My Octavia vRS FL was supplied with 225/40-18 92Y Conti Contact 2 tyres on 18x7.5 ET51 wheels.  The tyres are rated to 186mph!  I would have thought that V (149mph) speed rating would have been more than adequate as max speed is 139mph (not in the UK, of course!).

 

I am about to order 225/45-17 winter tyres.  After some research I intended to purchase Nokian WR D3s at £107, but these are only available as 225/45-17 94H XL.

 

I am trying to keep the tyre price in the £90-£110 band and buy a brand of which I have heard.  Most 225/45-17 winter tyres in this price range seem to be 94H XL or 91H rated - no 92H or 92V.    There seems to be no consensus as to whether XL rated tyres gave a harsher ride.  I am buying the tyres for use in Gloucestershire so really for use in low temperatures not for driving on snow/ice.  Anyway, I am retired so if the road conditions are really bad I just stay at home!

 

I suspect that for insurance purposes I should not fit tyres rated below the Skoda specified 92 load rating.

 

So my questions are:

 

1   Do XL rated tyres made the ride more harsh?

 

2   Is H rated OK for winter tyres without falling foul of insurance 'rules'?  The whole of the Nokian winter tyre range has a speed rating of T(118) or H(130). After all, on a crisp dry winter's day (in the UK) I can drive at the same (legal) speeds as on a warm summer's day. 

 

3   Any suggestions for a winter tyre that meets my criteria?  225/45-17 92 or 94 non-XL H or V. Please no alternative sizes as I don't wish to go below 225/45-17 and I would appreciate recommendations of tyres you actually have experience of, not just repeated hearsay.  About to order a set of alloys (probably Dezent RE 7x17 ET45 or 7½x17 ET48 .  I actually prefer the Dezent U but that is an extra £25/wheel.

 

 

You will be fine with H rated tyres and there is not a great deal of difference between XL and non XL, although personally I prefer having the higher rating for winters with larger cars. Oh had Nokian's myself in the past and they where a good winter tyre in all rubbish weather conditions.

 

All official tyre and rim sizes can be found here;

 

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

 

With the tyre size your looking at then Skoda state a rim of 7Jx17 ET54 for the vRS.

 

 

Regard insurance check this link to see if your insurer is listed for their policy on winters;

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/221007-abi-list-of-insurers-regarding-winter-tyres/

 

 

 

TP

Thanks for the reply.

 

The first line of 5.9 in the link you gave show the tyres as 225/45R17 91W  and the wheel as 7J 17 ET54.  I  can't find a winter tyre or a wheel that meets those specifications.  The sub-sections under 5.9 give numerous alternatives that I don't follow as the sub-sections are full of code numbers and it is all in German.

 

So far I think I will go for a 225/45-17 94H XL winter tyre and fit to a 7x17 or 7.5x17 wheel.  As the standard 18x7.5 wheels are ET51 I can't see that a 17x7 with ET45 or a 7.5x17 with ET48 will cause any problem with a 225 tyre fitted.

 

I have spoken to my insurer and provided the wheel/tyre size combination is "Skoda approved" then they are happy.   The driver's manual for the car does not state tyre sizes for winter tyres except the max tyre sizes if chains are used and to say that a lower speed rating is permissible.  It also states "You must only fit those types of winter tyre which are approved for your vehicle. The permissible sizes of winter tyres are stated in your vehicle documents. Approvals may differ because of national legislation."  What documentation states winter tyre size? - none that I have.

H is fine, my winters are H , and my insurance company is happy with that, just remember not to go over 130 mph

/\ got more grip than last years winters?

H is fine, my winters are H , and my insurance company is happy with that, just remember not to go over 130 mph

I'll set the speed warning on the maxidot!

I had my Conti TS850's fitted yesterday (225/45 R17 94H XL) and they are firm, but also not too firm as to affect the ride, nice & quiet too, quieter than my summer tyres.

 

I'm thinking that I may change my summer tyres which came with the car for something else come the spring.

So I have ordered four Nokian WR D3  225/45-17 94H XL winter tyres to be fitted to Dezent RE 17x7 ET45 5-spoke alloy wheels - total cost £885 including fitting/balancing tyres to wheels and swapping for the wheels on the car.  The wife thinks it's just 4 tyres at around £80 each!  Will post a photo when fitted. First time I have fitted winter tyres to a car so interested to see if the money spent is worthwhile.  My standard Neptune wheels with 225/40-18 Conti 2 tyres will be stacked in the garage for the next few months.

/\ got more grip than last years winters?

lol... goodyears this time I haven't tried climbing off any rolling roads in this car though :P