
4KE012721BB 
Wheels 
  
differently even if they are the 
same size > (\. 
>If you would like to equip your 
vehicle with a tire and rim com- 
bination that is different from 
what was installed at the facto- 
ry, consult with an authorized 
Audi dealer or authorized Audi 
Service Facility before making a 
purchase > A. 
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. 
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. 
  
  
Z\ WARNING 
—Do not  use steel rims  that are 
17 inches or larger. Otherwise, 
      
  
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. 
—Only use tires that are more 
than six years old when abso- 
lutely necessary and drive 
carefully when doing so. 
—Do not  use run-flat tires on 
your vehicle. Using them when 
    
251  

Wheels 
  
  
— Always have damaged rims repaired by  an 
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi 
Service Facility. Never repair or disassemble 
rims  yourself, because this increases the risk 
    
of an accident. 
  
Loose wheel warning 
Applies to: vehicles with loose wheel warning 
Within the limits of the system, the loose wheel 
warning in the instrument cluster warns you if 
one or more wheels are loose. 
Using the ABS sensors, the loose wheel warning 
system compares the vibration characteristics of 
the individual tires. If one or more wheels are 
loose, it will be indicated in the instrument clus- 
ter display with the fi indicator light and a mes- 
sage. If only one wheel is affected, the location 
of that wheel will be indicated. 
Messages 
fl Wheel bolts  loose. Please safely stop the ve- 
hicle and check all wheel bolts! 
Loose wheel warning for at least one wheel > A\. 
Check the wheel bolts on all wheels with the 
wheel wrench (vehicle tool kit). Have the tighten- 
ing specification checked as soon as possible with 
a torque wrench. Drive carefully until then. For 
the correct tightening specification, see 
=> page 274, Finishing. 
fl Wheel assessment active. Please continue 
driving carefully 
After this message appears and  you have checked 
the wheel bolts, the assessment phase begins 
when the vehicle is in motion. This may take sev- 
eral minutes. 
fl Loose wheel warning: malfunction! See 
owner's manual 
There is a system malfunction. Drive immediately 
to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi 
Service Facility to have the malfunction repaired. 
258 
Z\ WARNING 
Wheel bolts that are tightened incorrectly can 
become loose and result in loss of vehicle con- 
trol, which increases the risk of an accident. 
— If a message appears, reduce your speed im- 
mediately and avoid any hard steering or 
braking maneuvers. Stop as soon as possible 
and check the wheel bolts. 
— Check your wheels for damage. Have the 
damaged wheels checked and/or replaced 
immediately by  an authorized Audi dealer or 
authorized Audi Service Facility. 
— Under certain conditions (such as a sporty 
driving style, winter conditions, or unpaved 
roads), the message may be delayed. 
— The driver is responsible for ensuring that 
the wheels are attached correctly. 
G) Tips 
— The loose wheel warning system can also 
stop working when there is an ESC malfunc- 
tion. 
— Using snow chains may result in a system 
malfunction. 
Winter tires significantly improve the vehicle's 
handling when driving in winter conditions. Be- 
cause of their construction (width, compound, 
tread pattern), summer tires provide less traction 
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 > A\ in 
General information on page 243. An author- 
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa- 
cility can inform you about the maximum per- 
mitted speed for your tires. 
> Check the tire pressure after installing wheels 
= page 253. 
The effectiveness of winter tires is reduced great- 
ly when the tread is worn down to a depth of 
0.16 in (4 mm). The characteristics of winter tires >  

Emergency assistance 
  
Removing and installing a wheel 
@ Rg tT 
“% © oO 
  
B8K-1477 
  
    
  
Fig. 176 Wheel: alignment pin in the  top hole 
Removing a wheel 
>» Remove the top wheel bolt completely using 
the  hex socket in the screwdriver handle from 
the vehicle tool kit > fig. 175 and place it ona 
clean surface. 
> Then install the alignment pin from the vehicle 
tool kit in the empty wheel bolt hole by hand 
> fig. 176. 
> Remove the rest of the wheel bolts. 
>» Remove the wheel >(). The alignment pin re- 
mains in the hole while doing this. 
Installing a wheel 
Read the directions on > page 274 when instal- 
ling unidirectional tires. 
> Slide  the wheel on over the alignment pin >@. 
> Install  the wheel bolts and tighten them gently 
using the hex socket. 
» Remove the alignment pin and tighten the re- 
maining wheel bolt. 
> Carefully lower the vehicle using the vehicle 
jack*. 
> Tighten the wheel bolts in a diagonal pattern 
using the wheel wrench. 
274 
The wheel bolts must be clean and loosen and 
tighten easily. Check the contact surfaces for the 
wheel and hub. Contaminants on these surfaces 
must be removed before installing the wheel. 
  
ZA\ WARNING 
— Read and follow the important information 
and notes under > page 250. 
— Never use  the hex socket in the screwdriver 
handle to tighten the wheel bolts. Using the 
hex socket will not achieve the required 
tightening torque, which increases the risk 
of an accident. 
©) 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 help  you. 
Unidirectional tires 
A unidirectional tire profile is identified by arrows 
on the tire sidewall that point in the running di- 
rection. You must always maintain the specified 
running direction. This is necessary to ensure the 
tire's optimal performance in regard to adhesion, 
running noise, and friction, and to reduce the risk 
of 
hydroplaning. 
       
To benefit fully from the advantages of the uni- 
directional tire design, you should replace faulty 
tires as soon as possible and restore the correct 
running direction on all of the tires. 
> Reinstall the caps on the wheel bolts if necessa- 
ry. 
> Store the vehicle tool kit in its designated 
place. 
> If the removed wheel does not fit in the spare 
wheel well, store it securely in the luggage 
compartment > page 77. 
> Check the tire pressure on the installed wheel 
as soon as possible. 
> Correct the tire pressure and store it in the MMI 
=> page 262.