Wheels And Tyres; Wheels - Skoda 2011 Praktik Owner's Manual

Wheels and Tyres

Wheels

General information

New tyres do not have optimal adhesion immediately from first use. It is neces-
sary to drive the initial 500 km at moderate speed with a cautious driving style. 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 angle in order to avoid damage to tyres and wheel trims.

We recommend you regularly check tyres and rims for damage (punctures,
cracks, buckling, deformations, etc). Remove foreign bodies from the tyre profile.

Tyre damage is often hidden. Unusual vibrations 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 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.
Further information concerning the use of unidirectional tyres  page 169.
Using the system Safety Driving Tips General Maintenance
WARNING

New tyres during the first 500 km do not offer optimal grip and should there-
fore be run appropriately - risk of accident!

Never drive with damaged tyres - risk of accident!
Note
Please observe the various differing legal requirements regarding tyres.
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 tyre pressure, including that of the spare wheel, at
least once a month and also before setting off on a long trip.
The tyre inflation pressures for summer tyres are indicated on the inside of the fuel
filler flap  fig. 143. The inflation pressures for winter tyres are 20 kPa (0,2 bar)
higher than those for summer tyres  page 168.
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your vehicle at all
times.
Breakdown assistance
Wheels and Tyres
Fig. 143 An opened fuel filler flap with a
tyre size and tyre inflation pressure table
Praktik Technical data
165