Had the car serviced at Skoda Dealer today (fabia vrs). I was told it's the wrong size of tyre on it, currently on all 4 wheels it is 205/50/16. Dealer said that is wrong and the correct size is 205/45/16. It needs new front tyres soon, and I don't fancy replacing the back as they still have 5 mm left on them. If I bought 205/45/16 tyres on the front and kept the 205/50/16 tyres on the back would there be any risks?

I can't see any issues from a 10mm difference in wall height. Usable tread depth is typicall 6 or 7mm anyway.

it's not even 10mm difference so i wouldn't worry about it

do the 205 50 16's not catch the nsr wheel arch liner?? and aslong as the tyres are the same sizes on each axle you should be ok unless you have esp in which case the difference in rolling radius's may cause a prob

Dealer is quite correct to state 205/45/16 tyres.

Anything else is at your own risk, not sure what an insurance might say in the bleak event of a claim/ inspection.

Dealer is quite correct to state 205/45/16 tyres.

Anything else is at your own risk, not sure what an insurance might say in the bleak event of a claim/ inspection.

+1,,,,,,got some 16" rims for mine and the only suitable tyres are 205/45/16.

it's not even 10mm difference so i wouldn't worry about it

The tyre calculator I use suggests OEM tyres are 591mm diameter and the 50 profile's are 611mm diameter - difference = 20mm diameter, 10mm radius/wall height. 3.27% difference - so slightly slower but slightly more economical.

would different rolling radii and thus different wheel speeds front and back not confuse the ABS?

would different rolling radii and thus different wheel speeds front and back not confuse the ABS?

That's just what I was going to suggest too.

Front wheels spinning faster than rear may confuse ASR (traction control) too. However I don't know how sensitive to wheel speeds it is.

Edited 30 January, 201313 yr by Jim H

You'll have to replace all 4 with the correct size, otherwise as mentioned the ASR and ABS will get very confused due to the very different speed readings coming from the ABS sensors. The end result would be the ABS and ASR lights coming on to indicate a fault, and loss of those systems. Until that happens you could experience issues with poor throttle response as the car will think that a complete axle has lost traction.

Just had a thought.

How low are your fronts? Why not put them on the rear, and as fronts normally wear faster, you may end up will needing 4 tyres at once, so therefore can change them all for the correct size.

Just had a thought.

How low are your fronts? Why not put them on the rear, and as fronts normally wear faster, you may end up will needing 4 tyres at once, so therefore can change them all for the correct size.

Wish I could bud, but they are at 2mm, and they are budgets - I bought them when I was skint but it was better than having no rubber at all

used tyres with half decent tread seem to sell pretty well on ebay

i've got 205/55/16 on my alloy rims, they are winter tyres and yes they did rub on the nearside rear arch only, so glad i removed it as found some surface rust in the arch area, suprising what gets hidden behind the plastic guards, have a look :peek: behind yours see whats lurking there, lol.

I'd buy the size they're meant to be, and keep same size tyres on same axle.

Had the car serviced at Skoda Dealer today (fabia vrs). I was told it's the wrong size of tyre on it, currently on all 4 wheels it is 205/50/16. Dealer said that is wrong and the correct size is 205/45/16. It needs new front tyres soon, and I don't fancy replacing the back as they still have 5 mm left on them. If I bought 205/45/16 tyres on the front and kept the 205/50/16 tyres on the back would there be any risks?

I would say the 50s probably drive a bit more comfortably/economically and fill the arches a bit more. Cost of two tyres is not insignificant. To be surer/safer, check with your insurer.

I have run 195's on the front and 205'S on the back with no issues what so ever. Therefore the size difference should not do anything untoward to the ABS etc

I have run 195's on the front and 205'S on the back with no issues what so ever. Therefore the size difference should not do anything untoward to the ABS etc

Assuming you mean 195/45/16 and 205/45/16 that's only a diameter difference of 9mm though - not 20mm as the OP's situation would be

Assuming you mean 195/45/16 and 205/45/16 that's only a diameter difference of 9mm though - not 20mm as the OP's situation would be

Yes

I've run 205/50/16 on my car for many years now with no issues whatsoever.

Feels much more grown up - less crashy, smoother, and my insurance company have no problem (I declare EVERYTHING).

I say keep the 50's but your call dude.