Volkswagen Touareg Tires And Wheels 2013 Owner's Manual
Tires and wheels
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Tire and wheel handling
Wheel rims
New and replacement tires
Tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires
Tread depth and tread wear indicators
Tire wear and damage
Collapsible spare tire
Tire labeling
Winter tires
Snow chains
Glossary of tire and loading terminology
Tires and vehicle load limits
Determining the correct load limit
Volkswagen recommends that all work on tires and wheels be done by an authoriz ed Volkswagen
dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. They are familiar with the technical requirements
and recommended procedures, have the necessary special tools and spare parts, and can properly
dispose of old tires.
More information:
Transporting
Trailer towing
Braking, stopping and parking
Tire Pressure Monitorin g System
Exterior CARe and cleaning
Consumer information
Wheel covers
Changing a wheel
Tire mobility set
WARNING
.
New tires or tires that are old, worn or damaged cannot pr o vid e ma xi mum co ntr ol a nd
braking performance.
Improper CARe and handling of tires and wheels can reduce driving safety and cause
accidents and severe injuries.
Install only radial tires of the same make, the same dimension s (tread circumference), and
similar tread profile on all 4 wheels.
New tires tend to be slippery and must be broken in. Always drive with special CARe for
the first 350 miles (560 km) to help reduce the risk of losing control, a collision, and serious
personal injuries.
Check tire inflation pressure regularly when the tires are cold and always main tain t he
prescribed tire pressure. Low tire pressure can cause tires to get too hot, resulting in tread
separation, sudden loss of pressure, and bl owouts. Tires with excessively low pr essure flex
(bend) more, which can cause t he tir e to overheat and fail suddenly wi th out warning.
Check tires regularly for wear and damage.
Never drive with worn or damaged tires (for example, tires with punctures, cuts, cracks,
blisters, or bumps) Driving wi th wor n or damage d t i res ca n l ead to loss of vehicle control,
sudden tire failure including blowouts and sudden deflation, crashes, and serious personal
injuries.
Have worn or damaged tires replaced immediately.
Never exceed the maximum speed rating or the maximum load rating of the tires on your
vehicle.
The effectiveness of the driver assistance systems and the braking support systems
depends on the tire traction.
If you notice unusual vibration or if the vehicle pulls to one side when driving, always stop
as soon as it is safe to do so and check the wheels and ti r es for da mag e.
To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuri es, ne ver loosen
the bolts on wheels with bolted rim rings.
Never mount used tires on your vehicle if you are not sure of their past use. Old, used
tires and wheels may have damage that cannot be seen that can lead to sudden tire failure
and loss of vehicle control.
Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly, especially at high speeds,
causing loss of vehicle control, accidents, and severe personal injuries. Tires that are more
than 6 years old can be used only in an emergency and even then o nly with special CARe and
at low speed.
For technical reasons it is usually not possible to use wheel rims from other vehicles. Even
.
wheel rims from the same model may not fit properly. Check with an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility if necessary.
Tire and wheel handling
Fig. 295 Tire rotation diagram.
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
Tires may be the least appreciated and most abused parts of a motor vehicle. Tires are very important,
since their small patches of rubber are the only contact between your vehicle and the road.
Maintaining correct tire pressure, making sure that your vehicle and its tires do not have to CARry
more weight than they can safely handle, and regularly inspecting tires for damage (such as cuts,
slashes, irregular wear, and overall conditi on ) are the most imp ortant things that you can do to help
avoid sudden tire failure, including tread separation and blowout.
The tires and wheels are essential parts of the vehicle's design. The ti r es and whe el s app roved by
Volkswagen are specially matched to the characteristics of the vehicle for good road holding and safe
handling when in good condition and properly inflated.
Avoiding tire damage
If you must drive over a curb or other obstacle, drive ve ry slowly and as much as possible at a right
angle to the curb with the tire tread of both front wheels cont acti ng the curb at the same time.
Regularly check tires for damage, such as punctures, cuts, tears and blisters.
Remove embedded material in the tread profile that has not yet penetrated the inside of the tire.
Heed all warning messages from the Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Replace worn or damaged tires immediately.
Damage to tires and wheels is often not readily visibl e . If you notice unusual vibration or the
vehicle pulls to one side, this may indicate that one of the t ire s is damaged. The tires must be checked
immediately for hidden damage by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volksw agen
Service Facility. See also.
Never exceed the load and permissible maximum speed rating of the tires.
Always keep aggressive chemicals including grease, oil, gasoline and brake fluid off the tires,
including the compact spare tire ⇒
Replace missing valve caps immediately.
.
Unidirectional tires
Unidirectional tires are designed to rotate only in one direction. U nidir ectional tires have arrows on the
sidewalls that show the direction of rotation. Unidirecti on al tires m ust always be mounted according to
the specified direction of rotation in order to deliver their best grip, braking performance, low road
noise, and good wear as well as good hydroplaning resistance.
If you have to mount a tire opposite to its proper direction of rotation, you must driv e mo re CARefully,
since the tire is no longer being used as designed. This is particularly impo rtant o n wet ro a ds. Yo u
must replace or remount the tire as soon as possible in order to restore the correct direction of
rotation.
