On 03/10/2020 at 10:55, Expatman said:

But carefully consider the total cost (up to £1000) before deciding. Perhaps just changing tyres to Michelin Crossclimates or Goodyear All Seasons would be a more economic solution?

 

Interesting thought Expatman !  Although I'd rather not spend £1k I prefer to spend it and have both angles covered rather than just get the tyres for the 17", and then wish I'd got the 16" in the first place.

As it is I will probably defer any wheel/tyre purchase for a month or so - as having acquired my Yeti  only 2 wks ago, i then spent the next 7 days in hospital - since when my driving has consisted of just one 5 mile shop - so hardly enough to make firm decision about any changes !!!!!

 

Meantime thanks to all those who have contributed so helpfully to this thread.

These three tyre sizes all have similar outside diameters and similar load indexes. They are all interchangeable.

 

205/70R15 (710kg load index at 3Bar/44psi) 

215/60R16 (690kg load index at 3Bar/44psi)

225/50R17 (670kg load index at 3Bar/44psi)

 

The Skoda Yeti often has 312mm diameter front discs which means that you need at least 16" rims to clear the front brake calipers. However, on the lower powered models 288mm diameter front discs are fitted. This means that 15" rims will clear the front brake calipers. 205/70R15 tyres are more comfortable, more mpg, and less decibels.

 

Alcar 7755 Steel Rims 6Jx15 ET43 5/112 57.1

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/spares-search?keyword=7755&brandNo[0]=100470

 

Vredestein Quatrac 5 205/70R15 96T (Euro Label C C 70dB)

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m138b0s7998p144823/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac5_Vredestein_Quatrac_5_-_205_70_R15_96T_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_70dB

 

Although 205/70R15 is a non-standard size on the Yeti, many owners do fit non-standard tyre sizes in the UK.

 

If you go off-road there are some good all-terrain tyres in the 205/70R15 size.

 

Bridgestone AT001

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m26b0s257p145314/Bridgestone_Tyres_SUV_4x4_Bridgestone_AT001_Dueler_Bridgestone_AT_001_-_205_70_R15_96T_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_E_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_72dB

 

Yokohama G015

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m26b0s257p148166/Yokohama_Tyres_SUV_4x4_Yokohama_G015_Geolander_AT_Yokohama_G_015_-_205_70_R15_96H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_F_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_70dB

Edited 6 October, 20205 yr by Carlston

It is much safer and simpler to stick with Skoda specified wheel & tyre sizes, so 16 & 17" wheels. No insurance or other implications.

The price determining factor is getting hold of 4 16" Skoda alloy wheels cheaply, tyres for 16" wheels are less expensive than 17" so some saving there. Best places to look are probably vehicle breakers and eBay, as long as you price in refurbishment then you're up and away in comfort!

Currently there are 4 Skoda Yeti alloys on eBay for £230 (incl delivery), need some refurbishment so need to add that to price so maybe £500 plus all in - plus tyres that you need anyway. Not too bad a price for the change.

 

Edited 6 October, 20205 yr by Expatman

18 minutes ago, Expatman said:

It is much safer to stick with Skoda specified wheel & tyre sizes, so 16 & 17" wheels.

 

Skoda specified 16" and 17" wheels because of fashion, not safety. Cars like the Skoda Citigo with skinny 165/70R14 tyres have the lowest insurance premiums because low performance equals low risk.

Maybe so but they are the manufacturer specified sizes and as such can be fitted without any problems with insurance etc. Trading in a car with non specified wheel sizes can be problematic as well. Just saying it is simpler and safer to stick with specc'd sizes.

3 hours ago, Carlston said:

 

Skoda specified 16" and 17" wheels because of fashion, not safety. Cars like the Skoda Citigo with skinny 165/70R14 tyres have the lowest insurance premiums because low performance equals low risk.

 

There is no comparison, and to try to do so is fatuous!

There is more than just fashion taken into account. The weight of the vehicle, load bearing of each tyre, grip (both in acceleration / deceleration and lateral) etc are all taken in account.

 

That's why here in Germany you have the minimum allowed wheel and tyre size listed on the log book. So you're not allowed to exceed the standard size (without having it registered on the log book) but you can go down a size down to the minimum allowed.

16 hours ago, Phil-E said:

There is more than just fashion taken into account. The weight of the vehicle, load bearing of each tyre...

