Useful information about wheels and tyres
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Handling wheels and tyres
⇒ Wheel rims and wheel bolts
⇒ Tyre pressure
⇒ Tread depth and wear indicators
⇒ Tyre damage
⇒ Spare wheel or temporary spare wheel
⇒ Tyre lettering and tyre type
⇒ Maximum load and speed range for tyres
⇒ Winter tyres
⇒ Snow chains
The tyres are the most used and most underestimated parts of a vehicle. Tyres are very important
as the narrow tyre surfaces are the only contact between the vehicle and the road.
The service life of tyres is dependent on tyre pressure, driving style, handling and correct fitting.
Differing tyre pressures or tyre pressures that are too low can cause tyre damage, tyre
failure, loss of vehicle control, accidents, serious injury and death.
•If the indicator lamp lights up, stop the vehicle as soon as possible and check all
the tyres ⇒ Useful information about wheels and tyres.
•Different tyre pressures or tyre pressures that are too low can increase wear on the
tyres, reduce vehicle stability and increase the braking distance.
•Differing tyre pressures or tyre pressures that are too low can cause sudden tyre
failure and lead to a tyre bursting and the loss of control over the vehicle.
•The driver is responsible for the correct tyre pressure of all tyres on the vehicle. The
recommended tyre pressure can be found on a sticker ⇒ Tyre pressure.
•The tyre monitoring system cannot function correctly until all cold tyres have the
correct tyre pressure.
•The pressure in all tyres must always be appropriate to the vehicle load ⇒ Tyre
pressure.
•Always inflate all tyres to the correct tyre pressure before every journey ⇒ Tyre
pressure.
•If the vehicle is driven with insufficient tyre pressure, this results in greater tyre flexing.
This could warm up the tyre to such an extent that the tread may separate and the tyre
could burst. This could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
•High speeds and overloading of the vehicle may cause the tyres to heat up to such an
extent that the tyre bursts, leading you to lose control of the vehicle.
•If the tyre pressure is too low or too high, the tyres will wear prematurely and the
vehicle will not handle well.
•If the tyre is not flat and it is not necessary to change the wheel immediately, drive at
low speed to the nearest qualified workshop and check and correct the tyre pressure
⇒ Tyre pressure.
WARNING
If your vehicle has a flat tyre, park the vehicle on a firm and level surface at a safe distance
from moving traffic.
Switch on the electronic parking brake Parking and manoeuvring.
With a DSG® dual clutch gearbox, move the selector lever to position P DSG® dual clutch
gearbox.
Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition Starting and stopping the engine.
Manual gearbox: select a gear Manual gearbox: selecting a gear.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The caps protect the wheel bolts and should be placed fully back in position after changing the
wheel.
Removing and fitting the caps
•Removing: take the wire hook from the vehicle tool kit ⇒ Vehicle toolkit.
•Insert the wire hook through the opening in the cap ⇒ Fig. 243 and pull off in the direction of
the arrow.
•Fitting: press the caps on the bolts as far as they will go.
The anti-theft wheel bolt has a separate cap. It only fits onto the anti-theft wheel bolts and not
onto conventional wheel bolts.
Changing a wheel
Introduction
This chapter contains information on the followingsubjects:
⇒ Preparations for changing a wheel
⇒ Wheel bolts
⇒ Lifting the vehicle with the jack
⇒ Changing a wheel
⇒ After changing a wheel
Some models are delivered from the factory without a jack or box spanner. If this is the case, the
wheel should be changed by a qualified workshop.
The vehicle jack supplied with the vehicle is only designed for changing a wheel when one vehicle
tyre is damaged and has to be replaced. If both tyres on one side of the vehicle, both tyres on one
axle, or all tyres are damaged, seek expert assistance.
Preparations for changing a wheel
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Checklist
The following actions must always be carried out in the given order in preparation for
changing the wheel ⇒:
Changing a wheel can be dangerous, especially when carried out at the side of a road.
Please note the following steps in order to reduce the risk of serious injuries:
•Stop the vehicle as soon as it is possible and safe to do so. Park the vehicle at a safe
distance from moving traffic in order to carry out the wheel change.
