Wheels
positions. Refer to the table
¢
page 218 for the number of
people that correspond to the ve
h icle normal load.
New tires or wheels
Audi recommends having all work
on tires or wheels performed by
an authorized Audi dealer or au
thor ized Audi Service Facility.
These facilit ies have the proper
knowledge and are equipped with
the required tools and replace ment parts.
.,. New tires do not yet have the
optimum gripping properties .
Drive carefully and at moderate
speeds for the first 350 miles
(500 km) with new tires.
1>-Use ti res of the same construc
tion , size (rolling circumference)
and as close to the same tread
pattern as possible on all four
wheels.
1>-0o not replace tires individually.
At least replace both tires on the
same axle at the same time.
1>-Audi recommends that you use
Audi Original Tires. If you would like to use different tires, please
note that the tires may perform
differently even if they are the
same size ¢
.&..
214
1>-Ifyou would like to equip your
vehicle with a tire/rim combina
tion that is different from what
was installed at the factory, con
sult with an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility before making a pur
chase ¢,&. .
The spare tire* is different from
the regular tires installed on the
vehicle -for example, if winter
tires or wide tires are installed -
so only use the spare tire* tempo
rarily in case of emergency and
drive carefully while it is in use. It
should be replaced with a regular
tire as soon as possible.
On
all wheel drive vehicles, all
four wheels must be equipped
with tires that are the same brand and have the same construction
and tread pattern so that the
drive system is not damaged by
different tire speeds . For this rea
son, in case of emergency , only
use a spare tire* that is the same
circumference as the regular
tires.
! WARNING
- Only use tire/rim combina
tions and suitable wheel bolts
that have been approved by .,.
Determining correct load
limit
Use the example below to calcu
late the total weight of the pas
sengers and luggage or other
things that you plan to transport
so that you can ma ke sure that
your vehicle will not be overload ed .
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1 . Locate the statement "THE
COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCU PANTS AND CARGO SHOULD
NEVER EXCEED XXX KG OR XXX
LBS"on your vehicle 's pla card
(tire inflation pre ssure l abel)
¢ page 217, fig. 180.
2 . Determine the combined
weight of the drive r and pas
s engers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3 . Subtra ct the combined weight
of the driver and passengers
from
" XXX" kilograms or "XXX"
pounds shown on the sticker
¢ page 217 , fig. 180 .
4. The re sulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For ex-
gi ample, if the "XXX" amount ......
~ equals 1400 lbs. and there will ...... 0
0
LL 00
Wheels
be five 1 SO lbs. pa ssengers in
your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity i s 650 lb s.
(1400-750 (5 X 150) = 650
lbs.)
5. Determin e the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely ex
ceed the available cargo and luggage load capa city cal culat
ed in Step 4 .
6. If your vehi cle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer
will be transferred to your ve
hicle. Con sult thi s manual to
determine how this reduces
the available cargo and lug gage load capacity of your vehi
cle.
..,.Check the tire sidewall
(¢ page 207 , fig. 178) to deter
mine the designated load rating
for a specific tire.
Wheel bolts and rims
Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts mus t be clean and loosen/tig hte n
easily .
Rims
Rims with a bo lted r im ring * or with bo lted w heel
cove rs* cons ist of mult iple p ieces. These compo-
nents were bolted togethe r using s pec ial bolts ..,.
221
Wheels
and a special procedure. You must not repair or
disassemble them¢&. .
A WARNING
Wheel bolts that are tightened or repaired in
correctly can become loose and result in loss
of vehicle control, which increases the risk of
an accident. For the correct t ightening specifi
cation, see ¢
page 229, After changing a
wheel .
-Always keep the wheel bolts and the
threads in the wheel hub clean and free of
grease.
- Only use wheel bolts that fit the rim .
- Always have damaged rims repaired by an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Aud i
Service Facility . Never repair or disassemble
rims yourself, because this inc reases the risk
of an accident.
Winter tires
Winter tires s ignificantly improve the vehicle's
handling when driving in winter conditions . Be
cause of their construction (width, compound,
tread pattern), summer tires provide l ess trac
tion on ice and snow.
.,. Use winter tires on all four wheels.
.,. Only use winter tires that are approved for your
vehicle.
.,. Please note that the maximum permitted
speed may be lower with winter tires
q .&,. . An
authori zed Audi dealer or authori zed Audi Serv
ice Facility can inform you about the maximum
permitted speed for your tires .
.,. Check the tire pressure after install ing wheels
q page 217.
