
Wheels 
  
differently even if they are the 
same size > A. 
>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 > 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. 
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 
is the same circumference as the 
regular tires. 
224 
  
  
Z\ WARNING 
—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 
     

83A012721BA 
Wheels 
  
  
ZA\ 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 tightening specifi- 
cation, see > page 245, Finishing. 
— 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 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 
fi 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 245, Finishing. 
fi 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. 
fi 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. 
  
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. 
(i) 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 216. An author- 
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa- 
cility can inform you about the maximum per- 
mitted speed for your tires. 
231 
>  

Emergency assistance 
  
> Find the marking on the sill that is closest to 
the tire that will be changed > fig. 157. Behind 
the marking, there is a lifting point on the side 
sill for the vehicle jack. 
> Raise the vehicle jack under the lifting point on 
the side sill until the bracket on the jack @) 
completely covers the notch on the vehicle. 
> Align the vehicle jack so the bracket @ covers 
the notch and the base (2) is flat on the ground. 
The base @) must be directly under the mount- 
ing point @. 
> Install  the rod  on the vehicle jack: Insert the 
rod  into the opening on the handwheel. Turn 
the crank to the left or right to secure it. 
> Continue raising the vehicle jack with the crank 
until the wheel lifts off the ground slightly. 
    
  
ZX WARNING 
— To reduce the risk of injury, make sure no 
one is in the vehicle before raising it. 
— Make sure the vehicle jack is stable. The risk 
of 
injury is increased when the ground is 
slippery or soft, because the vehicle jack 
could slide or sink. 
— Only raise your vehicle with the vehicle jack 
provided by the factory. If you use a vehicle 
jack designed for another vehicle, your vehi- 
cle could slip and cause injury. 
— Position the vehicle jack only at the desig- 
nated mounting points on the side sill and 
align  the jack. Otherwise, the vehicle jack 
could slip and cause an injury if it does not 
have sufficient hold on the vehicle. 
—To reduce the risk of injury, do not raise any 
other vehicles or other loads  using the  vehi- 
cle jack provided by the factory. 
— To reduce the risk of an accident, never start 
the engine when the vehicle is raised. 
—To reduce the risk of injury, support the  vehi- 
cle securely with suitable stands if work is to 
be performed underneath the vehicle. 
  
  
    
@) Note 
Do not lift the vehicle by the sill. Position the 
vehicle jack  only at the designated mounting 
points on the side sill. Otherwise, your vehicle 
could be damaged. 
244 
Removing and installing a wheel 
Fig. 159 Wheel: internal hex socket to turn the wheel bolts 
| 
© 
B8k-1477 
  
Fig. 160 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. 159 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. 160. 
> 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 245 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.