Hi, I have a 2013 Skoda Yeti that cane with after market rims which fit tyre 225/45/18. These are quite low profile and not ideal when we go away.  This involves towing a small boat up steep gravel sections.  We want to get some gruntier 4wd tyres so am thinking of getting a second set of rims maybe from wrecking yard.  Can you recommend what rims for other car make, model and year would be suitable?  Any tyre recommendations would also be appreciated.  Am in New Zealand if that makes a difference in any of these details.  FYI dealer said they only recommend yeti...even though here the importer for skoda does Audi, Porsche and VW as well! Thanks in advance for any constructive feedback.

14 hours ago, Simon1fa said:

Hi, I have a 2013 Skoda Yeti that cane with after market rims which fit tyre 225/45/18. These are quite low profile and not ideal when we go away.  This involves towing a small boat up steep gravel sections.  We want to get some gruntier 4wd tyres so am thinking of getting a second set of rims maybe from wrecking yard.  Can you recommend what rims for other car make, model and year would be suitable?  Any tyre recommendations would also be appreciated.  Am in New Zealand if that makes a difference in any of these details.  FYI dealer said they only recommend yeti...even though here the importer for skoda does Audi, Porsche and VW as well! Thanks in advance for any constructive feedback.

 

You have a huge amount of choice. 16", 17", and 15" if you're front discs aren't bigger than 288mm diameter. If your front discs are 312mm diameter you need at least 16" rims/wheels. Also, it depends if you want to stick with standard tyre and rim sizes. If so, then 15" wheels are out of the question because it's not an authorised size.

 

According to wheel-size.com 215/60R16 and 225/50R17 are standard tyre sizes on the Yeti.

 

Steel rims can be cheap to buy new. I wouldn't fit old steel rims because if they are rusty around where the tyre bead sits, they will slowly leak air. If you don't have a slow leak, tyres will only lose about 3psi every 6 months. I always visually check my tyre's air pressure before every journey.

 

Because you are based in New Zealand, you might have a bigger choice of allowable tyre and rim sizes. In some European countries, you have to stick to the Skoda approved list.

 

You might also want to check what tyre sizes have good availability and affordability in New Zealand. The standard 215/60R16 and 225/50R17 sizes could be expensive. Also, if you want All-terrain tyres you may need to look at higher profile tyres such as 215/65R16 to get a good selection. Maybe start off by comparing the availability of 215/60R16 and 215/65R16 tyres.

 

Here's a couple of Bridgestone all-terrain tyres with good Euro labels E C 72dB that also have the all-season 3PMSF symbol for good snow traction.

 

Bridgestone A/T 001 205/70R15 96T

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&cart_id=F7tY9N4yOMOolo4u.110.416335275&sowigan=GAN&Breite=205&Quer=70&Felge=15&Marke=Bridgestone&ranzahl=4&Herst=Bridgestone&m_s=3&Ang_pro_Seite=50&sort_by=brand&rsmFahrzeugart=ALL&Label=E-C-72-2&details=Ordern&typ=R-341387

 

Bridgestone A/T 001 215/65R16 98T

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&cart_id=F7tY9N4yOMOolo4u.110.416335275&sowigan=GAN&Breite=215&Quer=65&Felge=16&kategorie=6&ranzahl=4&sort_by=brand&rsmFahrzeugart=ALL&Label=E-C-72-2&details=Ordern&typ=R-341391

 

Edited 15 June, 20205 yr by Carlston

A lot of Audi and VW cars wheels will be compatible.

1 minute ago, Urrell said:

A lot of Audi and VW cars wheels will be compatible.

 

That's true. Here's a just a couple of steel rims from the Skoda Octavia MK3 and Skoda Karoq.

 

6Jx15 ET43 5/112 57.1 Skoda Octavia MK3

https://www.oponeo.co.uk/steel-wheel/alcar-kfz-7755#21238164

 

6Jx16 ET43 5/112 57.1 Skoda Karoq

https://www.oponeo.co.uk/steel-wheel/alcar-kfz-6665#21261430

15" wheels were NEVER a Yeti fitment!!
The only sizes Skoda fitted were 16" or 17"

Maybe why he said this?

2 hours ago, Carlston said:

Because you are based in New Zealand, you might have a bigger choice of allowable tyre and rim sizes. In some European countries, you have to stick to the Skoda approved list.

 

2 hours ago, Llanigraham said:

15" wheels were NEVER a Yeti fitment!!
The only sizes Skoda fitted were 16" or 17"

 

The OP already has non-standard tyres...225/45R18. He wants to tow a small boat up steep gravel sections and has asked for gruntier 4wd tyres so that his boat doesn't get stuck at the bottom. There is very little choice of quality all-terrain tyres in the standard 215/60R16 and 225/50R17 sizes...hence the suggestion to look at non-standard tyre sizes. 215/65R16 in particular, has plenty of all-terrain options. The OP will have to consider whether what he chooses is safe and legal. It could be argued that towing a small boat up steep gravel sections is unsafe...you would certainly need to be a skilled driver...and having suitable all-terrain tyres is going to help.

