The tyres and wheel rims are an essential part of the vehicle's design. The tyres and rims approved
by Volkswagen are specifically matched to the characteristics of the vehicle and make a major
contribution to good road holding and safe handling.
Avoiding damage to the tyres
•If you have to drive over a kerb or similar obstacle, drive slowly and at a right angle if possible.
•Inspect the tyres regularly for damage such as cuts, cracks or blisters.
•Remove foreign objects that are in the outer tyre tread and have not penetrated the inner
tyre⇒ Tyre damage.
•Always respond to any warning messages given by the tyre monitoring system.
•Damaged or worn tyres must be replaced immediately ⇒ Tyre damage.
•Regularly check the tyres for hidden damage ⇒ Tyre damage.
•Never exceed the top speed and load permitted for the tyres that are fitted ⇒ Tyre lettering.
•Protect the wheels, including the spare wheel, from contact with corrosive substances, including
oils, lubricants, fuel and brake fluid ⇒.
•Replace missing dust caps immediately.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
Tyres with directional tread pattern have been developed to roll in one direction only. An arrow on
the tyre sidewall indicates the direction of rotation on tyres with directional tread ⇒ Tyre lettering.
The direction of rotation must be adhered to. This is the only guarantee for optimum grip and helps
to avoid aquaplaning, excessive noise and wear.
If, however, the tyre is fitted in the opposite direction to the tread pattern, you must take more care
when driving as the tyre is now no longer being used according to its designation. This is
particularly important on wet roads. The tyres must be replaced as quickly as possible or be fitted
with the tread in the correct direction.
Rotating wheels front to rear
Regularly rotating the wheels as shown in the illustration ⇒ Fig. 130 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.
Tyres that are older than 6 years
Tyres age through physical and chemical processes that can impair their function. Tyres that are
stored unused for an extended period will harden and become brittle more quickly than tyres which
are in constant use.
Volkswagen recommends replacing tyres that are older than 6 years with new tyres. This also
applies to tyres, including the spare wheel, which appear to still be in good condition and whose
tread depth has not yet reached the minimum value stipulated by legislation ⇒.
The age of a tyre can be determined from the manufacturing date, which is a component of the tyre
identification number () ⇒ Tyre lettering.
Storing tyres
Mark tyres before you remove them to indicate the direction of rotation. This ensures you will be
able to mount them correctly when you replace them (left, right, front, rear). When removed, the
wheels or tyres should be stored in a cool, dry and preferably dark place. Do not store tyres
mounted on the rim vertically.
Any tyres not fitted on rims should be kept in suitable sleeves to protect against dirt and should be
stored vertically (standing on the tread).
Old tyres should be disposed of as required by legislation.
Corrosive liquids and other substances can cause visible and invisible damage to the tyres,
which can cause the tyre to burst.
•Always keep chemicals, oils, lubricants, fuel, brake fluid and other corrosive substances
away from the tyres.
WARNING
Old tyres – even if they have not been used – 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
•After altering the tyre pressures, ensure that the valve caps are screwed on.
The spare wheel or temporary spare wheel are filled to the highest tyre pressure permissible for
the vehicle.
Under-inflated tyres can contribute to an increase in fuel consumption.
Tread depth and wear indicators
Fig. 132 Tyre tread: wear indicators
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Tread depth
Difficult driving situations demand the deepest possible tread depth for the tyres and the same
tread depth for the tyres on the front and rear axles. This applies in particular for driving in winter
weather and cold temperatures and in wet conditions ⇒.
In most countries, the minimum tread depth required by law is 1.6 mm (measured in the tread
grooves next to the tread wear indicators). Observe any country-specific legal requirements.
Winter tyres lose a large degree of their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to a depth of
4 mm.
The tread depth of new tyres can vary according to type and manufacturer due to construction and
tread design.
Tread wear indicator in tyres
The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm high tread wear indicators running across the tread
⇒ Fig. 132. These wear indicators are positioned at set intervals around the tyre. Markings on the
tyre sidewall (for instance the letters TWI or other symbols) indicate the positions of the tread wear
indicators.
The tread wear indicators show if a tyre is worn down. The tyre must be replaced at the latest when
the tread depth is just before the tread wear indicator.
Too high or too low a pressure may cause the tyre to suddenly lose pressure or burst while
the vehicle is in motion. This can cause serious accidents and fatal injuries.
•If the tyre pressure is too low, it is possible that the tyre temperature will increase to such
an extent that the tread peels off and the tyre bursts.
•Fast speeds or overloading of the vehicle can cause overheating, sudden tyre damage
including tyre bursts and ripping of the tread surface and thus to a loss of control of the
vehicle.
•If the tyre pressure is too low or too high, the tyres will wear prematurely and the vehicle
will not handle well.
•Check tyre pressures regularly, at least once a month, and before every long journey.
•All tyres must have the correct tyre pressure to suit the vehicle load.
•Never reduce excess pressure when the tyres are warm.
WARNING
•When attaching the tyre pressure gauge, ensure that you do not position it at an angle to
the valve shaft. This can damage the tyre valve.
