Fig. 169
Replacing wheels
Read and observe and on page 193 first.
The service life of tyres depends on the inflation pressure, driving style and
other circumstances. Following the advice below can extend the service life of
your tyres.
Tyre pressure
Check the tyre pressure, including that of the spare wheel, at least once a
month and also before setting off on a long journey.
The tyre pressures for tyres are shown on the inside of the fuel filler
flap » Fig. 168 –
.
The tyre pressure should be at the highest pressure specified for your vehicle
at all times.
Always check the inflation pressure when the tyres are cold. Do not reduce the
higher pressure on warm tyres.
With greater additional load, adjust the tyre inflation pressure accordingly.
Driving style
Fast cornering, sharp acceleration and braking increase the wear of your tyres.
Balancing wheels
The wheels of a new vehicle are balanced. When driving, however, there are a
range of factors that may result in an imbalance. This may become apparent by
a “vibration” in the steering.
Have the wheels rebalanced after replacing the tyres.
Wheel alignment errors
Incorrect wheel alignment at the front or rear leads to excess wear of the
tyres.
Tyre damage
Drive over kerbs and other such obstacles slowly and at right angles wherever
possible in order to avoid damage to tyres and wheel trims.
We recommend checking your tyres and wheel rims for damage (punctures,
cuts, splits and bulges, etc.) on a regular basis. Remove foreign bodies (e.g.
small stones) from the tyre tread immediately.
Replacing wheels
If significantly greater wear is present on the front tyres, we recommend
swapping the front wheels with the rear wheels as shown in the dia-
gram » Fig. 169 . You will then obtain approximately the same life for all the
tyres.
We recommend that you swap the tyres every 10,000 km in order to achieve
even wear on all tyres and to ensure optimal service life for the tyres.
Storing tyres
Identify disassembled tyres so that the previous direction of rotation can be
maintained if the tyres are reassembled.
Always store wheels or tyres in a cool, dry place that is as dark as possible.
Tyres which are not fixed to a wheel trim should be stored upright.
Wear indicators
The base of the tread of the tyres has 1.6 mm high wear indicators installed.
These wear indicators are arranged evenly spaced around the circumference of
the tyre a number of times depending on the make » Fig. 168 -
. Markings on
the walls of the tyres through the letters “TWI”, triangular symbols or other
symbols identify the position of the wear indicators.
Tyre age
Tyres age and lose their original characteristics, even if they are not being
used. Therefore, we recommend not using summer or winter tyres older than
6 or 4 years old respectively.
New tyres
Read and observe
and on page 193 first.
Only use radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling circumference) and tread
pattern on one axle on all four wheels.
The tyre/wheel combinations which are approved for your vehicle are indica-
ted in your vehicle documents.
195Wheels
Please note the following if you intend to use the temporary spare wheel.› The warning label must not be covered after installing the wheel.
› Be particularly observant when driving.
› The temporary spare wheel is inflated to the maximum inflation pressure for
the vehicle » Fig. 168 on page 194 .
› The tyre inflation pressure of the spare wheel R 18 is 420 kPa.
› Only use this temporary spare wheel to reach the nearest specialist garage,
as it is not intended for long-term use.WARNING■ Never drive with more than one temporary spare wheel mounted!■Never use the temporary spare wheel if it is damaged.■
If the dimensions or design of the temporary spare wheel differ from the
fitted tyres, never drive faster than 80 km/h (or 50 mph).
■
Avoid accelerating at full throttle, sharp braking and fast cornering.
CAUTION
Observe the instructions on the warning sign of the temporary spare wheel.
Full wheel trim
Read and observe
and on page 193 first.
Pulling off
›
Hook the clamp found in the vehicle tool kit » page 201 into the reinforced
edge of the wheel trim.
›
Push the wheel wrench through the clamp, support on the tyre and pull off
the wheel trim.
Fitting
›
Press the wheel trim onto the wheel rim at the designated valve opening.
›
Then press the trim into the wheel rim until its entire circumference locks
correctly in place.
CAUTION
■ Use the pressure of your hand only, do not strike the full wheel trim. Avoid
heavy impacts when the trim has not yet been inserted into the wheel rim.
This could cause damage to the guide and centring elements of the trim.■
When using the anti-theft wheel bolt, ensure that it is in the hole in the
valve area » page 204 , Securing wheels against theft .
■
If wheel trims are retrofitted it must be ensured that an adequate flow of air
is assured to cool the brake system.
