Hi, here in France I have a 2014 1.6 DSG 'green tec elegance', with 7" alloy rims I think of the Moon variety.  Bought as a one-prior-owner second hand in 2017 from the local Skoda dealer it came fitted with 215/60R16 winter tyres.  Now I'm told when refitting tyres that only the smaller 205/55 is legal.  These smaller winter tyres (I've just now swapped for the Michelin 215 summer tyres) give a much rougher ride and just look undersized.  

They tell me that if I had a different engine size then the 215s would be fine.  Should I discuss this with my insurer?

If I remember correctly 205x55 16’s were the only recommended size for fitting snow chains. If snow chains are not a requirement or going to be fitted 215x60 is a yeti recommended tyre size.

Thanks Kenny, yes I read somewhere here that only rear tyres can be fitted with chains if the 215 size, and since I have front wheel drive only that would be pretty useless...  The local dealer insists now (even though they sold me the car with 215s fitted!) that even though I have 7" rims '215s can only be fitted legally to other engine sizes, not the 1.6'.  How can I locate official Skoda statement that 215s are compatible with all Yetis, even 1.6 engine Yetis? 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/148948-yeti-tyre-and-rim-guide

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/481722-yeti-tyre-and-rim-conundrum

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/forums/176-skoda-yeti-guides

 

5 hours ago, PhilEyre said:

Thanks Kenny, yes I read somewhere here that only rear tyres can be fitted with chains if the 215 size, and since I have front wheel drive only that would be pretty useless...  The local dealer insists now (even though they sold me the car with 215s fitted!) that even though I have 7" rims '215s can only be fitted legally to other engine sizes, not the 1.6'.  How can I locate official Skoda statement that 215s are compatible with all Yetis, even 1.6 engine Yetis? 

 

In one of the Yeti owner's manual, it says that the Yeti 1.6TDI has the following approved tyre and rim options:

 

Yeti 1.6TDI approved tyre and rim options

205/55R16 6Jx16 ET50

205/55R16 7Jx16 ET45

205/50R17 7Jx16 ET45

 

Now all these combinations are also approved for snow chains on both the front and rear axles. So you can use snow chains on all four wheels at the same time. It also says only fit snow chains with links and locks not larger than 12mm.

 

The Yeti owner's manual that I checked came out in 2014, and there could be differences in other manuals that came out on a different date.

 

So it appears that 215/60R16 are not approved for the Yeti 1.6TDI.

 

215/60R16 has an outside diameter 5.1% bigger than 205/55R16, so your speedometer might be under-reading. You can check by comparing the speedometer reading with the GPS speedometer reading on google maps.

 

Fitting a 205/55R16 tyre to a relatively wide 7" rim makes the ride harder compared to fitting a 205/55R16 tyre to a narrower 6" rim. If you want more comfort you could fit the 205/55R16 tyre to a narrower 6Jx16 ET50 rim, or if you don't mind using a non-standard offset, then perhaps fitting a 205/55R16 tyre to a 6Jx16 ET43 rim from the Karoq. However, the ET43 offset wouldn't be correct for snow chains.

 

Perhaps you could ask your insurance company if it's ok to use 205/55R16 winter tyres with a 6Jx16 ET43 rim instead of the approved 6Jx16 ET50 rim, as it's just a 7mm difference in offset. If it's ok, then all-season tyres could be used on 6Jx16 ET43 rims as they are winter rated due to their 3PMSF symbol.

 

What tyre sizes are listed on the white label inside the fuel filler flap?

 

What make, model, and full specification of 205/55R16 have you been using?

 

Something like the below 205/55R16 tyre should provide a good ride if fitted to a relatively narrow 6" rim width, as it has soft and flexible sidewalls and isn't over-specified. For example it's Standard Load and not Extra Load, and it's H-speed rated and not V, W, Y. 205/55R16 tyres with a 91 load index are Standard Load, and 205/55R16 tyres with a 94 load index are Extra Load.

 

Michelin CrossClimate 2 205/55R16 91H

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8003p208585/Michelin_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Michelin_Cross_Climate_2_-_205_55_R16_91H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_A_Noise%3A_69dB

 

Edited 4 May, 20233 yr by Carlston

1 hour ago, Carlston said:

205/50R17 7Jx16 ET45

OK, how does a 17" tyre on a 16" rim work then?

2 hours ago, KenONeill said:

OK, how does a 17" tyre on a 16" rim work then?

 

Typo, now corrected.

 

Yeti 1.6TDI approved tyre and rim options

205/55R16 6Jx16 ET50

205/55R16 7Jx16 ET45

205/50R17 7Jx17 ET45

3 hours ago, Carlston said:

 

Typo, now corrected.

 

Yeti 1.6TDI approved tyre and rim options

205/55R16 6Jx16 ET50

205/55R16 7Jx16 ET45

205/50R17 7Jx17 ET45

Ferry nuff.