
 
In most cases, you cannot use wheel bolts from a different vehicle. Even wheel rims from the same model may not fit properly. 
Tires and wheel rims approved by Volkswagen have been matched precisely to your vehicle model and contribute considerably to good handling and safe vehicle performance. 
Tightening torque 
Wheel bolts must always be installed with the correct tightening torque, Changing a wheel. The required tightening torque for your vehicle's wheel bolts is 88 ft-lbs (120 Nm). After changing a wheel, the bolt torque must be checked as soon as possible with an accurate torque wrench. See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. 
Wheel rims with bolted rim rings 
Wheel rims with bolted rim rings have several parts. The parts are bolted together with special screws in a special process. This helps to ensure that they will work properly, prevent leaks, run true and safely. Damaged wheel rims must be replaced, and you must never take them apart or try to repair them yourself. Have an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility 
repair them for you ⇒ . 
Wheel rims with bolted decorative covers 
Light-alloy wheels may have interchangeable decorative covers attached to the rim with self-locking screws. If you want to replace damaged wheel covers, contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. 
  WARNING 
Using improper or damaged wheel rims can affect driving safety, cause accidents and severe personal injury. 
 x Use only wheel rims approved for the vehicle. 
 x Regularly check wheel rims for damage and replace them if necessary.  
  WARNING 
Improper loosening and tightening of the bolts on wheel rims with bolted rim rings can cause accidents and severe personal injury. 
 x Never loosen bolted connections on wheel rims with bolted rim rings. 
 x Have all work on wheel rims with bolted rim rings performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. 
New and replacement tires 
 

 
To help make it more difficult to steal your vehicle, you should always make sure the steering column is locked before leaving the vehicle. 
Electronic steering column lock 
Vehicles with Keyless Access: The steering column is locked if the driver door is opened with the ignition switched off. The vehicle must be standing still and the transmission must be in Park (P) on an automatic transmission vehicle. 
If the driver door is opened before the ignition is switched off, the electronic steering column lock is activated only after the vehicle has been locked with the vehicle key or via the sensor in the door handle. 
Mechanical steering column lock 
Vehicles without Keyless Access: The steering column is locked if the vehicle is stationary and the vehicle key is removed from the ignition switch. 
 
Engaging the steering column lock Disengaging the steering column lock 
Parking the vehicle   Turn the steering wheel slightly to take pressure off the steering column lock. 
Remove the vehicle key.  Insert the vehicle key into the ignition switch. 
Turn the steering wheel slightly until you hear the steering column lock engage. 
Hold the steering wheel in this position and turn the ignition switch. 
 
Power steering 
Power steering automatically adjusts to driving speed, steering torque, and the steering angle of the wheels. Power steering works only when the engine is running. 
If power steering is reduced or lost completely, it will be much harder to steer and control the vehicle. 
Counter-steering assistance 
Counter-steering assistance is part of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This feature makes it easier for the driver to control the vehicle in difficult situations. For example, if you have to brake hard on a surface that provides uneven traction, the vehicle could pull to the right or left. ESC detects this 
situation and helps the driver counter-steer with additional steering power ⇒ . 
  WARNING 
The counter-steering assistance in ESC can do no more than help the driver steer in difficult situations. The driver must still control the vehicle. The vehicle does not steer by itself with this feature!  
  NOTICE 
If the ignition is off, the steering column lock will engage and the vehicle cannot be steered. For this reason, you must leave the ignition on when going through an automatic car wash, for example, so that the wheels will still steer.