
Under- or over-inflation significantly shortens the service life of your tires and affects the handling of
the vehicle ⇒ . The correct tire pressure is very important, particularly when the vehicle is driven at
higher speeds. Incorrect tire pressure causes increased wear and even sudden tire failure and
blowouts.
Therefore, tire pressure should be checked at least once a month and always before long trips.
The specified tire inflation pressure applies to a cold tire. When tires are warm, the pressure will be
higher than when the tires are cold.
Do not reduce the tire pressure on warm tires to match the required cold tire inflation pressure. The
tire inflation pressure would then be too low and could cause sudden tire failure and blowout.
Checking tire inflation pressure
Always check the tire pressure only on “cold” tires when the vehicle has not been driven more than a
couple of miles (kilometers) at low speed within the last 3 hours.
x Check tire inflation pressure regularly and on cold tires. Check all the tires, including the compact
spare, if any. In colder climates tire pressure should be checked more often, but only when the tires
are cold. Always use an accurate tire pressure gauge.
x Adjust the tire pressure for heavy loads accordingly.
x After adjusting the tire inflation pressures, make sure to screw the valve caps back on; replace
missing valve caps immediately. Please read and heed the information on resetting the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System, if necessary
x Remember that the vehicle manufacturer, not the tire manufacturer, determines the correct tire
pressure for the tires on your vehicle. Never exceed the maximum inflation pressure listed on the tire
sidewall for any reason.
Inflate a spare wheel to the pressure specified for the vehicle's road wheels on the tire pressure label;
inflate a compact spare wheel to the pressure specified for the compact spare on the tire pressure
label or on a separate label for the compact spare, if there is one.
WARNING
Incorrect tire pressure can cause a sudden tire failure or blowout, loss of control, collision,
serious personal injury, and even death.
x Always inflate tires to the recommended and correct cold tire pressure before driving off.
x Low tire pressure can cause tires to get too hot, resulting in tread separation, sudden loss
of pressure, and blowouts. Tires with excessively low pressure flex (bend) more, which can
cause the tire to overheat and fail suddenly without warning.
x Excessive speed and/or overloading can cause heat build-up, sudden tire failure including
a blowout and sudden deflation and loss of control.
x If the tire pressure is too low or too high, the tires will wear prematurely and the vehicle
will not handle well.
x Regularly check tire inflation pressure, at least once a month, and also especially before a
long trip.
x Check the pressure in all 4 tires when the tires are still cold. Never reduce air pressure in
warm tires to match cold tire inflation pressure.
NOTICE
x Make sure not to jam the tire pressure gauge into the valve stem. Otherwise, you can
damage the tire valves.
x Driving without valve caps, with the wrong valve caps, or with valve caps that are not
properly screwed on can damage the tire valves. To help prevent damage, always use valve

stem caps like those originally installed at the factory. The caps must be screwed on tightly. Do
not use metal valve caps or “comfort” valve stem caps.
Underinflation increases fuel consumption.
There may be differences between the pressure readings from a tire pressure gauge and the
pressures registered by the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The electronic Tire Pressure Monitoring
System is more accurate
When the TPMS warns that the pressure in at least one tire is too low, check the tire pressure in
all 4 tires with an accurate tire pressure gauge. Low tire pressure usually cannot be spotted by looking
at the tire. This is especially true for low-profile tires. When checking the tire pressures, refer to 218,
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Applicable only in the United States
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires

Engine Tire dimensions Tire pressure
bar psi kPa
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is configured at the factory with the correct tire inflation
pressure applicable for the vehicle model, engine and factory-installed tires. The tire inflation
pressure is listed on the tire inflation pressure label on the driver door jamb 274. The tire inflation
pressures for the road tires are listed on this label. The inflation pressure for the compact spare is as
specified on the tire pressure label or on a separate label for the compact spare, if there is one. In
the event of a discrepancy between the above figures and the tire pressures listed on the tire
inflation pressure label, the pressures listed on the label are the ones you should use. The listed
pressure applies to all road tires. If different tires are installed that do not have the same cold tire
inflation pressure as the tires originally installed on your vehicle, the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System cannot properly monitor tire inflation pressures unless the TPMS is reset to the new tire
pressures 229. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities have
the necessary special tools and can reset the TPMS for the new tires on your vehicle.
Applicable only in Canada
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires

Engine Tire dimensions Tire pressure
bar psi kPa
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is configured at the factory with the correct tire inflation
pressure applicable for the vehicle model, engine and factory-installed tires. The tire inflation
pressure is listed on the tire inflation pressure label on the driver door jamb 274. The tire inflation
pressures for the road tires are listed on this label. The inflation pressure for the compact spare is as
specified on the tire pressure label or on a separate label for the compact spare, if there is one. In
the event of a discrepancy between the above figures and the tire pressures listed on the tire
inflation pressure label, the pressures listed on the label are the ones you should use. The listed
pressure applies to all road tires. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated
whenever you change or adjust the cold tire inflation pressure or remove and remount or change any
wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or replacement wheels and tires are identical to
those that were removed and even if the tire pressure does not change
Tread depth and tread wear indicators
Fig. 154 Tread pattern: Wear indicator.