16 minutes ago, Carlston said:

 

The OP already has non-standard tyres...225/45R18. He wants to tow a small boat up steep gravel sections and has asked for gruntier 4wd tyres so that his boat doesn't get stuck at the bottom. There is very little choice of quality all-terrain tyres in the standard 215/60R16 and 225/50R17 sizes...hence the suggestion to look at non-standard tyre sizes. 215/65R16 in particular, has plenty of all-terrain options. The OP will have to consider whether what he chooses is safe and legal. It could be argued that towing a small boat up steep gravel sections is unsafe...you would certainly need to be a skilled driver...and having suitable all-terrain tyres is going to help.

 

There are plenty of All Terrain tyres in all the 16" approved sizes fitted to Yetis. Look at the list of approved 16" sizes in the Tyre & Wheel  thread in the Yeti Guides section.
There are currently no AT's in the 17" size.

Do you have a Yeti?

 

 

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/474351-all-terrains-on-a-yeti

 

Nothing fancy needed, just fit what in appropriate to the use and location.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 16 June, 20205 yr by Roottootemblowinootsoot

I use theUK  standard 17" in the summer, and winter tyres on 16" in the winter. The ride on the 16" wheels is so much better that I wish this car was on that all year round. (My previous Yeti was the Greenline version which came on 16" as standard)

Personally I think the car rides best on 16" wheels, it must be awful on 18"!!

4 hours ago, kenfowler3966 said:

I use theUK  standard 17" in the summer, and winter tyres on 16" in the winter. The ride on the 16" wheels is so much better that I wish this car was on that all year round. (My previous Yeti was the Greenline version which came on 16" as standard)

Personally I think the car rides best on 16" wheels, it must be awful on 18"!!

 

That is why I spec’d 16” wheels on my 2017 SEL Drive, transforms the drive comfort. Why don’t you buy a set of 16” alloys - fleabay or breakers yard - and fit them with all season tyres? I fitted Goodyear Vector 4 seasons Gen 2 and not only do they further smooth the ride but are very quiet. Sell the existing summer and winter wheels/tyres and you shouldn’t be too much out of pocket. You also save the hassle of changing the wheels twice a year.

Because my rear tyres are only half worn and I have just replaced the front ones as one was severely damaged. Car is too young to change the standard alloys and will only become mine if I buy it at Xmas from lease company, so can’t anyway at the moment.

I have Falken AS210 all season tyres on 17" rims and I think the grip is pretty good for climbing up the side of wet slippery Lancashire hills, road use isn't compromised in the dry either.

5 hours ago, kenfowler3966 said:

Because my rear tyres are only half worn and I have just replaced the front ones as one was severely damaged. Car is too young to change the standard alloys and will only become mine if I buy it at Xmas from lease company, so can’t anyway at the moment.

Anyway, something to think about if you decide to buy it. My problem is I can’t find anything worth changing the Yeti for, Kamiq driving height is more hatchback than Crossover/SUV, VW T-Cross is spartan inside and comes without all the nice toys in the Yeti SEL Drive, most of the rest are just too bland or without some must have extras I want in my older age. Volvo XC40 is nice but I really don’t need anything as big as that. Ah well got a year or so before I will change as I usually change when cars are 5-6 years old.  

18 hours ago, Expatman said:

Anyway, something to think about if you decide to buy it. My problem is I can’t find anything worth changing the Yeti for, Kamiq driving height is more hatchback than Crossover/SUV, VW T-Cross is spartan inside and comes without all the nice toys in the Yeti SEL Drive, most of the rest are just too bland or without some must have extras I want in my older age. Volvo XC40 is nice but I really don’t need anything as big as that. Ah well got a year or so before I will change as I usually change when cars are 5-6 years old.  

 

That's why I've moved away and bought a Kia Niro, which I should be collecting next week.

8 minutes ago, Llanigraham said:

 

That's why I've moved away and bought a Kia Niro, which I should be collecting next week.

I have been thinking about a Niro as a possibility as well. Maybe the PHEV version as most of my driving should be within the electric range and I have a drive to fit a home charging unit. The one thing I have a problem with is the funereal interior, why do cars have such dark seating etc? The Irish version of the Niro has a lovely light grey interior, but in UK we are stuck with BLACK¡!!!?

Replacing the Michelin Primacy tyres that are OEM on a Niro is a pretty good move.

