Couple of questions from a newbie here. We have a Yeti 4x4 L&K delivered in November 2016. As per the title we're going to France, specifically Biarritz, for the month of September.

 

We normally take out AA or similar breakdown cover but having a new car for the first time we are covered by Skoda Roadside Assistance. I understand this is provided by the AA so presumably assistance on the Continent would be exactly what we would have bought from them in the past. Does anyone have experience of using the Skoda service when abroad? I note that their contact number is in France so maybe not the same as AA.

 

As with most modern vehicles it has no spare - just the can of gunge. I've no problems with this in the UK as I'll just call Skoda Assistance or the RAC on my other membership but would like the reassurance of a spare while abroad. I've seen space savers on eBay but they state not suitable for 4 wheel drive. What is the difference in wheels between the two versions? I know I could buy one direct from Skoda but as it's a lease car that I'll only have for another year I was hoping not to have to spend too much on the wheel

 

Any information or ideas welcome  -  thanks

My 2016 L&K 4x4 was ordered with a space-saver.

Supplied with Continental ContiPremiumContact2 195/60/R16 89H.

Maybe you will have to budget for jack, brace etc?

There is another topic going at the moment on space saver tyres which may be of help?

(Love Biarritz, likely passing through during September)

Thanks for that. One supplier has 125/70/R16 so clearly different.  Looks like it may cost me more than I had hoped then!

 

Agree about Biarritz. We were there for a week a couple of years ago and liked it so much we're returning for longer

How about a 2nd wheel off a Golf. Lots on e-bay. I went this route years ago when I needed a spare for my VW Touran.

 

Colin

As Bexhillian says the correct sized spare is 195/60r16 on both 4 or 2 wheel drive versions. Anything other than this is not Type Approved and should not be used. The only difference in the full kits for sale is the plastic moulding that surround the wheel, due to the slightly different floor pans on the 4WD. The wheels are exactly the same over the 2 types.

 

Whilst Skoda Rescue is available in Europe it only covers mechanical breakdowns, so anything major, like an accident would not be covered, and there would be no repatriation. On those grounds alone I always take out separate EU cover. 

The multi fit wheels from recovery van wouldn't be type-approved either. If it fits, use it. 

 

The difference for 4wd is to do with winding up drive shaft and diffs and throwing haldex controllers into a spin. Pun intended. 

46 minutes ago, ben4012 said:

The multi fit wheels from recovery van wouldn't be type-approved either. If it fits, use it.  (1)

 

The difference for 4wd is to do with winding up drive shaft and diffs and throwing haldex controllers into a spin. Pun intended.  (2)

 

(1) The  Yeti is Type Approved for one spare wheel size only. Using an incorrect one will invalidate your insurance. The recovery companies have specific dispensation to allow their use in very specific instances and with specific advice.

 

(2) Wrong! Nothing to do with that at all. As has been said, there is NO difference to the spares fitted to vehicles with either drive system. They both get the same 195/60r16 wheel and tyre.

 

 

I love how you take such pleasure in being right. It must make up for other aspects of your life. 

 

Have you you read the type-approval document or is this your hearsay? 

 

What im saying about 4wd vehicles as a whole is correct. 

There is some total Construction & Use and EU Type Approval guff that gets spouted online.

I used Skoda Assistance in France in October 2013 - I had a problem with the supplied French phone number and phoned the UK number - they handled it from there on and arranged for a local garage to come out to us.  The service was brilliant.

2 hours ago, ben4012 said:

Have you you read the type-approval document or is this your hearsay? 

 

I wouldn't have commented further except for your vituperative response to Graham. Was it necessarily thus in a friendly forum?

Hearsay is information received from other people which cannot be substantiated. Why would you call it his hearsay?

Your phrase, as a whole, might be improved by in general but it's your whole to use as you choose.

15 minutes ago, Bexhillian said:

 

I wouldn't have commented further except for your vituperative response to Graham. Was it necessarily thus in a friendly forum?

Hearsay is information received from other people which cannot be substantiated. Why would you call it his hearsay?

Your phrase, as a whole, might be improved by in general but it's your whole to use as you choose.

So from a technical viewpoint I'm correct, gibberish about language is the best you can do?  Hearsay surely must have a source?

 

'Was it necessary in a friendly forum?' would make more sense in 2016.  Many of us could play grammar nazi but find plain English preferable. This is a car forum, others exist for splitting infinitives with the English teachers. 

behind the bike shed at playtime it is then !!//??

16 hours ago, alexinapot said:

Couple of questions from a newbie here. We have a Yeti 4x4 L&K delivered in November 2016. As per the title we're going to France, specifically Biarritz, for the month of September.

 

We normally take out AA or similar breakdown cover but having a new car for the first time we are covered by Skoda Roadside Assistance. I understand this is provided by the AA so presumably assistance on the Continent would be exactly what we would have bought from them in the past. Does anyone have experience of using the Skoda service when abroad? I note that their contact number is in France so maybe not the same as AA.

 

As with most modern vehicles it has no spare - just the can of gunge. I've no problems with this in the UK as I'll just call Skoda Assistance or the RAC on my other membership but would like the reassurance of a spare while abroad. I've seen space savers on eBay but they state not suitable for 4 wheel drive. What is the difference in wheels between the two versions? I know I could buy one direct from Skoda but as it's a lease car that I'll only have for another year I was hoping not to have to spend too much on the wheel

 

Any information or ideas welcome  -  thanks

Why not carry a puncture repair kit so you have the option of also repairing yourself. Never had to use one but got them in all our cars as they are an inexpensive and hopefully simpler alternative to replacing wheel or calling for help.

I bought this one-off Amazon. XtremeAuto® CAR VAN TYRE TIRE PUNCTURE REPAIR KIT WITH 10 STRIPS

I bought something similar after the AA used one to get my car mobile again on my drive, after the tyre deflated overnight with a screw in the tread.

 

It was so quick and easy to do I thought I would at least give it a try for my next puncture. Suits the Yeti without the spare as we get a pump as standard, and if the gunk is not used, no argument if you decide a more permanent repair is needed.

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

eribaMotters - hadn't thought of a different VAG wheel so that could be a possible. Only ones I can see at present though are 125/70/16 but will keep checking.

 

Llanigraham - on reading through the Skoda assistance terms repatriation under any circumstance is at 'our absolute discretion'. Can't see the leasing company being happy with that so will be taking out RAC breakdown. 

 

TeeDeeEye - hadn't come across these before. Think I'll look at getting one as a back up for general use, not just abroad.