 

That's why I posted the load index of all three tyre sizes. The 205/70R15 tyre actually slightly exceeds the load carrying capacity of the 215/60R16 and 225/50R17 sizes.

 

In many difficult winter conditions the narrower 205/70 size would outperform the boy racer 225/50 size especially if fitted with good 3PMSF tyres.

 

Even on the Skoda Kodiaq RS with 20" wheels, you will soon find the limit of the car's handling when undertaking the moose test...

 

 

Edited 7 October, 20205 yr by Carlston

@Carlston

?  What cars is it that you actually drive other than your Fabia estate and with what tyres?

 

You regularly go on about the benefits of narrower tyres and this time you say what you say about the 205/70 over the boy racer 225/50's.

 

You keep going on about conditions. I can tell you having run many type of tyres that the Narrower is better like for cutting through snow and getting grip is not always the answer.

 

I have 265 wide CrossClimates on my Shogun rather than the standard 285's,  but on Snow the 265 is not superior to the 285's and 235's or 225's would not b better again in snow, 

or on roads that have compressed snow on them.

 

On Jimny's for over 15 winters instead of 205/70 R 15's i have used All Terrain, M+S or 3 peaks in a 225 or 235 on 15" or 16" rims.

Reason being they worked and worked well on snow & Mud and wet.

 

When someone in the  UK maybe doing a few hours driving or miles on slush and snow there will be black top again and no snow or slush.

Mixed conditions and mixed weather and temps are part of driving in the UK.

*When roads are covered in water then narrower might reduce the chance of aquaplaning, that is if not using good wet weather tyres.*

225 width tyres on something the weight of a TDI Yeti or even a TSI are not some crazy dangerous fashion that is bettered by going narrower. 

Nobody is fitting 'narrower studded tyres'.

 

Bottom are 3 peak 235 15's on a Jimny. 

Travels on snow well and better for grip than if there were 205's on.

 

 

Both TDI's so heavier than a 1.2TSI's.

 

 

Edited 7 October, 20205 yr by e-Roottoot

3 hours ago, Carlston said:

 

That's why I posted the load index of all three tyre sizes. The 205/70R15 tyre actually slightly exceeds the load carrying capacity of the 215/60R16 and 225/50R17 sizes.

 

 

15" wheels have NEVER been approved by Skoda for fitment to a Yeti and have NEVER been fitted to them in any market.
 

8 hours ago, Llanigraham said:

15" wheels have NEVER been approved by Skoda for fitment to a Yeti and have NEVER been fitted to them in any market.

 

That's why I said this...

 

"Although 205/70R15 is a non-standard size on the Yeti, many owners do fit non-standard tyre sizes in the UK."

 

15" wheels have never been approved by Skoda for fitment to a Kamiq. However, skoda-parts.com are listing 15" wheels to fit them.

 

https://www.skoda-parts.com/spare-part/2q0601027t03c-steel-wheel-disc-skoda-38412.html

Follow up question to my OP  - 

Centre wheel caps - will existing Skoda wheel caps on my 17" also fit  new 16" wheels - or is does that depend on the make of the new rims ?

 

1 hour ago, stonyb1 said:

Follow up question to my OP  - 

Centre wheel caps - will existing Skoda wheel caps on my 17" also fit  new 16" wheels - or is does that depend on the make of the new rims ?

 

If both wheels are Skoda originals then centre caps will fit, they are not expensive anyway - I replaced those on my original Yeti and I think is was less than £10 for a set of four.

Expatman: - The new rims will almost certainly not be Skoda originals.  They will most likely be new  Dezent or Alutec 

Thanks e-Roottoot for reposting the video of the 4x4 vs winter tyres video. It reminded me of why I run on Cross-Climates as a sensible all-year compromise - I don't have a problem with it taking a bit longer to get up to speed every time I have to accelerate (I'm old - where do I need to get to in a hurry; except a bathroom maybe?) but braking in the shortest possible distance if it becomes necessary is rather comforting. Being able to go faster in circles - well, I get dizzy standing up.......

 

(When I first started visiting this forum reading about the advantages of having a set of winter tyres on a set of steel wheels I must admit to having been tempted; my previous Volvo V50 was a nightmare in snow. But I'm glad I resisted as living on the South Coast I don't think we've seen a snowflake in the seven years I've now owned this car so that would have a been a lot of wheel changes for little benefit. I suppose it would have kept me fit).

