Handling wheels and tyres
Fig. 235 Diagram showing how to swap wheels.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The wheels and tyres approved by Volkswagen have been carefully selected.
Rotating wheels front to rear
Regularly rotating the wheels as shown in the illustration ⇒ Fig. 235 is recommended to help
ensure that tyres wear evenly. All the tyres will then last for about the same time.
Volkswagen recommends having the wheels changed by a qualified workshop.
Avoiding damage to the rims and tyres
•Always drive over kerbs slowly and at a right angle.
•Check the tyre pressure regularly.
•Never exceed the top speed and load permitted for the tyres that are fitted ⇒ Tyre lettering and
tyre type.
•Damaged or worn tyres must be replaced immediately ⇒ Tyre damage.
•Protect the wheels from contact with corrosive substances, including oils, lubricants, fuel and
brake fluid ⇒.
•Replace missing dust caps immediately.
Tyres that are older than 6 years
Tyres age through physical and chemical processes that can impair their function. Tyres that have
been stored unused for an extended period of time age quicker than tyres that are used all the time.
New tyres or tyres which are old, worn down or damaged cannot provide full levels of
vehicle control and braking power.
•Incorrect handling of wheels and tyres can reduce vehicle safety and cause accidents
and serious injuries.
•All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size (rolling
circumferenceyf D Q G W K H V D P H W U H D G .
•New tyres will have to be run in as they will initially have reduced grip and braking
effect. Drive particularly carefully for the first 600 km in order to prevent accidents and
serious injury.
•Check tyre pressures regularly when the tyres are cold, and always keep to the
specified value. If the tyre pressure is too low, it is possible that the tyre temperature
will increase to such an extent when driving that the tread peels off and the tyre bursts.
•Never drive with worn tyres or tyres that are damaged (cuts, cracks or blistersyf ' U L Y L Q J
with tyres in this condition can result in blown tyres, accidents and serious injuries.
Worn or damaged tyres must be replaced as soon as possible.
•Never exceed the top speed and load permitted for the fitted tyres.
•The effectiveness of the driver assist systems and brake support systems depends on
the tyre grip.
•If you notice unusual vibrations or if the vehicle pulls to one side when driving, stop
the car immediately and check the wheels and tyres for damage.
•In order to reduce the risk of losing control of the vehicle, and the risk of accident and
serious injury, never loosen the bolts on wheel rims with bolted on wheel rim rings.
•Do not use wheels or tyres if you do not know their history. Used wheels and tyres
could be damaged, even if the damage is not visible.
•Even if they have not been used, old tyres can suddenly lose pressure or burst,
especially at high speeds, and thus cause accidents and serious injuries. Avoid using
tyres that are more than six years old. If you have no alternative, drive slowly and with
extra care at all times.
WARNING
Find a firm and level surface suitable for lifting the vehicle.
Stop the engine, with a manual gearbox select a gear or with a DSG® dual clutch gearbox
move the selector lever to position P DSG® dual clutch gearbox and switch on the
electronic parking brake Parking and manoeuvring.
Chock both wheels on the opposite side of the vehicle using the collapsible chocks or
other suitable objects.
Loosen the wheel bolts Wheel bolts.
Find the jacking point under the vehicle which is closest to the wheel that is being
changed.
Insert the hand crank into the opening on the jack (depending on equipmentyf .
Crank up the jack until it just fits under the jacking point of the vehicle.
Ensure that the entire surface of the foot of the jack is resting securely on the ground, and
that the foot of the jack is positioned fully underneath the point of application and .
Position the jack and simultaneously continue to crank the claw up until it is in position
around the vertical rib underneath the vehicle .
The tightening torque should be checked with a properly functioning torque wrench immediately
after changing a wheel.
Lifting the vehicle with the jack
Fig. 246 Lifting points for the jack.
Fig. 247 Vehicle jack at the rear left-hand side of the vehicle.
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The jack may be positioned only at the reinforcements on the underbody, which are located behind
the markings on the body ⇒ Fig. 246. Always use the jacking point closest to the wheel you are
working on ⇒.
Checklist
For your own safety, carry out the following points in the specified order ⇒:
Incorrectly tightened wheel bolts can loosen while the vehicle is in motion and cause
accidents, serious injury, and loss of control of the vehicle.
•Only use wheel bolts that belong to the wheel.
•Never use different wheel bolts.
•The wheel bolts and threads of the wheel hubs must be clean, free from oil and grease,
and turn easily.
•Always use the box spanner placed in the vehicle at the factory to loosen and tighten
the wheel bolts.
•Only loosen the wheel bolts by approximately one turn before raising the vehicle with
the vehicle jack.
•Never grease or lubricate the wheel bolts or the threads of the wheel hub. This could
cause them to loosen while the vehicle is in motion, even if the required torque setting
is used.
•Never remove the bolts on rims with bolted-on rings.
•If the tightening torque of the wheel bolts is too low, the wheel bolts and rims can
loosen while the vehicle is in motion. The wheel bolts and threads can be damaged if
the tightening torque is too high.
WARNING
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 nailsyf I U R P W K H W \ U H .
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. 249\f 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.
1yf
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