2015 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF SPORTWAGEN Owners Manual

Sidewall separation
The parting of the rubber compound from the cord material in the sidewall.
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 ⇒ page 190. 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 underinflated 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
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 guaran-tee 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 standards. The next 2 numbers or letters indicate the plant where the tire was manufactured. The last 4 numbers represent the week and year of manufacture.
For example, the numbers 1709 mean that the tire was produced in the 17th week of 2009. Any other numbers are marketing codes used by the tire manufacturer. This information is used to help identify affected consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.
Vehicle capacity weight
The total rated cargo, luggage and passenger load. Passenger load is 150 lbs (68 kilograms) times the vehicle's total seating capacity (as listed on the label inside the driver door).
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
The load on an individual tire that is determined by taking each axle's share of the maximum loaded vehicle weight (GAWR) and dividing by 2.
Vehicle normal load on the tire
The load on an individual tire that is determined by taking each axle's share of the curb weight, acces-sory weight, and normal occupant weight (distributed according to the table below) and dividing by 2.

Wheel size designation
Wheel rim diameter and width.
Occupant loading and distribution for vehicle normal load for various designated seating capacities

Designated seating
capacity, number of
occupants
Vehicle normal load,
number of occupants
Occupant distribution
in a normally loaded
vehicle
2, 3, or 4 2 2 in front
5 3 2 in front, 1 in back

Tires and vehicle load limits

WARNING
Overloading a vehicle can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, serious personal injury, and even death.
x Carrying more weight than your vehicle was designed to carry will prevent the vehicle from handling properly and increase the risk of the loss of vehicle control.
x The brakes on a vehicle that has been overloaded may not be able to stop the vehicle in a safe distance.
x Tires on a vehicle that has been overloaded can fail suddenly, including a blowout and sudden deflation, causing loss of control and a crash.
x Always make sure that the total load being transported – including the weight of a trailer hitch and the tongue weight of a loaded trailer – does not make the vehicle heavier than the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Determining the correct load limit

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit:
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this Manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage capacity of your vehi-
cle.
Check the tire sidewall to determine the load index specified for the
tire.

UTQG classification

WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.

Storage areas

WARNING
Some kinds of cigarette lighters can be lit unintentionally, or crushed causing a fire that can result in serious burns and vehicle damage.
x Always make sure that there are no lighters in the seat tracks or near other moving parts before adjusting the seats.
x Before closing a storage compartment, always make sure that no cigarette lighter can be activated, crushed, or otherwise damaged.
x Never leave a cigarette lighter in a storage compartment, on the instrument panel, or in other places in the vehicle. Heat buildup in the passenger and luggage compartment of a parked vehicle can result in temperatures in the vehicle that are much higher than the outside temperatures, particularly in summer. High temperatures could cause the cigarette lighter to catch fire.
NOTICE
x The defroster heating wires or antenna in the rear window can be damaged by hard or sharp things on the shelf below the rear window.
x Do not keep any food, medicine, or other items sensitive to heat or cold in the vehicle. They can be damaged or made unusable by heat or cold.
x Things that are made of transparent materials (such as eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, or transparent suction cups on the windows) can magnify sunlight and damage the vehicle.
The ventilation slots beneath the side windows in the luggage area must not be blocked so that stale air can escape from the vehicle.
Storage compartments in the doors

Fig. 111 In the driver door: Storage compartment.

Storage compartment on the driver side

Fig. 112 On the driver side: Storage compartment.