Get General Maintenance -> Wheels and Tyres Guide for Skoda Superb SUV First Generation (2001-2008)

Wheels and Tyres 199

Wheels and Tyres

Further information concerning the use of unidirectional tyres ⇒ page 204.

Wheels

General comments

WARNING

•

New tyres during the first 500 km do not offer optimal grip and should

therefore be run appropriately - risk of accident!

•

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.

•

Never drive with damaged tyres - risk of accident!

•

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 vibrations or

Note

•

Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.

•

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 appropriately 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.

Using the system

Safety

Driving Tips

General Maintenance

Breakdown assistance

Technical Data

200 Wheels and Tyres

Tyre life

The tyre inflation pressures for summer tyres are indicated on the inside of the fuel

filler flap ⇒ fig. 183. The inflation pressures for winter tyres are 20 kPa (0.2 bar)

higher than those for summer tyres ⇒ page 203.

The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your vehicle at all

times.

On cars with full wheel trim, valve extensions are fitted in place of dust caps

⇒ fig. 184. It is not necessary to unscrew the valve extensions in order to check and

alter the inflation pressure of the tyre.

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.

Fig. 183 An opened fuel

filler flap with the tyre

inflation pressure table

B1Z-0042H

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 influences

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.

Fig. 184 Wheel with full

trim and extended valve

Wheel alignment errors

The life of your tyres very much depends on the following points:

Tyre pressure

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.

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.

WARNING

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.

•

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.

Wheels and Tyres 201

Changing wheels around

For the sake of the environment

Tyres which are insufficiently inflated increase your fuel consumption.

Wear indicators

Fig. 186 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. 186.

You will then obtain approximately the same life for all the tyres.

Fig. 185 Tyre tread with

wear indicators

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 Service Partners can provide you with details.

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 indicators are located at 6 - 8

points depending on the make and are evenly spaced around the circumference of

the tyre ⇒ fig. 185. Markings on the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”,

triangular symbols or other symbols identify the position of the wear indicators.

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.

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.

New tyres and wheels

Tyres and wheel rims are important design elements. One should therefore 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

WARNING

road holding and safe driving characteristics ⇒

.

•

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.

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.

•

Worn tyres do not provide the necessary adhesion to the road surface at

high speeds on wet roads. One could experience “aquaplaning” (uncon-

trolled movements of the vehicle - “swimming” on a wet road surface).

The Škoda Service Partners have access to the most current information about

which tyres we have released for use on your vehicle.

Using the system

Safety

Driving Tips

General Maintenance

Breakdown assistance

Technical Data

202 Wheels and Tyres

We recommend that you have any work relating to tyres or wheels carried out by

your Škoda Service Partner. Your dealer has all of the necessary special tools and

replacement parts available plus the required specialist knowledge and is also in a

position to properly dispose of the old tyres. A large number of Škoda Service Part-

ners also have an attractive range of tyres and wheels available.

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.

The tyre/wheel combinations which are approved for your vehicle are indicated in

your vehicle documents. Approval and licensing may differ according to the legis-

lation prevailing in individual countries.

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.

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:

205 / 60 R 15 91 V

WARNING

What this means is:

•

Only use those tyres or wheel rims which have been approved for your

model of Škoda Auto a.s. vehicle. Failure to observe this instruction will

adversely 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.

205

60

R

Tyre width in mm

Height/width ratio in %

Code letter for the type of tyre - Radial

Diameter of wheel in inches

Load index

•

You must on no account drive at a higher speed than is permissible for

your tyres - risk of an accident resulting from tyre damage and loss of control

over your vehicle.

15

91

V

Speed symbol

•

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.

The following speed restrictions apply to tyres.

•

Speed symbol

Permissible maximum speed

S

T

180 km/h

190 km/h

210 km/h

240 km/h

270 km/h

300 km/h

•

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.

H

V

W

Y

For the sake of the environment

Old tyres must be disposed of in conformity with the appropriate regulations.

Wheels and Tyres 203

Winter tyres

Note

It is not normally possible to fit wheels from other models of cars for technical

reasons. This may also apply in certain circumstances to the wheels of the same

type of vehicle.

The handling of your vehicle 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 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 V, W or Y on wall of tyre).

Wheel bolts

Winter tyres must be mounted on all four wheels to obtain the best handling char-

acteristics.

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.

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

If you retrofit wheel trims (or have this done), please also ensure that an adequate

the case for summer tyres ⇒ page 200.

flow of air remains assured for cooling the brake system.

Winter tyres no longer offer the same winter performance once the tyre tread has

The Škoda Service Partners are instructed in the technical possibilities which exist

regarding converting or retrofitting wheels, tyres and wheel trim.

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.

WARNING

Speed restrictions apply to winter tyres as well as to summer tyres ⇒ page 201,

⇒

.

•

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

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.

•

can lossen when the car is moving - risk of accident! A tightening 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.

Please pay attention to the notes if you decide to fit winter tyres ⇒ page 199.

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.

Caution

The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy wheels

is 120 Nm.

Using the system

Safety

Driving Tips

General Maintenance

Breakdown assistance

Technical Data

204 Wheels and Tyres

WARNING

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.

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.

Only use fine-link snow chains. They must not project more than 15 mm -

including the chain lock.

Remove the full wheel trims if you wish to fit snow chains to the wheels.

For the sake of the environment

Observe the national legal requirements relating to the maximum vehicle speed

with snow chains.

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 tempera-

tures below 7 °C - the braking distance is shorter, there is less tyre noise, tyre wear

is reduced and fuel consumption is reduced.

WARNING

Please pay attention to the information in the supplied fitting instructions of

the snow chain manufacturer.

Note

Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.

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.

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.

Note

We recommend that you use snow chains from the Škoda genuine accessories.

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 provide optimal grip and

handling in such a situation. This particularly important on wet roads. Please refer

to the notes ⇒ page 209, “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 only for wheel sizes 6J x 16 ET 40 or 6J x 16 ET 37. Your

Škoda Service Partner can provide you with more detailed information.

General Maintenance -> Wheels and Tyres for Your Skoda Superb SUV First Generation (2001-2008)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals