a co ,...,
N
" N ,...,
0 00 <..:l '
you into taking risks. This could increase
your risk of a collision.
- Please note the risk of a co llision increases
when driving fast, especially through curves
and on slippery or wet roads, and when driv
ing too close to objects ahead. The ESC and
its integrated systems cannot always pre
vent collisions -there is still a risk of acci
dents!
- Press the accelerator pedal carefully when
accelerating on even, slippery surfaces such
as ice and snow. The drive wheels can spin
Switching on /off
Intelligent Technology
even when these control systems are instal
led and this can affect driving stability and increase the risk of a collision.
(D Tips
- ABS and ASR only function correctly when
all four wheels are equipped with identical
tires. Different tire sizes can lead to a reduc tion in engine power.
- You may hear noises when the systems de
scribed are working.
ESC turns on automatically when you start the engine.
Fig . 138 Ce nter console: O FF ~ button
The following examples are unusual situations
where it may make sense to switch sport mode
on in order to allow the wheels to spin:
ESC levels
Sport mode on
- Rocking the vehicle to free it when it is stuck
- Driving in deep snow or on loose ground
- Driving with snow chains
Applies to: RS models: the ESC is designed to
function in levels. Depending on the level that is
selected, the stabil izat ion function of the ESC is
limited or switched off. The amount of stabiliza
tion control will differ depending on the level.
Sport mode off
Behavior
The ESC and ASR stabilization functions Th
e full stabilization function of the ESC
are limited
c:::> &. . and ASR is available again.
Operation Press the I~ OFF I button . Press the I~ OF FI button again .
Indicator .turns on. II turns off.
lights
Me ssa ges Stabilization control (ESC): Sport Warn- Stabilization control (ESC): On
ing! Reduced stability
121
Wheels
Tire designations
Fig. 187 Tire designations on the side
wall
(D Tires for passenger vehicles
(if applicable)
"P" indicates a tire for a passenger
vehicle. "T" indicates a tire desig
nated for temporary use.
@ Nominal width
Nominal width of the tire be
tween the sidewalls in millime
ters. In general: the larger the
number, the wider the tire.
@ Aspect ratio
Height/width ratio expressed as a
percentage.
206
@ Tire construction
R indicates a radial tire.
® Rim diameter
Size of the rim diameter in inches.
® Load index and speed rating
The load index indicates the tire's
load-carrying capacity.
The speed rating indicates the maximum permitted speed. Also
see
¢ A in General information
on page 205.
"EXTRA LOAD", "xl" or "RF" indi
cates that the tire is reinforced or
is an Extra Load tire.
Speed rat-
Maximum permitted speed
ing
p
up to 93 mph (150 km/h)
Q up to 99 mph (160 km/h)
R up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
5 up to 1 1 0 mph (180 km/h)
T up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
u up to 124 mph (200 km/h)
H up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V up to 149 mph (240 km/h)al
z abov e 149 mph (240 km/h) al
w up to 168 mph (270 km/h)al
y up to 186 mph (300 km/h) al
a) For tires above 149 mph (240 km/h),
tire manufacturers sometimes use the
code "ZR".
Wheel s
Glossary of tire and loading
terminology
Accessory weight
means the combined weight (in
excess of those standard items
which may be replaced) of auto matic transmission, power steer
ing , power brakes , power win
dows , power seats, radio, and
heater, to the extent that these
items are available as factory-in
stalled equipment (whether in
stalled or not).
Aspect ratio
means the ratio of the height to
the width of the tire in percent. Numbers of 55 or lower indicate a
low sidewall for improved steer
ing response and better overall
handling on dry pavement .
Bead
means the part of the tire that is
made of steel wires, wrapped or
reinforced by ply cords and that is
shaped to fit the rim.
Bead separation
means a breakdown of the bond
between components in the bead.
208
Cord
means the strands forming the
plies in the tire.
Cold tire inflation pressure
means the t ire pressure recom
mended by the vehicle manufac
turer for a tire of a designated
size that has not been driven for
more than a couple of miles (kilo
meters) at low speeds in the
three hour period before the tire pressure is measured or adjusted.
Curb weight
means the weight of a motor ve
hicle w ith standard equipment in
cluding the maximum capacity of
fuel, oil, and coolant, ai r condi
tioning and additional weight of
optional equipment.
