VOLKSWAGEN BETTLE 1999 (01) PDF Document

Conversions of wheels and tyres on your VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999 can only be carried out under certain conditions. The following points must be observed:

Legislative Conditions:

• If the size of the wheel and tyre, including the load index and speed symbol, is included in the vehicle’s General Operating Permit (GTA) and EU operating permit/type approval, this combination can be fitted without any problem.

• It is not necessary for the wheel and tyre combination specified in the registration certificate to be fitted. All combinations approved in the vehicle GTA or EU operating permit may be fitted to the vehicle.

• For conversions recommended by the manufacturer, there are no general operating permits in accordance with § 22 StVZO (German road traffic and licensing regulations).

• Unless the wheels and/or tyres are included in the relevant vehicle GTA or EU operating permit/type approval, the vehicle will no longer meet the requirements of the road traffic regulations if converted.

• The use of genuine disc-type wheels on a vehicle to which they have not been allocated is not permissible.

Technical Conditions:

• The listed wheel and tyre combinations refer exclusively to Volkswagen genuine disc-type wheels.

• Approval of wheel and tyre combinations from the accessories trade is not possible with the manufacturer’s certificate statement.

• Tubeless radial tyres may only be fitted to rims with a safety hump feature on the shoulder.

• If the listed wheel and tyre combinations are used, the associated tyre inflation pressures must be adhered to. These can be found on the sticker on the inside of the tank flap or in the vehicle’s tables.

• Sufficient clearance to the wheels and tyres at parts of the wheel housing, suspension, and braking system is assured if the notes and specifications are observed in all operating conditions.

• Unless otherwise stated, snow chains may only be fitted to the drive wheels. On all-wheel drive vehicles, only the front wheels may be fitted with snow chains.

The sidewall of a tyre on your VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999 has numerous identification markings. Here is an explanation of what they mean:

1. Size code: e.g., 205/55 R 16.

2. Position of TWIs (Tread Wear Indicators): Shows where to find the wear indicators in the tread.

3. Manufacturer (trade name): The brand of the tyre.

4. Construction: Indicates if it’s a “Radial” cord direction and if it’s “Tubeless”.

5. Load capacity index / speed rating: e.g., 91 H.

6. Specified direction of rotation/installation: An arrow indicates the direction the tyre should rotate for optimal performance.

7. Maximum permissible load: Data for North America.

8. Maximum permissible tyre pressure: Data for North America.

9. Number of plies: Information on the number of plies in the tread and sidewalls, and the material.

10. E number: Approval number indicating the tyre fulfils European guidelines.

11. Manufacturer code / date of manufacture (DOT): An identification number for the manufacturer’s plant, tyre size, model, and the date of manufacture (tyre age).

12. DOT – Department of Transportation: Indicates the tyre meets standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

13. Marking for Brazil

14. Marking for China

15. Country of origin: e.g., Made in Germany.

16. Safety notes for use or fitting of tyre

17. Relative expected service life – abrasion resistance: Based on a US standard test.

18. Rating of wet-braking traction: A, B or C, according to a US test.

19. Rating of temperature resistance: A, B or C, according to a US test.

20. Identifying tyres with run-flat properties: e.g., self-supporting run-flat.

21. Tread pattern: e.g., ContiPremiumContact.

Understanding the markings on your VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999’s tyres is crucial for safety and performance. Here is a breakdown of the tyre dimensions, speed ratings, and load indexes.

Explanation of Tyre Dimensions

1 – Tyre width (mm)

2 – Aspect ratio in %

3 – Code for tyre construction „R“ indicates radial

4 – Rim diameter designation (inches)

5 – Load rating code/load index (LI)

6 – Speed rating code

7 – Winter tyre/code for all-season tyre

Speed Rating / Maximum Speed

Load Rating Code / Maximum Load

Proper storage is essential to maintain the safety and performance of your VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999 tyres.

