Tires and disks are important elements of a car's running gear, because their quality determines the safety and comfort level of both the driver and passengers.

Poor quality tires significantly reduce some of the vehicle's performance (for example, braking distance), and incorrectly selected discs can deform in a seemingly simple situation. Therefore, it is very important to approach the issue of their choice with full responsibility. In addition, the right wheels can perfectly complement the design of the Skoda Rapid.

What tire sizes are recommended by the manufacturer for the Skoda Rapid

First of all, it is necessary to clarify that you should first select the wheels, and only then select the tires for them. However, if you already have factory disks, then you can immediately select the most optimal rubber for them. Skoda Rapid, like any other car, has its own disc marking. For example, the standard wheels from the manufacturer, which are installed on the Skoda Rapid, in the Active car modification are designated by the index 5J x 14 ET35. PCD 5 × 100. Below is the decryption of all values \u200b\u200bof the disk marking:

• 5J - number "5" indicates the width of the rim, which is measured in inches, and the letter "J" means the type of profile;
• "14" is the rim diameter in inches. It is important to strike a balance between rim radius and tire profile. Indeed, for large-diameter discs, it is necessary to select low-profile tires, which will somewhat reduce the level of comfort when driving on uneven road surfaces;
• "ET35" - stands for "drive out". The number "35" means the overhang in millimeters. One of the key values, since if the selection is incorrect, friction of the wheel against the suspension elements may occur;
• "PCD 5 x 100" - the location of the wheel bolts, or in common people "bolt pattern". In this case, the disc is fixed by five bolts at a distance of 100 mm. This is a key parameter to rely on when choosing wheels.

The wheel rim of this car is schematically shown below:

There are various discs of different diameters on a Skoda Rapid car, however, the manufacturer recommends the following types of them:

If the owner of the Skoda Rapid strives to reveal a certain tuning potential of this car, giving it a more sporty character, then you can install R16 or even R17 rims, which will have a more attractive appearance. But still, this option is most suitable for the summer period. It should also be borne in mind that when installing discs of this radius, the warranty for the suspension elements ceases to apply, since this type of disc is not recommended. In addition, the car's suspension will become less energy-intensive and all the irregularities in the road surface will be greater.

After the discs have been purchased, you can pick up the rubber. It is selected in accordance with the marking of the discs. So, for the 5J x 14 ET35 option. PCD 5 × 100 fit tires marked 175/70 R14. 84T. Below is the decoding of this rubber marking:

• "175" - the width of the tire profile, measured in millimeters;
• "70" - the percentage of the tire's profile height to its width;
• "R" is the type of tire construction, in this case radial;
• "R14" - disc diameter;
• "84" - the index of the load on one wheel at high speeds. In this case, this load is 515 kg;
• "T" - speed index. In other words, this is a parameter that shows the maximum speed of movement on the specified tires. "T" means speed limit after 190 km / h.

Below is a schematic representation of the decoding of the R15 tire marking:

As for the owners who decide to install discs with a 16 radius, the following rule should be followed: the narrower the profile, the better. However, as noted earlier, the installation of non-standard wheels will void the owner's warranty on the chassis. The bottom photo shows a black alloy wheel, which looks especially good on the white version of the Skoda Rapid:

What non-standard tire and wheel sizes can be installed on the Skoda Rapid

Before buying freelance wheels, first you need to decide on the type of wheels: stamped, alloy or forged wheels. After that, in accordance with the year of manufacture of the car, as well as its engine, you should decide on the size of the wheels. Below is a table showing the original tire and wheel sizes for the Skoda Rapid, as well as their equivalents, which will greatly simplify the choice of summer and winter wheels:

What is the tire pressure of the Skoda Rapid

The value of the required pressure in the tires of the Skoda Rapid car can be found in the plate, which is located on the driver's door, in the glove compartment, on the fuel tank cap (pictured), and also in some cases under the hood.