•All passengers and children in particular must be at a safe distance and away from
your area of work during the wheel change.
•Switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users.
•Check that the surface the vehicle is parked on is level and firm. If necessary use a
large, strong board or similar support for the vehicle jack.
•Only change the wheel yourself if you feel confident carrying out the procedure. If not,
seek expert assistance.
•Always use suitable and undamaged tools to change the wheel.
•Always switch off the engine, switch on the electronic parking brake and move the
selector lever to the position P or select a gear on a manual gearbox in order to reduce
the risk of unintended vehicle movement.
•The wheel bolt tightening torque should be checked with a torque wrench immediately
after changing a wheel.
•In the case of vehicles with a Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator, the system must be re-
synchronised immediately after new tyres are fitted ⇒ Tyre monitoring systems.
WARNING
Dispose of used or out-of-date sealant in accordance with legal requirements.
You can get a new tyre filler bottle from a Volkswagen dealership.
Observe the separate instructions from the manufacturer of the breakdown set.
Contents of the breakdown set
Fig. 249 The breakdown set.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The breakdown set is located underneath the floor covering in the luggage compartment. It
includes the following components ⇒ Fig. 249:
Valve core extractor.
Sticker with the maximum permitted speed max. 80 km/h or max. 50 mph.
Filler hose with plug.
Air compressor.
On/off switch
Air bleed screw.
Tyre pressure display.
Using the breakdown set can be dangerous, especially if the tyres are inflated at the
roadside. Please note the following steps in order to reduce the risk of serious injuries:
•Stop the vehicle as soon as it is possible and safe to do so. Park the vehicle at a safe
distance from moving traffic in order to fill the tyre.
•Check that the surface the vehicle is parked on is level and firm.
•All passengers, and children in particular, must be at a safe distance and away from
your area of work.
•Switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users.
•The breakdown set should only be used if you feel confident with carrying out the
procedure. If not, seek expert assistance.
•Tyres repaired with the breakdown set are intended for temporary, emergency use
only. They should only be used until you can reach the nearest qualified workshop.
•Tyres that have been repaired using the breakdown set should be replaced as soon as
possible.
•Sealant is hazardous to health and must be washed off immediately if it gets onto the
skin.
•The breakdown set must be stored out of the reach of children.
•Never use a vehicle jack, even if it is approved for the vehicle.
•Always switch off the engine, switch on the electronic parking brake and move the
selector lever to the position P or select a gear on a manual gearbox in order to reduce
the risk of unintended vehicle movement.
WARNING
Tyres that have been filled with sealant will not handle in the same way as a standard tyre.
•Never drive faster than 80 km/h (50 mph).
•Avoid full acceleration, sudden braking and fast driving through bends in the road.
•Drive for just 10 minutes at no more than 80 km/h (50 mph) and then check the tyre.
WARNING
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If you get a flat tyre, park your vehicle on a firm and level surface at a safe distance from
the flow of traffic.
Switch on the electronic parking brake Parking and manoeuvring.
With a DSG® dual clutch gearbox, move the selector lever to position P DSG® dual clutch
gearbox.
Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition Starting and stopping the engine.
Manual gearbox: select a gear Manual gearbox: selecting a gear.
Ask all vehicle occupants to leave the vehicle and stand at a safe distance away from
moving traffic.
Switch on the hazard warning lights and position the warning triangle In an emergency.
Observe any legal requirements.
Check whether the puncture can be repaired with the breakdown set The tyre sealant must
not be used:.
When towing a trailer: unhitch the trailer from the vehicle and park it properly .
Remove any items of luggage from the luggage compartment.
Take the breakdown set out of the luggage compartment.
Take the sticker ② from the breakdown set and stick it on the dash panel within the
driver's field of vision.
Do not remove foreign objects (e.g. screws or nails) from the tyre.
Tyre filler hose.
12-volt plug.
Tyre filler bottle with sealant.
Spare valve core.
