2021 AUDI Q7 service

4M1012721BC
Wheels

differently even if they are the
same size > A.
>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.
—Run-flat tires* may only be
used on vehicles that were

267

Wheels


equipped with them at the
factory > page 278.
—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

a
Fig. 175 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.
—Driving quickly through curves,
rapid acceleration, and heavy
braking increase tire wear.
—Have an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facili-


D Obey any applicable regulations in the
country where the vehicle is being oper-
ated.
268
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. 175. 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.
Tire rotation
Rotating the tires regularly is rec-
ommended to ensure the tires
wear evenly. To rotate the tires, >

4M1012721BC
Wheels

install the tires from the rear axle
on the front axle and vice versa.
This will allow the tires to have
approximately the same length of
service life.
For unidirectional tires, make sure
the tires are installed according to
the running direction indicated on
the tire sidewall > page 291.
Hidden damage
Damage to tires and rims can of-
ten occur in locations that are hid-
den. Unusual vibrations in the ve-
hicle or pulling to one side may
indicate that there is tire damage.
Reduce your speed immediately.
Check the tires for damage. If no
damage is visible from the out-
side, drive slowly and carefully to
the nearest authorized Audi deal-
er or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility to have the vehicle inspect-
ed.

Z\ WARNING
Tread that has worn too low or
uneven tread depths on the
tires can reduce driving safety.
This can increase the risk of an
accident because it has a nega-
tive effect on handling, driving
through curves, and braking,

and because it increases the
risk of hydroplaning when driv-
ing through deep puddles.
Tire pressure



B4l-1383


Fig. 176 Driver's side B-pillar: tire pres-
sure label


B8K-1151
@ SEATING CAPACITY. “TOTAL uj FRONT ul REAR a) (ooun NOMBRE DE PLACES TOTAL AVANT ARRIERE soa
‘Tho combined woight of occupants and cargo shi — Ko OF pm ibs. Le poids total des occupants et du chargement n =... a,

TIRE SIZE
PNEU _| DIMENSIONS
FRONT
AVANT
REAR
ARRIERE
‘SPARE
DE SECOURS
COLD TIRE PRESSURE
PRESSION DES PNEUS A FROID
as KPA, Ml PSI
a KPA, Ml PSI
a KPA, Ml PSI






Fig. 177 Tire pressure label
The correct tire pressure for tires
installed at the factory is listed on
a label. The label is located on the
B-pillar > fig. 176, > fig. 177.
Use the tire pressure specified for
a normal vehicle load when the
vehicle is partially loaded > table
on page 271. If driving the vehi-
cle when fully loaded, you must
increase the tire pressure to the
maximum specified pressure > A. >
269

Wheels

will be transferred to your vehi-
cle. Consult this manual to de-
termine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
>Check the tire sidewall
(=> page 260, fig. 174) to deter-
mine the designated load rating
for a specific tire.
Wheel bolts and rims
Wheel bolts
Wheel bolts must be clean and loosen/tighten
easily.
Rims
Rims with a bolted rim ring* or with bolted wheel
covers* consist of multiple pieces. These compo-
nents were bolted together using special bolts
and a special procedure. You must not repair or
disassemble them > A\.

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 291, 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.

274
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 291, 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.

ZX 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

4M1012721BC
Wheels


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.

@) 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 259. 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 269.
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
also decrease greatly as the tire ages, regardless
of the remaining tread.
(4) 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 front 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.
Use fine-mesh snow chains. They must not add
more than 0.53 in (13.5 mm) in height, including
the chain lock.
You must remove the snow chains on roads with-
out snow. Otherwise, you could impair driving
ability and damage the tires.

ZX 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.

C@) 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.
— Do not install and use snow chains if there is
a malfunction in the air suspension*, be-
cause the vehicle height will be very low. If
you drive with snow chains anyway, the
275

Wheels

wheel housings and other vehicle compo-
nents can be severely damaged.
@) Tips
When using snow chains, it may be advisable
to limit the ESC > page 118.
Low-profile tires
Applies to: vehicles with low-profile tires
Compared to other tire/rim combinations, low-
profile tires offer a wider tread surface and a
larger rim diameter with shorter tire sidewalls.
This results in an agile driving style. However, it
may reduce the level of comfort and increase
road noise when driving on roads in poor condi-
tion.
Low-profile tires can become damaged more
quickly than standard tires when driving over
large bumps, potholes, manhole covers, and
curbs. Therefore, it is particularly important to
maintain the correct tire pressure > page 269.
To reduce the risk of damage to the tires and
rims, drive very carefully on poor roads.
Check your wheels regularly every 2,000 mi
(3,000 km) for damage. For example, check for
bulges/cracks on the tires or deformations/cracks
on the rims.
After a heavy impact or damage, have the tires
and rims inspected or replaced immediately by
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
Low-profile tires can wear out faster than stand-
ard tires.
Uniform tire quality grading
— Tread wear
— Traction AAABC
— Temperature A BC
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire side wall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width > page 260, fig. 174.
For example: Tread wear 200, Traction AA, Tem-
perature A.
276
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon
the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B and C. Those grades represent the tire's
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured un-
der controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance
SA.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
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 >

