VOLKSWAGEN BETTLE CABRIO 2003 (01) PDF Document

When converting wheel and tyre combinations on your VOLKSWAGEN BETTLE CABRIO 2003, please observe the following technical conditions:

• The wheel and tyre combinations and conversions listed in the tables of this guide refer exclusively to Volkswagen genuine disc-type wheels.

• Approval of wheel and tyre combinations or a change to wheels from the accessories trade is not possible with the certificate statement provided in the PDF.

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

• Tyres with run-flat properties (reinforced side walls) may only be used on disc-type wheels with an extended hump and on vehicles with a tyre pressure monitoring system.

• If the wheel and tyre combinations listed are used, the associated tyre inflation pressures must be adhered to. The tyre inflation pressures for summer tyres can be found on the sticker on the inside of the tank flap or in the tables of the individual vehicles.

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

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

The markings on a tyre’s sidewall provide important information. Here is a breakdown of what each marking means, using “Continental ContiPremiumContact 2” as an example:

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

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

3. Manufacturer (trade name): e.g., Continental.

4. Construction: Indicates if it’s a Radial tyre and if it’s Tubeless.

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

6. Specified direction of rotation/installation for tyre.

7. Maximum permissible load: Data for North America.

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

9. Number of plies in the tread and sidewalls and material information.

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

11. Manufacturer code / date of manufacture: Plant, size, model, and date of manufacture.

12. DOT – Department of Transportation: Tyre fulfils US standards.

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.

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

The speed rating code on a tyre indicates the maximum speed at which the tyre can carry a load corresponding to its Load Index. The tyres for your vehicle must be selected so that their maximum permitted speed is greater than the maximum speed that the vehicle can attain.

The load rating code (or load index) on the sidewall of the tyre provides information about the maximum load that the tyre can bear. The following table shows the load rating codes with the corresponding maximum load capacity of the tyres.

Radial depressions, or undulations, are slight concavities in the tyre sidewall that run from the bead towards the shoulder. They are caused by the accumulation of material at the joints of the tyre components during manufacturing.

Undulations have no effect on:

• Safety

• Service life

• Handling

• Other characteristics of the tyre

Undulations are visible to varying extents. It is not necessary to inspect the tyre or remove it from the rim due to their presence.

To ensure the longevity and safety of your tyres, follow these storage guidelines:

Storage Room Conditions:

The storage room should be dark, dry, cool, and ventilated.

Important Safety Note:

Stored tyres must not come into contact with fuel, oil, grease, or chemicals under any circumstances. Otherwise, the tyre material will be damaged by chemical reactions which are not always visible, potentially leading to dangerous situations when the car is driven.

Storing Complete Wheels (Tyres on Rims):

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

• Ensure the tyres are clean and dry before storage.

• 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 stacked for a long period, they can be pressed together, making them difficult to fit later.

• If storing vertically, it is recommended to turn them every 14 days to avoid flat spots.

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

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

Example of a DOT number to 31.12.1999:

DOT ….. 5 0 9 <

In this example, the “50” is the week, and the “9” is the last digit of the year (1999). The date is the 50th week of 1999.

Example of a DOT number from 01.01.2000:

DOT ….. 0 1 0 0

In this example, “01” is the week, and “00” represents the year (2000). The date is the 1st week of 2000.

Follow these instructions to correctly measure tyre tread depth:

1. Measure the tread depth in the main tread channels, not at the Tread Wear Indicators (TWIs).

2. Perform the measurement at the points where the tyre is worn most heavily.

3. The position of the TWIs can be seen at various points on the shoulder of the tyre, often marked with “TWI”, a “Δ” symbol, or the manufacturer’s logo.

4. The bars of the TWI have a height of 1.6 mm, which is the minimum legal tread depth in Germany. Different values may apply in other countries.

5. The TWIs must not be included in the measurement. Tread depth should always be measured at the deepest point of the tread channel.

If your vehicle pulls to one side, it may be caused by the tyres. Follow these troubleshooting steps for non-directional tyres:

1. Perform a road test to determine if the vehicle pulls to one side and, if so, which side.

2. If it pulls to one side, interchange the front wheels.

3. Carry out another road test.

• If the vehicle now travels in a straight line, the problem is solved.