Wheel boltsFig. 172
Remove the cap
Read and observe and on page 193 first.
Pulling off
›
Push the extraction pliers » page 201 sufficiently far onto the cap until the
inner catches of the pliers are positioned at the collar of the cap.
›
Remove the cap in the direction of the arrow » Fig. 172.
Fitting
›
Push the cap onto the wheel bolt up to the stop.
The wheel bolt caps are housed in a plastic box in the spare wheel or in the
storage space for the spare wheel.
Wheel bolts
Read and observe
and on page 193 first.
Wheels and wheel bolts are matched to each other in terms of design. Each
time you fit other wheels rims, e.g. light alloy wheel rims or wheels with winter
tyres, you must also use the matching wheel bolts with the correct length and
dome shape. The right fastening of wheels depends on this.
Winter operation
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Winter tyres
199
Snow chains
199198General Maintenance
Winter tyres
Fitting winter tyres will significantly improve the handling of your vehicle when
driving in wintry road conditions. Summer tyres have less grip on ice, snow and
at temperatures below 7 °C. This is especially true of vehicles fitted with wide
tyres or high-speed tyres .
In order to achieve the best possible handling properties, winter tyres must be
fitted on all 4 wheels, the minimum tread depth must be 4 mm and tyres must
be no older than 4 years.
Winter tyres of a lower speed category can be used provided that the permissi-
ble maximum speed of these tyres is not exceeded even if the possible maxi-
mum speed of the vehicle is higher.
The speed limit for winter tyres can be set in the MAXI DOT display in the
menu item Winter tyres » page 45 .
For the sake of the environment
Fit the summer tyres on again in good time as they provide better handling
properties, a shorter braking distance, less tyre noise, and reduced tyre wear
on roads which are free of snow and ice as well as at temperatures above 7 °C.
The fuel consumption is also lower.
Snow chains
When driving in wintry road conditions, snow chains improve not only traction,
but also the braking performance.
Snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels.
For technical reasons, it is only permissible to fit snow chains with the follow-
ing wheel/tyre combinations.
Wheel sizeDepth (D)Tyre size7J x 16 a)45 mm205/556J x 16 a)50 mm205/556J x 1745 mm205/50a)
Not valid for vehicles with 3.6 l/191 kW FSI engine.
Only use fine-link snow chains . They must not project more than 9 mm - in-
cluding the chain lock.
CAUTION■ The chains must be removed when driving on roads which are free of snow.
They adversely affect the handling of your vehicle, damage the tyres and are
rapidly destroyed.■
Remove the full wheel trims » page 198 before fitting the snow chains.
199Wheels
The fire extinguisher must be checked by an authorised person once a year.
The national legal requirements must be observed.WARNINGThe fire extinguisher must always be secured safely so that they do not
come loose when making an emergency braking or in a vehicle collision
which could cause injuries to occupants.
Note
■ The fire extinguisher must comply with national legal requirements.■Pay attention to the expiration date of the fire extinguisher. Proper function-
ing of the fire extinguisher is not assured once it has passed its expiry date.■
The fire extinguisher is part of the scope of delivery in certain countries only.
Vehicle tool kit
Fig. 176
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit and the lifting jack are housed in a plastic box in the spare
wheel or in the storage space for the spare wheel. There is also space here for
the removable ball rod for the trailer towing device. The box is attached with a
strap on the spare wheel.
The components of the vehicle tool kit (if included in the vehicle) » Fig. 176.
Screwdriver
Key for removing and installing the tail light
Adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts
123Towing eye
Clamps for removing the wheel trims
Car jack
Crank for the jack
Wheel wrench
Extraction pliers for wheel bolt caps
Replacement bulb set
Screw the car jack back into its initial position after use in order to store it back
in the box with the vehicle tool kit.WARNING■ The factory-supplied lifting jack is only intended for your model of vehicle.
Under no circumstances use it to lift heavier vehicles or other loads – risk of
injury!■
Ensure that the vehicle tool kit is safely secured in the boot.
■
Ensure that the box is always secured with the strap.
Changing a wheel
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Preliminary work
202
Changing a wheel
202
Follow-up work
202
Loosening/tightening wheel bolts
203
Raising the vehicle
203
Securing wheels against theft
204WARNING■ If you are in flowing traffic, switch on the hazard warning light system
and set up the warning triangle at the prescribed distance! The national le-
gal requirements must be observed.■
Park the vehicle as far away as possible from the flow of traffic. Park on
as flat and firm a surface as possible.
