VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 2005 (02) PDF Document

When converting wheels and tyres on your VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 2005, you must observe the following 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 specific combination listed in your registration certificate to be fitted; any approved combination is permissible.

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

♦ If the wheels and/or tyres are not included in the relevant vehicle GTA or EU operating permit/type approval, the vehicle will no longer meet road traffic regulations if converted. You must obtain proper certification.

These conditions are based on those valid in the European Union. Legislative requirements may differ in other regions.

When converting wheel and tyre combinations on your VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 2005, ensure the following technical conditions are met:

• The combinations and conversions listed in the manual refer exclusively to Volkswagen genuine disc-type wheels.

• Approval of wheel and tyre combinations from the accessories trade is not possible with the parts certificate provided in the manual.

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

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

• Always adhere to the associated tyre inflation pressures for the listed wheel and tyre combinations. These pressures can be found on the sticker inside the tank flap or in the vehicle’s tables.

• Ensure sufficient clearance between the wheels/tyres and parts of the wheel housing, suspension, and braking system 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 (with the exception of the Touareg).

Proper storage is essential to maintain the condition and safety of your tyres. Follow these guidelines:

Storage Room Conditions:

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

WARNING: Stored tyres must not come into contact with fuel, oil, grease, or chemicals under any circumstances. The material in the tyre can be damaged by chemical reactions that are not always visible, leading to dangerous situations when driving.

Storage of 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.

Storage of Tyres without Wheels:

• Tyres without wheels are best stored standing vertically.

• If tyres are stacked for long periods, they will be pressed together, making them more difficult to fit.

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

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

Example of a DOT number up to 31.12.1999:

DOT … 5 0 9 <

This indicates the 50th week of 1999. The “<” stands for the 1990s, and the last digit is the year.

Example of a DOT number from 01.01.2000:

DOT … 0 1 0 0

This indicates the 1st week of 2000. The last two digits represent the year.

Recommendations:

♦ It is recommended not to use summer and winter tyres that are older than 6 years. The original properties deteriorate due to the aging process.

♦ A spare tyre may be used if it is in flawless condition and not more than 6 years old.

To correctly measure the tyre tread depth, follow these instructions:

• The tread depth should be measured in the main tread channels.

• Do not measure at the TWIs (Tread Wear Indicators).

Measure the tread depth in the main tread channel, at the points where the tyre is worn most heavily. The position of the TWIs (marked with “TWI”, a triangle symbol, or a manufacturer logo) can be seen at various points on the shoulder of the tyre.

The bars of the TWI have a height of 1.6 mm, which is the legal minimum tread depth in Germany. Other countries may have different requirements. The TWIs must not be included in the measurement; always measure at the deepest point of the tread channel.

Vibration can be caused by many factors, including tyre wear. Wear is not always uniform across the tyre, which can cause slight imbalances and affect the smooth running of the wheel. While minor imbalances may not be felt at the steering wheel, they increase wear and reduce the tyre’s service life.

Recommendation: To ensure optimal safety, smooth running, and even wear, it is recommended to have your wheels and tyres balanced at least twice during the tyre’s service life.

Before Balancing Wheels:

Before you start balancing the wheels, the following requirements must be met.

• The tyre pressure must be correct.

• The tyre tread must not show one-sided wear and should be at least 4 mm deep.

• The tyre must not show any signs of damage (cuts, piercing, foreign bodies, etc.).

• The wheel suspension, steering, and steering linkage, including shock absorbers, must be in perfect condition.

Procedure for Balancing Wheels and Tyres:

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

2. Raise the vehicle, mark the tyre positions, and remove the wheels.

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. Check for radial or lateral runout. If runout is within the specified tolerance, balance the wheel and tyre.

5. If more than 60 grams of weight per tyre is needed, you may achieve smoother running by “match mounting” the tyre and rim (rotating the tyre on the rim to find the optimal position).

6. Bolt the wheel back onto the vehicle, tightening the bolts diagonally to the specified torque.

7. Perform a final road test to confirm the vibration is resolved.

If your vehicle pulls to one side, it can be caused by the running gear, but experience shows that in about 90% of all complaints, the tyres are the cause due to a characteristic called “conicity.” Conicity is a slight offset of the tyre’s tread/belt relative to its geometric centre, which is not visible and cannot be measured in a workshop.

Test Conditions and Checks:

• Perform a road test on a level, straight, and ungrooved road without crosswinds.

• Check all suspension components for damage.

• Check tyre pressure and correct if necessary.

• Check tyres for external damage (punctures, cuts, bubbles, flat spots).

• Ensure all tyres are of the same type, manufacture, and tread pattern.

Remedy – Strategic Rotation of Wheels:

If the complaint is justified, a strategic rotation of the wheels can often compensate for the pulling. The following steps apply to non-directional tyres.

1. Perform a road test to confirm which side the vehicle pulls to.

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

3. Perform another road test.

• If the vehicle now travels in a straight line, the process is complete.

• If the vehicle now pulls to the other side, proceed to the next step.

• If the vehicle still pulls to the same side, proceed to the next step.

4. If it pulls to the other side: Reverse one front tyre on its rim (so the direction of rotation is reversed) and perform another road test. If it still doesn’t travel straight, interchange the front and rear wheels and test again. Continue with systematic interchanges and tyre reversals until the issue is resolved or other causes (like wheel alignment) are investigated.

5. If it still pulls to the same side: Interchange the front and rear tyres. Perform another road test. If the issue persists, a systematic process of swapping wheels and reversing tyres on rims should be followed. If a straight-line travel cannot be achieved, check the wheel alignment.

The following table outlines the approved wheel and tyre combinations for the VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 2005 (Type 1KP, model years 2005-2006).

* The 225/40 R 18 92Y tyre on the 7 J x 18 offset 51 rim is permitted only on vehicles with sports running gear and rear axle camber of -1°45′.

The following are the recommended makes and tread patterns for summer tyres on a VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 2005.

The following are the recommended makes and tread patterns for all-season tyres on a VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 2005.

The following are the recommended makes and tread patterns for winter tyres on a VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 2005.