2005 SKODA FABIA Owner's Manual

Wheels and Tyres
208
Wheels and Tyres
Wheels
General comments
•New tyres do not offer optimal grip at first and should therefore be run
in for about 500 km at a moderate speed and an appropriately cautious
style of driving. You will also profit from longer tyre life.
•The tread depth of new tyres may differ because of design features
and the configuration of the tread (depending on the type of tyre and the
manufacturer).
•Drive over curbs on the side of the road and other such obstacles
slowly and, where possible, at a right angles in order to avoid damage to
tyres and wheel trims.
•Inspect your tyres from time to time for damage (punctures, cuts, splits
and bulges). Remove foreign bodies from the tyre profile.
•Damage to tyres and wheels is frequently not visible. Unusual vibra-
tions or pulling of the vehicle to one side could be a sign of tyre damage.
Please reduce your speed immediately and stop if you suspect that
a wheel is damaged! Inspect the tyres for signs of damage (bulges,
splits, etc.) If no visible damage is present, please drive at an appropri-
ately slow speed and carefully to the nearest specialist garage in order to
have your vehicle inspected.
•Also protect your tyres from contact with oil, grease and fuel.
•Immediately replace any dust caps of the valves which have got lost.
•Mark wheels before removing them so that their previous direction of
running can be maintained when mounted them again.
•Always store wheels or tyres which been removed in a cool, dry and,
where possible, dark place. Tyres which are not fixed to a wheel trim
should be stored upright. Unidirectional tyres*
The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of the
tyre. This indicates the direction of rotation of the tyre, and it is essential
that the tyres are fitted on to run in this direction. Only then are the tyres
able to provide the optimal properties in terms of grip, low noise, wear-
and-tear and aquaplaning.
Further information concerning the use of unidirectional tyres
⇒
page 213.
WARNING
•New tyres during the first 500 km do not offer optimal grip and
should therefore be run appropriately - risk of accident!
•Never drive with damaged tyres - risk of accident!
Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.
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Wheels and Tyres209
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Tyre life
The life of your tyres very much depends on the following points:
Tyre pressure
The working life of tyres will be shortened considerably if the tyres are
insufficiently or over-inflated and this will have an adverse effect on the
handling of your vehicle.
Correctly inflated tyres are of particular importance when travelling at high
speeds . It is therefore good to check the pressure at least once a month
and also before setting off on a long trip. Please do not forget the spare
wheel when checking the tyres.
The tyre inflation pressures for summer tyres are indicated on the inside
of the fuel filler flap ⇒fig. 150 . The inflation pressures for winter tyres are
20 kPa (0.2 bar) higher than those for summer tyres ⇒page 213.
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your
vehicle at all times. Always check the inflation pressure of tyres when cold. Do not reduce the
higher pressure of warm tyres. Adapt the inflation pressure of the tyres
accordingly if your vehicle is carrying a significantly higher payload.
Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and braking (squealing tyres) increase
wear-and-tear on your tyres.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. There are a wide range of influ-
ences when driving which may result in an imbalance and which makes
themselves felt through vibration in the steering.
You should have the wheels rebalanced since any imbalance increases
wear-and-tear on the steering, the suspension and tyres. A wheel must
also be rebalanced when a new tyre is fitted and each time a tyre is
repaired.
Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front and rear will not only increase wear-
and-tear on the tyres but will also has an adverse effect on vehicle safety.
Contact your specialist garage if you notice any unusual tyre wear.
WARNING
•If the inflation pressure is too low, the tyre must perform a
greater flexing work. At higher speeds the tyre will warm up as a
result of this. This can result in tread separation and even a tyre
blowout.
•Immediately replace the damaged rims or tyres.
For the sake of the environment
Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.
Fig. 150 An opened
fuel filler flap with the
tyre inflation pressure
table
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Wheels and Tyres
210
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the original tyres has wear indicators 1.6 mm
high, installed at right angles to the direction of travel. These wear indica-
tors are located at 6 - 8 points depending on the make and are evenly
spaced around the circumference of the tyre ⇒fig. 151 . Markings on the
walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”, triangular symbols or other
symbols identify the position of the wear indicators.
A remaining tread of just 1.6 mm, measured in the grooves of the tread
next to the wear indicators, means that your tyres have reached their
legally permissible minimum tread depth.
WARNING
•You must have your tyres replaced with new ones at the latest
when the wear indicators have been worn down. The legally
permissible minimum tread depth should be observed.
•Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road
surface at high speeds on wet roads. One could experience “aqua- planing” (uncontrolled movement
s of the vehicle - “swimming” on
a wet road surface).
Changing wheels around
If significantly greater wear is present on the front tyres, we recommend
changing the front wheels around with the rear wheels as shown in the
diagram ⇒fig. 152 . You will then obtain approximately the same life for all
the tyres.
It may be advantageous to swap the tyres over “crosswise” when certain
types of wear characteristic arise on the running surface of the tyres (but
not in the case of unidirectional tyres). Škoda dealers can provide you with
details.
