Hi guys

I'm currently expecting delivery of a White Urban TDi. This is our second Yeti, the first being a 2009 59 Plate 1.2 TSi SE in Muscovado. I enjoyed the first Yeti, but always had a nagging feeling that the little engine was ever so slightly overwhelmed by the car (the fuel economy was also a little disapointing at low 30's).

Anyway fast forward nearly 2 years (and x1 FL Octavia TSi 4x4 and a 1.6 CR TDi Roomster SE+) and I'm right back where I started - in a Yeti!.

I have a question regarding winter tyres. Our last Yeti was fitted with 225/50/17 tyres and was hopeless in the snow. I did enquire regarding winter tyres at the time, but supply issues and the slightly odd tyre size left me managing without.

I've since had winter tyres over the last couple of winters and am a total convert. They made my old CLK driveable in the snow and worked wonders on the Roomster in the last perod of snow. I also have a set for my old Mark I Octavia 1.8T 4x4.

I've done a spot of reasearch (and also checked with my local dealer) - am I correct in thinking that I need a set of 16" steel wheels (7J and 45 offset, 5x112). I am also slightly confused regarding the tyre options. All the Yeti's on my local main dealers forecourt fitted with 16" wheels have 215x60x16 tyres, whereas my local main dealers parts department told me 205/55/16 will be fine. I'm keen to go with 205/55/16, as they are more widely available and I also have a set of Michelin Alpin A4's in this size in storage.

Many thanks for any advice offered.

Hi and welcome back to the fold.

yes you have the right rim size and either 215/60 or 205/55 tyres will be fine and being 2wd you can use a 91 rather than 94 load index. 205 size is often recommended as the winter size, as it allows you to fit snow chains, whereas 215 does not (2wd). Only drawback with the 205 is both the speedo and distance recorder over read due to the smaller tyre diameter; off the top of my head 55mph true at 60 indicated.

TP

Oh have a look at the Yeti rim and tyre guide;

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/148948-yeti-tyre-and-rim-guide/

TP

Many thanks TP, 205/55/16's it is then.

I had Hankook Winter I*cept evo W310 M+S on my FL Octavia TSi 4x4 last year (from Reifen.com) and the car was virtually unstoppable in the snow. They also came in at approximately half the price on the Michelin Alpin's, currently waiting to go back on my MK1 Octavia 4x4.

Many thanks TP, 205/55/16's it is then.

the car was virtually unstoppable in the snow.

I assume you mean you could stop it but the snow couldn't!!

Just had a look at REIFEN,com after seeing it in your post, my computer told not to proceed any further as it was not a secure site.

Seems to work fine on my system (firefox) - http://www.reifen.com/en?

I've used them on several occasions over the past few years and despite the language differences (google translate helps with replying to emails) have had good service. Delivery has always been impressively prompt, especially given the distances involved.

They were able to supply 2 years ago, when everyone else in the UK was either "out of stock" or hiking prices in response to the snowy conditions.

I assume you mean you could stop it but the snow couldn't!!

Exactly

Over the last few years I have driven (and owned) the following in heavy snow:

Lexus GS300 SE (2005) - ~240 BHP, RWD, 5 speed Auto and "summer tyres". This actually got stranded in the work car park for several days. Very nice car though.

Yeti 1.2 TSi SE (2009) - 105 BHP, FWD, 6 speed manual 225/50/17 Dunlop SP01 tyres. Got stuck several times, very poor in snow (? as a result of the light front end).

Octavia FL 1.8 TSi 4x4 (2010) - 160 BHP, 4x4, 6 speed manual 205/60/15 summer tyres, OK in the snow, but virtually unstoppable (ground clearance excepted) once changed to a set of Hankook Winter I*cept evo W310 M+S.

Mercedes CLK 230K (1997) - ~200 BHP, RWD, 5 speed Auto, Pirelli P6000's - a complete liability in the snow, stopped on the slightest incline, regardless of gentle throttle / winter mode on Autobox. I fitted set of Michelin Alpins and was amazed at the difference. I used this car (on the Alpins) all through the bad snow a couple of years ago.

Roomster 1.6 CR TDi SE+ (2012) - 105 BHP, 5 speed manual, 195/55/15 Bridgestones, reasonable in the snow, but again massively better on a set of Semperit speed grip 2's - supplied by Reifen.com at half the cost of anything available in the UK at the time.

