Hi, just getting used to my newly acquired octavia (2014). I have 16inch tyres on 1.4 TSI dsg. With the Christmas trip coming up which involves driving 600 miles in 3 days, u was looking at tyre pressures on fuel cap. With full load and 4 passengers the recommended pressures looked too high to me (especially rear tyres) . So Wanted to ask what do people generally do/recommend? Stick to recommended pressures or with slightly less? Ta....

Hi, just getting used to my newly acquired octavia (2014). I have 16inch tyres on 1.4 TSI dsg. With the Christmas trip coming up which involves driving 600 miles in 3 days, u was looking at tyre pressures on fuel cap. With full load and 4 passengers the recommended pressures looked too high to me (especially rear tyres) . So Wanted to ask what do people generally do/recommend? Stick to recommended pressures or with slightly less? Ta....

If you doubt the advice of your vehicle manufacturer (who have probably done some research on the subject) then disregard it and take the advice of members here as gospel.

 

Me?  Just take on board what the vehicle manufacturer tells you.

High speed with low tyre pressure not recommended!

Better to be high than too low. If low the tyre will tend to overheat, if high maybe wear the centre a bit.

Stick with the manufacturer pressures, just remember to reset them when you get back. Have great Christmas.

Always used the recommendations on the fuel cap. Why take a risk on a blow out or premature tyre wear. As above, reset pressures when the heavy loads are out.

After you adjust the pressures, remember to reset the TPMS tyre pressure monitoring in the Car menu in the radio.

glosrich-in the car menu system should there be tyre pressures shown at all? I have had my car 7 months now and never received any tyre pressure alerts and have never topped up or manually checked the pressures. When I received the car from the dealer I enquired about the tyre pressure monitoring system and they said I do not have to go near it as the pressures were already set correctly. Surely by now I should have received an alert that one or two tyres need topping up?

Thanks

Fred

As on another thread, don't rely on warning lights to do your work.

Edited 18 December, 20169 yr by gregoir

gregoir-that really wasn't exactly helpful. I am still no further forward in resolving this matter.

in the car menu system should there be tyre pressures shown at all?

No, the system on the Octavia III (like most TPMS now) doesn't have tyre pressure sensors so it cannot display tyre pressures or temperatures.

 

Instead it uses the ABS wheel speed sensors and some software to determine when wheels are rotating at an unexpected speed due to the tyre pressure dropping and the rolling radius decreasing.

Thanks Petroldave-that's the kind of information I was looking for. I  contacted my local Skoda dealer before your reply and they confirmed what you just said. They also said I really do not need to check the tyre pressures as the system will alert me if there is a drop but if I suspect there is a problem with a tyre I should check the pressure manually and if I do adjust it I then have to reset the TPMS.

I really do not need to check the tyre pressures as the system will alert me if there is a drop but if I suspect there is a problem with a tyre I should check the pressure manually and if I do adjust it I then have to reset the TPMS.

Call me old fashioned but I still check the tyre pressures (actually do the P.O.W.E.R. checks) every time I'm going on a long journey and/or every month or so.

 

Whenever you change the tyre pressures (remember that even checking them can release a small amount of air) you must reset the TPMS to prevent false warnings.

...

 

They also said I really do not need to check the tyre pressures as the system will alert me if there is a drop but if I suspect there is a problem with a tyre I should check the pressure manually and if I do adjust it I then have to reset the TPMS.

With respect - rubbish.

 

The system on the Octavia is flaky. I get false alarms ever few weeks, sometimes even after scrupulously checking - and topping up if necessary. It has a mind of its own. The rush of adrenalin that kicks in is not needed. On every occasion the pressure has been correct.

 

And what would make you suspect there is a problem? In these days of low profile tyres there can be a significant loss of pressure before any visual indication, e.g a deformed sidewall. Regular manual checks are the best way - at least with the Octavia's system.

 

And to respond to the original post, I'm with Skoda VRS1963, CCTaylor, and gregoir.

Thanks for your replies. I understand the point about following manufacturer advice.

Sorry but for some reason, one of the real questions I had never seems to have appeared in the post. Normally all car manufacturers give advice on pressure with work people with light luggage and full var with heavy luggage. My question was what do we do for in between situations I. E. 3 or 4 people with 3/4 full boot. Do we go to full load tyre pressure or find somewhere in between two pressure levels.

