WARNING
Inappropriate spare parts and accessories as well as unprofessionally performed work, modifications and repairs can cause vehicle damage, accidents and serious personal injuries.
x Volkswagen strongly recommends to only use accessories approved by Volkswagen and Genuine Volkswagen Parts®. These parts and accessories have been evaluated by Volkswagen for their suitability, reliability and safety.
x Have repairs and vehicle modifications performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities have the required tools, diagnostic equipment, repair information, and trained personnel to properly replace any airbag in your vehicle and assure system effectiveness in a crash.
x Only install parts on the vehicle that are consistent with factory-installed parts with respect to design and characteristics.
x Never store, mount or attach objects, such as cup or phone cradles, on or next to the airbag module covers or within the airbags deployment zones.
x Only use wheel rim/tire combinations approved by Volkswagen for the respective vehicle type.
Break-in period
8. If the luggage compartment is loaded: Remove the luggage.
9. Take the collapsible spare tire and the vehicle tool kit out of the luggage compartment.
10. Take off the wheel bolt caps ⇒ 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. 320 Changing a wheel: Loosening wheel bolts.
Removing the wheel
x Review the checklist ⇒ Preparations for changing a wheel.
x Loosen the wheel bolts ⇒ Wheel bolts.
x Lift the vehicle ⇒ Lifting the vehicle with the vehicle jack.
x Unscrew the topmost loosened wheel bolt using the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle
⇒ fig. 317 place it on a clean surface.
x Screw the mounting pin in the vehicle tool kit into the empty hole by hand ⇒ fig. 325.
x Remove the remaining wheel bolts using the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle
⇒ fig. 317 and place them on a clean surface.
x Remove the wheel.
Mounting spare tire or collapsible spare tire
If the tire is a unidirectional tire, be sure to install it in the proper rolling direction ⇒ Unidirectional tires.
x Put the spare tire or collapsible spare tire into place on the vehicle.
x Screw in all wheel bolts clockwise and tighten them slightly using the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle.
x Unscrew the mounting pin and screw in the last wheel bolt.
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 collapsible spare tire can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, and serious personal injury.
x Never use a collapsible spare tire if it is damaged or worn down to the wear indicators.
x Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) with a collapsible spare tire. Avoid full-throttle acceleration, heavy braking, and fast cornering!
x Never drive more than 125 miles (200 km) with a 16" collapsible spare wheel that is installed on the front axle (drive axle).
x Replace the collapsible spare with a normal wheel and tire as soon as possible. Collapsible spare tires are designed for brief use only.