• If the vehicle now pulls to the other side, the issue is with one of the front tyres. Proceed to the next step.

• If the vehicle pulls to the same side, the issue is not with the front tyres. Proceed to the next step.

4. Reverse one front tyre on its rim (so its direction of rotation is reversed) and then interchange the front and rear tyres.

5. Carry out another road test.

• If the vehicle travels straight, the problem is solved.

• If the vehicle does not travel straight, or if the problem persists, check the alignment of the front and rear wheels and adjust if necessary. If alignment is correct, contact Product Support.

• If the issue persists, consider mounting new tyres on the front axle and re-testing.

Before balancing, ensure the following:

• Tyre pressure is correct.

• Tyre tread is not one-sided and is at least 4 mm deep.

• The tyre shows no signs of damage (cuts, piercing, etc.).

• The wheel suspension, steering, and shock absorbers are in perfect condition.

Procedure for balancing wheels and tyres:

1. Conduct a road test to determine the nature of any vibration and the speed at which it occurs.

2. Remove the wheels from the vehicle.

3. Clean the contact surfaces, the centre of the wheel, and the recess on the inside of the wheel before mounting it on the wheel balancer.

4. Mount the wheel with the tyre on the wheel balancer, using a proper centring system (e.g., VAS 5271) to ensure it is 100% centred and clamped without damage.

5. Rotate the wheel on the balancer and check for even running of the tyre sidewall and body.

6. Check the wheel for radial or lateral runout. If runout is within tolerance, balance the wheel and tyre. More than 60 grams of weight per tyre should not be used. If more is needed, “matching” the tyre and rim may be necessary.

7. The wheel balancer display should indicate 0 grams when finished.

8. Bolt the wheel to the vehicle. First hand-tighten the lowest wheel bolt to about 30 Nm, then tighten the remaining bolts diagonally to about 30 Nm. This centres the wheel on the hub.

9. Lower the vehicle onto its wheels.

10. Use a torque wrench to tighten the wheel bolts to the specified torque in a diagonal sequence.

11. After balancing, carry out a final road test.

Flat spots caused by storage or handling can be removed only by running the tyres warm. This method is not recommended in cold and wintry weather. Flat spots caused by hard braking cannot be repaired and such tyres must be renewed.

Requirements and Conditions:

1. Check and, if necessary, correct inflation pressures.

2. Drive the car on a motorway where possible.

3. Traffic and road conditions permitting, drive a 20 to 30 km stretch at a speed of 120 to 150 km/h. Do not endanger yourself or other road users and observe all speed limitations.

4. Raise the vehicle immediately following the road test.

5. Remove the wheels from the vehicle.

6. Balance the wheels on a stationary wheel balancer.

Follow these instructions to ensure wheels are properly and securely fitted:

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

2. Check that the centring seat of the brake disc is also free of corrosion and dirt.

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

4. Check whether 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.

5. 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 approx. 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.

17″ wheels with 225/45 R 17 tyres are 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 allocation of the specific steering box (PR No.) to the engine is as follows:

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. If wider tyres are used, they may contact the front axle and bodywork while the car is being driven.

The wheel and tyre combinations for the 1.4l 55 kW petrol engine are as follows:

Standard tyres:

• Tyre size: 195/65 R 15 91T

• Wheel rim: 6 J x 15

• Offset: 38 mm

• Snow chains: Yes

Modification:

• Tyre size: 205/55 R 16 91H

• Wheel rim: 6 1/2 J x 16

• Offset: 42 mm

• Snow chains: No

• Tyre size: 225/45 R 17 91V/W

• Wheel rim: 7 J x 17

• Offset: 38 mm

• Snow chains: No

Winter tyres:

• Tyre size: 195/65 R 15 91Q/T

• Wheel rim: 6 J x 15

• Offset: 38 mm

• Snow chains: Yes

• Tyre size: 205/55 R 16 91T

• Wheel rim: 5 1/2 J x 16

• Offset: 36 mm

• Snow chains: Yes