Sorry if it's a daft question but we do a lot of driving like this so just want to be sure. Thanks.

 

 

... My question was what do we do for in between situations I. E. 3 or 4 people with 3/4 full boot. Do we go to full load tyre pressure or find somewhere in between two pressure levels.

Sorry if it's a daft question but we do a lot of driving like this so just want to be sure. Thanks.

 

Not a daft question at all. I discussed this at length with my local indy tyre shop a few years back. He said - and still does say -  "somewhere in between". I tend to run with a couple of PSI extra all round, as long as it's within manufacturers' limits, even when empty. And a police driver relative said that's acceptable and won't raise concerns. As long as one's being sensible, he wouldn't expect a driver to be changing pressures up or down every time a different number of people/suitcases were aboard.

Not a daft question at all. I discussed this at length with my local indy tyre shop a few years back. He said - and still does say -  "somewhere in between". I tend to run with a couple of PSI extra all round, as long as it's within manufacturers' limits, even when empty. And a police driver relative said that's acceptable and won't raise concerns. As long as one's being sensible, he wouldn't expect a driver to be changing pressures up or down every time a different number of people/suitcases were aboard.

Very sensible suggestion if your load frequently varies.

In case my car usually carries one or two people. If carrying extra it is usually only for short distances and the theoretical low pressure is not something that bothers me. However any long runs with a load at trunk road speeds I would adjust the pressure to ensure that tyres don't overheat.

For the last 15 years I have always inflated my tyres to 39psi with the idea of slight economy increase but still not giving a harsh ride.

Hi,I've been poo-pooed on Briskoda before but my 104 TSi on 205/55 16" Dunlop Bluresponce Sports sweet spot seems to be 45psi

Hi,I've been poo-pooed on Briskoda before but my 104 TSi on 205/55 16" Dunlop Bluresponce Sports sweet spot seems to be 45psi

If it works for you then that is fine.

Personally I have found anything over 40psi unladen is uncomfortable and affects handling adversely on my original 17inch Dunlop SportMaxx.

36 to 38 psi is my sweet spot unladen, anything lower and I notice reverberations in the car (pressure-like).

Now 75% worn and 31 months old they all seem to have become more porous and require the pressure topping up most refuels, at least monthly, which was not a problem when they were new.

I don't think Dunlop sell the tyres you have fitted in Aus so when they are replaced you may find those pressures do not work quite so well for you?

gregoir-that really wasn't exactly helpful. I am still no further forward in resolving this matter.

The dealership is incorrect.

 

You should check the tyre pressures every month or two.  The TPMS will not prevent air loss or add air.

 

You should also acquaint yourself with how to reset the TPMS.

 

Tyre pressures:  Personally, I run 36psi F&R all year round, regardless of load.

 

Take the placard on the fuel flap as being a minimum. 

Yes Gerry ,I.ve tried all sorts of tyre pressure combinations and 45psi seems to work best.Ride is a bit firm (not too bad) but the steering is transformed.I think it must be the soft sidewalls in these Dunlops.Thinking of going Michelin PS2 or PS3 next time.Any thoughts?

Hi,I've been poo-pooed on Briskoda before but my 104 TSi on 205/55 16" Dunlop Bluresponce Sports sweet spot seems to be 45psi

45 psi might be OK, but inflate to 45 psi on a cold day - then the temperature heats up and you go for a reasonably fast drive, pressure is going to be well above 45 psi

I've wondered about this.Then again a cold day in Scotland might be different to a cold day in Aus.

Don't shoot me for being dim, but P.O.W.E.R checks? I'm going with pressure, oil and water to start but I get stuck after that.

Don't shoot me for being dim, but P.O.W.E.R checks? I'm going with pressure, oil and water to start but I get stuck after that.

http://www.saferrider.org/the-garage/p-o-w-d-e-r-checks/

Don't shoot me for being dim, but P.O.W.E.R checks? I'm going with pressure, oil and water to start but I get stuck after that.

Petrol

Oil

Water

Electrics i.e. battery (remember when batteries used to need topping up with Sulphuric Acid?)

Rubber i.e. tyre pressures