Rotating tires
To help ensure even wear on all tires, regular tire rotation according to the diagram ⇒ fig. 295 is
recommended. In this way all tires can have about the same service life.
Volkswagen recommend s that you have your tires rota ted by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Tires more than 6 years old
Tires age even if they are not being used. Physical and chemic al proc esse s reduce tire strength and
performance and cause them to harden and become brittle. Old tires can fail suddenly and without
warning.
Volkswagen recommends replacing tires that are 6 years and olde r. This also applies to tires that look
new (including the tire on the compact spare wheel) or that seem to still be usable with tread depth
that has not yet reached the legal minimum depth ⇒
The age of each tire can be determined with the manufacturing date that is part of the U.S. DOT tire
identification number (TIN).
.
Tire storage
Mark tires before removing them to help make sure that the previ ou s locati on (left, right, front, rear)
and rolling direction can be maintained when remounting them. Store tires in a cool, dry and preferably
dark place. Do not store tires mounted on wheels standing up.
Tires not mounted on wheels should be covered to help protect them from dirt and stored vertically
(sitting on the tread).
WARNING
.
Aggressive fluids and materials can cause visible and invisible tire dam age th at can cause
tire blowouts.
Always keep chemicals, oils, grease, fuels, braking fluids and other aggressive
substances away from tires.
WARNING
.
Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly, especially at high speeds,
causing loss of vehicle control, accidents, and severe personal injuries.
Tires that are more than 6 years old can be used only in an emergency and even then onl y
with special CARe and at low speed.
Always dispose of old tires in accordance with legal requirements.
.
Wheel rims
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
The design of wheel bolts is matched to the factory-installed wheels. I f different wheels are installed,
wheel bolts with the right length and bolt head shape must be used. This helps to ensure that wheels
can be mounted securely and that the bra ke s will work correctly .
In most cases, you cannot use wheel bolts from a different vehicle. Even wheel rims from the same
model may not fit properly.
Tires and wheel rims approved by Volkswagen have been matched precisely to your vehicle model
and contribute considerably to good handling and safe vehicle performance.
Tightening To r que
Wheel bolts must always be installed with the correct tightening torque The required tightening torque
for the Touareg's wheel bolts is 133 ft-lbs (180 Nm). After changing a wheel, the bolt torque must be
checked as soon as possible with an accurate tor que wrenc h. Se e an authorized Volkswagen dealer
or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Wheel rims with bolted rim rings
Wheel rims with bolted rim rings have several parts. The parts are bolted together with special screws
in a special process. This helps to ensure that they will work properly, prevent leaks, run true and
safely. Damaged wheel rims must be replaced, and you must never take them apart or try to repair
them yourself. Have an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility
repair them for you ⇒
.
Wheel rims with bolted decorative covers
Light-alloy wheels may have interchang eable decorative covers attached to th e rim with self-locking
screws. If you want to replace damaged wheel cover s, contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility ⇒
WARNING
.
Using improper or damaged wheel rims can affe ct dr iving sa fe ty, cause accidents and severe
personal injury.
Use only wheel rims approved for the vehicle.
Regularly check wheel rims for damage and replace them if necessary.
.
WARNING
.
Improper loosening and tighte ning of the bolts on wheel rims with bolted rim rings can cau s e
accidents and severe personal injury.
Never loosen bolted connections on wheel rims with bolted rim rings.
Have all work on wheel rims with bolted rim rings performed by an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
New and replacement tires
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
New tires
Drive a vehicle with new tires especially CAR efully for the first 350 miles (560 km) because the
tires must first be broken in. Tires that are not broken in have reduced tract i o n ⇒
performance ⇒
Install only radial tires of the same make, the same dimensions (tread circumference), and similar
tread profile on all 4 wheels.
The tread depth of new tires can differ between tire models and manufacturers becau se o f different
design features and tread design.
.
and braking
Replacing tires
Tires should be replaced in pairs and not individually ( both f r ont t ire s or both rear tires at the same
time) ⇒
Replace tires only with tires that have the same specifications, including width and diameter, load
and top speed rating as the tires approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle and model.
Never use tires that are larger or wider than the dimensions of the tires approved by Volkswagen
for your vehicle and model. Larger tires could scrape a nd rub on t h e ve hicle body or other parts of the
vehicle.
.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) considerations
Factory-installed wheels are equipped with a sensor that c onstant ly m onitors tire pressure, then
transmits this information to the TPMS If you are going to replace the wheels, make sure that the new
wheels also have sensors that are compatible with the TPMS on your vehicle. New wheels with
sensors have to be recognized and integrat ed int o th e system. To detect the new wheels and sensors,
you must leave the vehicle parked for at least 20 minutes and then drive for a short time at speeds
above 15 mph (25 km/h).
If you install wheels that do not have sensors, or have sensors that are not compatible, the TPMS will
not work properly. In this case, the TPMS will not be able to monitor tire pressure or warn you if
pressure is low. An error message may appear in the instrum e nt cluster display or the TPMS will
switch itself off.
