-~_T_ ir_e_ s_ a_ n_d _ w_ h_ e_e _l_s _________________________________________________ _
0 Note
• For technical reasons, it is not generally possible to use the
wheel rims from other vehicles. This can hold true for wheels of the
same vehicle type.
• If the spare tire is different from the tires that you have mounted
on your vehicle (for example winter tires or wide profile t ires), then
use the spare tire for a short period of time only and drive with extra
care. Replace the f lat tire with the tire matching the others on your
vehic le as soon as possib le.
• If you put different whee ls and tires on your vehic le (e .g. winter
whee ls and tires), you must be certain that the wheels and tires are
compatible with the tire pressure monitoring system*. Otherwise
the system will register a malfunction and a fault message wi ll be
displayed. For more information, contact your authorized Aud i
dea ler.
(D Note
• When installing new tires, be careful not to damage the valves or
tire pressure monitoring system* sensors.
• Never drive without the valve stem cap. The valves could get
damaged.
• If the sensors must be replaced, then the valve must also be
replaced at the same time.
<£> For th e sake of the environm ent
Dispose of o ld tires in accordance with the loca l requirements. •
Uniform tire quality grading
• Tread wear
• Traction AA A B C
• Temperature A B C Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire side wal
l
between tread shoulder and maximum section width~
page 254,
fig. 177 .
For exa mple: Tread wear 200, Traction AA , Temperature A.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requ ire
ments in addition to these grades.
T rea d w ear
The
tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled condit ions on a specified
government test course .
Fo r example, a tire graded 150 wou ld wear one and one hal f (1 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actua l condi
tions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differ
ences in road characteristics and climate .
Tr act ion
The
traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, Band C.
T hose grades represent the tire 's ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under contro lled co nditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance
~ & .
Temp erature
T he
temperature grades are A (the highest), B , and C , represent ing
the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its abi lity to dissi
pate heat when tested under control led conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel.
Susta ined high temperature can cause the mater ial of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure~& .
T he grade C corresponds to a leve l of performance which a ll
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
________________________________________________ T_ i _r_e _s_ a_n_ d_ w_ h_ e_e _ l_s __ lfll
•
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades Band A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
& WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
& WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla
tion , or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire failure. •
Winter tires
Winter tires can improve vehicle handling on snow and
ice. At temperatures below 45 °F (7 °C) we recommend
changing to winter tires.
In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true
winter or "snow" tires, those with very deeply cut tread. These tires
should only be used in pairs and be installed on all four wheels.
Make sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and
construction type as the other tires on your vehicle.
I f your vehicle is equipped with all-wheel drive*, this will improve
traction during winter driving, even with the standard tires.
However, we strongly recommend that you always equip all four
wheels on your vehicle with correctly fitted winter tires or all-season
tires, when winter road conditions are expected . This also improves
the vehicle's braking performance and reduces stopping distances.
Summer tires provide less grip on ice and snow . Winter tires (snow tires) must always be fitted on all four wheels
.
Compatible tire pressure monitoring sensors* must be installed on
all four winter tires for the tire pressure monitoring system* to func
tion properly ~
page 256.
Ask your authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop for permitted
winter tire sizes . Use only radial winter tires.
Winter tires lose their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to
a depth of 0.157 inch (4 mm) .
Only drive with winter tires under winter conditions. Summer tires
handle better when there is no snow or ice on the roads and the
temperature is above 45 °F (7 °C).
If you have a flat tire, see notes on spare wheel
~ page 254.
Please always remember that winter tires may have a lower speed
rating than the tires originally installed on your vehicle at the time
it was manufactured . Please see~
page 256, "Speed rating (letter
code)" for a listing of the speed rating letter codes and the
maximum speed at which the tires can be driven.
The speed rating letter code(~
page 256) is on the side wall of the
tire
~ page 254.
& WARNING
Winter tires have maximum speed limits that may be lower than
your vehicle's maximum speed. Always know the maximum speed
before driving off. Never drive faster than the speed permitted for
your specific winter tires. This will cause damage to the tires leading to an accident and serious personal injury to you and your
passengers.
& WARNING
Driving faster than the maximum speed for which the winter tires
on your vehicle were designed can cause tire failure including a
blowout and sudden deflation, loss of control, crashes and serious _,,
Vehicle care
I t •