The effectiveness of winter tires is reduced great
ly when the tread is worn down to a depth of
0 .157 inch (4 mm). The character istics of winter
tires also decrease greatly as the tire ages, re
gardless of the remaining tread.
A WARNING
- Never drive faster than the maximum per
mitted speed for your tires. This could cause
the tires to heat up too much. This increases
222
-
the risk of an accident because it can cause
the tire to burst.
- Always adapt your driving to the road and
traffic conditions . Drive carefully and reduce
your speed on icy or slippery roads . Even
winter tires can lose traction on black ice .
@ For the sake of the environment
Reinstall summer tires at the appropriate
time, because they prov ide better handling
when roads are free of snow and ice. Summer
tires cause less road noise, tire wear and fuel
consumpt ion .
(D Tips
You can also use all season tires instead of
winter tires. Please note that in some coun
tries where winter tires are required, only
winter tires w ith the ~ symbol may be per
mitted.
Snow chains
Snow chains improve traction in the snow .
.,. Only install snow chains on the front wheels.
This applies also to vehicles with all wheel
drive* .
.,. Check and correct the seating of the snow
chains if necessary after driving a few feet. Fol
low the instructions from the manufacturer.
.,. Note the maximum permitted speed when dr iv
ing with snow chains. Do not exceed 30 mph (SO km/h).
Snow cha ins not only improve the
driving in win
ter road conditions, but also the
braking .
Use of snow chains is only permitted with certain
rim/tire combinat ions due to technical reasons .
Check with an author ized Audi dealer or author
ized Audi Service Facility to see if you may use
snow chains.
Use
fine-mesh snow chains. They must not add
more than 0.53 inch (13.5 mm) in height, includ
ing the chain lock.
You must remove the chains when driving on
roads that are
free of snow . When roads are free ..,.
a:,
a:,
...... N
" N ...... 0
0
LL co
Emergency assistance
Vehicle tool kit
The tools ore stored underneath the floor panel
in the luggage comportment.
Fig. 183 Luggage compartment: tool ki t
When you need access to the veh icle tool kit or
jack*, you will need to take out the spare tire*
and cover
q page 22 7.
The vehicle tool kit includes:
- Hook for removing wheel covers*
- Plastic hook to remove wheel bolt covers*
- Alignment pin for changing the wheel
- Screwdriver with reversible blade
- T ool for changing l ight bulbs
- Revers ible b it (reversible Torx bit for changing
li ght bulbs)
- Rod for jack
- Jack*
- Lug wrench
- Towing eye
Some of the vehicle items listed above are pro
vided on certa in models only or are optional ex
tras.
Before return ing the jack* to its place, retract the
jack arm f ully.
_& WARNING
-Never use the screw driver hex head to
tighten wheel bolts, since the bo lts cannot
attain the necessary tightening torque if you
use the hex head, potentially causing an ac
c ident.
- The factory-supplied jack is intended on ly
for your vehicle model. Under no circum-
Emergency assistance
stances should it be used to lift heavy
vehicles or other loads; you risk injuring
yourself.
- Never start the engine when the vehicle is
raised, which could cause an accident.
- Support the vehicle securely with appropri
ate stands if work is to be performed under
neath the vehicle; otherwise, there is a po
tential risk for injury .
(D Tips
The vehicle jack* in your vehicle is mainte
nance-free.
Space-saving spare tire (compact spare tire)
App lies to : vehicles wi th space-saving spare tire
The spore tire/wheel is located in the luggage
comportment under the cargo floor cover . It is
intended for short-term use only .
Fig. 184 Spare tire
Removing the spare tire
.. Lift the cargo floor by the p lastic handl e
Q fig. 184 .
.. Hook the handle into the lugg age compartment
weather strip .
.,. Turn the large screw
qfig. 184 counter-clock
w ise.
.,. Take out the spare tire .
.,. Always store the vehicle tool kit, the jack *, and
the replaced tire in the luggage compartment
qpoge 116.
.. Unhook the cargo floor before closing the rear
lid . ...
227
always fully set the parking brake and block
the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel be ing changed with the folding chocks or oth
er objects. When one front wheel is lifted
off the ground, placing the Automatic
Transmission in "P" (Park) will
not prevent
the vehicle from moving.
- Before you change a wheel, be sure the
ground is level and firm. If necessary, use a
sturdy board under the jack.
- Always store the vehicle tool kit, the jack*
and the replaced tire in the luggage com
partment
r::!>page 116.
(D Note
If you are changing the wheel on a steep in
cline, use a rock or similar object to block the
opposite wheel to prevent the vehicle from
moving.
(D Tips
Obey all laws.