In addition, it should be borne in mind that the level of optimal pressure is not always the same and varies depending on driving conditions. The tire pressure indicated on the sticker is assumed to be several values, since the dimensions of the wheels installed, as well as the total load on the car (the number of passengers and the volume of cargo in the luggage compartment) are taken into account. It is extremely important to maintain the optimum pressure level, as this mainly affects the even wear of the wheel tires. For example, if you operate a car on over-pumped wheels, then increased tire wear will be seen in the middle of the tread. If you ride on flat tires, then the tread sides will wear out the fastest, not to mention the possible deformation of the disc when driving on road bumps. It is recommended to check the pressure in the wheels at least once a week and, if necessary, to pump them up. Indeed, due to the difference in tire pressure, the car can be pulled to the side, especially at higher speeds.

Below is a table showing all the main pressure parameters for standard and non-standard wheels of a Skoda Rapid:

Years of release	engine's type	Tire size	Front wheel pressure, atmospheres	Rear wheel pressure, atmospheres
2012-2015	Gasoline	185/60 R15	2.2	2.4
		195/55 R15
		215/45 R16	2.2	2.3
		215/40 R17
	Diesel	185/60 R15	2.2	2.4
		195/55 R15	2.3	2.5
		215/45 R16	2.2	2.3
		215/40 R17	2.4	2.5

Review of the best summer and winter tires for Skoda Rapid

The Skoda Rapid car is quite popular in our country, so without any difficulty you can view the reviews of real owners on different types of tires. Below is a table listing the best models of summer tires in different sizes:

Rubber marking	Model name	Cost, rubles
185/60 R15		1400
	Continental ContiPremiumContact	1700
	Bridgestone Turanza T001 Evo	2300
195/55 R15	Firestone Roadhawk	1700
	Falken ZIEX ZE310 Ecorun	1600
	Hankook Ventus Prime3 K125	3100
175/70 R14	Falken Sincera SN-832 Ecorun	1300
	Hankook Kinergy Eco K425	1500
	Vredestein T-Trac 2	1400

The following table presents a rating of the best winter tires for the Skoda Rapid:

Rubber type	Model	Price, rubles
185/60 R15		1800
	Goodyear UltraGrip 9	1600
	Michelin Alpin A4	2200
195/55 R15	Continental WinterContact TS 860	2500
	Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen-1	2300
	Dunlop Winter Sport 5	2400
175/70 R14	Continental WinterContact TS 860	1900
	Goodyear UltraGrip 9	1800
	Pirelli Cinturato Winter	1700

Parameters of standard bolts Skoda Rapid

Wheel fasteners in the Skoda Rapid are presented in the form of bolts, which have standard parameters of M14 diameter and 1.5 thread pitch. All of them have a standard turnkey cap or a head on "19", are made of steel and covered with zinc. In addition, a cone-shaped seat is provided. However, it is worth noting that for all their identical dimensions, the bolts may differ in their length. As a rule, alloy wheels are fixed with longer bolts of 29 and 33 mm, and the standard “stamping” is 27 mm. The wheel bolts also come with caps that prevent dust and dirt from getting under the cap.

When installing the wheels, tighten the fastening bolts strictly diagonally so that it evenly presses against the hub. It is very important to control the tightening torque as the threads can be stripped. It is recommended to first press the wheel evenly on a suspended vehicle, and only then press it without jerking on the ground.

Original wheels on Skoda Rapid

For the Czech car Skoda Rapid, the manufacturer itself produces very stylish and high-quality alloy wheels of different radii. The table below shows several original disc models:

Model name	The size	Model number
Propeller	R15	5JA071495A8Z8
Carme		5JA0714958Z8
Mato		6V00714958Z8
Dione	R16	5JA071496B8Z8
Antia		5JA0714968Z8
Camelot	R17	5JA071497A8Z8
Savio		5JA071497CZG6
Prestige		5JA071497A ZG6

The maximum and minimum possible parameters of non-standard Skoda Rapid disks

The most important parameter when choosing a wheel is its bolt pattern. For a Skoda Rapid, it is 5x100 mm. Based on this parameter, discs of different diameters should be selected. As for the minimum values, it is highly discouraged to use wheels with a diameter of less than 14 inches (although some models will do). This is due to the fact that the manufacturer guarantees a safe and comfortable ride only on standard factory wheel sizes. For example, if you install rims with a radius of 13 on the Skoda Rapid, then there is a high probability of a decrease in ground clearance (it all depends on the type of tires selected). The maximum allowable rim size is 17 inches, with a larger value, friction between the wheel and the wheel arch may occur when driving on uneven road surfaces.

