2021 AUDI A7 flat tire

Wheels

maximum permissible road
speeds. See also > A in General
information on page 274.
Tire pressure monitoring
system
means a system that detects
when one or more of a vehicle's
tires are underinflated and illumi-
nates a low tire pressure warning
telltale.
Tread
means that portion of a tire that
comes into contact with the road.
Tread separation
means pulling away of the tread
from the tire carcass.
Treadwear indicators (TWI)
means the projections within the
principal grooves designed to give
a visual indication of the degrees
of wear of the tread. See
=> page 283, Treadwear indicator
for more information on measur-
ing tire wear.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
is a tire information system devel-
oped by the United States Nation-
al Highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration (NHTSA) that is designed
to help buyers make relative com-
280
parisons among tires. The UTQG is
not a safety rating and not a guar-
antee that a tire will last for a
prescribed number of miles (kilo-
meters) or perform ina certain
way. It simply gives tire buyers
additional information to com-
bine with other considerations,
such as price, brand loyalty and
dealer recommendations. Under
UTQG, tires are graded by the tire
manufacturers in three areas:
treadwear, traction, and tempera-
ture resistance. The UTQG infor-
mation on the tires, molded into
the sidewalls.
U.S. DOT Tire Identification
Number (TIN)
This is the tire’s “serial number”.
It begins with the letters “DOT”
and indicates that the tire meets
all federal standards. The next
two numbers or letters indicate
the plant where it was manufac-
tured, and the last four numbers
represent the week and year of
manufacture. For example,
DOT... 2220...
means that the tire was produced
in the 22nd week of 2020. The
other numbers are marketing co-
des that may or may not beused >

4K8012721BF
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 vehicle 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-
tributed in accordance with > ta-
ble on page 286) and dividing by
two.
Occupant loading and distri-
bution for vehicle normal load
for various designated seating
capacities
Refer to the tire inflation pressure
label > page 284, fig. 173 for the
number of seating positions. Re-
fer to the table > table on
page 286 for the number of peo-
ple that correspond to the vehicle
normal load.
New tires or wheels
Audi recommends having all work
on tires or wheels performed by
an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Audi Service Facility.
These facilities have the proper
knowledge and are equipped with
the required tools and replace-
ment parts.
>New tires do not yet have the
optimal gripping properties.
Drive carefully and at moderate
speeds for the first 350 miles
(500 km) with new tires.
> Only use tires with the same de-
sign, size (rolling circumfer-
ence), and as close to the same
tread pattern as possible on all
four wheels.
> Applies to: RS models: Only use
tires with the same design, size
(rolling circumference), and the
same tread pattern on all four
wheels.
>Do not replace tires individually.
At least replace both tires on the
same axle at the same time.
281
>

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absolutely necessary and drive
carefully when doing so.
—Run-flat tires* may only be
used on vehicles that were
equipped with them at the
factory > page 296.
—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
rr)
+
x xz + a

Fig. 171 Tire profile: treadwear indica-
tor
Tire wear
Check the tires regularly for wear.
—Inflation pressure that is too low
or high can increase tire wear
considerably.

D Obey any applicable regulations in the
country where the vehicle is being oper-
ated.
—Driving quickly through curves,
rapid acceleration, and heavy
braking increase tire wear.
—Have an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facili-
ty check the wheel alignment if
there is unusual wear.
—Have the wheels rebalanced if an
imbalance is causing noticeable
vibration in the steering wheel.
If you do not, the tires and other
vehicle components could wear
more quickly.
Treadwear indicator
Original equipment tires contain
treadwear indicators in the tread
pattern, which are bars that are
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) high and are
spaced evenly around the tire per-
pendicular to the running direc-
tion > fig. 171. The letters “TWI”
or triangles on the tire sidewall
indicate the location of the tread-
wear indicators.
The tires have reached the mini-
mum tread depth !) when they
have worn down to the treadwear
indicators. Replace the tires with
new ones > A.
283

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Z\ WARNING
Please note the important safe-
ty precautions regarding tire
pressure > page 284 and load
limits > page 287.
Tires and vehicle load limits
There are limits to the amount of
load or weight that any vehicle
and any tire can carry. A vehicle
that is overloaded will not handle
well and is more difficult to stop.
Overloading can not only lead to
loss of vehicle control, but can al-
so damage important parts of the
vehicle and can lead to sudden
tire failure, including a blowout
and sudden deflation that can
cause the vehicle to crash.

