Wheels
-Have an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facili
ty check the wheel alignment if
there is unusual wear .
-Have the wheels rebalanced if an
imbalance is causing noticeable
vibration in the steering wheel. If you do not, the tires and other
vehicle components could wear more quickly.
Treadwear indicator
Original equipment tires contain
treadwear indicators in the tread
pattern, which are bars that are 1/16 in (1.6 mm) high and are
spaced evenly around the tire per pendicular to the running direc
tion. The letters "TWI" or trian
gles on the tire sidewall indicate
the location of the treadwear in
dicators.
The tires have reached the mini mum tread depth
l) when they
have worn down to the treadwear
indicators. Replace the tires with
new ones
c:::> ..&. .
Tire rotation
Rotating the tires regularly is rec
ommended to ensure the tires
1> Obey any applicable regulations in your
country.
292
wear evenly. To rotate the tires,
install the tires from the rear axle
on the front axle and vice versa .
This will allow the tires to have
approximately the same length of
service life.
For unidirectional tires, make
sure the tires are installed accord
ing to the running direction indi
cated on the tire sidewall
c:::>page 319.
Hidden damage
Damage to tires and rims can of
ten occur in locations that are hidden . Unusual vibrations in the
vehicle or pulling to one side may indicate that there is tire damage.
Reduce your speed immediately.
Check the tires for damage. If no
damage is visible from the out
side, drive slowly and carefully to
the nearest authorized Audi deal
er or authorized Audi Service Fa
cility to have the vehicle inspect
ed .
.&_ WARNING
Tread that has worn too low or
different tread depths on the
tires can reduce driving safety. ,..
Emergency assistance
Taking the wheel off/installing the spare
Follow these instructions step-by-step for chang
ing the wheel .
Fig. 281 Changing a wheel: using the screw driver handle
(with the blade removed) to turn the bolts
Fig. 282 Chang ing a whee l: alignment pin inside the top
hole
After you have loosened all wheel bolts and
raised the vehicle off the ground, remove and re
place the wheel as follows:
Removing the wheel
• Use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver
handle
to completely remove the topmost
wheel bolt and set it aside on a
clean surface
¢fig. 281.
• Screw the threaded end of the alignment pin
from the tool kit hand-tight into the empty bolt
hole
c> fig. 282 1) _
• Then remove the other wheel bolts as described
above.
•Ta keoff the wheel leaving the alignment pin in
the bolt hole ¢0 .
l) Applies to vehicles w ith ce ram ic b rake rotors*: Use a sec
ond alignment pin* (sto red in th e spa re wheel well mo ld
ing) for the lower hole, follow ing the description for the
firs t alignment pin.
318
Putting on the spare wheel
• Lift the spare wheel and carefully slide it over
the alignment pin to guide it in place ¢0 .
• Use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver
handle to screw in and tighten all wheel bolts
slightly.
• Remove the alignment pin and insert and tight
en the remaining wheel bolt slightly like the
rest.
• Turn the jack handle counter-clockwise to lower
the vehicle until the jack is fully released.
• Use the wheel bolt wrench to tighten all wheel
bolts firmly¢
page 315. Tighten them cross
wise,
from one bolt to the (approximately) op
posite one, to keep the wheel centered.
(D Note
When removing or installing the wheel, the
rim could hit the brake rotor/ceramic brake
rotor* and damage the rotor. Work carefully
and have a second person help you.
(D Tips
Never use the hexagonal socket in the handle
of the screwdriver to loosen or tighten the
wheel bolts.
- Pull the reversible blade from the screwdriv
er before you use the hexagonal socket in
the handle to turn the wheel bolts.
- When mounting tires with
unidirectional
tread design
make sure the tread pattern is
pointed the right way¢
page 319.
-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.