Changing a wheel
When you change a wheel, follow the sequence
described below step-by-step and in exactly that
order.
1.
Remove the decorative wheel cover* or the
wheel bolt caps*. For more details see also
r::!> page 229, Decorative wheel covers or
r::!> page 230, Wheels with wheel bolt caps .
2. Loosen the wheel bolts~ page 230.
3. Locate the proper mounting point for the
jack and align the jack below that point
r::!> page 2 31.
4. lift the car with the jack r::!> page 231.
5. Remove the wheel with the flat tire and then
in stall the
spare tire r::::> page 232.
6. Tighten all wheel bolts lightly .
7 .
lower the vehicle with the jack.
8 . Use the wheel bolt wrench and
firmly tighten
all wheel bolts in a crisscross pattern
r::!> page 230.
~ 9. Replace the decorative wheel cover* or the ......
~ wheel bolt caps*. N ...... 0
0
LL co
Emergency assistance
A WARNING
-Always read and follow all WARNINGS and in-
formation
r::!> .&. in Raising the vehicle on
page231
and r::::> page233.
After changing a wheel
A wheel change is not complete without the do
ing the following.
.. Always store the vehicle tool kit, the jack*, and
the replaced tire in the luggage compartment
r::::>page 116.
.. Check the tire pressure of the spare tire as soon
as possible .
.. As soon as possible, have the
tightening tor
ques
on all wheel bolts checked with a torque
wrench. The correct tightening torque is 90 ft
lbs .
(120 Nm).
.. Have the flat tire
replaced as soon as possible.
@ Tips
-If you notice that the wheel bolts are cor
roded and difficult to turn while changing a
tire, they should be replaced before you
check the tightening torque.
- Drive at reduced speed until you have the tightening torques checked.
Decorative wheel covers
Applies to: vehicles wit h deco rative w heel covers
The decorative wheel covers must be removed
first to access the wheel bolts.
Fig. 18S C ha nging a wheel: removing the wheel cover
229
Emergency assistance
Removing
.. Insert the hook provided with the vehicle tool
kit in the hole in the hub.
.. Pull off the
decorative wheel cover¢ fig. 185.
Wheels with wheel bolt caps
Applies to: vehicles with wheel bolts with caps
The caps must be removed first from the wheel
bolts before the bolts can be unscrewed.
Fig. 186 C han gin g a w hee l: remov ing t he wheel bolt c aps
Removing
.. Push the plastic clip provided with the vehicle
tool kit over the wheel bolt cap until it engages.
• Pull on the
plastic clip to remove the cap
¢ fig . 186 .
Refitting
.. Place the caps over the wheel bolts and push
them back on.
The caps are to protect and keep the wheel bolts
clean.
Loosening and tightening the wheel bolts
The wheel bolts must be loosened before raising
the vehicle.
Fig. 187 C han ging a w hee l: loosening the wheel bolts
230
Loosening
• Install the wheel bolt wrench over the wheel
bolt and push it down as far as it will go.
.. Take tight hold of the
end of the wrench handle
and turn the wheel bolts
counter-clockwise
about one single turn in the direction of arrow
¢fig. 187.
Tightening
.. Install the wheel bolt wrench over the wheel
bolt and push it down as far as it will go .
.. Take tight hold of the
end of the wrench handle
and turn each wheel bolt
clockwise until it is
seated.
A WARNING
- Do not use force or hurry when changing a
wheel -you can cause the vehicle to slip off
the jack and cause serious personal injuries.
-Do not loosen the wheel bolts more than
one turn
before you raise the vehicle with
the jack. -You risk an injury .
(D Tips
-Never use the hexagonal socket in the han
dle of the screwdriver to loosen or tighten
the wheel bolts.
- If a wheel bolt is very tight, you may find it
easier to loosen by carefully pushing down
on the end of the wheel bolt wrench with
one foot only. As you do so, hold on to the
car to keep your balance and take care not
to slip.
Emergency assistance
points on the sill. Otherwise, your vehicle will
be damaged .
Taking the wheel off/installing the spare
tire
Follow these instructions step-by-step for chang
ing the wheel .
Fig. 190 Cha nging a wheel : usin g the screwdr iver handle
(with the b lade removed) to turn th e bo lts
Fig. 191 Chan gin g a wheel: align ment pin inside the top
h ole
After you have loosened all wheel bolts and
raised the vehicle off the ground, remove and re
p lac e the whee l as follows:
Removing the wheel
"' Remove the topmost wheel bolt completely
with the
hexagonal socket in the screwdriver
handle (vehicle tool kit)
¢fig. 190 and set it
aside on a
clean surface.