Your safety and that of your pas-
sengers also depends on making
sure that load limits are not ex-
ceeded. Vehicle load includes ev-
erybody and everything in and on
the vehicle. These load limits are
technically referred to as the vehi-
cle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(“GVWR”).
The “GVWR” includes the weight
of the basic vehicle, all factory in-
stalled accessories, a full tank of
fuel, oil, coolant and other fluids
plus maximum load. The maxi-
mum load includes the number of
passengers that the vehicle is in-
tended to carry (“seating capaci-
ty”) with an assumed weight of
150 lbs. (68 kg) for each passen-
ger at a designated seating posi-
tion and the total weight of any
luggage in the vehicle. If you tow
a trailer, the weight of the trailer
hitch and the tongue weight of
the loaded trailer must be includ-
ed as part of the vehicle load.
The Gross Axle Weight Rating
(“GAWR”) is the maximum load
that can be applied at each of the
vehicle’s two axles.
The fact that there is an upper
limit to your vehicle’s Gross Vehi-
cle Weight Rating means that the
total weight of whatever is being
carried in the vehicle (including
the weight of a trailer hitch and
the tongue weight of the loaded
trailer) is limited. The more pas-
sengers in the vehicle or passen-
gers who are heavier than the
standard weights assumed mean
that less weight can be carried as
luggage.
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
and the Gross Axle Weight Rating >
287

Wheels

are listed on the safety compli-
ance sticker label located on the
driver’s side B-pillar.

TN WARNING
Overloading a vehicle can cause
loss of vehicle control, a crash
or other accident, serious per-
sonal injury, and even death.
—Carrying more weight than
your vehicle was designed to
carry will prevent the vehicle
from handling properly and in-
crease the risk of the loss of
vehicle control.
—The brakes on a vehicle that
has been overloaded may not
be able to stop the vehicle
within a safe distance.
—Tires on a vehicle that has
been overloaded can fail sud-
denly, including a blowout and
sudden deflation, causing loss
of control and a crash.
—Always make sure that the to-
tal load being transported -
including the weight of a trail-
er hitch and the tongue
weight of a loaded trailer -
does not make the vehicle
heavier than the vehicle’s
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

288
Determining correct load
Talis
Use the example below to calcu-
late the total weight of the pas-
sengers and luggage or other
things that you plan to transport
so that you can make sure that
your vehicle will not be overload-
ed.
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “THE
COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCU-
PANTS AND CARGO SHOULD
NEVER EXCEED XXX KG OR XXX
LBS” on your vehicle’s placard
(tire inflation pressure label)
> page 284, fig. 173.
2. Determine the combined
weight of the driver and pas-
sengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight
of the driver and passengers
from “XXX” kilograms or “XXX”
pounds shown on the sticker
=> page 284, fig. 173.
4. The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For ex-
ample, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1400 lbs. and there will >

Wheels

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 excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure > A\.
The grade C corresponds to a level of perform-
ance which all passenger car tires must meet un-
der the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher Levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.

ZA\ WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning or peak traction charac-
teristics.

Z\ WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that 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.

ZA\ WARNING
Temperature grades apply to tires that are
properly inflated and not over or underinflat-
ed.

Tire pressure monitoring
system
(1) General notes
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should 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 vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure la-
bel, you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
292
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure tell-
tale when one or more of your tires is significant-
ly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving ona signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle's handling and stop-
ping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's re-
sponsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pres-
sure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the sys-
tem is not operating properly. The TPMS mal-
function indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approxi-
mately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions
may occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure
that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.