We recommend that you change the wheels around every 10 000 km in
order to achieve even wear on all wheels and to obtain optimal tyre life.
Fig. 151 Tyre tread
with wear indicators
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 152 Changing
wheels around
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Wheels and Tyres211
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New tyres and wheels
Tyres and wheel rims are important design elements. One should there-
fore use the tyres and wheel rims which have been released for use by
Škoda Auto. They are exactly matched to the vehicle type and therefore
contribute significantly to good road holding and safe driving characteris-
tics ⇒ .
Only fit radial tyres of the same type on all 4 wheels, size (rolling circum-
ference) and, if possible, the same tread pattern on one axle.
Škoda dealers have access to the most current information about which
tyres we have released for use.
We recommend that you have any work relating to tyres or wheels carried
out by your Škoda dealer . Your dealer has all of the necessary special
tools and replacement parts available plus the required specialist knowl-
edge and is also in a position to properly dispose of the old tyres. A large
number of Škoda dealers also have an attractive range of tyres and
wheels available.
The tyre/wheel combinations which are approved for your vehicle are indi-
cated in your vehicle documents. Approval and licensing may differ
according to the legislation prevailing in individual countries.
Proper knowledge of the tyre data makes it easier for you to select the
correct type of tyre. Tyres do, for example, have the following inscription
on their walls:
185 / 60 R 14 82 T
What this means is: The following
speed restrictions apply to tyres.
The date of manufacture is also stated on the tyre wall (possibly only on
the inside of wheel):
DOT ... 20 04...
means, for example, that the tyre was manufactured in the 20th week of
the year 2004.
Any spare wheel which differs from the tyres fitted to the vehicle (e.g.
winter tyres or low-profile tyres) should only be used only for a short time
in the event of a puncture and when adopting an appropriately cautious
style of driving. It should be replaced as quickly as possible by a normal
wheel.
185Ty r e w i dt h i n m m
60Height/width ratio in %
RCode letter for the type of tyre - Radial
14Diameter of wheel in inches
82Load index
TSpeed symbol
Speed symbolPermissible maximum speed
Q160 km/h
R170 km/h
S180 km/h
T190 km/h
H210 km/h
V240 km/h
W270 km/h
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Wheels and Tyres
212
WARNING
•Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved
for your model of Škoda Auto vehicle. Failure to observe this
instruction will ad versely affect the road safety of your vehicle -
risk of accident! Approval and licencing of your vehicle on public
roads may also become void as a result.
•You must on no account drive at a higher speed than is permis-
sible for your tyres - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage
and loss of control over your vehicle.
•Tyres which are 6 years old or more should only be fitted in
exceptional cases and when adopting an appropriately cautious
style of driving.
•Never fit tyres which have already been used without having
adequate knowledge of their previous history. Tyres age even if
they have not been used at all or only very little. A spare tyre must
only be used in exceptional cases and only then when adopting an
appropriately cautious style of driving.
•Do not, where possible, replace individual tyres but at least
replace them on both wheels of a given axle at the same time.
Always fit the tyres with the deeper tread depth to the front wheels.
For the sake of the environment
Old tyres must be disposed of in conformity with the appropriate regula-
tions.
Note
It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for tech-
nical reasons. This may also apply in certain circumstances to the wheels
of the same type of vehicle.
Wheel bolts
Wheels and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design.
Each time you fit other wheels - e.g. light alloy wheels or wheels with
winter tyres - you must therefore also use the matching wheel bolts of the
correct length and shape of spherical cap. This is essential to ensure that
the wheels are tightly fitted and that the brake system operates properly.
If you retrofit wheel trims (or have this done), please also ensure that an
adequate flow of air remains assured for cooling the brake system.
Škoda dealers are instructed in the technical possibilities which exist
regarding converting or retrofitting wheels, tyres and wheel trim.
WARNING
•In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can
loosen when the car is moving - risk of accident!
•The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. However,
they must never be treated with grease or oil.
•If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque,
the rim can lossen when the car is moving - risk of accident! A tight-
ening torque which is too high can damage the bolts and threads
and this can result in permanent deformation of the contact
surfaces on the rims.
Caution
The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy
wheels is 120 Nm.
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Wheels and Tyres213
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Winter tyres
The handling of your vehicle will be significantly improved when driving on
wintry roads and at temperatures below 7 °C if you fit winter tyres.
Summer tyres do not offer the same grip on ice and snow at a temperature
below 7 °C because of their construction (width, rubber blend, tread
pattern). This applies in particular to vehicles which are equipped with
low-profile tyres or high-speed tyres (code index H, V or W on wall of
tyre).
Winter tyres must be mounted on all four wheels to obtain the best
handling characteristics.
You must only fit those types of winter tyre which are approved for your
vehicle. The permissible sizes of winter tyres are stated in your vehicle
documents. Approvals may differ because of national legislation.
Please remember that the tyres should be inflated to 20 kPa (0.2 bar)
more than is the case for summer tyres ⇒page 209.
