4M8012721BF
Wheels
absolutely 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
rr)
+
x xz + a
Fig. 166 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. 166. 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.
265
Wheels
Tire rotation
Rotating the tires regularly is rec-
ommended to ensure the tires
wear evenly. To rotate the tires,
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.
266
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.
AT -m as T
B41L-1383
Fig. 167 Driver's side B-pillar: tire pres-
sure label
B8K-1151 Pee
‘SEATING CAPACITY TOTAL FRONT R NOMBRE DE ‘OTAL /ANT ARRIERE
eed 9 oF pmb , a;
COLD TIRE PRESSURE
PRESSION DES PNEUS A FROID
a KPA, HM PSI
a KPA, Mi PSI
Ga KPA, MM PSI
TIRE SIZE
PNEU _| DIMENSIONS
FRONT
AVANT
REAR
i_|
ARRERE |
‘SPARE a
DE SECOURS
Fig. 168 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. 167, > fig. 168.
Use the tire pressure specified for
a normal vehicle load when the
vehicle is partially loaded > table »
4M8012721BF
Wheels
on page 268. If driving the vehi-
cle when fully loaded, you must
increase the tire pressure to the
maximum specified pressure > A.
Checking and correcting tire
pressure
> Check the tire pressure at least
once per month and also check it
before every long drive.
> Always check the tire pressure
when the tires are cold. Do not
reduce the pressure if it increas-
es when the tires are warm.
>Refer to the sticker > fig. 168
for the correct tire pressure.
>Correct the tire pressure if nec-
esSary.
>Store the new tire pressure in
the MMI > page 276 or
> page 278.
> Check the pressure in the spare
tire*. Always maintain the maxi-
mum temperature that is speci-
fied for the tire.
—Overloading can lead to loss of
vehicle control and increase
the risk of an accident. Read
and follow the important safe-
ty precautions in > page 269.
—The tire must flex more if the
tire pressure is too low or if
the vehicle speed or load are
too high. This heats the tire up
too much. This increases the
risk of an accident because it
can cause the tire to burst and
result in loss of vehicle con-
trol.
—Incorrect tire pressure increas-
es tire wear and has a negative
effect on driving and braking
behavior, which increases the
risk of an accident.
J WARNING
Always adapt the tire pressure
to your driving style and the ve-
hicle load.
@) Note
Replace lost valve caps to re-
duce the risk of damage to the
tire valves.
© For the sake of the envi-
ronment
Tire pressure that is too low in-
creases fuel consumption.
267
Wheels
Ncw dee em -])
Please note that the information
contained in the following table
was correct at the time of print-
ing, and the information is sub-
ject to change. If there are any
differences, you should always
follow the tire pressure sticker
=> page 266, fig. 167.
Make sure that the tire designa-
tion on your tire matches the des-
ignation on the tire pressure label
and the tire pressure table.
The following table lists recom-
mended tire pressures in cold
tires according to the load and
the size of the tires installed.
Qs: 275/50 R20 113H 32 | 220 | 35 | 240 | 35 | 240 | 38 | 260
3.0L 285/45 R21 113Y 32 | 220 | 35 | 240 | 35 | 240 | 38 | 260
G-cylinder = (585/45 R21 113H 32 | 220 | 35 | 240 | 35 | 240 | 38 | 260
285/40 R22 110Y 35 | 240 | 38 | 260 | 35 | 240 | 38 | 260
285/40 R22 110H 35 | 240 | 38 | 260 | 39 | 270 | 42 | 290
285/35 R23 107Y 32. | 220 | 32 | 220 | 36 | 250 | 39 | 270
Sas: 285/45 R21 113Y 32 | 220 | 35 | 240 | 35 | 240 | 38 | 260
4.0L 285/40 R22 110Y 35 | 240 | 38 | 260 | 39 | 270 | 42 | 290
B-cylinder 5357/45 R21 113H 32 | 220 | 35 | 240 | 35 | 240 38 | 260
285/40 R22 110H 35 | 240 | 38 | 260 | 39 | 270 | 42 | 290
285/35 R23 107Y 35 | 240 | 35 | 240 | 41 | 280 |] 44 | 300
268
4M8012721BF
Wheels
Model/ Tire designation Tire pressure
Engine Normal load Maximum load
(up to 3 people)»
Front Rear Front Rear
PSI kPA PSI kPA PSI kPA PSI kPA
RS Q8: 295/40 ZR22 112Y 32 220 32 220 35 240 38 260
4.0L 155 mph (250 km/h)
8-cylinder o 295/40 ZR22 112Y 38 260 38 260 41 280 44 300
174 mph (280 km/h)
295/40 ZR22 112Y 41 280 41 280 46 320 49 340
190 mph (305 km/h)
295/35 ZR23 108Y 36 250 36 250 39 270 42 290
155 mph (250 km/h)
295/35 ZR23 108Y 44 300 44 300 46 320 49 340
174 mph (280 km/h)
295/35 ZR23 108Y 46 320 46 320 48 330 49 340
190 mph (305 km/h)
Z\ WARNING
Please note the important safe-
ty precautions regarding tire
pressure => page 266 and load
limits > page 269.
@) Two people in the front, one person in the rear
>) The tire pressure depends on the maximum permitted speed for your vehicle.
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-
Tires and vehicle load limits erybody and everything in and on
the vehicle. These load limits are
There are limits to the amount of
load or weight that any vehicle
and any tire can carry. A vehicle (“GVWR”)
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
technically referred to as the vehi-
cle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
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 >
269
4M8012721BF
Wheels
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 266, fig. 168.
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 266, fig. 168.
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
be five 150 lbs. passengers in
your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage
load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x 150) = 650
lbs.)
5. Determine the combined
weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely ex-
ceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculat-
ed in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer
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 257, fig. 165) 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\.
271
>
4M8012721BF
Wheels
> Check the tire pressure after installing wheels
=> page 266.
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.
@) 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.
Tea
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.
Use fine-mesh snow chains. They must not add
more than 0.40 inch (10.5 mm) in height, includ-
ing the chain lock.
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.
(@) 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
wheel housings and other vehicle compo-
nents can be severely damaged.
G@) Tips
When using snow chains, it may be advisable
to limit the ESC > page 116.
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 266.
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
273
>
Wheels
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
Low-profile tires can wear out faster than stand-
ard tires.
item Me Clin meleCel lire)
— Tread wear
— Traction AAABC
— Temperature ABC
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire side wall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width > page 257, fig. 165.
For example: Tread wear 200, Traction AA, Tem-
perature A.
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, Band 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
oA.
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
274
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.
Z\ 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.
ZX 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).