Hi all, I've been neglecting my 03 octavia vrs recently due to family commitments.

On the last service about 6 months ago I was advised that the front tyres would need replacing in the not too distant future. As I don't do an awful lot of mileage I've been making them last.

However in about the last 2 weeks or so I've had some vibration through the steering wheel. It came on all of a suuden and I don't think I've kerbed the alloys or anything. Is this normal ? - I'd say there's 2-3 mm of tread on the front tyres.

I guess I'll need to change the front tyres asap. Any advice as I think I have 3 options.

1 - change all 4 tyres (the rears have around 5 mm tread)

2 - change the front two and then the back two when they have worn some more.

3 - put the spare tyre on the front and buy a new one to make a pair.

Thanks in advance.

No point replacing the good tyres on the back - just get a new pair for the front

Chris

No point replacing the good tyres on the back - just get a new pair for the front

Chris

Agreed, always replace in pairs (unless all 4 need doing) and never touch the spare

As above, on the replacement,

sounds like you may have lost a balanceing weight, that would cause sudden vibration:)

Thanks all, why shouldn't the spare be used - it looks brand new.

It is best practice on a car with ABS to replace tyres for new across the axle. So either two new identical tyres on both front wheels or the same but across the rear. If you used the spare I would recommend using another tyre the same as is on the spare for the opposite side when putting it on the car (unless it is a space saver or the cars has alloys and the spare is steel). If the car developed wheel wobble when the tyres were getting well worn I would suggest that it was just wheel balancing that was out but if the tyres have had it then there is no point in getting them re-balanced. Just make sure the new ones are balanced up before fitting for a smooth ride.

I was in the same boat before Christmas (albeit on a slightly lower powered Octy), I ended up swapping the fronts and rears round.

Then again though my fronts were about 3mm, and the rears about 5mm, I'll replace mine when I can be arsed. I quite like Hankook tyres too .

Thanks, I've a spare in the boot which looks brand new and is a Pirelli P6000.

Popped into a tyre place and they said they could match it with another for about £100.

I don't know if these tyres are any good but I'm thinking I may as well make use of the spare.

Pirelli P6000's are ok in the dry, not great in the wet from what I've heard.

If its new and they can match it with an identical one it should be fine to use, although personally I'd leave it in the boot and get a pair of something else.