■
The following instructions must be followed if the vehicle is subsequently
fitted with tyres or rims that differ from the factory-fitted ones » page 195,
New tyres .
45678910201Emergency equipment and self-help
WARNINGNotes for vehicle lifting■If the wheel has to be changed on a slope, first of all block the opposite
wheel with a stone or similar object to prevent the vehicle from unexpect-
edly rolling away.■
Secure the base plate of the lifting jack with suitable means to prevent
possible moving. A soft and slippery ground under the base plate may move
the lifting jack, causing the vehicle to fall down. It is therefore always nec-
essary to place the lifting jack on a solid surface or use a wide and stable
base. Use a non-slip base (e.g. a rubber foot mat) if the surface is smooth,
such as cobbled stones, tiled floor, etc.
■
Only attach the lifting jack to the attachment points provided for this pur-
pose.
■
Always raise the vehicle with the doors closed.
■
Never position any body parts, such as arms or legs under the vehicle,
while the vehicle is raised with a lifting jack.
■
Never start the engine when the vehicle is raised – risk of injury.
WARNINGInformation on the wheel bolts■The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. Never treat them
with grease or oil.■
The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light al-
loy wheels is 120 Nm.
■
If the wheel bolts are tightened to a too low tightening torque, the rims
could come loose when the car is moving – risk of accident! A tightening
torque which is too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can re-
sult in permanent deformation of the contact surfaces on the rims.
■
In case of incorrect treatment of the wheel bolts, the wheel can loosen
when the car is moving – risk of accident!
Note
The national legal requirements must be observed when changing a wheel.
Preliminary work
Read and observe
on page 201 first.
Always change a wheel on a level surface as far as possible.
The following steps must be carried out before actually changing the wheel:
› Have
all the occupants get out. The passengers should not stand on the
road (instead they should remain behind a crash barrier, for instance) while
the wheel is being changed.›
Switch off the engine.
›
Move the gearshift lever into Neutral or move the selector lever for the auto-
matic gearbox into position P .
›
Apply the handbrake firmly.
›
Uncouple a trailer.
›
Remove the vehicle tool kit » page 201 and the spare wheel » page 197 from
the boot.
Changing a wheel
Read and observe
on page 201 first.
›
Remove the full wheel trim » page 198 or caps » page 198 .
›
First of all slacken the anti-theft wheel bolt and then the other wheel
bolts » page 203 .
›
Jack up the vehicle until the wheel that needs changing is clear of the
ground » page 203 .
›
Unscrew the wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface (cloth, paper,
etc.).
›
Remove the wheel carefully.
›
Attach the spare wheel and slightly screw on the wheel bolts.
›
Lower the vehicle.
›
Alternately tighten wheel bolts opposite (diagonally) with the wheel wrench.
Tighten the anti-theft wheel bolt last » page 203.
›
Replace the wheel trim or the caps.
Note
■
All bolts must be clean and must turn easily.■Under no circumstances grease or oil the wheel bolts!■
When fitting unidirectional tyres, ensure that the direction of rotation is cor-
rect » page 193 .
Follow-up work
Read and observe
on page 201 first.
The following steps must also be performed after changing the wheel.
›
Stow and attach the replaced wheel in the spare wheel well using a special
bolt » page 197 .
202Do-it-yourself
Replacing bulb for main beamFig. 202
Headlights with Xenon light: Changing the bulb for the main
beam
Read and observe
and on page 219 first.
›
Unlock the protective cap in the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 202 and remove.
›
Turn the plug with bulb
C
anti-clockwise to the stop and remove it.
›
Change the bulb.
›
Insert the bulb holder with the new bulb and turn in an anti-clockwise direc-
tion as far as the stop.
›
Insert the protective cap in holder
2
and carefully push in.
The protective cover must engage firmly.
Replacing the bulb for the fog light
Fig. 203
Front bumper: Remove the protective grille/fog light
Fig. 204
Replacing the light bulb
Read and observe and on page 219 first.
Removing the protective grille
›
Undo the protective grille in the area of the arrow » Fig. 203 -
using the
clamp for removing the wheel trims » page 201, Vehicle tool kit .
›
Remove the protective grille in the direction of the arrow
1
.
Changing light bulbs for fog lights
›
Use the screwdriver from the tool kit to unscrew the fog lamp » Fig. 203 -
.