There is a slot on the lower end of the valve insert extractor① for the valve insert. This is
required for extracting and fitting the tyre valve. This also applies to the spare valve core ⑪.
Could also be integrated in the tyre filler hose.
Preparation
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Checklist
Always carry out the following actions in the given order ⇒:
Sealing and inflating tyres
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Sealing a tyre
•Unscrew the cap from the tyre valve.
•Use the valve core extractor ⇒ Fig. 249① to screw the valve core out of the tyre valve. Place
the core on a clean surface.
•Shake the tyre filler bottle ⇒ Fig. 249⑩ vigorously up and down several times.
•Screw the filler hose ⇒ Fig. 249③ tightly onto the tyre filler bottle in a clockwise direction. The
plastic foil on the plug is pierced automatically.
•Remove the plug from the filler hose ⇒ Fig. 249③ and place the open end fully on the tyre
valve.
•Hold the bottle upside down and inject the entire contents of the tyre filler bottle into the tyre.
•Remove the empty tyre filler bottle from the valve.
•Use the valve core extractor ⇒ Fig. 249① to screw the valve core back onto the tyre valve.
Inflating the tyre
•Screw the tyre filler hose ⇒ Fig. 249⑧ of the air compressor tightly onto the tyre valve.
•Check that the bleed screw ⇒ Fig. 249⑥ is closed.
•Start the engine and let it run.
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Ignoring any of the items on this important safety checklist can lead to accidents and
severe injuries.
•Always follow the instructions in the checklist and observe the general safety
procedures.
WARNING
Use the Volkswagen Genuine de-icing agent (- 000 096 322 -) to remove ice.
Wiper blades:⇒ Wiper blades.
Paintwork: always treat surfaces carefully in order to prevent damage to the paint coat. Use a
clean, soft cloth and a mild soap solution or cleaning clay to remove any light dirt immediately, e.g.
deposits, insect residue, or cosmetics.
Repair minor paint damage with a touch-up pen. Refer to the vehicle data sticker for the paint code
⇒ Technical data. Consult a qualified workshop in the event of damage to surfaces with matt paint.
•Overflowing fuel or service fluids: clean immediately.
•Flash rust deposits: moisten deposits with a soap solution. Then remove any deposits with
cleaning clay.
•Corrosion: have removed by a qualified workshop.
•Water no longer forms beads on clean paint: preserve paintwork at least twice a year using
Volkswagen Genuine hard wax (- 000 096 317 -).
•No gloss in spite of preservation/paint unattractive: treat the vehicle with suitable polish after
cleaning to remove dirt and dust.
Plenum chamber, engine compartment: remove leaves and other loose objects with a vacuum
cleaner or by hand ⇒ Fig. 251⇒. Cleaning of the engine compartment should always be
performed by a qualified workshop ⇒.
Water that has entered the plenum chamber via a manual process (e.g. from a high-pressure
cleaner) can cause considerable damage to the vehicle.
Sensors, camera lenses: clean the area in front of the sensors or camera with a soft cloth and
solvent-free cleaning agent. Observe the installation locations ⇒ Vehicle overviews.
•Switch on the ignition.
•Move the selector lever to position R.
•Clean the camera lens.
Clean sensitive surfaces on the rain/light sensor and the camera window on the windscreen in the
same way as windows and glass surfaces (depending on vehicle equipment).
Remove snow with a brush. Do not use warm or hot water.
Use the Volkswagen Genuine de-icing agent (- 000 096 322 -) to remove ice.
Decorative films, protective films: remove soiling in the same way as for paint. Always use
Volkswagen Genuine plastic cleaner (- 000 096 314 -) for matt decorative films.
Treat the vehicle with liquid hard wax every three months after washing and removing dust. Only
use clean, soft microfibre clothes to apply it. Do not use hot wax, also not in car washes!
•Stubborn dirt: remove carefully using white spirits, and then rinse using warm water.
Trim parts, trim strips, exhaust pipes made of chrome, aluminium or stainless steel: clean
only in a dust-free environment using a clean, soft cloth and a mild soap solution.