Disc offset is also an important characteristic that needs to be paid attention to. Its standard value is 35 mm, however, many Skoda Rapid owners install discs with an overhang of 45 mm.

In conclusion, it should be added that the manufacturer Skoda installs standard wheels with a radius of 14, 15 and 16 mm on its Rapid models. It is these parameters that should be adhered to if there is a desire to change the car's shoes. Indeed, many sensor readings (for example, odometer), as well as the chassis of the car as a whole, depend on the size of the wheels. The larger the radius of the disc, the smaller the profile of the tire, which means that all irregularities from the road surface will be much clearer, which will lead not only to early wear of the suspension element, but also to possible deformation of the discs.

The Skoda Rapid is one of the oldest vehicles in the world. This series began in the 30s of the last century. The 3rd generation liftback (class B) is currently on the market. In the brand's lineup, the model is located between the Fabia and Octavia cars.

The Czech 4-door has a lot of competitors. By the time the latest generation of Skoda Rapid appeared on the market, clear leaders had already emerged: Volkswagen Polo Sedan, Hyundai Solaris, facelifted Chevrolet Aveo and KIA Rio. However, the model was able to find its buyer. In terms of cost, the Czech product is slightly higher than its “classmates”. At the same time, Skoda Rapid surpasses competitors in dimensions and has the maximum length in the class. The main advantage of the model, in addition to its stylish appearance, is a large trunk and a spacious interior.

In 1935, the Czech automaker released the debut generation of the Skoda Rapid with the Six prefix. The model was designed in a sporty style and equipped with a 50-horsepower unit. Soon, a modified version of an interesting coupe appeared. The production of the first generation of the car ended in 1947.

The revival of the model took place 37 years later. The Czech auto maker showed the new Skoda Rapid coupe with a 58-horsepower unit and rear-wheel drive. It was extremely difficult to compete with similar cars of the model, but it received its market share. After 6 years, the production of the car was completed.

In 2012, the premiere of the third generation Skoda Rapid took place in Paris. The model became completely independent and had nothing to do with its predecessors. The PQ25 platform used in the Audi A1, Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza was chosen as the basis for its creation. The liftback received large enough dimensions for its class: length - 4480 mm, wheelbase - 2600 mm. The Skoda Rapid's front suspension was borrowed from Fabia (McPherson struts with lower A-levers with adaptation for a large mass and engine), the rear from Octavia.

The design of the model turned out to be rather conservative and strict. The car looked like a sedan, but the trunk lid opened with or without the rear window. The key feature of the Skoda Rapid III was the design of the front end. The developers designed the radiator grill in the form of a clearly traced chrome frame with vertical plates, and the rectangular headlights of a strict form were balanced with elongated foglights. The embossing on the hood, forming a protrusion for the logo on the border with the radiator grille, and the “ribs” diluted the strict image a little. Skoda lettering appeared on the rear left side of the body.

When creating the model, the priority was to increase the free space in the cabin and trunk. The latter eventually received a capacity of 550 liters and additional pockets, holders, hooks and nets for a convenient location of the load. With the seats folded down, the trunk volume increased to 1490 liters.

The salon of the third Skoda Rapid combined ergonomics and functionality. The wide range of seat adjustment provided comfort of movement. A compact center box similar to the Volkswagen Polo serves the same purpose. The center console was made extremely informative, borrowing the basic elements from other models of the line.

19 innovative solutions were applied in the liftback. So, under the driver's seat they placed a holder for an emergency vest, and under the tank lid - an ice scraper, which is also a magnifying glass.

On the Russian market, Skoda Rapid III is offered in 4 trim levels (Entry, Active, Ambition, Style) with 3 options for gasoline engines:

1.6-liter MPI engine (90 HP) with 5-speed "mechanics":

• rims 7J by 16 ET35 (7 - width in inches, 16 - diameter in inches, 35 - positive offset in mm), tires - 215 / 45R16 (215 - tire width in mm, 45 - section height in%, 16 - rim diameter in inches)

1.6-liter MPI engine (110 hp) with 5-speed manual transmission:

• wheels 7J for 16 ET35, tires - 215 / 45R16;
• wheels 7J for 17 ET35, tires - 215 / 40R17.

