Hello tyre and wheel experts,

 

My 1.9 Fabia Estate has 17" rims (I think they're from an Octy) that a previous owner wisely decided to fit to it...the ride on west yorkshire roads is.....delightful

 

I'm slightly puzzled as to how to pressurise them, though - the back set are 205/45/17s which I've pumped to 2.2 bar as per the fuel cap instructions, but the size of the fronts (which I will replace with 205/45/17s in due course to give a bit more cushioning) are 40 aspect ratio at the moment, and are not specified on the chart.

 

I read somewhere that tyres should be pressurised as per the car's instructions, whatever size they are, but I'm not sure about that. I went for 2.1bar front (30psi) and 2.2 rear (32) as that seemed a sensible middle ground and not likely to do any damage.

 

anyone with the science / relevant experience to tell me what to do please chime in! I'm looking for the smoothest ride I can get out of it

 

Only you will know when you have the smooth ride.

On a Hatch i usually went for 33psi front and rears with light loads in summer with 205/40R 17's, 215/40R 17's or 205/45 R17, 

then if i wanted a bit more grip i might drop the front a couple of psi.

 

Why not put in 35psi front and rear and front first drop the pressure, then try dropping the rear and go on until happy.

The tyre will make a difference, so are you running or fitting XL's.  (Stronger sidewalls) ?

Unfortunately the correct size for the Fabia on 17's is actually the 40 profile not the 45.

I use 15" wheels with 50 profile because my set of 16's with 45 profile is just too crashy on the backroads.

You can probably sell the set for more than 15's will cost, townies love huge wheels because they never drive at speed on the open road.

Fortunately 205/45 R 17 do rather nicely as do 215/40 R 17.     You can compare some makes next to the likes of Pirelli Zero Nero in 205/40 R 17 which Skods fitted to cars that owners complained were pulling left and the circumference is no greater than the wider or supposedly taller sidewall tyres.

 

Skoda fitted 205/40R 17's to Mk2 vRS Hatch & Estates & to Monte Carlo Mk2's but VW, SEAT & Audi fitted 215/40R17 to the Polo GTI, Cupra Ibiza & A1 195 ps 

and even to some 1.2 / 1.6TDI versions of the sister cars.

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/395420-tyre-upgrade-from-2054017

 

 

Edited 3 June, 20215 yr by e-Roottoot