Chrome parts can be protected using Volkswagen Genuine hard wax (- 000 096 317 -).
Anodised surfaces: do not use chrome cleaning products.
Headlights, tail light clusters: use a soft sponge soaked with a mild soap solution. Do not use
any cleaning agents that contain alcohol or solvents.
•Stubborn dirt: remove with Volkswagen Genuine chrome and aluminium care product (-
000 096 319 D -).
Wheels: remove dirt and gritting salt deposits with plenty of water.
Alloy wheels: treat dirty aluminium wheels with Volkswagen Genuine wheel cleaner (- 000 096 304
-). Volkswagen recommends treating the wheel rims with Volkswagen Genuine hard wax (-
000 096 317 -) every three months.
•Damage protective paint coating: repair immediately with a touch-up pen. Go to a qualified
workshop if necessary.
•Brake dust: use Volkswagen Genuine wheel rim cleaner (- 000 096 304 -).
Door lock cylinders: Volkswagen recommends using Volkswagen Genuine de-icing agent (-
000 096 322 -) for de-icing. Do not use door lock de-icers containing substances that dissolve
grease.
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authorization symbol). These devices include cruise control systems or an electronically controlled
suspension.
Any additional electrical components fitted that do not serve to control the vehicle itself must
bear the mark (manufacturer conformity declaration in the European Union). Such devices
include refrigerator boxes, laptops and ventilator fans.
Repairs and technical modifications
Repairs and technical modifications must always be carried out according to Volkswagen
specifications⇒.
Unauthorised modifications to the electronic components or software in the vehicle may cause
malfunctions. As the electronic components are linked together in networks, these faults may
indirectly affect the working of other systems. This can seriously impair safety, lead to excessive
wear of components, and also invalidate the type approval for the vehicle.
The Volkswagen dealership cannot be held liable for any damage caused by technical
modifications and/or work performed incorrectly.
The Volkswagen dealership is not responsible for damage caused by technical modifications and/or
work performed incorrectly. Such damage is not covered by the Volkswagen guarantee.
Volkswagen recommends that all repairs and technical modifications be performed by an
authorised Volkswagen workshop using Volkswagen Genuine Parts.
Volkswagen repair information
Volkswagen Service information and official Volkswagen repair information can be purchased for a
fee.
Customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Central and South America: please contact a
Volkswagen dealership or qualified workshop or register on the online portal erWin (electronic
repair and workshop information):
https://erwin.volkswagen.de
erWin is available in numerous languages.
Vehicles with special auxiliary equipment or body parts
The manufacturer of these components must ensure that these parts (fittings) adhere to the
stipulated environmental laws and regulations, particularly the EU directive 2000/53/EC concerning
end-of-life vehicles and EU directive 2003/11/EC concerning the restriction on the marketing and
use of certain dangerous substances and preparations.
The vehicle owner should keep all assembly documentation for these auxiliary fittings, and pass it
on to any scrapping company later engaged. This is to facilitate environmentally responsible
disposal for all vehicles, including refitted vehicles.
Windscreen repairs
To function properly, some items of equipment require an electrical or electronic module, which is
located on the inside of the windscreen near the interior mirror. If the windscreen has been
damaged in the viewing field of the electrical or electronic module, e.g. by stone impact, the
windscreen must be replaced. Repairing the crack can lead to malfunctions or functional faults in
the equipment.
After changing the windscreen, the camera and sensors must be set up and calibrated by a
qualified workshop.
Impairment or damage to sensors and cameras
Incorrect repairs, retrofit structural modifications to the vehicle, e.g. lowering the body, add-on parts
on the vehicle or trailer ⇒ Trailer towing, or changes to the trim may lead to the sensors or
cameras being disrupted or damaged. This can also be caused by collisions, e.g. when parking.
Failure to observe this may impair important functions (driver assist systems) and damage the
vehicle.
The area in front of and around the sensors and cameras must not be covered by stickers,
additional headlights, trim frames for number plates or similar.
