2013 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS wheel

WARNING
Changing a wheel, especially on the side of the road, can be dangerous. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Move the vehicle a safe distance off the road where it is safe to change the wheel.
x Always make sure that all passengers, especially children, are in a safe place outside the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic (such as behind a guard rail).
x Turn on the emergency flashers and set up another warning device about 25 yards (25 meters) behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
x Change a wheel by yourself only if you are familiar with the necessary steps. Otherwise, get expert assistance.
x Always switch the engine off, firmly apply the parking brake, and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic transmission) or any gear (manual only) to help prevent the vehicle from moving suddenly and slipping off the jack.
x Always make sure that the ground is level and firm. If necessary, place the jack on a large and sturdy board or on a similar ground support.
x Always block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel being changed with chocks or other similar things.
x If you are towing a trailer, always unhitch it from your vehicle before starting to change the wheel. Always apply the trailer brakes firmly and make sure the trailer cannot move unintentionally.
x Always use proper and undamaged tools when changing a wheel.
x Once a wheel is lifted off the ground, having the transmission in Park (P) or in gear will not prevent sudden vehicle movement.
x Always use a jack that has been approved by the manufacturer for your vehicle. Never use other jacks, even if they have been approved for use on other Volkswagen models.
x To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen the screws on rims with threaded rim rings.
x After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked with an accurate torque wrench.
x After changing a wheel or tire, reset the Tire Pressure Monitoring System ⇒ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Preparations for changing a wheel

6. Have all passengers exit and go to a safe place, such as behind a guard rail.
7. Block the diagonally opposite wheel with chocks or other suitable things.
8. If towing a trailer: Unhitch the trailer from the vehicle and park the trailer properly.
9. If the luggage compartment is loaded: Remove the luggage.
10. Raise and secure the luggage compartment floor.
11. If applicable: Remove the subwoofer ⇒ Removing the subwoofer.
12. Unscrew the fastening screw with washer counterclockwise and remove.
13. Take the spare or compact spare wheel and the vehicle tool kit out of the luggage compartment.
14. Take off the wheel covers ⇒ Wheel trim.
WARNING
Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead to accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Always review and follow the checklist. Follow accepted safety practices and use common sense.
Wheel bolts

Fig. 179 Changing a wheel: Loosening the wheel bolts.

Important information regarding wheel bolts
The design of rims and wheel bolts is matched to the factory-installed wheels. If different wheels are installed, wheel bolts with the right length and bolt head shape must be used. The attachment of the wheels and function of the brake system depend on this.
It may not be possible to use wheel bolts from different vehicles of the same model.
Wheel bolt tightening torque
Correctly tightened bolts for steel and alloy wheel rims should have a torque of 88 ft-lbs (120 Nm). After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked right away with an accurate torque wrench.
Before you check the tightening torque, replace corroded and difficult-to-turn wheel bolts and clean the threads in the wheel hub.
Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads in the wheel hubs. The bolts can come loose while driving if greased or oiled, even if tightened to the required torque.
WARNING
Improperly tightened wheel bolts can come loose while driving and cause you to lose control over the vehicle, resulting in accidents and serious injuries.
x Only use wheel bolts that belong your vehicle and to the wheel being installed.
x Never use different wheel bolts.
x Wheel bolts and wheel hub threads must always be clean, easy-to-turn and free of oil and grease.
x Only use the lug wrench that is supplied with the vehicle to loosen the wheel bolts.
x Loosen the wheel bolts only about 1 turn before lifting the vehicle with the jack.
x Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads in the wheel hubs. The bolts can come loose while driving if greased or oiled, even if tightened to the required torque.
x Never loosen bolted connections on wheel rims with bolted rim rings.
x If the wheel bolts are not tightened to the proper torque, the wheel can come off the vehicle when it is moving. Extremely high torque can damage the wheel bolts and/or their threads.
Lifting the vehicle with the vehicle jack

Fig. 180 Lift points for the jack.

