I promise I've read the Plumber's tyre and wheel guide, and I've studied and read up on tyre and wheel sizing until I never want to see a wheel again, but I have a question I hope someone can help me with!

The wheel guide suggests that a factory fitment is a 16" Steel wheel 7J diameter with offset of ET45.

The alternatives are specified (for possible snow chain fitment) as:

6J 16 ET50 – 205/55 R16 94H M+S

7J 16 ET45 - 205/55 R16 94H M+S

I assume the offset of 50 is because the wheel is narrower, so the offset is higher to "push the wheel out further" for suspension purposes?

That being the case, I've been offered a set of Winter tyres in VW fitment on 6.5J wheels. Only problem is that the offset is ET36.

My question is therefore:

a) is there a reason why 6.5J isn't mentioned on this site much? Will it fit the Yeti ok? and

if so, any idea what the offset should be to maintain the suspension geometry etc? Presumably somewhere in between 45 and 50? So is 36mm a no no?

Help?!

Edited 15 December, 201114 yr by norstar

Hi,

yes the 6.5J is OK but not officially recommended but as you suggest need to keep within ET45 - 50. ET36 would be a bit excessive I think.

Regards,

TP

ET36 vs optimum ~ET47 offset for 6.5J wheels means that the wheel will sit ~10mm further out of wheel well than designed and that will increase front track by 20mm total. Handling might be affected a little, and there will be more force on wheel bearings.

The widest tyres Superb runs are 225mm /18in vs 205mm of 16in ones. This means that there is at least 10mm of tolerance each side and there should be no wheel well scrubbing issues. Definitely no clearance issues without snow chains.

Most important issue is that you risk stone chips from stones thrown up by tyres, as tyres will be further out. But if you drive sensibly and do not plan using snow chains (unlikely you would need them around London area) you should be OK with ET36.

I would say that if the size isn't approved by Skoda then you don't fit them.

I would say that if the size isn't approved by Skoda then you don't fit them.

True, there's insurance to think about. Though I cannot help thinking that the new ET45 offset is to prevent you from using ET37 wheels on previous generation cars (Mk1 Superb, Mk2 Octavia, Mk5 Golf, Passat B5/B5.5). Corporate interests at their best? Either this or again $1 cost savings on bearings (with ET45 can be weaker than with ET37).