I need my tyres replaced on my Octy, the front 2 are pretty much illegal (worn on both respective outside edges, but the inside edges of both are ok so not a pressure issue IMO).

The rears have obviously been on the front at one time as they are not great either, but better!

I will replace all 4 eventually, but can only really afford 2 at the moment.

I want to change up from 205/50/17 to 225/45/17 as it seems to be a reasonable change for performance/costs, etc.

I know it is illegal to run with the wider tyres on the front, but was wondering WHY it is illegal?

Does it make a drastic change to the handling characteristics of the car?

I know cars like MR2s run wider rear tyres, but obviously the steering wheels still run skinnier tyres in that case.

This would mean putting my new tyres on the rear, when I really want the new rubber up front where the steering, and traction come into play.

Was gonna go for Toyo Proxies, or Eagle GSD3s can't really decide between the 2, but Proxes are more easily available for a better price around here so that's what i'll probably get.

I am watching a set of S3 alloys and tyres on fleabay at the moment, but I am nervous about going for them in case they are warped/not as described - the Mrs would have my b@lls in a basket if I spent that money at this time of year on crap! :lol:

Then I just need to get the front brake pads/discs replaced to stop my wobble at seed and i'll be a happy budgie!

Cheers,

Steven.

I've done it in the past when going from 205's to 225's and it didn't make a jot difference in performance. But as a general note, you'd fit the new tyres at the back, so it would mean the 205's sit at the front anyway...

I want to change up from 205/50/17 to 225/45/17 as it seems to be a reasonable change for performance/costs, etc.

Not sure it's illegal but it's probably not advised because you're adjusting the balance of grip between the front and rear of the car (rear will now have potentially less grip). I suspect it's not the sort of thing you'd really notice in regular road driving....

I'm thinking of going the same way as you and changing to a bigger, more popular tyre size as I can't believe how much cheaper they are

Chris

Hi guys, I am a bit confused. Maybe I am wrong but I thought that you would put the better tyres on the driven wheels

Hi guys, I am a bit confused. Maybe I am wrong but I thought that you would put the better tyres on the driven wheels

This is a well argued point! I'd always put them on the driven wheels because that's where I want the most grip!!!

Chris

Michelin car tyres company : new tyre

Put the new tyres on the back.

HTH.

Michelin car tyres company : new tyre

Put the new tyres on the back.

HTH.

:iagree: :iagree: Too true, i should know its my living;)

Phil

i dont think its illegal to have different sized tyres front to back but i beleive it is illegal from side to side. going for an extreme, and i mean extreme example imagine having 15" steels as standard and having 18" alloys on. your spare is a 15" steel so if you put it on due to a flat, the car would lean too much on that corner. but if you changed the other on the same axle then it wouldnt lean over. as apposed to changing the one on the same side then it would deffinately lean over. do you understand all of that?

in a nutshell i beleive that its ok to have the same sized tyres on the same axle yet different ones front to back. within reason obviously, otherwise it would look like a drag car!!!!

and as for where to put the new ones. i always put them on the back!!

If you always put new tyres on the back it saves you ever having to shell out for four new tyres in one go.

Is the handling advantages by having the new tyres at the back?

The general voiced thinking is to reduce oversteer for the less capable....

The general voiced thinking is to reduce oversteer for the less capable....

Whilst also increasing the risk of aquaplaning, etc on the front end. I'm sure the last time this was argued, someone posted a counter-argument link which said that the new tyres should always be put on the driven wheels but I can't find it.....

Chris

I stick with Michelin's advice but the advice in the Skoda Octavia Owner's Manual is to always fit tyres with the deeper tread to the front wheels. For cars with ESP, the same tyres must be fitted to all four wheels if the ESP system is to operate properly. Differing rolling circumferences can result in an undesirable reduction in engine output. The same applies to cars with TCS.