•Missing valve caps, or valve caps that are not suitable or not screwed on properly, can
cause damage to the tyre valve. Always use valve caps that comply with the factory-fitted
valve cap specifications. Always screw on valve caps fully.
NOTICE
Winter tyres lose their effectiveness when the tread is worn down to a depth of 4 mm. Winter tyres
also largely lose their effectiveness through ageing – regardless of the tread depth.
The following applies when using winter tyres:
•Observe any country-specific legal requirements.
•Use winter tyres on all four wheels at the same time.
•Only use in winter road conditions.
•Only use the sizes of winter tyre that have been approved for the vehicle.
•Winter tyres must have the same type, size (rolling circumference) and the same tread pattern.
•Heed the maximum speed permitted by the speed index ⇒.
Speed limitation
Winter tyres have a speed limitation depending on the speed index ⇒ Tyre lettering.
In some vehicle versions, a speed warning can be set in the MFD (multifunction display) menu in
the instrument cluster ⇒ Volkswagen information system.
If you use V-rated tyres the speed limits and required tyre pressure will be determined by the
engine size. You must ask a Volkswagen dealership about the highest permitted speed and
required tyre pressure.
Summer tyres should be fitted in good time at the end of the winter. The vehicle handling is
better if summer tyres are fitted at temperatures above +7°C (+45°F). They are quieter, do not wear
so quickly and reduce fuel consumption.
Volkswagen dealerships can provide details on permissible winter tyre sizes.
Snow chains
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Please heed legislation and also the permitted speed when driving your vehicle with snow chains.
In winter conditions, snow chains will not only improve acceleration, but also braking response.
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheels. They may be fitted only to the following tyre
and wheel combinations:
Tyre sizeWheel
165 / 70 R 145 J x 14 offset 35
Volkswagen recommends that you ask your Volkswagen dealership for information about
appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size.
If possible, use snow chains with fine-pitch links which do not protrude more than 15 mm, including
the tensioner.
Remove wheel centre covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains ⇒. For safety reasons
cover caps must then be fitted over the wheel bolts. These are available from your Volkswagen
dealership.
Temporary spare wheel
For technical reasons, snow chains must not be used on the temporary spare wheel ⇒ Spare wheel
or temporary spare wheel.
If you have to use snow chains with the temporary spare wheel fitted, the temporary spare wheel
should be fitted to the rear axle even when a front wheel is damaged. You can then use the wheel
taken from the rear axle to replace the damaged front wheel. Please note the direction of rotation.
Volkswagen recommends fitting the snow chains before mounting the wheel on the car.
The improved winter driving characteristics afforded by the winter tyres should not encourage
you to take any risks.
•Adapt your speed and driving style to suit visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
•Never exceed the top speed and load permitted for the winter tyres that are fitted.
WARNING
⇒ Catalytic converter
Additional information and warnings:
•Changing gear ⇒ Changing gear
•Filling the tank ⇒ Filling the tank
•Fuel ⇒ Fuel
•Engine oil ⇒ Engine oil
•Battery ⇒ Vehicle battery
•Information stored in the control units ⇒ Accessories, modifications, repairs and renewal of parts
•Tow-starting and towing ⇒ Tow-starting and towing
Indicator lamps
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
Lit upPossible causeSolution
Engine management system fault
(Electronic Power Control).
The engine should be checked by a qualified
workshop as soon as possible.
Fault in catalytic converter.
Decrease speed. Drive carefully to the next
qualified workshop. The engine should be
checked.
FlashesPossible causeSolution
Misfiring, which damages the catalytic
converter.
Decrease speed. Drive carefully to the next
qualified workshop. The engine should be
checked.
Several warning and indicator lamps will light up briefly as a functional check when the ignition is
switched on. They will go out soon afterwards.
If the indicator lamps or are lit up, fuel consumption may be higher, and engine
performance reduced.
Catalytic converter
First read and observe the introductoryinformation and safety warnings⇒
Introduction
The catalytic converter is used for exhaust gas post-treatment and helps to reduce exhaust
emissions. To help ensure long-term functionality in the exhaust system and the catalytic converter:
•Use unleaded petrol only.
•Do not allow the fuel tank to run empty.
•Do not overfill engine oil ⇒ Engine oil.
•Do not tow-start the vehicle. Use jump leads ⇒ Starting the engine with jump leads.
If you notice misfiring, uneven running or loss of power when the vehicle is moving, reduce speed
immediately. The vehicle should be inspected at the nearest qualified workshop. If this happens,
unburnt fuel can enter the exhaust system and escape into the atmosphere. The catalytic converter
can also be damaged by overheating.
Even when the exhaust purification system is working perfectly, there may be a smell of
sulphur from the exhaust in some conditions. This depends on the sulphur content of the fuel being
used.
The components of the exhaust system become very hot. This can cause fires.
•Park the vehicle so that no part of the exhaust system can come into contact with any
inflammable material underneath the vehicle, e.g. dry grass.
•Never apply additional underseal or anti-corrosion coatings to the exhaust pipes, catalytic
converters or heat shields.
WARNING
To avoid damage to your vehicle, always observe the indicator lamps and associated warning
texts.
NOTICE
If and when