Wheels

monitoring > Store tire pressure > Yes, store
now.
@ Tips
Do not store the tire pressures if snow chains
are installed.
Tire pressure monitoring
system
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should 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 vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure la-
bel, you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure tell-
tale when one or more of your tires is significant-
ly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving ona signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle's handling and stop-
ping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's re-
sponsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pres-
sure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the sys-
tem is not operating properly. The TPMS mal-
function indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approxi-
mately one minute and then remain continuously
294
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal
low
tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions
may occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure
that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
General information
Applies to: vehicles with tire pressure monitoring system
The tire pressure monitoring system monitors
the pressure in the four tires when driving.
The system uses sensors that measure the tem-
perature and pressure in the tires. The data is
sent from these sensors to the control module by
radio frequency.
The tire pressure monitoring system shows the
current pressures and temperatures of the tires
in the MMI while driving > page 295. It also
compares the current tire pressures with the stor-
ed tire pressures and gives a warning in the driver
information system if the tire pressure is differ-
ent from what is stored > page 295.
The system does not detect if the stored tire
pressures match the recommended tire pres-
sures. You must store the tire pressures again in
each of the following situations > page 296:
— Each time the tire pressures change, for exam-
ple when the load in the vehicle changes
— After replacing a tire
— If wheels with new wheel sensors are used

ZA WARNING
— The tire pressure monitoring system assists
the driver in monitoring tire pressures. The
driver is responsible for having the tires in-
flated to the correct pressure. >

4K8012721BF
Wheels


— Do not change the tire pressure when the
temperature of the tire is extremely high.
This could result in serious damage to the
tire and even cause the tire to burst, increas-
ing the risk of an accident.
— A tire with low pressure flexes more. This
heats the tire up too much. This could cause
the tread to separate and even cause the tire
to burst, increasing the risk of an accident.
— The tire pressure monitoring system does
not warn about damage or defects in the
tire construction that could cause the tire to
burst, for example. Inspect your tires regu-
larly.

@ Tips
—If tires are replaced, the sensors and valves
do not need to be removed or replaced. Only
replace the valve stem and, if necessary, the
valve and the wheel electronics. If you have
questions, see an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility.
— An incorrect display or a malfunction in the
tire pressure monitoring system can occur
after using the tire mobility kit*. Have the
sensors replaced by an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
— The system complies with United States FCC
regulations and ISED regulations
=> page 329.
Displaying tire pressures and temperatures
Applies to: vehicles with tire pressure monitoring system
Requirement: you must be driving the vehicle.
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Tire pressure
monitoring > Display tire pressure.
The current tire pressures are shown in green,
yellow, or red numbers:
— Green: the current tire pressure and the speci-
fied tire pressure are approximately the same.
— Yellow: the current tire pressure is lower than
the specified tire pressure.
— Red: the current tire pressure is much lower
than the specified tire pressure.
The specified tire pressure is the last tire pressure
that was stored > page 296.
Note
that the tire pressure also depends on the
temperature of the tire. The tire pressure increas-
es as the engine becomes warmer while driving.

Z\ WARNING
Read and follow the important information
and notes > page 294.
@ Tips
The tire pressure or temperature is not dis-
played while the vehicle is stationary and in
adaptation mode. Dashes --.-- are shown in
place of the pressure and temperature.
Tire pressure loss
Applies to: vehicles with tire pressure monitoring system

If the @ indicator light turns on, the tire pres-
sure is too low compared to the specified pres-
sure. Check and store the tire pressure(s) the
next time it is possible > page 296.
@ Flat tire! Safely stop vehicle. Please check all
tires and store pressures in MMI
If the indicator light turns on and the message
appears, the tire pressure has reached a critical
level compared to the specified pressure. Avoid
unnecessary steering and braking maneuvers.
Adapt your driving style to the situation. Stop as
soon as possible and check the tire(s). If it is pos-
sible to continue driving, see an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility immedi-
ately and have your tire(s) repaired or replaced.

Z\ WARNING
Read and follow the important information
and notes > page 294.

295