1.4-liter TSI turbo engine (125 hp), combined exclusively with the "robot" DSG:

• wheels 7J for 16 ET35, tires - 215 / 45R16.

Other characteristics of the wheels include:

• PCD (drilling) - 5 per 100 (5 - the number of holes, 100 - the diameter of the circle on which they are located in mm);
• fasteners - M14 by 1.5 (14 - stud diameter in mm, 1.5 - thread size);
• central hole diameter - 57.1 mm;
• pressure in the wheels - 2.2 bar.
• tire pressure - 2 and 2.2 (front and rear).

Since 2014, the Skoda Rapid has been produced at the plant in Kaluga.

Cast 15-inch wheel on the Skoda Rapid.

When buying a car, as well as when changing the season, many car owners think about choosing wheels for their Skoda Rapid. The choice of disks, as well as tires, is wide enough and every driver can find the ones he likes best However, there are certain subtleties in the selection of these parts. Let's try to describe in detail these or those wheel options for the Skoda Rapid.

Let's start with the choice of disks on the Skoda Rapid

As you know, there are different types of discs:

The minimum configuration of the Skoda Rapid is stamped with the marking - 5J x 14 ET35. PCD 5 × 100 ... What does each number and letter in the name mean?

• 5 - disc rim width (inch)
• J - designation of the shape of the rim profile
• 14 - number of inches of rim diameter
• ET - "disc offset", that is, the distance in millimeters from the plane of attachment of the rim to the plane of symmetry of the disc
• PCD 5 x 100 - Rim Bolt (5 bolts every 10 cm)

Diagram of wheel rim indicators.

• 5J x 14 ET35. PCD 5 × 100
• 6J x 15 ET38. PCD 5 × 100
• 6J x 15 ET40. PCD 5 × 100 depending on the configuration of the machine. , factory disks will look much more elegant with them.

You can also put 16-inch wheels, but it is better to use these in the summer, since only low-profile tires are suitable for them. And it is usually used to flaunt on dry roads with good coverage.

The choice of tires for Skoda Rapid

When you have already decided on the wheels, you can confidently approach the selection of tires for your car.

Rubber is chosen depending on the season. As well as design preferences.

Tires are available in low profile and wide profile.

Low profile designed for dynamic driving. They adhere best to asphalt. However, on a bad road, they can burst, and even bend the disc.

Wide-profile used mainly for average coatings and in the autumn-winter season. These tires will “feel” much better on poor, potholed surfaces.

As for the choice of rubber sizes for the Skoda Rapid, there are three tire options, depending on the wheels that come with each configuration:

• 175/70. R14. 84T
• 185/60. R15. 84T
• 195/55. R15. 85T

And now we will decipher the indicators of tires for the minimum configuration of the Skoda Rapid:

• 175 - tire section width (millimeters)
• 70 - tire profile height (% of width)
• R - radial tire design
• 14 - disc diameter (inches)
  84 - wheel load index at max. speed (which means 84 is max.load 515kg)
• T - with these tires you can accelerate to a maximum of 190 km / h.

Tire performance diagram.

And one more thing to keep in mind:

If you put on Skoda Rapid wheels not from the list recommended by the manufacturer (for example, 16-inch wheels on low-profile tires), then you will be automatically deprived of the warranty for the hodovka. And this is very unpleasant, you must agree. Therefore, listen to the recommendations of the automaker - take the ones that are suitable for the parameters. After all, safety on the road also depends on this.

Skoda Rapid has become a truly popular car in recent years, because the perfect combination of the famous Swedish quality and relatively low price could not fail to interest motorists and professionals. So, this car has long been used as an individual, family, and is also often purchased by taxi companies for delivering passengers. Of course, one of the weakest parts in any car is the wheels, since they are more susceptible to external influences than other parts, which often puts them out of action. That is why in today's car market there are many discs on the Skoda Rapid.

Each new Rapid that rolled off the assembly line has original disks and tires installed at the factory. If the car was not produced by special order, it is equipped with metal or alloy wheels (depending on the configuration and model cost) with a dimension of 5.0J x 14 ET35. PCD 5 × 100.

