2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG Owners Manual

Tire and wheel handling

Fig. 112 Tire rotation diagram.

must replace or remount the tire as soon as possible in order to restore the correct direction of rotation.
Rotating tires
To help ensure even wear on all tires, regular tire rotation according to the diagram ⇒ fig. 112 is recommended. In this way all tires can have about the same service life.
Volkswagen recommends that you have your tires rotated by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Tires more than 6 years old
Tires age even if they are not being used. Physical and chemical processes reduce tire strength and performance and cause them to harden and become brittle. Old tires can fail suddenly and without warning.
Volkswagen recommends replacing tires that are 6 years and older. This also applies to tires that look new (including the tire on the compact spare wheel) or that seem to still be usable with tread depth
that has not yet reached the legal minimum depth ⇒ .
The age of each tire can be determined with the manufacturing date that is part of the U.S. DOT tire
identification number (TIN) ⇒ Tire labeling.
Tire storage
Mark tires before removing them to help make sure that the previous location (left, right, front, rear) and rolling direction can be maintained when remounting them. Store tires in a cool, dry and preferably dark place. Do not store tires mounted on wheels standing up.
Tires not mounted on wheels should be covered to help protect them from dirt and stored vertically (sitting on the tread).
WARNING
Aggressive fluids and materials can cause visible and invisible tire damage that can cause tire blowouts.
x Always keep chemicals, oils, grease, fuels, braking fluids and other aggressive substances away from tires.
WARNING
Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly, especially at high speeds, causing loss of vehicle control, accidents, and severe personal injuries.
x Tires that are more than 6 years old can be used only in an emergency and even then only with special care and at low speed.
Always dispose of old tires in accordance with legal requirements.
Wheel rims

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 the Touareg's wheel bolts is 133 ft-lbs (180 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 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 injuries.
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

x The tread depth of new tires can differ between tire models and manufacturers because of different design features and tread design.
Replacing tires
x Tires should be replaced in pairs and not individually (both front tires or both rear tires at the same
time) ⇒ .
x Replace tires only with tires that have the same specifications, including width and diameter, load and top speed rating as the tires approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle and model.
x Never use tires that are larger or wider than the dimensions of the tires approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle and model. Larger tires could scrape and rub on the vehicle body or other parts of the vehicle.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) considerations
Factory-installed wheels are equipped with a sensor that constantly monitors tire pressure, then
transmits this information to the TPMS ⇒ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). If you are going to replace the wheels, make sure that the new wheels also have sensors that are compatible with the TPMS on your vehicle. New wheels with sensors have to be recognized and integrated into the system. The new wheels and sensors are recognized and integrated when driving off the first time.
If you install wheels that do not have sensors, or have sensors that are not compatible, the TPMS will not work properly. In this case, the TPMS will not be able to monitor tire pressure or warn you if pressure is low. An error message may appear in the instrument cluster display or the TPMS will switch itself off.
x Whenever you change sensors, you have to install new valves and seals. Please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer of an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
x Always drive with the valve caps securely installed. We recommend using factory-supplied valve caps. Ask an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to replace lost caps.
If you install new tires that differ the original Volkswagen specifications, for your vehicle and model, the benchmark tire inflation pressure values stored in your vehicle's TPMS may have to be adjusted (reprogrammed). This requires professional assistance. For more information, contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Installing replacement tires with steel cord body plies in the tire sidewall may cause malfunction of the TPMS, and is not recommended (cord material information in molded on the tire sidewall).
Always check the TPMS indicator light after replacing one or more tires on your vehicle. If the indicator light is on, the TPMS is not working properly. Your replacement tire might be incompatible with the system, or some component of the TPMS may be damaged.
For detailed information about TPMS, how it works and what you need to know ⇒ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
WARNING
New tires tend to be slippery and must be broken in.
x Always drive with special care for the first 350 miles (560 km) to help reduce the risk of losing control, a collision, and serious personal injuries.

WARNING
Tires must have the required clearance. Tires that do not have enough clearance can rub against parts of the vehicle body, suspension, and brake system, causing brake system failure, tread delamination, and sudden blow outs.
x Always make sure that new tires are not larger than the tires approved for your vehicle and that the new tires do not rub against parts of the vehicle.
NOTICE
x When switching to different tires, make certain the valves and sensors are not damaged.
x Never drive without valve stem caps. The valves and sensors could be damaged.
x If the sensor on the Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be replaced, the valve must be replaced at the same time.
Always dispose of old tires in accordance with legal requirements.
TPMS wheel sensors are classified as Perchlorate Material – Special handling may apply. Obey all legal requirements regarding handling and disposal of these components – see http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all applicable legal requirements regarding handling and disposal of the vehicle or parts of its restraint system, including airbag modules and safety belts with pretensioners. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the requirements, and we recommend that you have them perform this service for you.
If the replacement wheel is different from the tires that you have mounted on your vehicle (for example winter tires or wider, low-profile tires, , or a compact spare), then use the replacement wheel for a short time only, and drive cautiously.
x Replace it with a tire matching the others on your vehicle as soon as possible.
Although tire size specifications can be the same, the actual dimensions may differ from those nominal values for different tire makes, or the tire contours may be significantly different.
Tire inflation pressure

Fig. 113 Location of the tire inflation pressure label.

The correct tire inflation pressure for factory-installed tires is listed on a label. The factory-installed
tires may be summer, winter, or all-season tires. The label ⇒ fig. 113 is on the driver door jamb.
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 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 collapsible 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 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 ⇒ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
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 the 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 buildup, 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 and the tire inflation pressure sensors.

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 and the sensors on the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. 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.
Pressures measured with a gauge when inflating the tires may be different from the pressures read by the tire pressure sensors. The electronic TPMS 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 ⇒ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires

Model Engine Tire dimensions Tire inflation pressure, front axle
Tire inflation pressure, rear axle
PSI kPa 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. This tire inflation
pressure is also listed on the sticker inside the driver door jamb ⇒ Tire inflation pressure. The tire inflation pressure are listed for all tires and the collapsible spare tire. 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. If different tires are installed, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System cannot properly monitor tire inflation pressures unless the TPMS is
reset to the new tire pressures ⇒ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities have the necessary special tools and must reset the TPMS for the new tires on your vehicle.
Tread depth and tread wear indicators

Fig. 114 Tread pattern: Wear indicator.