Storage Room Conditions:

The storage area should be:

• dark

• dry

• cool

• ventilated

Important Safety Note: Stored tyres must not come into contact with fuel, oil, grease, or chemicals under any circumstances. These substances can damage the tyre material in ways that are not always visible, leading to dangerous situations when driving.

Storing Complete Wheels (Tyres on Rims):

• Tyres mounted on wheels can be stored flat, stacked one upon the other.

• Ensure the wheels and tyres are clean and dry before storing.

• The inflation pressure should be increased to a maximum of 3 bar.

Storing Tyres without Wheels:

• Tyres without wheels are best stored standing vertically.

• If tyres are stored standing vertically, it is recommended to turn them every 14 days to avoid flat spots.

Tyre ageing is an important safety consideration for your VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999. Tyres age due to physical and chemical processes, which can impair their function. Tyres stored for long periods harden and become brittle faster than tyres in constant use.

Determining Tyre Age:

The tyre’s age can be determined from the DOT designation on the sidewall, which includes the production date.

• For DOT numbers up to 31.12.1999: The number will be something like “DOT … 509 <“. The “50” is the week, the “9” is the last digit of the year (1999), and the “<” indicates it’s from the 1990s. This example means the 50th week of 1999.

• For DOT numbers from 01.01.2000: The number will be four digits, e.g., “0100”. The “01” is the week and “00” is the year (2000). This example means the 1st week of 2000.

Recommendation:

• It is recommended not to use summer and winter tyres which are older than 6 years. The original properties, especially adhesion, deteriorate due to the ageing process.

• When fitting new tyres, a spare tyre may be used if it is in flawless condition and not more than 6 years old.

• For safety, tyres of the same make and with the same tread pattern should be mounted on one axle.

Properly changing or fitting wheels on your VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999 is crucial for safety. Follow these instructions carefully.

Preparation:

• Check to ensure that contact surfaces on the brake disc and the inner side of the wheel (rim) are free of corrosion and dirt.

• The concave seats in the wheel bolt holes and the threads of the wheel bolts must also be free of corrosion, dirt, oil, or grease.

• Check if the wheel bolts can be easily screwed in by hand. The thread of the wheel bolt must not contact the bore in the brake disc. If it does, turn the brake disc relative to the wheel hub.

• Damaged, badly corroded, or difficult-to-remove wheel bolts must be renewed.

Fitting Wheels:

1. When fitting the wheel, screw in all wheel bolts uniformly by hand.

2. Tighten the wheel bolts in a diagonal sequence to approximately 30 Nm.

3. Lower the vehicle to the floor and tighten all wheel bolts diagonally to the specified torque using a torque wrench. Do not use an impact driver when screwing in the bolts.

Fitting 17-inch wheels with 225/45 R 17 tyres on your VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999 is possible only under the following conditions:

1. For vehicles from model year 2001 onwards.

2. If 17″ sports running gear and a steering box with reduced steering arm travel is installed in the vehicle.

The required steering box depends on the engine, as shown in the table below:

Maximum Tyre Width:

If a vehicle is retrofitted with 17″ tyres or if existing 17″ tyres are renewed, use only tyres with a maximum width that does not exceed 218 mm during use. The measured width includes the tyre lettering on a 7 J x 17 or 7 1/2 J x 17 rim and at the specified tyre pressure. Using wider tyres may cause them to contact the front axle and bodywork while driving.

The wheel specifications for your VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999 (type 9C) are detailed below. Always observe the allocation of wheels and tyres to the respective engines as listed in the overview tables.

Pitch circle diameter: 100 mm

Number of wheel bolt holes: 5

5 1/2 J x 16

Winter wheels

6 J x 15

6 1/2 J x 16

7 J x 17

7 1/2 J x 17

Here are the recommended summer, all-season, and winter tyres for the VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999.

Recommended Summer Tyres

Recommended All-Season Tyres

Recommended Winter Tyres

The specifications for the temporary spare tyre and wheel for the VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1999 (type 9C) are as follows:

Always observe the notes on the use of temporary spare wheels.