E x tra load ti re
means a tire designed to operate
at higher loads and at higher in
flation pressures than the corre
sponding standard tire. Extra load
tires may be identified as "X L",
"
l" "EXTRA LOAD" or "RF" on X I I
the sidewall. .,.
Wheels
Production options we igh t
means the combined weight of
those installed regular production
options weighing over 5 lbs.
(2.3 kg) in excess of those stand
ard items which they replace, not previously considered in curb
weight or accessory weight, in
cluding heavy duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.
Radial pl y tir e
means a pneumatic tire in which
the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at substantially
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
R ecomm ended in flation
pressure
see ¢ page 208 , Cold tire infla
tion pressure.
R einforced tire
means a tire designed to operate
at higher loads and at higher in
flation pressures than the corre
sponding standard tire . Rein
forced tires may be identified as
"XL" "xl" "EXTRA LOAD" or "RF" , , ,
on the sidewall.
210
Rim
means a metal support for a tire
or a tire and tube assembly upon
which the tire beads are seated.
Rim diam eter
means nominal diameter of the
bead seat . If you change your
wheel size, you will have to pur
chase new tires to match the new rim diameter .
Rim size designation
means rim diameter and width.
Rim width
means nomina l distance between
r im
flanges .
Sidewall
means that portion of a tire be
tween the tread and bead .
Speed rating (letter code )
means the speed at which a tire is
designed to be driven for extend
ed periods of time. The ratings range from 93 mph (150 km/h)
to
186 mph (298 km/h) ¢ table
on page 206 .
You may not find
this information on all tires be
cause it is not required by law .
The speed rating letter code,
where applicable, is molded on
the tire sidewall and indicates the
...
Wheels
by the tire manufacturer. This in
formation is used to contact con sumers if a tire defect requires a recall.
Vehicle capacity weight
means the rated cargo and lug
gage load plus 150 lbs. (68 kilo
grams) times the vehicle's desig nated seating capacity .
Vehicle maximum load on the
tire
means that load on an individual
tire that is determined by distrib
uting to each axle its share of the
maximum loaded veh ic le weight
and dividing by two.
Vehicle normal load on the tire
means that load on an individual
tire that is determined by distrib
uting to each axle its share of the
curb weight, accessory weight,
and normal occupant weight (dis
tr ibuted in accordance
with¢ ta
ble on page
2 17) and d ividing by
two .
Occupant loading and distri
bution for vehicle normal load
for various designated seating capacities
Re fer to the tire inflation pres
sure
label¢ page 215, fig. 190
2 12
for the n umbe r of seating posi
tions. Refer to the
table ¢ table
on page
217 for the number of
people tha t correspond to the ve
hicle normal load .
New tires or wheels
Audi recommends having all work
on t ires or wheels performed by
an authorized Audi dealer or au
thorized Audi Service Facility.
These facilities have the proper
know ledge and are eq uipped with
the required too ls and rep lace
ment parts.
1>- New tires do not yet have the
optim um gripping properties.
Drive carefully and at moderate
speeds for the first 35 0 m iles
(500 km) with new tires .
1>-Qnly use tires with the same de
sign, size ( rolling circumfer
ence) , and as close to t he same
tread pattern as possible on a ll
four wheels .
.,.Applies to: RS models: only use
tires with the same design, size (ro lling circumfere nce), and the
same tread pattern on all four
whee ls.
1>- Do not replace tires individually.
At least replace bo th tires on the
same axle at the same time .
.,.
..,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
i=:> &, .
..,If you 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
i=:> &, .
Because the spare tire* is differ
ent from the regular tires instal
led on the vehicle (such as winter
tires or wide tires), only use the spare tire* temporarily in case of
emergency and drive carefully
while it is in use. It should be re
placed with a regular tire as soon
as possible.
Applies to: vehicles with all wheel drive: 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 dam aged by different wheel speeds .
~ For this reason, in case of emer-
-~ gency, only use a spare tire* that
-0
"' \.) ..
Wheels
is the same circumference as the
regular tires.
&_ WARNING
-
-Do not use steel rims that are
17 inches or larger. Other
wise, damage to the vehicle
and an accident could result.
