Wheels and Tyres
218
Changing wheels aroundIf 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. 172 . You will
then obtain approximately the same life for all the tyres.
It may be advantageous to swap the tyres ov er “crosswise” when certain types of wear
characteristic arise on the running surface of the tyres (but not in the case of unidirec-
tional tyres). The co-workers of the authorised Škoda Service Partners are extensively
familiar with the combination possibilites.
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.New tyres and wheelsTyres and wheel rims are important design elements. One should therefore use the
tyres and wheel rims which have been releas ed for use by Škoda Auto. They are exactly
matched to the vehicle type and therefore contribute significantly to good road
holding and safe driving characteristics .
Only fit radial tyres of the same type on all 4 wheels, size (rolling circumference) and, if
possible, the same tread pattern on one axle.
The authorised Škoda Service Partners have access to the most current information
about which tyres we have released for use on your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any work relati ng to tyres or wheels carried out by an
authorised Škoda Service Partner . The authorised Škoda Service Partners have all of
the necessary special tools and replacement pa rts available plus the required specialist knowledge and are also in a position to pr
operly dispose of the old tyres. A large
number of authorised Škoda Service Partners also have an attractive range of tyres and
wheels available.
The tyre/wheel combinations which are appr oved for your vehicle are indicated in
your vehicle documents. Approval and licens ing may differ according to the legislation
prevailing in indi vidual countries.
Proper knowledge of the tyre data makes it ea sier for you to select the correct type of
tyre. Tyres do, for example, have the following inscription on their walls:
225 / 50R 17 91 T
What this means is:
The following speed restrictions apply to tyres.
Fig. 172 Changing wheels around
225
Tyre wi dt h i n mm
50
Height/width ratio in %
R
Code letter for the type of tyre - R adial
17
Diameter of wheel in inches
91
Load index
T
Speed symbol
Speed symbol
Permissible maximum speed
S
180 km/h
T
190 km/h
U
200 km/h
H
210 km/h
V
240 km/h
W
270 km/h
Y
300 km/h
s2ug.6.book Page 218 Friday, April 9, 2010 2:24 PM
Wheels and Tyres
220
Winter tyresThe handling of your vehicl e will be significantly improved when driving on wintry
roads if you fit winter tyres. Summer tyres do not offer the same grip on ice, snow and
at temperatures below 7 °C because of thei r construction (width, rubber blend, tread
pattern). This particularly applies to vehicles which are equipped with low-profile
tyres or high-speed tyres (code index H or V on wall of tyre).
Winter tyres must be mounted on all four wheels to obtain the best handling charac-
teristics.
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 na tional legislation.
Please remember that the tyres should be inflated to 20 kPa (0.2 bar) more than is the
case for summer tyres page 216.
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 218,
.
You can fit winter tyres of a lower speed catego ry 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 216.
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 for your tyres.
WARNING
You must on no account drive your car at more than the permissible 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 essential that the tyres are fitted
on to run in this direction. Only then are the tyres able to provide the optimal proper-
ties in terms of grip, low nois e, wear-and-tear and aquaplaning.
Should it be necessary to fit on a spare wheel in exceptional cases with a tyre not dedi-
cated to the running direction or in oppo site running direction, please adopt a
cautious style of driving as the tyre is no longer able to provide optimal grip and
handling in such a situation. This particular ly important on wet roads. Please refer to
the additional instructions page 224, “Spare wheel*”.
You should have the defective tyre replaced as soon as possible and restore the correct
direction of rotation on all tyresSnow chainsWhen driving on wintry roads, snow chains improve not only traction, but also the
braking performance.
The use of snow chains on ve hicles with front-wheel drive and on vehicles with four-
wheel drive differs.
Valid for vehicles with front-wheel drive
Snow chains can only be mounted on the front wheels.
For technical reasons, it is only permissible to fit snow chains with the following
wheel/tyre combinations:
s2ug.6.book Page 220 Friday, April 9, 2010 2:24 PM
Wheels and Tyres221
Using the system
Safety
Driving Tips
General Maintenance
Breakdown assistance
Technical Data
Valid for vehicles wi
th four-wheel drive
Snow chains can be used on the front wheels as on vehicles with front-wheel drive.
page 220, “Valid for vehicles with front-wheel drive”.
In order to increase the traction (start-up pr operties), the use of snow chains is also
technically permissible on the rear axle (this means on the front and rear axle at the
same time) for the following wheel/tyre combinations:
The use of snow chains is only technically pe rmissible on the rear axle for the following
standard wheel/tyre combinations:
When fitting snow chains on the front and rear axle at the same time, the maximum
speed is limited to 50 km/h.
Only fit snow chains with links and locks not larger than 12 mm.
Remove the full wheel trims if you wish to fit snow chains to the wheels.
Take note of the various national legal provisions regarding the maximum permissible
speed of the vehicle fitted with snow chains and the limit of the maximum speed which
is recommended by the manufacturer of the 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.
Wheel size
Depth (D)
Ty re s i z e
6J x 16
50 mm
205/55
7J x 16
45 mm
205/55
6J x 17
45 mm
205/50
Wheel size
Depth (D)
Ty re s i z e
6J x 16
50 mm
205/55
7J x 16
45 mm
205/55
6J x 17
45 mm
205/50
Wheel size
Depth (D)
Ty re s i z e
7J x 16
45 mm
215/60
7J x 17
45 mm
225/50
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