RANT

I have just got off the phone after speaking to skoda technical services. I have been making enqiries about suitable winter wheel and tyre sizes that can be used on a Scout that will enable the fitting of snow chains when required. This is of course at times compulsory in some alpine regions.

The person I spoke to claims that snow chains cannot be fitted to a scout??????

I have used winter tyres and chains for years, as required, on a variety of cars. I am simply trying to establish the best combination to use when I renew the current winter tyres next season as I would prefer to fit something that provides me with the closest rolling radius to my summer spec tyres that will also allow chains to be fitted.

I have read and re-read the various threads available on this subject.

The most obvious size to use would seem to be 205 60 16 on an ET50 rim but I am not certain that chains will fit and clear the suspension and wheel arch, nor am I certain that they are approved for use. This was the object of my inquiry to Skoda.

The guy on the phone claims that my handbook information is just general and not related to a Scout particularly. What the *@?" is going on. Does anyone have any definitive information on this topic from Skoda. If so, can I have it as the person I spoke to doesn't seem to have a clue.

I'd be highly surprise if that where the case.

Scouts are sold in those Alpine regions you mentions. They are two-a-penny in the Swiss alps.

I was contemplating the same thing due to going skiing every year (206/60R16 profile are a near identical match to the rolling circumference of the 225/50R17s fitted as standard, and to me the recommended 205/55R16s seemed too small,) so I contacted Skoda directly (not the UK lot, the real Skoda) and the reply I recieved was:

Dear XXX,

as far as your question concerning “rim-tyres” combination is concerned unfortunately I must disappoint you.

Tyres 205/60 R16 were never tested for Skoda vehicles Octavia Scout included. Skoda company uses tyres 205/60 R15 only.

For this reasons I can confirm you that only combination of rim 6Jx16 ET 50 & tyre 205/55 R16 91H is permitted from the side of “Technical Development” Skoda Auto a.s.

I hope I helped you.

With best regards

Jiri Vavra

In the end I went with 55 profile tyres. Was too much of an unknown if the additional radius of the 60 profile might be just enough to foul something. In my head I know they will be fine, but the 'I told you so' gremlin was knawing away and I decided to play it safe.

Incidentally I fitted them yesterday, they do look a wee bit small but they work and that's the main thing

The Yeti is the same, and Skoda state that you can only fit chains if a smaller sized tyre is fitted. This is because there is insufficient room for the chains on the standard fitment, mostly around the suspension units.

There is a sticky in the Yeti Tech section with all the details, but be very wary of fitting tyre sizes that are not approved by Skoda. You could find that it invalidates your insurance.

This doesn't just affect Skoda's but many other makes as well, so bear that in mind before criticising Skoda. There are certain Porsche's that there is nothing available!

If you're seriously thinking of changing wheel sizes without going to winter tyres, then maggitraks on your OEM wheels might be more economical (£240ish/pair)

Get decent winter tires, and forget chains/other beauty metal. Yes it's true you can use chains only on 205/55/16 and 205/50/17, I have Skoda chains and thats what it says on the label.

I have never used them and been all over Alpine Europe last winter, snow deep to the front under plate for fun. Not stuck once.

......and the reply I recieved was:

Dear XXX,

as far as your question concerning “rim-tyres†combination is concerned unfortunately I must disappoint you.

Tyres 205/60 R16 were never tested for Skoda vehicles Octavia Scout included. Skoda company uses tyres 205/60 R15 only.

For this reasons I can confirm you that only combination of rim 6Jx16 ET 50 & tyre 205/55 R16 91H is permitted from the side of “Technical Development†Skoda Auto a.s.

I hope I helped you.

With best regards

Jiri Vavra

You know how the Scout has fractionally more ground clearance than the regular 4x4? We did that by fitting bigger wheels! Yep your car really is a regular Octavia 4x4 under the plastic cladding. Why would we redesign the suspension for one model!?!

Cos' it's only one model introduced several years after the majority of the range, why would we want to waste time and money on further approvals? For one model! We already have the standard Octavia wheel sizes in the bag from initial approval for the whole range when the Scout was just a glimmer in the mind of the products bods. Just be a nice chap and use the regular Octavia sizes. Ta

AFAIK its the 6J wheels that matter (6.5J is no good for chains).

Get decent winter tires, and forget chains/other beauty metal. Yes it's true you can use chains only on 205/55/16 and 205/50/17, I have Skoda chains and thats what it says on the label.

I have never used them and been all over Alpine Europe last winter, snow deep to the front under plate for fun. Not stuck once.

I've got decent winter tyres and also have never yet been stuck despite some difficult steep continental and UK snowy roads. However, chains or the equivalent still need to be carried in alpine regions of most european countries and in some cases the police may insist that they are put on. All I am trying to establish is if a better matching tyre size can be used with snowchains. If not is the reason clearance related or ABS related?

Could be clearance, could be manufacturers test 1 tire size and don't bother with more.

Some russian guy has fitted 225/55/17 and nearly touches the front plastic with those, some have fitted 205/60/16 for a little higher ground clearance than /55. All in all a 16" tire will beat in snow/ice any bigger rim. Id=f you fit 205/60 you will need different chains from OEM, and the usual UK insurance bs to be sorted since it's not a recommended tire size.

Traditional chains cannot be used on 225/50/17 since the chain might hit the suspension if you hit a bump. If the chain hits the suspension, the wheel might shortly block and your car might get out of control. Therefor using chains on 225/50/17 is very unsafe for the Scout.

Or your chain might break and fall off.

I have the Maggi Trak (pictured above) on my Scout and they work great.

I tested my Scout on a private road with a steep snowy hill in Switzerland and managed to get safely up and down without chains. Swiss drivers told me however that I really will have to use chains in icy road conditions.

If you're seriously thinking of changing wheel sizes without going to winter tyres,

Please be aware that wintertyres without chains still have 150% grip compared to summer tyres with chains. In conditions that wintertyres need chains, then you are completely lost with Summer tyres, I have seen it on multiple occasions.

Edited 24 December, 201114 yr by Constant