engine modifications of any kind, the only way I think I can make it reach these speeds is to drive off a very high cliff, in which case the tire spec would not matter!

Edited 9 October, 2011 by acbone

[Anddenton]

Baa humbug to direct line.

It is generally perfectly acceptable to run winter tyres that are 1 specc level down from that of summer so the 94V should be fine. I think it even says this in the manual for my Scout. I suppose if you are looking for all seasons tyres then they should match the recommended as you will be using them during summer, but I'd be surprised if you can't get all season rubber with a 94W.

Personsally I have just picked up a set of Audi alloys 16x7J 5x112 ET42 for £150 off eBay to which I will be fitting 225/55/16 94V winter tyres as I think this is preferable to all weather tyres and will alloy me to get the factory alloys refurbed (After 3 years they are badly corroded as per the typical scout way) ready for next

spring.

I would suggest this was the best way to go IMO as you get the best tyres for summer and winter and the vast majority of insurance companies should find this a acceptable.

[toonfan66]

I've bought winter tyres that are H rated (130 mph), and am of the opinion that if I don't exceed the rating of the tyre how can anyone possibly complain. I'd even go to a T rated tyre (118 mph) if need be as I'll not be going that fast, especially in winter!

I think the only reason standard fit tyres are all W rated is so they will fit every possible car built.

As far as insurance is concerned I'd not even tell them, not that I'd be hiding anything but just I don't feel it is relevant, all I'm doing is changing tyres, winter or summer doesn't matter, they're just tyres.

Out of interest I've just been out and checked my spare wheel on my 3 month old Scout (was a factory fit option) and it's shod with a 205/55R16 91V tyre - so by Direct Line's logic fitting my spare would invalidate insurance?

Ignore them, they obviously don't understand, pick a tyre that is legal, and don't worry

[foo]

I suspect DL are spouting BS. Try calling again.

[London Les]

I've bought Dunlop Wintersport 4D in 225/50R17 94H or 130mph. My thought process was that no insurance company could claim that this change in spec is in any way material to future claims.

[London Les]

Top whack for a TDI manual Scout is 122mph BTW.

[stringbean]

On the German Skoda website there is an approved winter tyre size list (in German unfortunately). This lists the following approved tyre sizes for the Scout:

• 205/50 R17 93H M+S
• 205/55 R16 91H M+S
• 225/50 R17 94W (not suitable for snow chains)

Most people fit the 16 inch wheels and tyres which are 'H' rated (130mph) which is lower than the 'V' rated (150mph). Both of which are higher rated than the top speed of the car and far in excess of any sane speed that you would be doing in winter conditions.

Tell Direct Line that you are fitting approved tyres and to get in contact with Skoda to confirm this.

[domhnall]

On the German Skoda website there is an approved winter tyre size list (in German unfortunately). This lists the following approved tyre sizes for the Scout:

• 205/50 R17 93H M+S
• 205/55 R16 91H M+S
• 225/50 R17 94W (not suitable for snow chains)

Most people fit the 16 inch wheels and tyres which are 'H' rated (130mph) which is lower than the 'V' rated (150mph). Both of which are higher rated than the top speed of the car and far in excess of any sane speed that you would be doing in winter conditions.

Tell Direct Line that you are fitting approved tyres and to get in contact with Skoda to confirm this.

I ran 205 55 R16 Nokian WRG2 on my Octavia for the last two winters. Didn't tell my insurers as I've never bothered to tell insurers previosuly when I have bought new tyres. It would be different if I was suddenly fitting massive 20 inch alloys or something but as has been said already I was fitting steel wheels identical to the factory supplied spare.

[acbone]

Guys thanks for the replies. I agree with your comments. DL are just at it a bit over this. Will investigate further and need to change insurance in teh next few months anyway.

Like the suggestions of the winter tire makes.

Incidentally the Uniroyal Rain Sport2's are great in the dry and wet! Would recommend them. No idea about snow though. Will just hang on and see what the forecast is for late November this year before any changes are made.