Skoda Rapid

These symbols mean individual marking of all parameters, the decoding of which is presented below:

• 5 is the width of the wheel rim in inches, which is also a valid tire fit.
• J - denotes the configuration of the disk at the location of the tire.
• 14 - wheel diameter, which must match the same marking on the tire for its correct installation.
• ET - among professionals, this abbreviation stands for "disc offset", that is, the size from the point of attachment to the axle of the suspension to the landing bed for the tire.
• PCD 5 × 100 is a classic designation for the number and length of bolts with which the disc is securely fixed to the car hub.

Thus, this factory marking significantly limits the range of tires that need to be changed from time to time on each car, depending on the season or their condition after long-term use.

Wheels "Skoda Rapid", as a rule, are produced in a discreet design and do not exceed the dimension R17.

Sizes of tires and stamped rims on Skoda Rapid

Few people like R14 wheels, and motorists often try to change them. Many workshops and car dealerships can offer a wide range of larger radius wheels suitable for the Skoda Rapid:

• VAG R15 is a very popular option, sold on the shelves in various modifications, depending on customer preferences. Thus, wheels for Rapid with a radius of 15 are made of steel or cast, the average price range is from 4 to 8 thousand rubles * per wheel. In order for the size to fit the hub, the marking on the wheel should be 6.0J x 15 ET35 - 38. PCD 5 × 100. This means that for such wheels the width of the tires installed can be wider, and, of course, the rubber has a smaller profile.
• VAG R16 - is installed by motorists for movement mainly in the city, because the profile is even smaller, like the air in the tires, which slightly reduces the shock absorption when driving over bumps. The maximum permissible wheel size for a given radius should be 6.5J x 16 ET38 - 40. PCD 5 × 100. Thus, the tire can be even wider than in the case of the VAG R15. In addition, disks of this size can already be manufactured in a forged version, and their cost can be up to 12 thousand rubles. for the wheel. As for the design, here various competing manufacturers can offer Skoda owners a large version of wheels - 3, 5, 7, 12 and even 16 spokes, which can be painted not only in matte metallic, but also in black or chrome shades.
• VAG R17 - they are put on Rapids very rarely, since with the total size of the wheel arch they must be equipped with very hard rubber, besides, the price can reach 15-17 thousand rubles. for a disk, which becomes unacceptable for a car of this class.

Regardless of the style, color and size, absolutely all wheels on the Skoda Rapid must have a landing dimension and bolt pattern of 5 × 100, otherwise they simply will not be able to fix properly on the hub.

Original discs for "Rapid"

How to choose the right wheels for Skoda Rapid

In addition to various tuning studios and auto parts stores, the Swedish concern offers a large number of its own accessories, purchasing which the car enthusiast can be completely sure of the same quality. Of course, Skoda Rapid rims also belong to these spare parts and tuning elements. So, under the Skoda brand, or at the enterprises that have received the accreditation of the concern, today 3 types of rims are produced.

Companies such as Propeller or Matone should be considered as economy options, whose main ridge is the production of high-quality and inexpensive accessories for small cars and city cars of the middle class.

Most often, car enthusiasts choose such wheel sizes in this class as 6.0J x 15 ET38 with the above bolt pattern.

The business class among the rims on the Skoda Rapid are such brands as Antia, Beam, Dion, Rock, Italia and Blade, produced in Europe and China, which have similar characteristics and price / quality ratio. Almost always they are sold in a cast version and have a dimension of 7.0J x 16 ET46 for a specific car brand.

Note!

Such a high popularity of products of this dimension is explained by the fact that those motorists who change disks without special need often want to highlight the image of their "iron horse" among similar models, and it is extremely difficult to do this on the R15.

Such manufacturers as Camelot, Clubber, Prestige, Ray and Savio, which are often exhibited in showrooms at car dealerships and are an integral part of cars that undergo serious exterior tuning, can be called a real premium segment for wheels for Rapids.

So, such discs are widely represented in both cast and forged versions, often come complete with exclusive low-profile tires and are recommended for use exclusively on flat asphalt roads in the city or outside it.

These products have a high cost, which is more than compensated for by the increased attention of others to the car.

Typically, such products are 7.05J x 17 ET46, and the increased rim width can be used for sports riding. The disadvantage of these products is that the rubber sheet protrudes beyond the wheel arches, and in dirty weather the car body gets dirty much faster.