All sensors must be replaced at specific intervals ⇒ Booklet
Whenever you change sensors, you have to install new valves and seals. Please see an
authorized Volkswagen dealer of an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Always drive with the valve caps securely installed. We reco mme nd u sing factory-supplied valve
caps. Ask an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to replace
lost caps.
If you install new tires that differ the original Volkswagen specificat io ns, for your vehicle and model, the
benchmark tire inflation pressure values stored in your vehicle's TPMS may have to be adjusted
(reprogrammed). This requires profession al assistance. For more information, contact your authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Installing replacement tires with steel cord body plies in the tire sidewall may cause malfunction of the
TPMS, and is not recommended (cord material information in molded on the tire sidewall).
Always check the TPMS indicator light after replaci ng on e or more tire s on you r v ehicle. If the indicator
light is on, the TPMS is not working properly. Your replacement tire might be incompatible with the
system, or some component of the TPMS may be damaged.
For detailed information about TPMS, how it works an d what yo u need to know .
WARNING
.
New tires tend to be slippery and must be broken in.
Always drive with special CARe for the first 350 mil es (560 km) to hel p redu ce the ri sk o f
losing control, a collision, and serious personal injuries.
Warranty and Maintenance
.
WARNING
.
Tires must have the required clearanc e. Tires that do not have enough clearance can rub
against parts of the vehicle body, suspension, and brake system, causing brake system
failure, tread delamination, and sudden blow outs.
Always make sure that new tires are not larger than the tires approved for your vehicle
and that the new tires do not rub against parts of the vehicle.
NOTICE
.
When switching to different tires, make certain the valves and sensors are not damaged.
Never drive without valve stem caps. The val ves and s en sor s could be damaged.
If the sensor on the Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be replaced, t he valve must be
replaced at the same time.
Always dispose of old tires in accordance with legal requirements.
.
TPMS wheel sensors are classified as Perc hlor ate Material – Special handling may apply. Obey
.
all legal requirements regarding handli ng and di sp os al of these components – see
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all applicable legal requirements regarding
handling and disposal of the vehicle or parts of its restraint system, including airbag modules and
safety belts with pretensioners. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service
Facilities are familiar with the requirements, and we recommend that you have them perform this
service for you.
If the replacement wheel is different from the tires that you have moun t ed on yo ur ve hicle (for
example winter tires or wider, low-profile tires, , or a compact spar e), th en use the replacement wheel
for a short time only, and drive cautiously.
Replace it with a tire matching the others on your vehicle as soon as possible.
Although tire size specifications can be the same, the act ual dime nsi ons may differ from those
nominal values for different tire makes, or the tire contours may be significantly different.
Tire inflation pressure
Fig. 296 Location of the tire inflation pressure label.
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
The correct tire inflation pressure for factory-installed tires is listed on a label. The factory-installed
tires may be summer, winter, or all-season tires. Th e l ab el ⇒ f i g. 296 is on th e dri ve r door jamb.
Under- or over-inflation significantly shortens th e service life of your tires and affects the handling of
the vehicle ⇒
higher speeds. Incorrect tire pressure causes increased wear and even sudden tire failure and
blowouts.
Therefore tire pressure should be check ed at least once a month and always before long trips.
. The correct tire pressure is very important, particularly when the vehicle is driven at
The specified tire inflation pressure applies to a cold tire. When tires are warm, the p ress ure will be
higher than when the tires are cold.
Do not reduce the tire pressure on warm tires to match the required col d t ire infl ation pres sure. The
tire inflation pressure would then be too low and could cause sudden tire failure and blowout.
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS
Model Engine Tire dimensions Tire inflation
pressure,
front axle
PSI kPa PSI kPa
255/55 R 18 109 H xl 33 230 38 260
Touareg
Touareg
3.0 l / 240 hp (176 kW)
TDI
3.6 l / 280 hp (206 kW)
FSI
265/50 R 19,110 H xl 33 230 38 260
275/45 R 20,110 H xl 33 230 38 260
255/55 R 18,109 H xl 33 230 38 260
265/50 R 19,110 H xl 33 230 38 260
275/45 R 20,110 H xl 33 230 38 260
Tire
inflation
pressure,
rear axle
255/55 R 18,109 H xl 35 240 39 270
Touareg
xl = reinforced sidewall.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is conf ig u red at the factory with the correct tire infl ation
pressure applicable for the vehicle model, engine and factory-installed tires. This tire inflation
pressure is also listed on the sticker inside the driver door jamb. The tire inflation pressure are listed
for all tires and the collapsible spare ti re. In the eve nt of a discrepancy between the above figures
and the tire pressures listed on the tire inflation pressu re la bel, the pressures listed on the label are
the ones you should use. If different tires are inst alle d, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System cannot
properly monitor tire inflation pressures unless the TPMS is reset to the new tire pressures.
Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities have the necessary
special tools and must reset the TPMS for the new tires on your vehicle.
3.0 l / 380 hp (279 kW)
Hybrid
265/50 R 19,110 H xl 35 240 39 270
275/45 R 20,110 H xl 35 240 39 270
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