[CEPi]

I got 205/55/16 Conti TS830 on 16" steel rims. Absolutely superb.

[Eenymac]

I was originally going to go with a set of steel wheels and dedicated winter tyres, but would have then needed to replace all 4 summer / standard tyres anyway come spring next year. So rather than having to splash out on a set of steels AND two sets of tyres in a 6 month or so period, I opted for a set of the Goodyear Vector 4Season tyres instead as they have the snowflake / mountain symbol, as well as the four season symbol on them. Tey also seemed to perform very well in the tests I have seen. Be interesting to see how they perform when the snow hits.

Even in the wet and dry weather so far they are performing well. I had the original fit Pirelli P-Zero rosso's on beforehand and I'd say the Goodyear's are grippier and quieter overall so far.

As for insurance, I rang my insurer - Co-operative - and enquired about the fitting of winter tyres and using a lower speed rated tyre. They went away and rang me back a short while later and said no problem and that they'd just make a note against my policy for the record.

[foo]

I was originally going to go with a set of steel wheels and dedicated winter tyres, but would have then needed to replace all 4 summer / standard tyres anyway come spring next year. So rather than having to splash out on a set of steels AND two sets of tyres in a 6 month or so period, I opted for a set of the Goodyear Vector 4Season tyres instead as they have the snowflake / mountain symbol, as well as the four season symbol on them. Tey also seemed to perform very well in the tests I have seen. Be interesting to see how they perform when the snow hits.

Even in the wet and dry weather so far they are performing well. I had the original fit Pirelli P-Zero rosso's on beforehand and I'd say the Goodyear's are grippier and quieter overall so far.

As for insurance, I rang my insurer - Co-operative - and enquired about the fitting of winter tyres and using a lower speed rated tyre. They went away and rang me back a short while later and said no problem and that they'd just make a note against my policy for the record.

I'd be interested to know how you get along. I was going to do just as you have but had a last minute change of heart and stuck WRG2's on ebay specials reasoning that over the next 3 years the difference to my wallet will be zero.

[JJBS3]

Hey Guys,

My P Zeros are getting close to the wear markers, and I've been considering getting a set of winter tyres fitted as the next set. Its a company car, and I commute across the pennines every day (about 90 miles each day) so I'm in the lucky position of not paying for them myself....BUT I can't get a second set of wheels, and the boss man might ask questions if I get another set of summer tyres once the weather turns.

ANYWAY...has anyone been in the position of keeping the winter tyres on all year round? If so, how do they last in comparison? Any recommendations?

Cheers

[Jeeves]

ANYWAY...has anyone been in the position of keeping the winter tyres on all year round? If so, how do they last in comparison? Any recommendations?

I've used up winter tyres after the normal season has ended, and not seen a massively increased wear rate, but that was expensive Conti 20" CWTs (I bought half the UK stock they were that rare) on a 4x4 that you wouldn't really chuck about. I've known of other drivers who have continued with them throughout the year, but maybe because they didn't have another set of wheels.

If you're utilising your remap, then I wouldn't expect them to last as long as you might hope. I would imagine with the PD's non-linear power delivery you might be working the Haldex more than expected.

For all-season tyres, the Hankook Optimo 4S was the best rated (better than some full winters too) in the Autoexpress CWT test recently published. They appear to have the right snowflake/mountain symbol on and the nearest size for a Scout is 235/45 R 17 97V. They will fit the Scout fine as I have fitted 245s before without issue. My insurers would have no problem with these and are happy with reputable 3rd party wheels too - they note the changes but don't charge for them.

Glad we've got a "Tyres" section now. Can almost smell that rubber....

[The Plumber]

Hey Guys,

My P Zeros are getting close to the wear markers, and I've been considering getting a set of winter tyres fitted as the next set. Its a company car, and I commute across the pennines every day (about 90 miles each day) so I'm in the lucky position of not paying for them myself....BUT I can't get a second set of wheels, and the boss man might ask questions if I get another set of summer tyres once the weather turns.

