2015 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Owners Manual

Wheel bolt caps

Fig. 207 Pulling cover caps off wheel bolts.

x Slide the lug wrench through the clip ⇒ fig. 208 and pull the wheel cover off in the direction of the arrow.
Installing the wheel cover
Where applicable: Before installing the wheel cover, the anti-theft wheel bolt must be screwed into
position ⇒ fig. 210 (2) or (3) in relation to the position of the tire valve. Otherwise, the wheel cover cannot be installed.
Make sure that the valve cutout is aligned with the valve ⇒ fig. 210 (1), and press the wheel cover onto the wheel rim. Make sure that the wheel cover is latched onto the rim along the entire circumference.

Changing a wheel

WARNING
Changing a wheel, especially on the side of the road, can be dangerous. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Move the vehicle a safe distance off the road where it is safe to change the wheel.
x Always make sure that all passengers, especially children, are in a safe place outside the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic (such as behind a guard rail).
x Turn on the emergency flashers and set up another warning device about 25 yards (25 meters) behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
x Change a wheel by yourself only if you are familiar with the necessary steps. Otherwise, get expert assistance.
x Always switch the engine off, firmly apply the parking brake, and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic transmission) or any gear (manual only) to help prevent the vehicle from moving suddenly and slipping off the jack.
x Always make sure that the ground is level and firm. If necessary, place the jack on a large and sturdy board or on a similar ground support.
x Always block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel being changed with chocks or other similar things.
x If you are towing a trailer, always unhitch it from your vehicle before starting to change the wheel. Always apply the trailer brakes firmly and make sure the trailer cannot move unin-tentionally.
x Always use proper and undamaged tools when changing a wheel.
x Once a wheel is lifted off the ground, having the transmission in Park (P) or in gear will not prevent sudden vehicle movement.
x Always use a jack that has been approved by the manufacturer for your vehicle. Never use other jacks, even if they have been approved for use on other Volkswagen models.
x To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen the screws on rims with threaded rim rings.
x After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked with an accurate torque wrench.
x After changing a wheel or tire, reset the Tire Pressure Monitoring System ⇒  Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Preparations for changing a wheel

6. Have all passengers exit and go to a safe place, such as behind a guard rail.
7. Block the diagonally opposite wheel with chocks or other suitable things.
8. If towing a trailer: Unhitch the trailer from the vehicle and park the trailer properly.
9. If the luggage compartment is loaded: Remove the luggage.
10. Take the compact spare wheel and the vehicle tool kit out of the luggage compartment.
11. Take off the wheel covers ⇒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. 209 Changing a wheel: Loosening wheel bolts.

Fig. 210 Changing a wheel: tire valve 1 and installation points for the anti-theft wheel bolt 2 or 3 (where applicable).

If a wheel bolt does not come loose, carefully push the end of the lug wrench with your foot. Make sure you are standing firmly on the ground and hold on to the vehicle for support.
Loosening the wheel bolts
x Push the lug wrench over the wheel bolt all the way ⇒ fig. 209.
x Holding the lug wrench at the end, loosen the wheel bolt by turning it counterclockwise about 1
complete turn (360°) ⇒ .
Loosening the anti-theft wheel bolt (where applicable)
x Take the adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolt out of the vehicle tool kit.
x Push the adapter all the way over the anti-theft wheel bolt.
x Slide the lug wrench onto the adapter until it stops.
x Holding the lug wrench at the end, loosen the wheel bolt by turning it counterclockwise about 1
complete turn (360°) ⇒ .
Important information regarding wheel bolts
The design of rims and wheel bolts is matched to the factory-installed wheels. If different wheels are installed, wheel bolts with the right length and bolt head shape must be used. The attachment of the wheels and function of the brake system depend on this.
It may not be possible to use wheel bolts from different vehicles of the same model.
Where applicable: On a wheel with a wheel cover, the anti-theft wheel bolt must be installed at points
⇒ fig. 210 (2) or (3) in relation to the position of the tire valve (1). Otherwise, the wheel cover cannot be installed.
Wheel bolt tightening torque
Correctly tightened bolts for steel and alloy wheel rims should have a torque of 103 ft-lbs. (140 Nm). After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked right away with an accurate torque wrench.
Before you check the tightening torque, replace corroded and difficult-to-turn wheel bolts and clean the threads in the wheel hub.
Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads in the wheel hubs. The bolts can come loose while driving if greased or oiled, even if tightened to the required torque.
WARNING
Improperly tightened wheel bolts can come loose while driving and cause you to lose control over the vehicle, resulting in accidents and serious injuries.
x Only use wheel bolts that belong your vehicle and to the wheel being installed.
x Never use different wheel bolts.
x Wheel bolts and wheel hub threads must always be clean, easy-to-turn and free of oil and grease.
x Only use the lug wrench that is supplied with the vehicle to loosen the wheel bolts.
x Loosen the wheel bolts only about 1 turn before lifting the vehicle with the jack.
x Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads in the wheel hubs. The bolts can come loose while driving if greased or oiled, even if tightened to the required torque.
x Never loosen bolted connections on wheel rims with bolted rim rings.
x If the wheel bolts are not tightened to the proper torque, the wheel can come off the vehi-cle when it is moving. Extremely high torque can damage the wheel bolts and/or their threads.

Lifting the vehicle with the vehicle jack

Fig. 211 Lift points for the jack.

Fig. 212 Jack in position at the left rear lift point.

6. Loosen the wheel bolts of the wheel to be changed ⇒  Wheel bolts.
7. Find the jack lift point ⇒ fig. 211 on the vehicle frame that is closest to the wheel to be changed.
8. Crank up the jack so that it still just fits underneath the lift point.
9. Position the jack so that its base is directly underneath the lift point ⇒ fig. 212, making sure that the entire base of the jack rests securely on the ground.
10. Align the jack and wind up the jack claw at the same time, until the claw cradles the vertical rib
underneath the vehicle ⇒ fig. 212 (arrow).
11. Continue cranking up the jack until the wheel is just a little off the ground.
WARNING
Improper use of your vehicle jack can cause the vehicle to fall off the jack leading to serious personal injury. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x Use only jacks approved by Volkswagen for the vehicle. Other jacks might slip, even those approved for other Volkswagen models, but not for your vehicle.
x Always set up the jack on firm and level ground. The vehicle may slip off the jack if the jack is resting on soft or sloping ground. If necessary, place a sturdy board under the jack.
x On a hard, slippery surface (such as a tiled floor), use an anti-skid rubber mat or some-thing similar to prevent the jack from slipping.
x Position the jack only at the described vehicle lift points. Before you raise your vehicle, always make sure the jack claw properly grips the vertical rib under the sill so that the jack
does not slip off when you are raising the vehicle ⇒ fig. 212.
x Never have any part of your body (such as your arm or leg) under the vehicle when it is supported by the jack. Never let other persons have any part of their body under the vehicle, either!
x If you must work under a vehicle raised on a floor jack, always make sure that the vehicle is safely supported on safety stands intended for that purpose that are strong enough to support the weight of the vehicle.
x Never lift the vehicle when it is tilted or inclined to one side or the engine is running.
x Never lift the vehicle when more than 1 tire is flat or damaged.
x Do not start the engine while the vehicle is supported by a jack. Engine vibrations may cause the vehicle to slip off the jack.
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.