Is this a big no-no?

 

My Superb has 225/45 R17 94W summer tyres fitted.

 

I've found some used alloys with winters already fitted (205/55 R16 91H).

 

Am I asking for trouble from both a safety and insurance perspective by even looking at a lower load rating?

 

EDIT: I've answered my own question...

 

For obvious reasons the tyre's load capability must as a minimum match the loads imposed by the vehicle, statically and dynamically. UK law does stipulate replacement tyres must have a Load Index equal to or higher than the original fit tyre.

 

http://www.btmauk.com/data/files/Replacing_Car_Tyres_1_June_2011.pdf

Edited 17 November, 201312 yr by silver1011

Check out the approved rim and tyre combinations against your engine code and type approval number (e11*.......) (in the v5) here;

 

http://www.skoda-auto.de/service/serviceleistungen/serienbereifung/Documents/Serienreifen_Skoda_2013_11.pdf

 

 

TP

UK law does stipulate replacement tyres must have a Load Index equal to or higher than the original fit tyre.

I believe this part of the BTMA quote is incorrect. The vehicle manufacturer will specify minimum load ratings to meet the maximum axle weights, including a margin to take into account the likely range of vehicle usage. They may fit tyres with a higher load rating out of the factory though, depending on what is available to them at the time.

 

The minimum load rating for each Skoda car is listed here (pdf). Mind you I've not been able to relate the numbers in the index to the specific cars we have ... I've just looked for the correct model. a matching engine output and the wheel/tyre sizes.

Thanks Plumber and Gareth,

 

Great source of information. Why can't Skoda UK make this information easily available on their website?

 

My Superb is the 3T so according to the PDF you both linked the minimum load rating is as I suspected 94 (for my current 17" summer and proposed 16" winter wheels)...

 

The wheels I'm looking at are on eBay, if I win the auction then I'll take off the part worn 91H Bridgestone winters and try and sell them on.

Oh forgot to say this list is regularly updated and can be found on this web page;

 

http://www.skoda-auto.de/service/serviceleistungen/serienbereifung

 

 

Forum member magic62, first made me aware of it about 4 years ago and I think it's a great source of info that should be more widely published by Skoda and maybe included in the cars handbook, rather than the brief section on winter tyres and open ended statement telling you to refer to other documentation that's not actually supplied with the car, in the UK anyway :wonder:

 

 

TP

I believe this part of the BTMA quote is incorrect. The vehicle manufacturer will specify minimum load ratings to meet the maximum axle weights, including a margin to take into account the likely range of vehicle usage. They may fit tyres with a higher load rating out of the factory though, depending on what is available to them at the time.

 

The minimum load rating for each Skoda car is listed here (pdf). Mind you I've not been able to relate the numbers in the index to the specific cars we have ... I've just looked for the correct model. a matching engine output and the wheel/tyre sizes.

Agree 100%.

 

I've yet to find the legislation they refer to but maybe someone else can point the way.  As I used to work with their CEO I might just send him an email asking that very question...

 

Ministry plates are normally located on N/S B pillar or sometimes in engine bay and detail max axle capacity 1)Front 2)Rear.  Use the larger figure as a minimum to be shared across all normally inflated tyres on the axle (just in case the modders out there have gone for the twin-wheel "Transit" look - perhaps on a Fun )