VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VARIANT 1998 (01) PDF Document

Tyres are high-tech products optimally adapted to the operating conditions of modern vehicles and require proper care, maintenance, and service to ensure safety, performance, and comfort for their entire service life.

All tyres recommended by VW have been tested and designed specifically for each model in collaboration with tyre manufacturers. It is recommended to fit only these tyre makes when renewing tyres.

Key points to ensure optimal tyre performance include:

• Adherence to operating conditions such as differing speed ranges, winter and summer use, and wet and dry roads.

• Proper adjustment of the axle geometry during wheel alignment is an important prerequisite for ensuring the optimum service life of the tyre. Wheel alignment must always be within the specified tolerance range.

• Normal wear and tear on a tyre will alter its characteristics, which may result in tyre noise and vibration. These are indications of wear and not a defect.

Conversions of wheels and tyres can only be carried out under certain conditions:

Legislative Conditions:

• If the wheel and tyre size, including load index and speed symbol, is listed in the vehicle’s General Type Approval (GTA) or EU operating permit/type approval, it 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’s GTA or EU operating permit may be fitted.

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

Technical Conditions:

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

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

• Adhere to the associated tyre inflation pressures, which can be found on the sticker inside the tank flap or in the vehicle’s tables.

• Ensure sufficient clearance to the wheels and tyres at 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.

The markings on a tyre sidewall provide important information. Here is a breakdown of the typical markings:

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

2. Position of TWIs (Tread Wear Indicators).

3. Manufacturer (trade name).

4. Construction: Indicates if the tyre is ‘Radial’ and ‘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 information about the material.

10. E number = Approval number: Indicates the tyre fulfils European guidelines.

11. Manufacturer code / date of manufacture: An identification number for the plant, tyre size, model, and the date of manufacture.

12. DOT – Department of Transportation: Indicates the tyre fulfils standards of the United States of America.

13. Marking for Brazil.

14. Marking for China.

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

16. Safety reference 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 tyre markings provide specific details about the tyre’s dimensions and capabilities.

Explanation of tyre dimensions (Example: 195/65 R 15 91V):

• 195: Tyre width in mm.

• 65: Aspect ratio in % (height to width ratio).

• R: Code for tyre construction, indicating a Radial tyre.

• 15: Rim diameter designation in inches.

• 91: Load rating code/load index (LI).

• V: Speed rating code.

Speed Rating / Maximum Speed:

Load Rating Code / Load Index (LI):

Proper storage is essential to maintain the quality and longevity of your tyres.

Storage Room Conditions:

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

• Stored tyres must not come into contact with fuel, oil, grease, or chemicals, as these can damage the rubber.

Storage Methods:

• Complete wheels (tyres mounted on rims): These can be stored flat and stacked one upon the other. Ensure the tyres are clean and dry. The inflation pressure should be increased to a maximum of 3 bar.

• Tyres without wheels: These are best stored standing vertically. To avoid flat spots, it is recommended to turn them every 14 days.

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. Older tyres may develop hairline cracks.

Determining Tyre Age:

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

• Example for tyres made up to 31.12.1999: A number like “509 <" means the 50th week of 1999.

• Example for tyres made from 01.01.2000: A number like “0100” means the 1st week of 2000.

Recommendations:

• It is recommended not to use summer and winter tyres that are older than 6 years.

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

• All VW vehicles are factory-fitted with four identical tyres and wheels.

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

• Snow chains must be fitted to driven wheels only.

• It is not possible to use snow chains with all wheel and tyre combinations. Refer to the vehicle tables for specific notes.

• If no particular type is specified, small-link chains may be used. These, including the fastener, must not protrude more than 15 mm beyond the wheel’s tread and the inner wall.

• The maximum speed permitted by law when driving with snow chains is 50 km/h.

• Snow chains should be removed when there is no snow on the road to avoid adversely affecting handling and causing unnecessary wear.

To measure the tread depth correctly:

• Measure the depth in the main tread channels, at the points where the tyre is worn most heavily.

• Do not measure at the TWIs (Tread Wear Indicators). The position of the TWIs can be seen at various points on the shoulder of the tyre, often marked with “TWI”, a triangle, or the manufacturer’s logo.

• The bars of the TWI have a height of 1.6 mm. This is the minimum tread depth required by German law. Different values may apply in other countries.

• Tread depth should always be measured at the deepest point of the tread channel, not on top of the TWI bars.

Different driving habits and vehicle conditions can cause specific wear patterns on your tyres:

• One-sided wear: This is often caused by fast cornering, which wears the outer shoulder, or by incorrect wheel alignment (toe and camber values).

• Wear in the middle of the tyre: This pattern is found on the driven wheels of high-performance vehicles frequently driven at high speeds. Centrifugal forces cause the tyre diameter to increase more in the middle of the tread, leading to increased wear there. Reducing tyre pressure is not a safe solution.

• Diagonal washout: This is wear at an approximate 45° angle, occurring almost exclusively on non-driven wheels (particularly the rear left). It is intensified by high toe-in values and low tyre pressure. If detected early, the wheels should be fitted on the drive axle.

• Saw-tooth wear: This is a stepped wear pattern on individual tread blocks that can cause increased tyre noise. It is caused by uneven deformation of the tread blocks and is more pronounced on non-driven wheels. To remedy this, the direction of rotation of the tyre must be reversed (e.g., by interchanging tyres diagonally for non-directional tyres).

• Flat spots: These result from hard braking that causes the wheels to lock and slide, wearing off rubber in one spot. Tyres with this type of damage must be renewed.

If your vehicle pulls to one side, a strategic rotation of the wheels can often compensate for the forces causing it. First, perform a road test on a level, straight road to confirm the pull and its direction. Ensure there is no crosswind.

For Non-Directional Tyres:

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

2. Interchange the front wheels.

3. Perform another road test.

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

• If the vehicle now pulls to the other side, reverse one front tyre on its rim (so the direction of rotation is reversed) and re-test. If it still doesn’t travel straight, interchange the front and rear wheels and re-test.

• If the vehicle still pulls to the same side, interchange the front and rear wheels and re-test. If it still pulls to the same side, check wheel alignment. If alignment is correct, contact Product Support.

For Unidirectional Tyres:

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

2. Interchange the front and back wheels on the same side (maintaining the direction of rotation).

3. Perform another road test.

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

• If the vehicle does not travel in a straight line, first renew one tyre on the front axle and re-test. If the issue persists, renew the other tyre on the front axle. If it still pulls, check front and rear wheel alignment.

The following table lists the approved standard, modification, and winter tyre options for the VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VARIANT 1998 (Golf Estate model year 1994 to 1998).