›
Remove the headlight in the direction of arrow
2
.
›
Remove the connector.
›
Turn bulb holder
A
» Fig. 204 in an anti-clockwise direction up to the stop
and remove.
›
Insert the bulb holder with the new bulb into the headlight and turn in a
clockwise direction as far as the stop.
›
Fit the connector.
›
Replace the fog lamp by inserting it in the opposite direction of the arrow
2
» Fig. 203 -
and screw tight.
›
Insert the protective grille and carefully press it in.
The protective grille must engage firmly.
221Fuses and light bulbs
Replacing the bulb for the licence plate lightFig. 205
Remove the number plate light/replace the bulb
Read and observe
and on page 219 first.
›
Open the boot lid.
›
Push in the lamp in the direction of the arrow
1
» Fig. 205 .
The lamp comes loose.
›
Swivel out the lamp in the direction of the arrow
2
and remove it.
›
Remove the faulty bulb from the holder in the direction of the arrow
3
.
›
Insert a new bulb into the holder.
›
Reinsert the lamp in the opposite direction to the arrow
1
.
›
Push on the light until the spring clicks into place.
Check that the light is securely inserted.
Rear light (Superb Combi)
Fig. 206
Removing: Cover/light
Fig. 207
Seal expand / lighting connector
Read and observe
and on page 219 first.
Removing
›
Open the tailgate.
›
Insert the clamp for removing the wheel trims » page 201, Vehicle tool kit
into the hole at the position indicated by the arrow » Fig. 206 -
.
›
Remove the cover in the direction of the arrow
» Fig. 206 -
.
›
Use the screwdriver from the tool kit to unscrew the lamp
» Fig. 206 -
.
›
Grasp the rear light and carefully remove away from the direction of travel.
›
Remove the rubber seal in the direction of arrow
1
» Fig. 207 -
.
›
Pull off the cable bundle with the plug cap
» Fig. 207 -
.
›
Press together the interlocks on the connector in the direction of arrow
2
» Fig. 207 -
.
›
Carefully remove the connector from the tail lamp assembly in the direction
of the arrow
3
.
Fitting
›
Insert the connector into the lamp and lock it securely.
›
Install the rubber seal in the body in the opposite direction to arrow
1
in-
stall » Fig. 207 -
.
›
Insert the tail lamp with the holes
1
» Fig. 208 on page 223 into the bolts
on the body » Fig. 207 -
.
›
Carefully press the tail light into the bolts on the bodywork.
Be careful not to pinch the cable bundle between the bodywork and light.
›
Screw the tail lamp into place and install the cover.
›
Ensure that the cover engages firmly.
222Do-it-yourself
Vehicle data sticker224
Vehicle dimensions226
Vehicle height226
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)224
Vehicle key lock
49
unlock49
Vehicle length226
Vehicle tool kit201
Vehicle width226
Visibility73
Visors see Sun screen
74
see Sun visors74
W
Warning at excessive speeds
43
Warning lights32
warning messages Diesel particulate filter
37
Warning symbols see Warning lights
32
Warning triangle200
Washing169
Automatic car wash system173
by hand172
Chrome parts174
High-pressure cleaner173
Water Driving through
149
Wax treatment See Taking care of your vehicle
174
Weights Maximum permissible weights
224
Wheel bolts Anti-theft wheel bolt
204
Caps198
Loosening and tightening203
Wheel rims193
Wheels Bolts198
Changing201
Full trim198
General information193
Load index196
Replacing wheels194
Service life of tyres194
Snow chains199
Spare wheel197
Speed symbol196
Storing wheels194
Temporary spare wheel197
Tyre pressure194
Tyre sizes194
Tyre wear indicator194
Unidirectional tyres196
Winter tyres199
Wi-Fi127
Windows175
Deicing175
See electric power windows59
Windscreen Deicing
175
Heater73
Windscreen washer fluid Checking
184
Replenishing184
Warning light38
Winter184
Windscreen washers Windscreen washers
76
Windscreen washer system184
Windscreen wiper Replacing the rear window wiper blade
215
Windscreen wipers Operating
76
Replacing the windscreen wiper blades214
Windscreen washer fluid184
Windscreen wipers and washers75
Winter Deicing windows175
Winter operation198
Snow chains199
Winter tyres199
Winter tyres See Wheels
199
WLAN127
MAXI DOT128
Network connection128
Switching off128
Switching on128
241Index