"' Screw the threaded end of the
alignment pin
from the tool kit hand -tight into the empty bolt
hole
r=;, fig . 191 .
"'Then remove the other wheel bo lts as described
above.
"' Take off the wheel leaving the alignment pin in
the bolt hole
r=;, (D.
232
Putting on the spare tire
"'Push the spare tire over the alignment pin.
"' Scr ew on the whee l bolts and tighten them
slightly using the hexagona l socket.
"' Remove the alignment pin and insert and tight
en the remaining wheel bolt slightly like the
rest.
"' Turn the jack handle counter-clockw ise to lower
the vehicle until the jack is fully released .
"' Use the wheel bolt wrench to tighten a ll wheel
bolts firmly ¢
page 230. Tighten them in a
crisscross pattern,
from one bolt to the (ap
proximate ly) opposite one, to keep the whee l
centered.
"' Perform the steps required after changing the
wheel
r=;, page 229, After changing a wheel .
The hexagonal socket makes it easier to remove
the wheel bolts from the rim. Care should be tak
en when removing the reversible blade.
(D Note
When removing or installing the wheel, the
rim could hit the brake rotor and damage the
rotor. Work carefully and have a second per
son to help you.
(D Tips
-When mounting tires with unidirectional
tread design
make sure the tread pattern is
pointed the right way¢
page 233.
-The wheel bolts should be clean and easy to
turn. Check for dirt and corrosion on the
mating surfaces of both the wheel and the
hub. Remove all dirt from these surfaces be
fore remounting the wheel.
- Do not use the hexagonal socket in the
screwdriver handle to loosen or tighten the
wheel bolts .
Tires with unidirectional tread design
Tires with unidirectional tread design must be
mounted with their tread pattern pointed in the
right dir ection .
Using a spare tire with a tread pattern
intended for use in a specific direction
When us ing a spa re t ire with a tread pa tte rn in
tended fo r use in a specific direction, please note
the following:
- The direct ion of rotat io n i s marked by an
arrow
on the side of the tire .
-If the spare tire has to be installed in the incor
rect d irection, use the spare tire only tempora
rily s ince the tire w ill not be ab le to achieve its
opt imum performanc e ch arac teristics with re
gar d to a quaplaning, noise and wea r.
- We recommend that you pay particular atten
t io n t o this fac t during we t weat he r and that
yo u a dju st yo ur speed to match road condi
t ions.
- Replace the fla t tir e with a new one and have i t
i ns ta lled on yo ur vehicle a s soon as possible t o
res tore the handling advantages of a unid irec
t iona l tire .
Notes on wheel changing
Please read t he info rmation ¢ page 214, New
tires or wheels
i f you are going to use a spare tire
which is different from t he tires on your vehicle.
Afte r you change a tire:
- Check the tire pressure on the spare immedi
ately after installation .
- Have the wheel bolt tightening torque
checked with a torque wrench as soon as pos
sible by your authorized Audi dealer or quali
fied workshop.
- With steel and alloy wheel rims, the wheel
bolts are correctly tightened at a torque of 90
ft lbs. (120 Nm).
- If you notice that the wheel bolts are corroded
and difficult to turn while changing a tire ,
gi they should be replaced before you check the ......
~ tightening torque.
N ...... 0
0
LL 00
Emergency assistance
-Replace the flat tire with a new one and have
it installed on your vehicle as soon as possi
ble. Remount the wheel cover .
Until then , drive with extra care and at reduced
speeds.
_& WARNING
- If you are going to equip yo ur vehicle with
tires or r ims which differ from those wh ich
were factory installed, then be sure to read
the information
c> page 214, New tires or
wheels.
- Always make sure the damage d w heel or
even a flat tire and the jack and tool kit are proper ly secured in the luggage compart
men t an d ar e not loose in the passenger
compa rtme nt.
- In an accident or sudde n maneuver they
coul d fly forward, injuring a nyo ne in t he ve
h icl e.
- Always s tore damaged w heel, jack and tools
secure ly i n t he lu ggage compartmen t. Ot h
e rw ise, in an accident or sud den m aneuve r
they could fly forward, causing injury to pas
sen gers in t he veh icle.
(D Note
D o no t use c omm erc ially ava ilable tire se al
a nts. Otherwise, t he e lectr ical comp onents of
the tire p re ssu re m on ito ring syst em * w ill no
l on ger wor k pro perly and t he sensor fo r the
tire p ressure monito ring system* wi ll have to
b e replaced by qualifie d wo rkshop .
-
233