Incorrectly performed repairs or modifications to your vehicle can impair the effectiveness
of the airbags, cause malfunctions, accidents and fatal injury.
•Never secure or mount objects such as drink holders or telephone holders either on or
next to the airbag covers or within the deployment zones of the airbag modules.
•Objects either on or next to the airbag module covers or are in the deployment zone of
the airbags can cause serious or even fatal injuries should the airbags be activated.
WARNING
®
Data storage and services
Your vehicle is fitted with electronic control units. Some of these are required to make sure your
vehicle remains safe while others provide support while driving (driver assist systems).
Furthermore, your vehicle is equipped with convenience and Infotainment functions, which are also
made possible using electronic control units.
Electronic control units contain data memories that can store information regarding the vehicle
status, component load levels, maintenance requirements, technical events and faults on a
temporary or permanent basis. This information generally documents the status of a component, a
module, a system or the environment, e.g.:
•Operating states of system components, e.g. filling levels, tyre pressure, battery status.
•Status messages from the vehicle or its individual components, e.g. wheel revolutions or speed,
deceleration, lateral acceleration, display of fastened seat belts.
•Faults or malfunctions in important system components, e.g. lights, brakes.
•Information on events which damaged the vehicle.
•System reactions to specific driving situations, triggering of an airbag, intervention the stability
control systems.
•Ambient conditions, e.g. temperature, rain.
As well as performing the actual control unit functions, these data are also used to detect and
rectify faults and help Volkswagen to improve vehicle functions. The majority of these data are
temporary are processed only within the vehicle itself. Only a very small amount of data is stored in
the event memories or possibly on the vehicle key.
Reading out the vehicle's event memory
There is a diagnostic interface in the vehicle interior for reading out the event memories (on-board
diagnostic system) ⇒.
If you have service work performed on your vehicle, the technical data can be read out of the
vehicle together with the vehicle identification number by service employees, e.g. workshops, or
third parties such as breakdown services. Service work includes, for example, repairs,
maintenance, warranty work or quality assurance measures. The service workshop or third party
collects, processes and uses the data. The data document the vehicle's technical status, help in
troubleshooting and in improving quality and may be sent to Volkswagen in some cases.
Furthermore, the manufacturer is subject to legal product safety requirements. To make sure it
complies with these requirements, the manufacturer requires technical data from the vehicles.
Event memories in the vehicle can be reset by a service workshop as part of repair or service work.
The event memory should only be read and reset by a qualified workshop. Additional information on
the stored data is available from qualified workshops.
After a fault has been rectified, the information in the memory pertaining to the fault is deleted.
Other memory content is overwritten on an ongoing basis.
Event data recorder
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder. The main task of an event data recorder is to
record data in particular accident scenarios or accident-like situations, e.g. in the event of airbags
being triggered or a collision with an obstacle on the road. These data help in analysis of how a
vehicle system behaved in these situations. The event data recorder records data relating to driving
dynamics and the restraint system for a short period of 10 s or less. This information includes, for
example:
•how various systems in your vehicle have functioned.
•whether the seat belts of the driver and front passenger were fastened.
•the extent to which the driver pressed the brake or accelerator pedal.
•how fast the vehicle was travelling.
These data help to obtain a better understanding of the circumstances in the situations where
accidents and injuries have occurred.
Data from driver assist systems are also recorded. In addition to information about whether the
systems were switched on or off, available only to a restricted extent or inactive, it is also possible
to determine whether these functions steered, accelerated or braked the vehicle in the above-
described situations. Depending on the vehicle equipment, these systems include the following:
•Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).
•Lane keeping system (Lane Assist).
•Park Assist.
•Park Distance Control.
•Emergency braking functions (Front Assist).
The data of the event data recorder are recorded only if a particular accident-like situation occurs.
No recordings occur under normal driving conditions. Audio or video data from the vehicle interior
or vehicle surroundings are not stored. Personal data such as name, gender age or accident
location are also not recorded at any time. However, third parties such as law enforcement
agencies can use corresponding means to link the content of the event data recorder with other
sources of data and thus establish a reference to persons as part of an accident investigation.