I’ve just bought a 2014 Citigo SE with the 14” steel wheels.   They currently have cheap Mohawk tyres fitted, which I’m keen to replace with something decent, probably Michelin CrossClimate+ as my wife and daughter will be driving it mostly, so I expect the Mich's will be a good all rounder safety wise.

 

Current tyre size is 165/70 R14.  Is this correct or should it be 175/65 ?    Could I potentially go up to 185's on the steel wheels or not?

Also if anyone can recommend anywhere to get the Michelin’s from, that would be great.   Cheapest I can find them is £55 at Blackcircles.

 

https://www.wheel-size.com/size/skoda/citigo/2014/

 

Thanks Peter.   I'll go for the 175/65 R14 size.     I'm undecided between the Michelin CrossClimate+ and the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen3.   Both are about £53 - £55 each.    Any help / advice / experiences much appreciated....

If they cost less in 165/70r14 then get them in that size, I've no idea which of the two is the most commonly sold but usually there's more competition in popular sizes so lower prices and better available of makes and model of tyre.

 

A wide tyre is necessarily a good or better option, much is just fashion but the difference between 165/70r14 and 175/65r14 isn't worth worrying about. - https://tiresize.com/calculator/

 

Whereas 165/70r14 to 185/6070r14 is more noticeable, generally a thinner tyre will be better for the wet and snow, less rolling resistance - but that all depends on the tyres make up and compounds too, a grippy 165/70r14 would possibly out handle and ride an average 185/60r14.

 

70 profile use to be low profile until the fashion for ever wider tyres and bigger wheels and now small cars are so much bigger and heavier than they used to be they might need one wheel size up from yesteryear but none of the boy/girl-racer stuff that comes as fashion standard now.

 

Wider tyres on heavier cars make more noise to so this has to be addressed in the compound.

 

Oh, dear, I wander off there, 

5 hours ago, daveb99 said:

I'm undecided between the Michelin CrossClimate+ and the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen3.   Both are about £53 - £55 each.    Any help / advice / experiences much appreciated....

For comparisons you want as near like to like with your car model and its fixing, your driving style and needs and same size of tyre even too, and recent reviews as the same make, model, variant and size of tyre a couple of years back can be different now.

 

Sorry I can't help with that info, £55 would be a good price for tyres for me.  The last two set of Michelin (Energy EB1, 14580r13) were OK but not brilliant and dry-rotted well before tread wear so don't just go by big brand names you know.

 

Edited 2 November, 20214 yr by nta16

I've got a 14 plate 60 Greenline which I fitted cross climates to at 8500, done another 10k since and can't fault them in summer or winter, though not a lot of snow. 175/65-14 on standard steels. Plenty of rubber on them still.

10 hours ago, daveb99 said:

Any help / advice / experiences much appreciated....

 Michelin own Blackcircles.

 

175 65 R14 more popular size so go for that size.

Don't forget the spare wheel / tyre.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

4 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

Don't forget the spare wheel / tyre.

Good point.

 

Do bear in mind with that video that the gentleman with the biceps is driving a heavy VW Golf and the tyres are 205/55r16 going from 91 (load index, weight) H (speed rating) to 94 V XL (extra load, I think that's so the tyres can fit a wider range of vehicles)) on a test track so is only generally applicable.

 

I would go for either 175/65R14 or 185/60R14 on the standard 5Jx14 ET35 4/100 57.1 steel rims. 175/65R14 is the most sensible option out of these two sizes as it's a Skoda approved size.

 

Vredestein Quatrac 5 175/65R14 82T

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m137b0s7975p134030/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac5_Vredestein_Quatrac_5_-_175_65_R14_82T_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB

 

Vredestein Quatrac 5 185/60R14 82T

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m137b0s7979p134034/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac5_Vredestein_Quatrac_5_-_185_60_R14_82T_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_E_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB

 

One of the problems with the Michelin CrossClimates is that they have a directional tread pattern, so using one as a spare means that you can only correctly fit it to either the left or right side of the car, depending on which way the tyre has been fitted to the spare rim.