Wheels

only monitors the tire pressure you have stored.
Refer to the tire pressure label for the recom-
mended tire pressure for your vehicle
=> page 269, fig. 177.
Tire tread circumference and vibration character-
istics can change and cause a tire pressure warn-
ing if:
— The tire pressure in one or more tires is too low
— The tires have structural damage
— The tire was replaced or the tire pressure was
changed and it was not stored > page 278
— Tires that are only partially used are replaced
with new tires
Indicator lights
If the @ indicator light turns on, there is a loss
of pressure in at least one tire .> A\ Check the
tires and replace or repair if necessary. Check and
correct the pressures of all four tires and store
the pressure again > page 278.
ia Tire pressure: malfunction! See owner's
manual
iff appears after switching the ignition on or
while driving and the @ indicator light in the in-
strument cluster blinks for approximately one
minute and then stays on, there is system mal-
function. Try to store the correct tire pressures
= page 278. In some cases, you must drive for
several minutes after storing the pressures until
the indicator light turns off. If the indicator light
does turn off or turns on again after a short peri-
od of time, drive to an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility immediately to
have the malfunction corrected.

Z\ WARNING
— If the tire pressure indicator appears in the
display, reduce your speed immediately and
avoid any hard steering or braking maneu-
vers. Stop as soon as possible and check the
tires and their pressure.
— The driver is responsible for maintaining the
correct tire pressure. You must check the
tire pressure regularly.
— Under certain conditions (such as a sporty
driving style, winter conditions, or unpaved

278

roads), the tire pressure monitoring system
indicator may be delayed.
@) Tips
—The tire pressure monitoring system can al-
so stop working when there is an ESC mal-
function.

— Using snow chains may result in a system
malfunction.
—The tire pressure monitoring system in your
Audi was calibrated with “Audi Original
Tires” > page 266. Audi recommends using
these tires.
Storing tire pressures
Applies to: vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitoring System in-
dicator
If the tire pressure changes or a tire is replaced,
it must be confirmed in the MMI.
> Before storing the tire pressures, make sure the
tire pressures in all four tires meet the speci-
fied values and are adapted to the load
=> page 269.
» Switch the ignition on.
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Tire pressure
monitoring > Store tire pressure > Yes, store
now.
G) Tips
Do not store the tire pressures if snow chains
are installed.
Run-flat tires
Applies to: vehicles with run-flat tires
Run-flat tires can allow you to remain driving
when there is a loss of pressure.
Run-flat tires have reinforced sidewalls that pro-
tect
the tire if there is a loss of pressure.
If the tire pressure monitoring system indicates a
loss of pressure in one or several tires, you can
continue driving on run-flat tires for at least
20 mi (30 km). Drive to an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility immediately to
have the problem corrected.

4M1012721BC
Wheels

Continuing to drive on run-flat tires is no
longer possible if:
— There is visible damage to the tires, such as
cracks in the sidewalls
— Strong vibrations are felt while driving, or the
tire begins to smoke due to a strong build-up of
heat
— The tire has been heavily damaged, for example
in an accident. There is a risk that parts of the
tire tread will detach and damage important
vehicle components.
—The Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) is not
working or is continuously running
— The tire pressure monitoring system is not
working
If it is no longer possible to continue driving de-
spite having run-flat tires, see an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for as-
sistance.


— See an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility for assistance if
the tire is too heavily damaged.
— Have the faulty tires replaced and the rims
checked for damage by an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
— The driver is responsible for the vehicle, for
correcting the tire pressure, and for replac-
ing faulty parts. Therefore, always adjust
your driving to the current situation.


ZA WARNING
Run-flat tires may only be used on vehicles
that were equipped with them at the factory.
— The vehicle must have suspension designed
for run-flat tires and a factory-installed tire
pressure monitoring system.
— Incorrect use of run-flat tires can lead to ve-
hicle damage or accidents. Contact an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility to learn if run-flat tires may
be used on your vehicle and if so, which
ones.
—If run-flat tires are used, they must be in-
stalled on all four wheels. Mixing tire types
is not permitted.
— If you have to drive when the tire pressure is
too low or there is no tire pressure, note the
following:
— Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h)
because this increases the risk of an acci-
dent. Observe any laws specific to the
country where you are driving.
— Avoid full-throttle acceleration, heavy
braking, and fast cornering, because this
increases the risk of an accident.
—The vehicle may become more difficult to
control.

@) Tips
— Audi Original run-flat tires can be identified
by the “AOE” labeling on the tire sidewall.
— You can use the tire mobility kit* on run-flat
tires > page 286.
279