May be able to put this bit of one to bed

 

Download the wheels and tyres section of the erWin manuals in the sticky at the top. Look at section 14 "wheel-tyre combination" There are different minimums for each model

 

Mine is as I thought no H rated tyres in the list, this list matches (almost) what is written on my Certificate of Conformity. However if you have the 1.6 TDI it looks like you are fine with H in most sizes. It is dependant on your specific model. 

 

There is a paragraph about fitting of winter tyres however this manual is not a UK manual (which says something different) and there is a caveat that says "Also observe the national legislation" As I don't know where this manual comes from I would say check the information locally.

 

I think if you use what is on the car from the factory there is no problem. If you change to something else you need to look at it in a little depth. For me I will use the tyres on the specific list for my car. If that list includes H rated tyres I WILL use them. if it does not I wont. 

 

 

This is taken from Page 11 of the Skoda Octavia III Wheels & Tyres Workshop Manual, Edition 10.2013, I presume that is what you are referring to.

 

♦ If winter tyres are used with a lower speed rating than the maximum permissible driving speed, it has to be pointed out with a sticker providing an additional note which must be fixed in the field of vision of the driver. ♦ The information given on the sticker determines the maximum permissible driving speed for the winter tyres fitted, which must not be exceeded during the operation of the vehicle. ♦ Note: The note on the sticker can be replaced with the system installed in the vehicle for life (for example the onboard computer) ⇒ Operating instructions

 

So, permissible driving speed in the UK is 70mph, so H rated tyres are fine. I don't know many countries where the permissible driving speed exceeds V or Y rated tyres?

 

Then there is the statement about observing national legislation, which in the UK is that the tyres have to be rated as a minimum to 70mph according to the construction & use regs. Unless you can point me to something that states otherwise, it appears to me that as long as I have the correct size and offset of wheel and also the correct load rating as per th etype approval, then H rated tyres are perfectly legal, especially as I don't intend exceeding 130mph. Seeing as these are the tyres the Skoda dealers are selling as winter tyres, 3 different insurance companies and the local traffic police seem perfectly happy with this, as well as the AA and ABI (who allude to the wheels and load index have to be to the manufacturers specification), I don't see why I should spend extra cash on higher speed rated tyres.

 

As you said, each to their own though, and the best advice I can give anyone is to speak to their insurance company before fitting winters, especially if you are fitting different rims - some insurers don't like non-OEM alloys, or even changing from alloys to steels.

This is taken from Page 11 of the Skoda Octavia III Wheels & Tyres Workshop Manual, Edition 10.2013, I presume that is what you are referring to.

 

♦ If winter tyres are used with a lower speed rating than the maximum permissible driving speed, it has to be pointed out with a sticker providing an additional note which must be fixed in the field of vision of the driver. ♦ The information given on the sticker determines the maximum permissible driving speed for the winter tyres fitted, which must not be exceeded during the operation of the vehicle. ♦ Note: The note on the sticker can be replaced with the system installed in the vehicle for life (for example the onboard computer) ⇒ Operating instructions

 

So, permissible driving speed in the UK is 70mph, so H rated tyres are fine. I don't know many countries where the permissible driving speed exceeds V or Y rated tyres?

 

Then there is the statement about observing national legislation, which in the UK is that the tyres have to be rated as a minimum to 70mph according to the construction & use regs. Unless you can point me to something that states otherwise, it appears to me that as long as I have the correct size and offset of wheel and also the correct load rating as per th etype approval, then H rated tyres are perfectly legal, especially as I don't intend exceeding 130mph. Seeing as these are the tyres the Skoda dealers are selling as winter tyres, 3 different insurance companies and the local traffic police seem perfectly happy with this, as well as the AA and ABI (who allude to the wheels and load index have to be to the manufacturers specification), I don't see why I should spend extra cash on higher speed rated tyres.

 

As you said, each to their own though, and the best advice I can give anyone is to speak to their insurance company before fitting winters, especially if you are fitting different rims - some insurers don't like non-OEM alloys, or even changing from alloys to steels.

 

That manual is not a UK one and I believe that "sticker" proceedure does not apply in the UK. I was just using it as an example why one Octavia might need V rated tyres and another Octavia might be fine with H-rated

 

Andyvee, obviously no-one is going to convince you otherwise and I am not interested in trying. You have thought about it and made your decision. If everyone thought about this as much as you do then many people would be safer than they are. That is the good thing about these forums

 

V-rated winter tyres are listed as a minimum, by Skoda, for my car so that is what I fit. It is as simple as that. 

 

Where I am looking now V and H rated tyres are the same price or within a few quid so I do not see the issue. Finally even if they were more expensive I would still fit them. I have spent a lot of cash on the car and I am not even going to fret the difference. I have 4 sets of winter wheels in my garage and I change them all twice a year. I sleep better at night knowing my family are on winter rubber when it is cold and I sleep a bit better knowing I fit what is listed for my cars.