Hi, need two new tyres soon for Fabia vRS. Rears are original Michelins with tons left on them.

Contemplating downsizing to 195/45/16s on the front - and then the same for the rears later.

Any thoughts ?

what is the width of the wheel??

it should be marked on the inside of the wheel somewhere

Originals are 205/45/16s - so it is only a minor downsize + (on the advice of others + some research) am thinking of going for Toyo Proxes or Hankook Vertus both of which appear to be grippier than the Michelins which should counter the downsizing.

Why on earth would you want to reduce the contact area of the front tyres? :confused:

Same size tyres on the same axle should be fine, but I echo Harry's statement - why reduce front tread width? I went for slightly bigger on mine. 215/40 at the front, 205/40 at the back.

In the past I've found wide tyres to be a real pain for grip in the wet (and snow). Also price.

I would look out for some 205/45 R16 toyo proxes T1-R. Best combination of decent value and performance. I'd be surprised if 195/45s are cheaper though

[goes off to rummage on mytyres website]

Only potential problem I can see is making the handling (on the limit) unpredictable, but I suspect realistically you won't notice any difference....

Chris

I would look out for some 205/45 R16 toyo proxes T1-R. Best combination of decent value and performance. I'd be surprised if 195/45s are cheaper though

[goes off to rummage on mytyres website]

Thanks for looking, in advance.

MyTyres - just been there, again !

Toyo 195/ 45 / 16

£45 ain't bad at all. I paid £160 for a pair of them in 215/40 R17.

what is the width of the wheel??

it should be marked on the inside of the wheel somewhere

err... i mean the width of the wheel not the tyre!!!

you cant just go sticking any size tyre on a wheel, iirc the fabia vrs wheels are 6.5j x 16, which would make a 195mm tread width unsuitable

I'd be looking at 215 40s myself. Cheaper to boot!

err... i mean the width of the wheel not the tyre!!!

you cant just go sticking any size tyre on a wheel, iirc the fabia vrs wheels are 6.5j x 16, which would make a 195mm tread width unsuitable

Car not here presently - tried to find the dimensions by doing a search on the Net and on this Forum but have had no joy.

Mexicorich has reduced to 195/45/16 and says all is well (says if you check the tyre company recommendations then you'll find the 195 is actually better suited - the 205 is 'on the limit' - my quote marks).

Wheel-base.co.uk show (for a RS4 type alloy 16" to fit a vRS) 205/50/16s and 195/45/16s as the options.

i must say i do aggree totally with using narrower tyre especially when driving in the wet or on snow, in my experience some cars even handle better with narrower tyres fitted

i must say i do aggree totally with using narrower tyre especially when driving in the wet or on snow, in my experience some cars even handle better with narrower tyres fitted

1st experience I had of this was taking a (admittedly greasy but well known) roundabout for the first time in a Jetta TD (after having run a Renault 18TD) with substantially wider (but standard) tyres. Yes, I went in faster as the Jetta had better roadholding in the dry - but boy did I scare myself, proper opposite lock job.

+ they (reviewers) used to say the old Citroen (tinshed - can't remember name) was fabulous in the wet because of the skinny tyres.

That would be the 2CV, very light car, and it could drive on snow that left larger cars stuck in the days where the 2CV was still a fairly new car

wont the ride be a bit harsher with the narrower tyres , slightly shorter sidewalls

plus be aware of having the correct speed and weight rating on the tyres iirc VRS tyres are WR rated , if lower spec tyres are fitted your insurance maybe void if you have an accident

plus again , you will surely have to notify the insurance of the modification

plus again , do you have ESP on the car , as running different diameter tyres can cause problems with the ESP , as the wheels rotate at different speeds

do you have ESP on the car , as running different diameter tyres can cause problems with the ESP , as the wheels rotate at different speeds

That can effect the standard ABS and ASR anyhow.

That can effect the standard ABS and ASR anyhow.

yes , you are probably right , but i've always found that the ESP is the only thing that seems to throw the warning light on

That can effect the standard ABS and ASR anyhow.

:iagree:

but there shoud be enough tolerance to allow for that without triggering the abs, kind of like when you drive around with a flat tyre

yes , you are probably right , but i've always found that the ESP is the only thing that seems to throw the warning light on

ESP and Traction control is the same light on the dash is it not?

if so... how would you know which kicked in? I find mostly I lose traction from the front wheels therefore traction cntrol kicks in.

I did notice that when I booted it and turned right on a wet right turn that the esp did nothing to correct the understeer? should it? and if it did I was not prepared to wait for it to do so.

ESP and Traction control is the same light on the dash is it not?

Are they not one and the same as ESP brakes wheels to regain traction? :confused:

Chris