ANYWAY...has anyone been in the position of keeping the winter tyres on all year round? If so, how do they last in comparison? Any recommendations?

Cheers

If your thinking of all year tyres then try Goodyear Vector 4seasons or Nokian's eNtyre, both of which are available in the 225/50 R17 size used by the Scout.

The Goodyear has the winter snowflake symbol, so will cope with the white stuff quite adequately, the Nokian is more a cold wet weather design, with a limited snow capability.

Have recently taken delivery of a full set of 14" Vectors which we plan to fit to my sons Fabia I HTP next month, to replace the cheap Federal's fitted by the dealer when he bought it (after 20 months and 16,000 miles all 4 have distorted leading to vibration :S ).

TP

[acbone]

I have just read the manual. Page 268 states 'You can fit winter tyres of a lower speed category to your vehicle provided that you also do not drive faster than the permissible maximum speed for such tyres, even if the possible maximum speed of your vehicle is higher.'

So I can fit 225/50 r17 94 H, so long as I don't drive faster than 131 MPH!

Just completed the weekly tyre check and found a nice shiny big nail in the sidewall of the front passenger side tyre. So that is it needing replaced anyway. The question now is, 4*Full winter tyres or All season's and put the remaining 3 Uniroyal's on eBay in the Spring?

[The Plumber]

I have just read the manual. Page 268 states 'You can fit winter tyres of a lower speed category to your vehicle provided that you also do not drive faster than the permissible maximum speed for such tyres, even if the possible maximum speed of your vehicle is higher.'

So I can fit 225/50 r17 94 H, so long as I don't drive faster than 131 MPH!

Just completed the weekly tyre check and found a nice shiny big nail in the sidewall of the front passenger side tyre. So that is it needing replaced anyway. The question now is, 4*Full winter tyres or All season's and put the remaining 3 Uniroyal's on eBay in the Spring?

I would possible suggest going for the all season option; Nokian eNtyres probably would be the least expensive but more a cold wet weather specialist. Run Nokian winters myself in the past and was very happy with them.

My link

Oh why wait till spring to fleebay the other tyres :wonder:

TP

[Bowliog]

When I was younger I used to work in Germany were they fit winter tyres as a matter of corse and can legally go faster than what the tyre may be rated for. Our company cars used to have a sticker stuck on the dash board to remind you not to exceed the rated speed of the tyre. Have to admit I may of creeped over a coupe of times but I think you would have to sit at that speed for some time to reck the tyre and you could never maintain hight speed for that long before some one pulled out in front of you.

[JJBS3]

I've used up winter tyres after the normal season has ended, and not seen a massively increased wear rate, but that was expensive Conti 20" CWTs (I bought half the UK stock they were that rare) on a 4x4 that you wouldn't really chuck about. I've known of other drivers who have continued with them throughout the year, but maybe because they didn't have another set of wheels.

If you're utilising your remap, then I wouldn't expect them to last as long as you might hope. I would imagine with the PD's non-linear power delivery you might be working the Haldex more than expected.

For all-season tyres, the Hankook Optimo 4S was the best rated (better than some full winters too) in the Autoexpress CWT test recently published. They appear to have the right snowflake/mountain symbol on and the nearest size for a Scout is 235/45 R 17 97V. They will fit the Scout fine as I have fitted 245s before without issue. My insurers would have no problem with these and are happy with reputable 3rd party wheels too - they note the changes but don't charge for them.

Glad we've got a "Tyres" section now. Can almost smell that rubber....

If your thinking of all year tyres then try Goodyear Vector 4seasons or Nokian's eNtyre, both of which are available in the 225/50 R17 size used by the Scout.

The Goodyear has the winter snowflake symbol, so will cope with the white stuff quite adequately, the Nokian is more a cold wet weather design, with a limited snow capability.