 

Another problem with Michelins is that like many of the big brands they are prone to cracking after 5 to 7 years. This causes an MOT failure, so early replacement is often needed even if there is still a lot of tread depth remaining. However, if you do at least 8,000 to 10,000 miles each year on average, the tyres will need replacing before the cracking issue occurs. The spare tyre doesn't crack as it's kept out of the sun and out of the elements.

 

Edited 2 November, 20214 yr by Carlston

Above is a good example of which database do you trust Camskill's or Vredestein's, in my experience either (or both) could be wrong.

 

Camskill show the 175/65R14 as 'C' rating for fuel economy (rolling resistance) whereas Vredestein UK show it as 'D', same for the 185/60R14 (but I don't understand this recommendation) - I know this is only a minor thing but it shows you need to cross reference any information you get - just about all databases have errors and omissions in my experience. - https://www.vredestein.co.uk/car-suv-van/tyre-finder/tyres/product/3/885-quatrac-5

 

 

QUATRAC5-8714692315701.pdf QUATRAC5-8714692315947 (2).pdf

Edited 3 November, 20214 yr by nta16
ETA: files

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 3 November, 20214 yr by roottoot

If you have a Directional Tread on a Spare then use as you do with any 'Emergency Spare' that can be a different tread / compound / size / pressure, 

fit is and slow down and use until you can get the puncture fixed.

Temporary Spare.

There is a 50/50 chance of it being correct for the side of the car it needs fitted to anyway.

 

As to cracking at 5-7 years old, those were Cross Climates from 5-7 years back if actually true.

Not seen that myself any different from you can get with any tyres be them Summer / All Season, All Weather, Wets or Winter / Snow Tyres.  

Actually seen tyres with cracking passing MOT's in the UK because that is just how the real world is.

 

I have had CrossClimates on all year on various cars and also Snow / Winter Tyres.

In Winter when on trips i carried 2 spares because of Festive Holidays or lack of available tyre size if the worst happens.

Putting a odd Temp Spare on is not an issue IMO, especially not on a car that is not AWD / 4x4. 

Edited 3 November, 20214 yr by roottoot

3 hours ago, nta16 said:

which database do you trust Camskill's or Vredestein's

Big hint - EU "tyre ratings" are self-certified by the tyre manufacturer (or importer), and the drive-by noise rating is outside the car.

49 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

Big hint - EU "tyre ratings" are self-certified by the tyre manufacturer (or importer), and the drive-by noise rating is outside the car.

Didn't know this, but I'm lost with it, are you saying these aren't errors but the tyre manufacturer can declare and the importer can declare a different set.  Vredestein is harder on its own tyre giving it a 'D' whereas Camskill give it a 'C', is that because Camskill want to sell them or they disagree with Vredestein's rating, or UK is more lenient with standards.

 

I take the tyre labelling with a pinch of salt, the labelling could be based on VW computer programs! 🙂  When they first came out tyres I'd used and found good in say grip had lower marks than others I found to be not so good so either the compounds had changed or changes had been made to the tyres to look good in the test parameters (you can get software for that sort of thing too I believe).  😄

 

19 minutes ago, nta16 said:

are you saying these aren't errors

No; I'm saying that the "ratings" are effectively meaningless (oh and AIUI Camskill are a retailer, not an importer or manufacturer). Vredestein are definitely a manufacturer, and Vredestein UK a wholly owned subsidiary company.

Thanks for all the help, despite going a bit off topic but interesting nonetheless.   I've sorted out a good deal on 4x CrossClimate+ tyres, £220 fitted at my local ATS.

ATS Euromaster are owned by Michelin

just as BlackCircle as previously posted.

4 hours ago, nta16 said:

giving it a 'D' whereas Camskill give it a 'C'

The tyre ratings have recently changed.

 

When ratings first came out NO tyres had a D rating, only 'A B C' above average, or 'E F G' below average.

Tyre manufactures do also re test tyres and can get new ratings.

 

 

4 hours ago, KenONeill said:

Vredestein are definitely a manufacturer, and Vredestein UK a wholly owned subsidiary company.

of Apollo Tyres.

 

I run Vredestein Quatrac5's as a winter tyre down south here. Very good.

