
 
Remove center hubcaps and decorative rim rings before installing 
snow chains ⇒ . However, for safety reasons, caps must be in-
stalled on the wheel bolts. These are available from authorized 
Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities. 
Compact spare wheel 
For technical reasons, snow chains cannot be used on the compact 
spare 
If you must use snow chains and have a compact spare wheel 
mounted, move the compact spare wheel to the rear axle if a front tire 
has to be replaced. The tire taken off the rear axle can then be used 
to replace the flat front tire. Be sure to install the unidirectional tires so 
that they will run in the proper direction. Volkswagen recommends 
installing the snow chains before mounting the wheel to the vehicle. 
  WARNING 
Using the wrong snow chains or installing snow chains im-
properly can cause accidents and severe personal injuries. 
  Always use the proper snow chains. 
  Follow the installation instructions provided by the snow 
chain manufacturer. 
  Never exceed the permissible speed limit when driving with 
snow chains.  
  NOTICE 
  Remove snow chains when roads are free of snow. Otherwise, 
the chains can damage the tires, impair vehicle handling and can 
be quickly worn down. 
  Snow chains can scratch or damage wheel rims if they have 
direct contact with the rims. Volkswagen recommends using 
coated snow chains. 
Glossary of tire and loading terminology 
 

 
Speed rating (letter code) 
A standardized letter code indicating the maximum speed at which a 
tire is designed to be driven for extended periods of time. The ratings 
range from 93 mph or 150 km/h (“P”) to 186 mph or (300 km/h) “Y”. 
The speed rating letter code, where applicable, is molded on the tire 
sidewall. You may not find this information on all tires because it is 
not required by law. 
Tire Pressure Monitoring System 
A system that detects when at least one of a vehicle's tires is underin-
flated and illuminates a low tire-pressure warning light. 
Tread 
The portion of a tire that normally touches the road. 
Tread rib 
A tread section running circumferentially around a tire. 
Tread separation 
Tire failure caused by the tread pulling away from the tire carcass. 
Tread wear indicators (TWI) 
Raised areas within the main tread grooves that show, visually, when 
tires are worn and near the end of their useful life ⇒ page 261. 
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) 
A tire information system developed by the U.S. National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that is designed to help buyers 
compare tires. UTQG is not a safety rating, nor is it a guarantee that a 
tire will last for a certain number of miles or perform a certain way. It 
gives tire buyers more information to compare with factors such as 
price, brand loyalty and dealer recommendations. Under UTQG, tires 
are graded by the tire manufacturers in 3 areas: tread wear, traction 
and temperature resistance. UTQG information is molded into the tire 
sidewalls. 
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) 
A tire's serial number. It begins with the letters “DOT” (“Department of 
Transportation”) and indicates that the tire meets all federal stand-
ards. The next 2 numbers or letters indicate the plant where the tire  

 
Description  Possible causes, 
among others  Possible remedy  
DSG® Direct Shift 
Gearbox too hot.  
Stop vehicle as soon as 
you can safely do so.  
Driver seat and 
outside mirrors 
move when vehi-
cle is unlocked.  
Convenience 
settings are stored. 
Correct convenience 
settings  
Memory-seat set-
tings are stored.  
– Reassign seat setting  
– Clear memory-seat 
memory  
Front seats can-
not be adjusted 
with power con-
trols.  
Vehicle battery dead.  Charge vehicle battery  
Fuse blown.  Check fuse and replace if 
necessary  
No jack, spare 
wheel, or com-
pact spare wheel 
in the vehicle.  
Equipment differs 
depending on the 
vehicle.  
No direct corrective action 
possible; depends on the 
vehicle equipment. Con-
tact an authorized 
Volkswagen dealer or an 
authorized Volkswagen 
Service Facility for assis-
tance.  
Vehicle has run-flat 
tires (mobility tires). 
Features do not 
work as de-
scribed in this 
manual.  
Settings were ad-
justed in the 
Volkswagen Infor-
mation System.  
Check and reset to factory 
settings if necessary  
Headlights do not 
light up the road 
as they should.  
– Headlights incor-
rectly adjusted. 
– Light bulbs burned 
out. 
– Low beams not 
switched on.  
– Have the headlight 
range adjusted by an au-
thorized Volkswagen 
dealer or an authorized 
Volkswagen Service Fa-
cility. 
– Change light bulbs  
– Switch on low beams