Wheels
replaced 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.
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
252
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
not permitted can lead to ve-
hicle damage or accidents.
—If you install wheel covers on
the vehicle, make sure they al-
low enough air circulation to
cool the brake system. If they
do not, this could increase the
risk of an accident.
Tire wear and damage
B4H-0415
Fig. 192 Tire profile: treadwear indica-
tor
4S1012721BA
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 276, 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.
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 244. 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 254.
The effectiveness of winter tires is reduced great-
ly when the tread is worn down to a depth of
0.157 in (4 mm). The characteristics of winter
tires also decrease greatly as the tire ages, re-
gardless of the remaining tread.
@ For the sake of the environment
Reinstall summer tires at the appropriate
time, because they provide better handling
when roads are free of snow and ice. Summer
tires cause less road noise, tire wear, and fuel
consumption.
@) Tips
You can also use all season tires instead of
winter tires. Please note that in some coun-
tries where winter tires are required, only win-
ter tires with the 4 symbol may be permit-
ted.
Snow chains improve both driving and braking in
winter road conditions.
> Only install snow chains on the rear wheels.
> Check and correct the seating of the snow
chains after driving a few feet, if necessary. Fol-
low the instructions from the manufacturer.
> Note the maximum speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h). Observe the local regulations.
Use of snow chains is only permitted with certain
rim/tire combinations due to technical reasons.
Check with an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility to see if you may use
snow chains.
You must remove the snow chains on roads with-
out snow. Otherwise, you could impair driving
ability and damage the tires.
ZA\ WARNING
Using incorrect snow chains or installing snow
chains incorrectly can result in loss of vehicle
control, which increases the risk of an acci-
dent.
CG) Note
— Snow chains can damage the rims and
wheel covers* if the chains come into direct
contact with them. Remove the wheel cov-
ers* first. Use coated snow chains.
— Using snow chains that add more than 0.53
in (13,5 mm) of height can severely damage
the wheel housings and other vehicle com-
ponents.
@) Tips
When using snow chains, it may be advisable
to limit the ESC > page 87.
259
Emergency assistance
Removing and mounting a wheel
2 i
2 Q
+ ao
B4s-0154
Fig. 205 Wheel: alignment pin in the top and bottom
holes
Removing a wheel
> Remove the top and bottom wheel bolts com-
pletely using the hex socket in the screwdriver
handle (in the vehicle tool kit) > fig. 204 and
place it on a clean surface.
> Install the alignment pins (from the vehicle
tool kit) by hand into the empty holes
> fig. 205.
> Remove the rest of the wheel bolts.
> Remove the wheel >(@). The alignment pins re-
main in the holes.
Installing a wheel
Read the directions on > page 276 when instal-
ling unidirectional tires.
> Slide the wheel on over the alignment pins
>©.
> Install the wheel bolts and tighten them gently
using the hex socket.
> Remove the alignment pins and also tighten
the remaining wheel bolts.
> Carefully lower the vehicle using the vehicle
jack*.
276
> Tighten the wheel bolts in a diagonal pattern
using the wheel wrench.
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 251.
— 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.
> Make sure that the wheel that was removed,
the vehicle tool kit, and the vehicle jack* are se-
curely stored in the luggage compartment
=> page 54.