48 minutes ago, stonyb1 said:

Expatman: - The new rims will almost certainly not be Skoda originals.  They will most likely be new  Dezent or Alutec 

Does the spec of the new rims define the centre diameter? If not ask the supplier who will know. 

I don’t know if centre diameters are the same across most rims but somehow doubt it - that would be too easy wouldn’t it?

 

If you want a Skoda logo on the caps and they are of a different size then you can buy “stick-on” Skoda logo centre cap covers, I have used them and they are fine although I wouldn’t recommend relying on the self adhesive, best to use hot melt adhesive. Have a look on eBay.

 

 

Edited 8 October, 20205 yr by Expatman

..many thanks for posting the vid....always assumed winter tyres were "probably" the best option, but now it's confirmed...although I guess awd AND winter tyres would be the dogs dangley bits!

1 hour ago, Stubod said:

...although I guess awd AND winter tyres would be the dogs dangley bits!

I think it's been linked to in the past but THIS  certainly confirms it.

1 hour ago, longedge said:

I think it's been linked to in the past but THIS  certainly confirms it.

Living in the UK with our generally mild climate All season tyres are the best solution, wet grip, dry grip, snow grip at normal range of temperatures.

Okay if you live in hilly areas with regular snowfalls then different tyres for summer and winter can be justified. But honestly for most of us it's not necessary.

On 06/10/2020 at 17:07, Carlston said:

lowest insurance premiums because low performance equals low risk.

 

My 7 year newer Skoda Fabia is cheaper to insure than my Fiat Panda.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

Once again thanks for the latest vid.

 

I have been looking to change my Yeti (AWD) and have mainly been looking for an awd auto as a replacement. But seeing these vids it now makes me think that it would make more sense to just go 2WD and fit Winter tyres.

 

This would open up a larger selection of cars which would also be a lower cost in terms of both initial purchase price and running cost, (mpg/servicing).

 

I think it was the "braking" example that impressed me most, and if the weather is really bad I don't normally have to go anywhere anyway so AWD is probably a luxury I no longer need?

The video presents it as a binary choice but it isn't, either vehicle would have the choice of all season tyres and just because someone chooses a 4wd it does not mean that they wont fit winter tyres.

 

I bought my winter wheels when I realised how useless my Octavia 2 was in snow, the Yeti bought as a project has 4wd but it wasn't a choice, I will of course fit the winter tyres but the AWD brings advantages all year round, its a much safer vehicle even though I never use its capabilities, the lack of wheelspin when pulling across a wet or greasy junction is worth the increase in fuel consumption.

 

I would not have chosen a 4wd Yeti but if I have to replace it I now would.

have just ordered new rims 16" + Goodyear All Seasons Gen 2 - but think I may have made a less than optimum choice of tyre size given that the wheel arch gap with my current 17" + 225/50 tyres looks rather high to me.

The new tyres are 215/60 which(according to tyre calculator sites) will slightly decrease the wheel arch gap albeit by only c 4mm, but it seems that 205/55 would decrease it by 12.5 mm which cosmetically would look better !

So am now rapidly trying to decide whether it's worthwhile amending my order.......

 

The last 2 winters I had winter tyres on my 4x4 Yeti. Hardly any snow of course, but these tyres are also better in low temperatures. Also as 16" tyres the ride was a lot better, back to the same ride I had in the prior Greenline Yeti which has this wheel size as standard.

 

Third Yeti has now gone, but after 10 years and 3 Yetis I will remember it for some time. I have kept the 16" winter wheels as I think they will fit my new Karoq instead as seem to be the right size quoted in the documentation for winter wheels to use.

2 hours ago, stonyb1 said:

have just ordered new rims 16" + Goodyear All Seasons Gen 2 - but think I may have made a less than optimum choice of tyre size given that the wheel arch gap with my current 17" + 225/50 tyres looks rather high to me.

The new tyres are 215/60 which(according to tyre calculator sites) will slightly decrease the wheel arch gap albeit by only c 4mm, but it seems that 205/55 would decrease it by 12.5 mm which cosmetically would look better !

So am now rapidly trying to decide whether it's worthwhile amending my order.......

 

Enjoy the more comfortable ride of the 16” wheels - you can’t see the arch gap when you are driving and anyway you really don’t notice the visual difference unless you are actually looking for it.