154GENERAL MAINTENANCE
If the tyres are not adequately in-flated, your fuel consumption will
be higher and you will be unnecessarily polluting the environment.
Driving style
Driving fast through curves, sharp accelera-
tion and sharp braking increase tyre wear.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new car are balanced. Va-
rious factors when driving may, however,
produce an imbalance which makes it felt
by steering wobble.
In such a case, the wheels should then be
re-balanced as any imbalance in the
wheels also results in increased wear and
tear to the steering, suspension and tyres.
In addition, a wheel has to be re-balanced
after fitting a new tyre and each time any
repairs are carried out.
Wheel alignment errors
Faulty alignment of the wheels and suspen-
sion not only increases tyre wear, often on
only one side, but also affects the handling
of the car. If any unusual tyre wear exists,
contact a Škoda Dealer.
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the original tyres
contains 1.6 mm high „wear indicators“ at
right angles to the direction of running - see
illustration. These wear indicators are
spaced evenly around the circumference of
the tyre 6 to 8 times - depending on the
make. Markings on the tyre walls, for ex-
ample the letters „TWI“ or triangle symbols,
indicate the position of the wear indicators. Warning
New tyres during the first 500 km
do not offer optimal grip and should
therefore be run appropriately - risk
of accident!
The tyres should be renewed with-
out delay no later than when they are
worn down to the wear indicators.
Worn tyres are detrimental to
road-holding particularly at high
speeds on wet roads. In addition, the
vehicle tends to aquaplane sooner.
Never drive with damaged tyres -
risk of accident!
Immediately replace the damaged
rims or tyres.