2 hours ago, Expatman said:

I have been thinking about a Niro as a possibility as well. Maybe the PHEV version as most of my driving should be within the electric range and I have a drive to fit a home charging unit. The one thing I have a problem with is the funereal interior, why do cars have such dark seating etc? The Irish version of the Niro has a lovely light grey interior, but in UK we are stuck with BLACK¡!!!?

 

Would have gone for the PHEV, but with no drive or garage we can't have a recharging poing, so just gone for the HEV. It still should give 30 miles which is adequate for getting around town here.
Interior colour didn't worry us, in fact I thought it was quite light and airy inside. Only gone for the 2 spec as that comes on 16" wheels and not the silly 18" all the other specs come with. Dealer rang me yesterday to say it should arrive that afternoon and said that they have up-spec slightly, so don't know what the difference is going to be. Certainly seems to have lots of toys even at base spec

4 minutes ago, Llanigraham said:

 

Would have gone for the PHEV, but with no drive or garage we can't have a recharging poing, so just gone for the HEV. It still should give 30 miles which is adequate for getting around town here.
Interior colour didn't worry us, in fact I thought it was quite light and airy inside. Only gone for the 2 spec as that comes on 16" wheels and not the silly 18" all the other specs come with. Dealer rang me yesterday to say it should arrive that afternoon and said that they have up-spec slightly, so don't know what the difference is going to be. Certainly seems to have lots of toys even at base spec

Would be very grateful for your feedback after you have driven the Niro, particularly ride comfort and how quiet the cabin is from engine and road noise.

2 hours ago, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

Replacing the Michelin Primacy tyres that are OEM on a Niro is a pretty good move.

 

Really, why's that Root...? 

@Schtum

When i have driven the 3 flavours of the Niro's with them on it is obvious that they are fitted to give more range and fuel economy at the expense of grip / traction / friction.  It is very obvious when cold and wet.

My new EV Corsa also has Primacy fitted, but the Launch car i drove had Michelin Pilot Sport fitted.  I have driven 2 demonstrators sister cars as in Peugeot e-208 & e-Corsa and i was disappointed in the difference with the ECO tyres on.

Edited 18 June, 20205 yr by Roottootemblowinootsoot

11 hours ago, Expatman said:

Would be very grateful for your feedback after you have driven the Niro, particularly ride comfort and how quiet the cabin is from engine and road noise.

Likewise, please!

7 hours ago, Roottootemblowinootsoot said:

@Schtum

When i have driven the 3 flavours of the Niro's with them on it is obvious that they are fitted to give more range and fuel economy at the expense of grip / traction / friction.  It is very obvious when cold and wet.

My new EV Corsa also has Primacy fitted, but the Launch car i drove had Michelin Pilot Sport fitted.  I have driven 2 demonstrators sister cars as in Peugeot e-208 & e-Corsa and i was disappointed in the difference with the ECO tyres on.

 

I see.  I wonder if the compounds are different depending on the size and speed rating.  My Golf was delivered on 225/45x17 W rated ones in 2008 and I've just about come to the end of the third set after 12 years and 94k miles. I find they're very good at putting down all 210 bhp and 330 lbs-ft in all conditions during the three seasons before I switch to winters for that one. 

@Schtum

?

Which have you on now?

They have changed in over the decade plus.

There are new Skoda now with Michelin Primacy 5's fitted.

(EDIT, Doh, i cant see where someone last week said their new car have Primacy 5 on it, maybe that was a typo. Not out yet.)

There are Primacy 3 run flats, & Primacy 4's, Primacy HP's, 

 

Speed Ratings are one thing & load ratings, and Michelin Primacy went on the rears of Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ with 200bhp and Motoring Journalists big upped how the back end could be swung out as traction was lost.

 

That is the thing with tyres on front wheels or rear wheels of even an under 150PS Hybrid or EV or even maybe just an Auto, 

you can see the TC / ASR light or feel the electronics cutting power or stopping wheel slip on damp roads,

or maybe winter time if you keep on what comes as 'all season / all year tyres' but certainly not that good in all weathers.

 

Those used to a Yeti FWD or AWD that has good tyres fitted will notice soon enough if the Primacy that some EV's / Hybrids are coming with are any good, or driving with even more care than normal is required.

Edited 18 June, 20205 yr by Roottootemblowinootsoot

My Golf currently has Primacy 3 in a 91 W load and speed rating. They're not runflats.  I've also used the HP in the past.  I rarely, if ever have the TCS or ABS kicking in; especially now that the car has a Whiteline antilift kit on the front.  

 

The Yeti came on Primacy 3 (I think) when I bought it in February.  They were pretty worn so I changed them for Crossclimate+ fairly quickly. However, they were by no means awful with 34k miles on them.