Winter tyres - sooo quiet

[dilly]

Changed to the 195 15 winter wheels and tyres last weekend. I now realise just how noisy my normal 16" tyres had become to the extent that I was going to ask my garage whether the wheelbearings were shot. They seem fine now! Not only that but the winters ride better and even the steering is marginally more refined. Its altogether transformed the car.

What's not to like?

the dill

[Too Tall]

Are your winter tyres newer? If yes, you might want to check out the alignment on your car. It's possible it's out, causing issues with your older summer tyres that are sawtoothed or worn unevenly, causing excessive road noise. It would be a shame to have your new winters go "louder" as time goes by!

[Huskoda]

I noticed this too. My winters (brand new Goodyear Ultragrip 8) are near silent. I've got it in for a service on Friday, so I guess I'll ask them to check the alignment. It was too cold to properly look carefully at the wheels I removed.

[Auric Goldfinger]

I noticed this too. My winters (brand new Goodyear Ultragrip 8) are near silent. I've got it in for a service on Friday, so I guess I'll ask them to check the alignment. It was too cold to properly look carefully at the wheels I removed.

The alignment may be out but within Skoda's limits. My Vrs was miles out, but within Skoda's limits so I took it to a proper alignment specialist and all is now spot on.

[M12MKD]

Search sawtoothing. Welcome to the club!

[Huskoda]

Thanks. I should say my summers were not loud and I didn't hear any bearing/other noises, just that the winters are silent. Ill pull out and look at the summers before I go in for the service.

I'd also like to add that to my annoyance, I discovered that when ****-fit replaced all 4 tyres (just before I bought the car) they managed to use 3 different ones.

Edited 14 November, 2012 by Huskoda

[dilly]

Thanks very much Too Tall. Very interestimng theory. I assume "saw-toothing" is an onamatopoeia for sounding like a saw in motion backwards and forwards. I agree if that's the case. I haven't hit anything so I'd be quite surprised but I'll let KwikFit decide. The tyres are on their third "season" - they seem to last pretty well.

dill

[Tom Tallon]

Replaced my 225/45 R17s directly with same size winter Nokians on Monday.

If anything the winters are slightly more clunky and noisy than the summer Turanzas (which I don't rate ie Bridgestone).

However the winters were overinflated by 10 per cent as Nokian recommend AND the weather in the North East by day has been over 12 degrees C since I put them on. I have now set the tyre pressure at the SKoda specification AND will wait to see what effect a lower temperature has on the performance .

What I!m really saying is that the winter tyres shouldn't be on any UK based car this week! iBut that's the UK weather for you.

[dunc69]

I think you're fine on winters at current temps. It's just that they will perform better than summers at -7 degrees.

[Huskoda]

Bang on with the alignment. I pulled the summers out and had a look. One of the rears was clearly sawtoothed and the other was far more worn on the inside (they're both different models, grrr). Will get proper 4 wheel alignment done before my car shreds the winters.

[dilly]

Had a really good look at my summer tyres today. The OS rear was clearly like a threepenny bit and the NSR wasn't wearing properly,

Went to Kwikfit and for £20 they do the full monty on the suspension: toe and camber (but not caster) front and rear. Amusingly, the screen that the mechanic is watching whilst he wields his spanner is relayed to a monitor in the waiting room.

The back wheels were toeing out a bit but nothing was seriously awry which is a bit worrying in case there's something actually wrong with the suspension.

Who knows? At least the wheels are correctly aligned now. And for only £19.95...very good deal IMO

dill

[kkwales]

Hi all. Don't know whether my query should come under this topic but it does relate to tyres - or more specifically tyre wear. A few months ago the ESP light on my 08 reg Octavia TDI DSG estate, came on which was traced to a repair required to the ABS hydralic unit. Cost of repair £562.43. At the same time as the car was in for the diagnosis I mentioned that I was experiencing a "rumble" feeling when travelling 65 - 75 mph but only when accelerating or taking power off. The rumble feeling was similar to a worn wheelbearing or constant velocity joint. The comment was that the rear tyres were stepped (more wear on the inside of tyres). The wear difference was inside of tyres 4.5 mm tread depth and outside 6 mm tread depth (tyres about 8 months old). The suggestion was that I should replace the tyres and get four wheel alignment carried out. Cost for this was

(1) Nexon tyres and alignment £223.76

(2) Goodyear tyres and alignment £302.48.

I asked if the alignment could be done without the tyres being changed but was effectively told they would not do it. My question: "Is there any reason why the 4 wheel alignment cannot be done without changing the tyres at the same time?"

I've seen some reports on a system called "Hunter" (a tyre centre within 10 mile of home is shown by http://www.alignmycar.co.uk). Does anyone have info on this system. I've also seen some detremental reports about KFit which puts me off them a little.

Any comment or advice appreciated.

[Wardy]

The Hunter alignment kit is one of the best in the business.

For best peace of mind I'd go with that alignmycar recommendation. I'd avoid Kwik Fit for things like this, based on past experience.

And you can have the alignment checked/corrected with your existing tyres on. Just that you're still likely to experience the rumbling as the accelerated wear will still be present. With 4.5mm inside/6mm outside you could decide to carry on wearing those down post-alignment, safe in the knowledge that the setup will be right when you next change tyres.

[allias]

Bang on with the alignment. I pulled the summers out and had a look. One of the rears was clearly sawtoothed and the other was far more worn on the inside (they're both different models, grrr). Will get proper 4 wheel alignment done before my car shreds the winters.

If you in Leeds then you should visit ABC CAR Service. Many briskodians can confirm their work. Search for reviews here on forum as well...

[kkwales]

Hi Wardy

Thanks for your comments. I couldn't see any logical reason why the alignment couldn't be done with the current tyres. I assume the alignment is done from the wheel edges rather than the tyres. Tomorrow I will phone the listed tyre centre for details of the Hunter system and what they state.

Cheers

[FUBAR]

I have heard this Hunter set up is the badger! But as always only as good as the person operating it. I used to have to do 4 wheel lazer alignment in a main dealers I worked in from time to time...... To be honest I wasn't the best person in there to be let loose on it I wouldn't have even done my own car on it at lunch time I bought someone else a McDonalds to do it.

[Auric Goldfinger]

If you in Leeds then you should visit ABC CAR Service. Many briskodians can confirm their work. Search for reviews here on forum as well...

I'll second this, they did mine all is now spot on

Think bluevrs2 and ChrisRS have used them aswell

[Huskoda]

Already booked in with ABC. Thanks for the recommendations.