Winter tires improve the handling characteristics of your vehicle significantly when driving under wintry
road conditions. Summer tires have less traction on snow and ice because of their design (width,
rubber composition, tread design). Volkswagen strongly recommends that you always have winter
tires or all-season tires installed on all 4 wheels on your vehicle, especially when winter road
conditions are expected. Winter tires also improve the vehicle's braking performance and help reduce
stopping distances during winter weather. Volkswagen recommends installing winter tires once
temperatures are below +45 °F (+7 °C).
Winter tires are no longer suitable for winter driving once the tread pattern is worn down to a depth of
3/16 in (4.8 mm). In addition, winter tire performance decreases with age – independent of the tread
profile depth.
When using winter tires:
x Obey state and country-specific legal requirements.
x Install winter tires on all 4 wheels.
x Use winter tires only under wintry road conditions.
x Only use winter tires with dimensions approved for the vehicle.
x Use only winter tires of the same tire belt design, the same dimensions (tread circumference), and
the same tread design.
x Follow speed restrictions according to the winter tire's speed rating code letter ⇒.
Speed restrictions
Winter tires are certified up to a top speed identified by speed rating code letters on the side wall .
In some vehicle models it is possible to set a speed warning in the menu in the instrument cluster
display
Top speed rating and tire inflation pressure for V winter tires depend on the engine installed in your
vehicle. Be sure to ask you authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility
about the maximum permissible speed and the required tire inflation pressure for the winter tires that
you plan to use.
WARNING
Driving faster than the maximum speed for which the winter tires on your vehicle were
designed can cause sudden tire failure including a blowout and sudden deflation, loss of
control, crashes and serious personal injuries.
x Winter tires have a maximum speed rating that may be lower than your vehicle's maximum
speed.
x Never drive faster than the maximum speed for which the winter tires installed on your
vehicle are rated because tires that are driven faster than their rated speed can fail suddenly.
x Never exceed the maximum load rating for the winter tires installed on your vehicle.
Install summer tires promptly in the spring. Summer tires offer better handling characteristics for
temperatures above +45 °F (+7 °C). They are quieter, do not wear as quickly, and reduce fuel
consumption.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated using the SET button whenever you
remove and remount or change any wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or replacement
