four wheel drive SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK 2017 Owners Manual

Wheels
Wheels and tyres
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Advice on tyre/wheel usage
136
Tyre pressure
137
Tyre wear and wheel change
137
Spare wheel
138
Spare wheel
138
Tyre marking
138
Advice on tyre/wheel usage
During the first 500 km, new tyres do not offer optimum grip; appropriate care
should therefore be taken when driving.
Tyres with the deeper profiles should always be fitted to the front wheels.
Rims and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. We rec-
ommend that you use rims and wheel bolts from ŠKODA Original Accessories.
Wheels and tyres should always be stored in a cool, dry and dark place. The
tyres themselves should be stored vertically.
Tyre life
Tyres age and lose their original characteristics, even if they are not being
used. We recommend that you do not use tyres that are more than 6 years old.
The manufacturing date is indicated on the tyre sidewall (possibly on the in-
side ). For example, DOT ... 10 16... means, for example, that the tyre was manu-
factured in the 10. week of 2016.
Tyre damage
We recommend checking your tyres and wheel rims for damage (punctures,
cuts, splits and bulges etc.) on a regular basis.
Remove any foreign objects in the tyre’s profile immediately (e.g. small stones).
Foreign bodies which have penetrated into the tyre (e.g. screws or nails)
should not be removed and help should be sought from a specialist garage.
Fitting new tyres
Only fit approved radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumference) and
the same tread pattern on one axle on all four wheels.
When mounting new tyres the tyres have to be replaced axle by axle.
Unidirectional tyres
The direction of rotation of the tyres is marked by arrows on the wall of the
tyre .
The specified running direction must be strictly adhered to, otherwise the fol-
lowing tyre characteristics may be degraded. ▶ Driving stability.
▶ Traction.
▶ Tyre noise and tyre wear.WARNING■Never use tyres if you do not know anything about their condition and
age - risk of accidents.■
Never drive with damaged tyres – there is the risk of an accident occur-
ring.
CAUTION
■ The tyres must be protected from contact with substances (e.g. oil, grease
and fuel) which could damage them. If the tyres come into contact with these
substances, then we recommend you have this checked out in a specialist
workshop.■
Do not use rims with ground or polished surfaces in winter conditions - there
is a risk of rim damage (e.g through salt spreading).
Note
■ We recommend that any work on the wheels or tyres be carried out by a spe-
cialist garage.■
We recommend that you use tyres, snow chains and full wheel trims from
ŠKODA Original Accessories.
136General Maintenance

Operating in winter conditions
All-year (or “winter”) tyres
All-year or “winter”tyres (indicated by an M+S or a mountain peak/snowflake
symbol ) to improve the performance of the vehicle in winter conditions.
To get the best possible driving characteristics, all-year or “winter”tyres, with a
minimum tread depth of 4 mm on all four wheels, should be fitted.
If “winter” tyres are mounted, summer tyres should be fitted again in good
time as they provide better handling properties, a shorter braking distance,
less tyre noise and reduced tyre wear on roads which are free of snow and ice
as well as at temperatures above 7 °C.
Speed symbol
All-year or “winter”tyres (marked with M+S and a peak/snowflake symbol
) of
a lower speed category than listed in the vehicle’s technical documentation
can be used provided that the maximum permissible speed for these tyres is
not exceeded even if the maximum possible speed of the vehicle is higher.
For vehicles with Infotainment, using the  button you can adjust the speed
limit for all-season or “winter” tyres » Owner´s Manual - Infotainment . For oth-
er vehicles, there is the possibility to set the speed limit for winter tyres at a
specialist garage.
If the vehicle has all-season or “winter”tires of a lower speed category then
the specified maximum speed of the vehicle (referring to tyres that have not
been delivered by the factory, a warning label with the maximum value of the
speed category provided for the mounted tyres must be fixed in the interior of
the vehicle in a constantly visible place in the driver’s field of vision. The warn-
ing label (sticker) can be replaced by setting the maximum value of the speed
category supplied for the mounted tyres in Infotainment 1)
. This specification
defines the maximum vehicle speed with mounted all-season or “winter”tyres
that may not be exceeded.
Snow chains
The snow chains improve handling in wintry road conditions.
Remove the full wheel trims before installing the snow chains » page 143.
Snow chains must only be fitted on the front wheels and are applicable only to
the following wheel / tyre combinations.Rim sizeImpression depth DTyre size5J x 1435 mm175/70 R14
Only fit snow chains with links and locks not larger than 9 mm.
Rim sizeImpression depth DTyre size6J x 1538 mm185/60 R15
Only fit snow chains with links and locks not larger than 12 mm.
WARNINGDo not use chains on snow and ice-free routes - the handling would be im-
paired and there is a risk of damage to the tyres.1)
Valid in certain countries.
139Wheels