-Only use tire/rim combina tions and suitable wheel bolts
that have been approved by
Audi. Otherwise, damage to
the vehicle and an accident
could result.
-For technical reasons, it is not possible to use tires from oth
er vehicles -in some cases,
you cannot even use tires from the same vehicle model.
-Make sure that the tires you select have enough clearance
to the vehicle. Replacement
tires should not be chosen
simply based on the nominal
size, because tires with a dif
ferent construction can differ
greatly even if they are the
same size. If there is not
enough clearance, the tires or
the vehicle can be damaged
and this can reduce driving
safety and increase the risk of
an accident.
...
213
a co .... N
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Please note that the information
contained in the following table
was correct at the time of print
ing, and the information is sub
ject to change. If there are differ
ences between this information
and the tire pressures specified
on the label on the driver's side
B
pillar, always follow the specifica
tion on the B-pillar label
¢ page 215, fig. 189.
Model/ Tire designation
Engine
Wheels
Make sure that the tire designa
tion on your tire matches the des
ignation on the tire pressure label
and the tire pressure table.
The following table lists recom mended tire pressures in cold
tires according to the load and
the size of the tires installed.
Tire pressure
Normal load Maximum load
(up to
2/3* people)a>
front rear front rear
PSI kPA PSI kPA PSI kPA PSI kPA
A7: 235/55 Rl 7 99V
32 220 29 200 35 240
38 260
3.0L
255/45 Rl8 99H 32 220 29 200 35 240 38 260
6 cylinders
255/45 Rl8 99V 32 220 29 200 35 240
38 260
255/40 Rl9 l00H 35 240 32 220 38 260 41
280
255/40 Rl9 l00Y 36 250 32 220
38 2
60 41 280
265/35 R20 99H 35 240 32 220 38 260 41
280
265/35 R20 99V 36 250 32 220
38 260 41 280
275/30 R21 98V 38 260 33 230 39 270 41
280
57: 265/35 R20 99V 41 280
35 240 44 300 44 300
4.0L
255/40 Rl9 l00Y 39 270 33 230 42
290 42
290
a-cylinder
275/30 R21 98V 41 280 35 240 44 300 44 300
RS 7 Sportback: 275/35 ZR20 102V 36 250 30 210 39 270 39 270
4.0 L 275/30 ZR21 9aY 41
280 38 260 45 310 45 310
a-cylinder
RS 7 Sportback 275/30 ZR21
9aY 46 320 44 300 51 350 51 350
performance:
4.0 L a-cylinder
a ) Vehicles with 4 seating positions: two people in the front, Vehicles with 5 seating
positions:
two people in the front, one person in the rear
217
Wheels
- Traction AA A B C
- T emperature ABC
Quality grades can be found where appl icable on
the tire side wall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width
~ page 206, fig. 187.
For example: Tread wear 200, Traction AA, Tem
perature
A .
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under contro lled conditions on a specified gov
ernment test course.
F or examp le, a tire graded
150 would wear one
and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the govern
ment course as a tire graded
100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon
the actua l conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
d ifferences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, Band
C. T hose grades represent the tire's
abi lity to stop on wet pavement as measured un
der controlled conditions on specified govern ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance
~ .&..
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to d iss ipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the mate rial of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excess ive temperature can lead to sudden
tire
fa ilure ~.&. .
The grade C corresponds to a level of perform
ance which a ll passenger car tires must meet un-
222
der the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No.
109. Grades Band A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
A WARNING -
The tract ion grade assigned to this t ire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor
nering, hydroplaning or peak traction charac
teristics .
A WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab
lished for a tire tha t is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
A WARNING
-
-
Temperature grades apply to tires that are
proper ly inflated and not over or underinflat
ed.
Tire pressure monitoring system
ill General notes
Each tire, including the spare (if prov ided),
shou ld be checked monthly when cold and inflat
ed to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label. (If your veh icle has
t ir es of a diffe rent size t han the size ind icated on
the vehicl e placard or tire infl ation press ure la
bel, you sho uld determine the proper tire infla
tion pressure for those tires).
As an added safety featu re, you r vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure tell
ta le when one or more of your tires is significant
l y under-inflated. According ly, w hen the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your t ires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Dr iving on a
.,..