Exclusive disc for "Rapid"

All the manufacturers of rims described above operate under a franchise from the Skoda concern, the products are manufactured strictly under their quality control and are no less reliable than the wheels that are on the car when you buy it in the showroom. In addition, each of the discs listed has a stylish plastic cap with the car brand logo.

What parameters to look for when choosing wheel disks

All Skoda Rapid owners who choose alloy wheels often ask themselves how to make the right choice from such a huge range of products? So, buying quality products often depends on the following criteria:

• The buyer should contact a reliable dealer, where he will be sure that he will buy an original product, and not a replica of questionable quality at an inflated price.
• You need to read the reviews on the site in order to be sure of the quality of the product, its ideal shape and resistance to shock. In addition, an important factor will be the absence of the need for complex and lengthy wheel balancing, which indicates the homogeneity of its composition.
• The appearance of the wheel is important, as owners of black and white Skoda Rapid often choose wheels painted in glossy black color, and owners of “iron horses” of a different color can put chrome, polished and even gold products.
• The last thing that should worry the future owner of the wheels is the price, because a high-quality rim in casting or forging simply cannot be too cheap, since it took significant resources and labor, which includes both manufacturing and manual polishing. and product quality control.

When choosing a wheel rim, you should also pay attention to the country of origin, because the factories of many companies may not have their branches in this state at all, which openly indicates a fake product.

Rims Clubber

Features of Clubber wheels on Skoda Rapid

Particular attention should be paid to the powerful European manufacturer of wheel rims Clubber, which are represented at the plant in Sweden and Germany, and also patented their appearance from 5 double spokes, and many other companies produce analogues of a similar design.

Clubber, according to the real owners, has a number of advantages listed below:

• The main advantage can be considered the original design of the products, which is ideally combined with the general features of the Skoda Rapid body appearance.
• The quality of these discs is excellent, because, complete with good tires, they practically do not need balancing, and on the road they behave perfectly, even at prohibitive speeds, without causing vibration and beating.
• The wheel rim has a secure seat for the tire, so even on steep bends, rubber stripping from the disc and an accident does not occur. For example, many wheel manufacturers are guilty of the fact that, despite the spectacular appearance of a sports car, the owner is warned of the danger of an accident while drifting or fast driving with sharp turns.
• Perfectly matched landing size and bolt pattern do not cause difficulties when replacing wheels both in tire fitting conditions and with your own hands.
• The main advantage is the guarantee of long-term and reliable use of the original product from the Škoda concern, whose owners and management put Clubber products in first place among similar products.

Among the minuses, the main drawback can be distinguished - this is the overpriced product due to the promoted brand and the quality dictated by Skoda.

Wheels R17

The second drawback is working exclusively in the premium segment, when only R16 or R17 wheel radii are available on the market, and this is not convenient for every motorist, because, for example, to work in a taxi, where drivers often have to drive on roads with absolutely different types of coatings, it is extremely inconvenient to use low-profile rubber.

The last thing that confuses many Skoda owners is the massiveness and, as a result, the too high weight of the product, when the wheels together with the tires are not only inconvenient to carry, but also contribute to skidding on sharp turns.

Clubber disks are a very popular option in the auto parts market, but at the same time there are a lot of manufacturers of similar disks in Russia, Europe, and Asia. In this regard, you should not dwell on only one brand because of several recommendations, preferring freedom of choice to a strong opinion. Most car owners generally do not regret putting cheaper and lighter wheel options on their cars.

Brands like the Skoda Rapid are budget cars and are not designed for any kind of rich tuning. So, for example, instead of spending 25-30 thousand rubles. for cool disks, the owner can look at the market for special wheel caps that will cover the impartial look of factory steel wheels and save money.

Thus, all motorists would like to recommend leaving the exterior of the car they have chosen in the cabin as it came off the assembly line of the plant, in this case there will be confidence that all parts are installed in the original and have a manufacturer's warranty.

Showroom with discs

The choice of some elite accessories should be started only when purchasing a crossover, a large SUV or a business class sedan, when the total cost of the entire entourage is no more than 5-10% of the car price. So, light-alloy wheels of a larger radius for the Skoda Rapid together with a set of tires (or two sets, as owners often change their cars with the onset of cold weather) can cost up to 20% of the cost of a new car, which will be an extremely unprofitable purchase.

* Prices are as of December 2018