Have recently taken delivery of a full set of 14" Vectors which we plan to fit to my sons Fabia I HTP next month, to replace the cheap Federal's fitted by the dealer when he bought it (after 20 months and 16,000 miles all 4 have distorted leading to vibration :S ).

TP

Thanks for the replies guys. Funnily enough I wasd looking at the goodyear vector 4 seasons as a compromise over the full winters.

I tend not to use the remap to its 'potential' very often if I'm honest.....more for the overtake opportunities to get past HGVs on my route to/from work over the pennines. For comparison purposes, I'm looking at 20-22k miles out of the PZero Rossos, and have seen people not making 15k on them.

Never thought I would spend so much time thinking about tyres!

Edited 23 October, 2011 by JJBS3

[acbone]

Decision made. Went with Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D's on the front and will change the back later in the month if the forecast looks promising for snow! This was the best I thought I could get and needed a new front tyre anyway. So far the temperature has doubled and they are serious over kill in wet conditions. Have done about 1000 miles and cannot complain on grip, noise, economy or comfort.

Incidentally I put Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D's on the front of the wife's Seat Alhambra and the tyre noise is like a small jet engine that increases with speed. Not that annoying, just there! Has anybody else seen a problem with these tyres?

[logiclee]

Decision made. Went with Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D's on the front and will change the back later in the month if the forecast looks promising for snow! This was the best I thought I could get and needed a new front tyre anyway. So far the temperature has doubled and they are serious over kill in wet conditions. Have done about 1000 miles and cannot complain on grip, noise, economy or comfort.

Incidentally I put Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D's on the front of the wife's Seat Alhambra and the tyre noise is like a small jet engine that increases with speed. Not that annoying, just there! Has anybody else seen a problem with these tyres?

Get the rears fitted to both cars before the frost/ice/snow arrives or you will have the back of the car overtaking the front on bends and under braking.

Cheers

Lee

[acbone]

Lee thanks for the advice. Just trying to spread the cost over two months. Forecast no snow at present so OK. But intend to do this for both cars.

Had that exact problem last year on various occasions due to tires nearing end of life and deep snow. Made things a bit exciting for all. However have not driven a more responsive car in the snow. Any issue that occurred - front or rear sliding - was easily corrected; new exactly where each wheel was and could tell what it was going to do next. Thankfully all at low speeds. Only issue was braking - Four Wheel drive makes you go, but doesn't stop you!

Hence my interest in Winter tires this year and getting them on early.

[stringbean]

Incidentally I put Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D's on the front of the wife's Seat Alhambra and the tyre noise is like a small jet engine that increases with speed. Not that annoying, just there! Has anybody else seen a problem with these tyres?

That's one of the downsides of winter tyres - they have a more open tread pattern which causes more noise. With newer tyres it isn't too bad - on our Fiesta the winter tyres (Vredestein Snowtrac 2s) are actually slightly quieter that the summer tyres (Yokohama C-Drive 2s).

[logiclee]

That's one of the downsides of winter tyres - they have a more open tread pattern which causes more noise. With newer tyres it isn't too bad - on our Fiesta the winter tyres (Vredestein Snowtrac 2s) are actually slightly quieter that the summer tyres (Yokohama C-Drive 2s).

The winters are much quieter on both my Passat and my wife's Fabia although the width will play a big part.

Passat 235/45 summer (Conti Sports) and 205/55 winter (Pirelli Sottozero), Fabia 195/55 summer (Conti Premium) and 165/70 winter (Bridgestone Blizzak.

The ride is improved to on the Winters due to the higher tyre profile.

Cheers

Lee

[rum4mo]

The ride is improved to on the Winters due to the higher tyre profile.

Cheers Lee

Oh yes indeed, makes me wonder why I spec'd my wife's Polo with 195/55 X 15 - the 185/60 X 14 are indeed a really nice change!