The subwoofer, if equipped, is located under the luggage compartment floor and must be removed to access the spare wheel.
Removing the subwoofer
Follow these steps in the order listed:
1. Raise and secure the luggage compartment floor ⇒ Storage.
2. Unscrew the handwheel ⇒ fig. 182 (1) in a counterclockwise direction (arrow).
3. To release the connector, press and hold the center tab down with one hand (2).
4. With the other hand, grasp the connector on both sides, and carefully pull the connector out of the socket in the direction of the arrow (magnified view). Put the electric cable aside.
5. Remove the subwoofer carefully and place in a clean storage location.
Reinstalling the subwoofer
1. Reinstall the subwoofer carefully back into the recess. The tip of the arrow symbol “FRONT” on the subwoofer (3) must point toward the front of the vehicle
2. Insert the connector (2) into the socket until it clicks into place.
3. Turn the handwheel (1) clockwise to secure the subwoofer.
4. Carefully lower the luggage compartment floor back into place.
Changing a wheel

Fig. 183 Changing a wheel: Remove previously loosened wheel bolts using the screwdriver handle.

Mounting a spare or compact spare wheel
If the tire is a unidirectional tire, be sure to install it in the proper rolling direction ⇒ Tires and wheels.
x Place the spare wheel or compact spare wheel on the axle.
x Screw in the wheel bolts clockwise and tighten them slightly using the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle.
x Lower the vehicle with the jack.
x Use the lug wrench to firmly tighten all wheel bolts (turn clockwise) ⇒ . Do not tighten them in sequence! Tighten any wheel bolt to begin, then tighten the wheel bolt diagonally opposite the first bolt, and so forth.
x Install the wheel bolt caps, center wheel hubcap, or wheel cover, if any ⇒ Wheel trim.
WARNING
Wheel bolts that are tightened or installed improperly can come loose, causing loss of vehicle control, a crash, and serious personal injury.
x Always keep wheel bolts and threads in the wheel hub clean and free of oil and grease. The wheel bolts must turn easily and must be tightened with the right torque.
x Use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle only to turn the wheel bolts when they are loose, never to loosen them or tighten them firmly.
WARNING
Improper use of a compact spare wheel can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, and serious personal injury.
x Never use a compact spare wheel if it is damaged or worn down to the wear indicators.
x Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) with a compact spare wheel. Avoid full-throttle acceleration, heavy braking, and fast cornering!
x Never drive more than 125 miles (200 km) with a compact spare wheel that is installed on the front axle (drive axle).
x Replace the compact spare with a normal wheel and tire as soon as possible. Compact spare tires are designed for brief use only.
After changing a wheel

Color Current strength in amps(ATO®/MINI®) Current strength in amps(JCASE®)
Brown 7.5 —
Red 10 50
Blue 15 20
Yellow 20 60
White or clear 25 —
Green 30 40
Orange 40 —
Pink 30 30

Opening the fuse box in the instrument panel
x Pull the lower part of the cover toward the steering wheel (in the direction of the arrow ⇒ fig. 184) and remove the cover from the bottom. This action may require moderate force.
x To install, guide the cover from the bottom into the instrument panel and push in the direction opposite to the arrow until you can hear it latch into place.
Opening the fuse box in the engine compartment
x Open the engine hood

WARNING
Towing a vehicle changes the way it handles and brakes. To help reduce the risk of an accident and serious personal injury, note the following:
x The driver of the vehicle that is being towed:
– Since the brake booster also does not work when the engine is stopped, you will need to press harder on the brake pedal to slow down or stop. Always be alert so as not to rear-end the towing vehicle.
– Will have to use considerably more force to turn the steering wheel because the power steering is not working.
x The driver of the vehicle that is doing the towing:
– Must accelerate gradually and gently and avoid jerking movements.
– Must not brake hard or steer sharply.
– Must brake earlier and more gently than in normal driving.
NOTICE
x Be careful not to damage the paint when installing and removing the towing eye and the cover for the threaded hole behind the bumper.
x Unburned fuel can get into the catalytic converter during towing and damage it.
Towing on a commercial tow truck

x If the front and rear wheels cannot turn.
x If the vehicle battery is dead (because the electronic steering column lock engages and cannot be released).
x If you have to tow an automatic transmission vehicle more than 30 miles (50 km).
WARNING
It is not safe for children or other persons to ride in a vehicle that is being towed.
x Never let children or anyone else remain in the vehicle while it is being towed.
NOTICE
The drive axle rotates while the vehicle is being towed with its rear wheels off the ground. This can damage the automatic transmission.
x Never tow automatic transmission vehicle with the rear wheels off the ground.
x Tow manual transmission vehicles with the rear wheels off the ground only if it is certain that no transmission fluid can leak out.
Tips on towing