Just put them back on last Saturday, for the 6th winter.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

 

 

4 hours ago, KenONeill said:

No; I'm saying that the "ratings" are effectively meaningless (oh and AIUI Camskill are a retailer, not an importer or manufacturer). Vredestein are definitely a manufacturer, and Vredestein UK a wholly owned subsidiary company.

Sorry I thought I got the wrong end of the stick, I'm not sure the labels are completely meaningless but possibly sometimes not far off it, so as a consumer system not that great.

 

TBH I was thinking of Camskill being out Kimbolton way, the Jap car/engine people not Whitehaven in Cumbria, former Jennings before Marston's took over, when Snecklifter was a fine ale drank with respect.  Sometimes you have to wait for progress to catch up with the past.

 

12 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

of Apollo Tyres.

Vredestein BV being themselves a wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo was not germane to my point that they make tyres and Camskill don't.

20 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

germane

The first time I ever conscious of this word was in the last few years with Perry Mason, now it's everywhere, shows the power of CBS Drama.

 

Some serious thread drift here!   

 

Anyway................had the CrossClimate+ tyres fitted today, all good so far, they seem to install more confidence than the cheapo tyres that were on it before.   Suspect once they are scrubbed in they will be way better in cold / wet / damp / wintry conditions.

Edited 4 November, 20214 yr by daveb99

38 minutes ago, daveb99 said:

Some serious thread drift here!   

Only my 'germane' bit, the rest is about tyres.

 

Speaking of which, thanks for reporting back, perhaps you could also report back as you put thousands and tens of thousand of miles on them.

 

Whoever fitted them should have reminded you to take it easy on them for the first 100 miles (200 if wet), unless the manufacturer specifies overwise, and to check your nuts for tightness after the first 30-50 miles or so (bolts doesn't go so well).

 

Check your ('cold') tyre pressures with a good quality reliable gauge, don't rely on petrol station or garage gauges to be accurate (the old PLC pencil pocket ones used to be fine).

 

Good luck.

    

Edited 4 November, 20214 yr by nta16

11 hours ago, nta16 said:

(the old PLC pencil pocket ones used to be fine)

Halfords sell BSI standard marked pencil gauges for about £5.

I don't know the quality of the Halford's Essentials (budget) gauges, a Halford's Essential foot pump my neighbour asked me to get for him didn't look like it'd stand up to too much use.

 

However, I was bought a Halfords LED Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge 2015 as a present a good few years back now and I found it to be very accurate (within it's stated limits) and useful for my aged eyes.  It can do presets and other stuff that I don't use but the little LED torch is useful for finding the valve on the wheel in the dark and the dust cap which I've put on the ground instead of in my pocket.  Hopefully the built quality still remains now as it's been faultless other than the Halfords badges coming unstuck but it does live in the boot of my car outside where it gets very hot in summer and sometimes very cold in winter. - https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-equipment/tyre-inflators-and-pressure-gauges/halfords-led-digital-tyre-pressure-gauge-2015-171805.html

 

I've had PCL tyre depth gauge for decades. - https://www.pclairtechnology.com/tyre-tread-depth-gauge-vosa-approved-tdg16c01

 

And at least three pencil pressure gauges over the years, one a different make. - https://www.pclairtechnology.com/tyre-care-tools/tyre-pressure-gauges

 

Note: images are out of scale to each other.

 

Edited 5 November, 20214 yr by nta16
add image

On 04/11/2021 at 21:08, nta16 said:

Only my 'germane' bit, the rest is about tyres.

 

Speaking of which, thanks for reporting back, perhaps you could also report back as you put thousands and tens of thousand of miles on them.

 

Whoever fitted them should have reminded you to take it easy on them for the first 100 miles (200 if wet), unless the manufacturer specifies overwise, and to check your nuts for tightness after the first 30-50 miles or so (bolts doesn't go so well).

 

Check your ('cold') tyre pressures with a good quality reliable gauge, don't rely on petrol station or garage gauges to be accurate (the old PLC pencil pocket ones used to be fine).

 

Good luck.

    

Thanks, yes I’m aware of the need to scrub in new tyres, and check bolt tightness - what are the correct torque settings for them?