Winter tyres no longer offer the same winter performance once the tyre
tread has worn down to a depth of about 4 mm.
Ageing also causes winter tyres to lose most of their winter performance
properties - even in cases where the remaining tread depth is still clearly
more than 4 mm.
Speed restrictions apply to winter tyres as well as to summer tyres
⇒ page 211, ⇒.
You can fit winter tyres of a lower speed category to your vehicle provided
that you also do not drive faster than the permissible maximum speed for
such tyres, even if the possible maximum speed of your vehicle is higher.
The corresponding tyre category can damage the tyres when exceeding
the permissible maximum speed.
Please pay attention to the notes if you decide to fit winter tyres
⇒ page 208. You can also fit so-called “all-year tyres” instead of winter tyres.
Please contact your specialist garage if there are any points which are not
clear who will be able to provide you with information regarding the
maximum speed fo
r your tyres.
WARNING
You must on no account drive your car at more than the permis-
sible maximum speed for your winter tyres - risk of an accident
resulting from tyre damage and loss of control over your car.
For the sake of the environment
Fit your summer tyres on again in good time since summer tyres offer you
better grip and handling on roads which are free of snow and ice as well
as ar temperatures below 7 °C - the braking distance is shorter, there is
less tyre noise, tyre wear is reduced and fuel consumption is reduced.
Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.
Unidirectional tyres*
The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of
the tyre . This indicates the direction of rotation of the tyre, and it is essen-
tial that the tyres are fitted on to run in this direction. Only then are the
tyres able to provide the optimal properties in terms of grip, low noise,
wear-and-tear and aquaplaning.
Should it be necessary to fit on a spare wheel in exceptional cases with a
tyre not dedicated to the running direction or in opposite running direction,
please adopt a cautious style of driving as the tyre is no longer able to
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Wheels and Tyres
214
provide optimal grip and handling in such a situation. This particularly
important on wet roads. Please refer to the notes ⇒page 220, “Spare
wheel*”.
You should have the defective tyre replaced as soon as possible and
restore the correct direction of rotation on all tyres
Snow chains
Snow chains can be used on all tyres except type 195/50 R15 and 205/45
R16 as well as 185/60 R14 in combination with the wheel trim 6J x 14 with
a depth of 38 mm.
Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.
When driving on wintry roads, snow chains improve not only traction, but
also the braking performance.
Only use fine-link snow chains . They must not project more than 15 mm
- including the chain lock.
Remove the full wheel trims before installing the snow chains.
Observe the national legal requirements relating to the maximum vehicle
speed with snow chains.
WARNING
Please pay attention to the information in the supplied fitting
instructions of the snow chain manufacturer.
Caution
You must take the chains off as soon as you drive on roads which are free
of snow. They adversely affect the handling of your vehicle, damage the
tyres and are rapidly destroyed.
Note
We recommend that you use snow chains from the Škoda genuine
accessories.
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Accessories, changes and replacement of parts215
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Accessories, changes and replacement of parts
Accessories and replacement parts
Škoda vehicles have been built according to the latest discoveries in
safety engineering. Thus one should not change the condition in which the
vehicle was delivered from the manufacturer without some thought.
The following guidelines should be observed when a vehicle is to be retro-
fitted with accessories, have technical changes made to it or a part has to
be replaced at some time in the future.
•Advise should always be obtained from a Škoda dealer before buying
any accessories and before making any technical changes ⇒ .
•This is particularly the case when accessories are bought in a foreign
country.
•Škoda Genuine Accessories which have been released for use and
Skoda original parts can be obtained from Škoda dealers. They will install
them professionally and correctly.
•All Škoda original accessory which is listed in the catalogue such as
tilting roofs, spoilers, wheels etc. must have an official stamp of approval.
•Radios, aerials and other electrical accessories should only be
installed by an authorised workshop.
•The guidelines issued by Škoda Auto must be observed when making
technical changes.
•This is to ensure that no technical damage occurs to the vehicle, that
travelling and operating safety are maintained and that the chnages are
permissible. Škoda dealers undertake this work professionally or refer it
to an specialist company in special cases.
Any damage which is done caused by technical changes made
without consulting a Skoda dealer is excluded from the guarantee.
WARNING
•We advise you, in your own interest, to only use Škoda Genuine
Accessories and Škoda original parts which have been expressly
approved for use on your Škoda. Reliability, safety and suitabiliity
have been established for these Škoda original parts.
•We cannot guarantee suitability of installation into your vehicle
of other products despite keeping a constant eye on market devel-
opments (also not in the case where there is an attestation or
permission can be produced).
Technical changes
Interference on the electronic components and their software can lead to
operational faults. This interference can also impair not directly affected
systems because of the networking of the electronic components. This
means that the operating safety of your vehicle can be considerably jeop-
ardized, a greater wear of vehicle parts can occur and finally the vehicle
registration documents expire.
We trust that you will understand that your Škoda dealer cannot be liable
for damage resulting from unprofessional work.
We therefore recommend that you have all work carried out with Škoda
original parts at your authorised Škoda dealer.
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