Octavia 1.8T Elegance 4x4 Combi (2002) - 150 BHP, 5 speed manual, 205/55/16 Goodyear F1's, reasonable in the snow, but as with my old FL octavia 4x4 virtually unstoppable once wearing the Mercs old Michelin Alpins.

Honda CRV 2.0 ES Auto (2007) - 150 BHP, 5 speed Auto, 225/65/17 continental 4x4 contact M+S - never driven in snow! Traded in against the Roomster due to concerns regarding a noisey diff / vibration from the drive train and 20 mpg

Despite the obvious traction benefits of 4x4 I found the Roomster on winter tyres got everywhere the 4x4 cars did, hence my choice of FWD TDi Yeti (with a spare set on 16" winters on steel rims) on this occasion.

Seems to work fine on my system (firefox) - http://www.reifen.com/en?

I've used them on several occasions over the past few years and despite the language differences (google translate) have had good service. Delivery has always been impressively prompt, especially given the distances involved.

They were able to supply 2 years ago, when everyone else in the UK was either "out of stock" or hiking prices in response to the snowyconditions.

I was able to get into their site ok, but when I clicked on order, was when the message came up. Maybe my security software is too aggresive.

My local Setyres branch fitted a set of Hankook 205/55 R16 91T Winter i*cept RS W442 for me at £70 each. These are the newer version of the W310's and have a blockier tread pattern. See pics below.

I priced the same tyre up on Riefen and when you add in shipping and possible charges for fitting the overall cost was almost identical.

Now is the time to be buying, and I suspect your local tyre fitter, (if they are as good as ours) will be quite keen to "price match"

W442 W310

Edited 8 July, 201214 yr by vegit8

I have these from Camskill on Audi 16" Alloys

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m96b0s629p61894/KUMHO_TYRES_WINTER_SNOW_CAR_KUMHO_KW27_KUMHO_KW_27_-_205_55R16_94V_XL_TL_

They are simply fantastic!!

I paid only £43 each (£53 fitted) 2 winters agoThey are hardly worn (2 winters..November to March)

I just paid the local tyre fitter £40 to fit them to my eBay alloys

My local Setyres branch fitted a set of Hankook 205/55 R16 91T

Are these for the new 4x4 Monster :wonder:

Load index of 91 according to Skoda, is only suitable for 2wd versions; 4x4 needs a minimum of 94 (93 acceptable for 205/50 R17 tyre size)

See page 196 of the attached document and look for engine code CFHC (140) in the top row

http://www.skoda.de/...load.php?id=424

Note: second row CFHC is the 2wd 140 Green Tech; not available in the UK (VW wouldn't sell any Golf's here if it was )

TP

Are these for the new 4x4 Monster :wonder:

Load index of 91 according to Skoda, is only suitable for 2wd versions; 4x4 needs a minimum of 94 (93 acceptable for 205/50 R17 tyre size)

TP

Plumber

My dealer has supplied me with 16" 91H winter tyres for my 110 4x4 Yeti - are these wrong?

From what I can make of the chart they are not the correct load rating but I need to be sure before complaining.

Thanks

Norry

Edited 8 July, 201214 yr by Norry

Plumber

My dealer has supplied me with 16" 91H winter tyres for my 110 4x4 Yeti - are these wrong?

I would say yes, they should have supplied 94 but I'm not surprised they supplied you the 91, as there the most common load index for a 205/55 R16 tyre, plus half these supposed experts don't know what all these numbers on the tyre wall mean themselves. Also bare in mind your factory tyres are 95.

Likewise I have winter tyres but 215/60 R16 and their 99XL, again the most common load index for this size in a winter pattern.

91 will not be unsafe for a vehicle of 2100kg gross weight but your safety margin will be reduced and I'm not sure on the insurance implications if the worst happened and you had a tyre failure resulting in an accident :wonder:

TP

I would say yes, they should have supplied 94 but I'm not surprised they supplied you the 91 as there the most common load index for a 205/55 R16 tyre, plus half these supposed experts don't know what all these numbers on the tyre wall mean themselves. Also bare in mind your factory tyres are 95.

Likewise I have winter tyres but 215/60 R16 and their 99, again the most common load index for this size in a winter pattern.

91 will not be unsafe for a vehicle of 2100kg gross weight but your safety margin will be reduced and I'm not sure on the insurance implications if the worst happened and you had a tyre failure resulting in an accident :wonder:

TP

Thankyou I will complain and see what happens!