VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VARIANT 2010 (16) PDF Document

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

Legislative Conditions:

• If the size of the wheel and tyre, with 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/type approval may be fitted.

• For conversions recommended by Volkswagen, 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.

Technical Conditions:

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

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

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

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

• 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 wheels and tyres at parts of the wheel housing, suspension, and braking system is assured if the notes and specifications in the certificate statement are observed.

• 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.

The sidewall of a tyre contains various 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.

3. Manufacturer: Trade name of the tyre maker.

4. Construction: Radial (radial cord direction in carcass) and Tubeless (code for tubeless tyres).

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: 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: Identification number for the plant, tyre size, model, and date of manufacture.

12. DOT: Department of Transportation, indicating the 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: e.g., self-supporting run-flat.

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

Tyre markings provide essential information about the tyre’s specifications. Here is a breakdown:

1 – Tyre width (in mm)

2 – Aspect ratio in %

3 – Code for tyre construction „R“ indicates radial

4 – Rim diameter designation (in inches)

5 – Load rating code/load index (LI)

6 – Speed rating code

7 – Winter tyre/code for all-season tyre

The speed rating code indicates the maximum speed a tyre can sustain. 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, found on the sidewall, indicates the maximum load a tyre can bear. It is included in the size designation (e.g., 195/65 R 15 91T). The table shows the load rating codes used at VW with their corresponding load capacities.

Proper tyre storage is essential to maintain their condition and safety. The storage room should be:

• dark

• dry,

• cool and

• ventilated

WARNING: Stored tyres must not come in contact with fuel, oil, grease, or chemicals under any circumstances. Otherwise, the material in the tyre will be damaged by chemical reactions which are not always visible. As a result, dangerous situations can occur 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. 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 will be pressed together, making them more difficult to fit. If stored standing vertically, it is recommended to turn them every 14 days to avoid flat spots.

Tyres age due to physical and chemical processes, which can impair their function. Key points to consider:

• Even visually flawless, new or barely used tyres with sufficient tread depth, which are older than six years, may show a significant reduction in wet properties and winter suitability due only to ageing.

• It is recommended not to use summer and winter tyres which are older than 6 years anymore. Winter tyres especially lose their adhesion properties.

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

• When new tyres are fitted, the spare tyre may also be used if it is in flawless condition and is not more than 6 years old. Combining an old spare tyre with new tyres can adversely influence car handling.

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

Different driving styles and conditions cause various tyre wear patterns. Understanding them can help in diagnosis and prevention.

One-Sided Wear:

• Cause: Often caused by driving style (e.g., fast cornering) or incorrect wheel alignment (toe and camber). Using “suspension-lowering kits” or non-recommended alloy wheels can also alter wheel positions and cause wear.

• Prevention: Ensure wheel alignment is correct and within specified tolerances. Regularly service the vehicle, adhere to prescribed tyre inflation pressures, and rotate wheels from front to rear, especially during seasonal changes.

Outer Shoulder Wear:

• Cause: Driving fast on roads with lots of curves. A rounded outer shoulder indicates fast cornering.

• Prevention: Adjust driving style.

Wear in Middle of Tyre:

• Cause: Found on driven wheels of high-performance vehicles frequently driven at high speeds. Centrifugal forces cause the tyre diameter to increase more in the middle, transferring more drive force to this area. It is not caused by over-inflation.

• Prevention: Interchange the tyres on the driven and non-driven wheels in good time.

Diagonal Washout:

• Cause: Occurs almost exclusively on non-driven wheels, particularly the rear left. It is intensified by high toe-in values and low tyre pressure. It appears as diagonal wear spots at an angle of approx. 45°.

• Prevention: Check and correct toe-in values to be identical on both rear wheels and maintain specified tyre pressures. If washout is detected early, move the wheels to the driven axle.

Saw-tooth Wear:

• Cause: A stepped wear pattern on individual tread blocks, more pronounced on non-driven wheels. It can be caused by high toe values, incorrect tyre pressure, coarse tread, or very fast cornering. It often leads to increased tyre noise.

• Remedy: For non-directional tyres, reverse the direction of rotation (interchange diagonally). For directional tyres, interchange front and rear tyres. If wear is on the outer edges, turn both tyres around on their rims and swap them to the opposite side of the vehicle.

Rough running can be caused by tyre wear creating slight imbalances. It is recommended to have wheels and tyres balanced at least twice during the tyre’s service life.

Before Balancing Wheels:

1. Ensure tyre pressure is correct.

2. Check that the tread is not one-sidedly worn and is at least 4 mm deep.

3. Inspect the tyre for any signs of damage (cuts, piercing, etc.).

4. Check that the wheel suspension, steering, and shock absorbers are in perfect condition.

5. Conduct a road test to determine the nature of the rough running and the speed range at which it occurs.

Balancing Procedure:

1. Immediately after the road test, raise the vehicle and mark the tyre positions (e.g., FL, FR, RL, RR).

2. Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and hub before mounting on the wheel balancer.

3. Use a proper centring system to clamp the wheel to the balancer.

4. Check for radial and lateral runout. If runout is excessive, it may be the cause. More than 60 grams of weight per tyre should not be used. If more is needed, try “matching” the tyre and rim by rotating the tyre on the wheel.

5. Balance until the display shows 0 grams.

6. Re-install the wheel, hand-tightening bolts in a diagonal sequence to about 30 Nm to centre the wheel, then lower the vehicle and torque to specification.

7. If vibration persists, a finish balancer or vibration control system can be used to balance the wheel while on the vehicle.

If your vehicle pulls to one side, it can be caused by the running gear, but in 90% of cases, it is caused by the tyres due to a characteristic called “conicity.”

Initial Checks:

• Perform a road test on a level, straight road without a crosswind.

• Check all suspension components for damage.

• Check and correct tyre pressure.

• Check tyres for damage and even wear.

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

Strategic Rotation of Wheels (for Non-Directional Tyres):

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

2. Interchange the front wheels and perform another road test.

3. If the vehicle now pulls to the other side, one of the front tyres is the cause. You can then try interchanging front and rear tyres or reversing one front tyre on its rim to counteract the pull.

4. If the vehicle pulls to the same side, a rear tyre is likely the cause. Interchange the front and rear tyres and re-test.

5. If the pull is unchanged after swapping front wheels, the cause is not the tyres. Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.

Strategic Rotation of Wheels (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 and perform another road test.

3. If the vehicle still does not travel in a straight line, first renew one tyre on the front axle and test again.

4. If the issue persists, renew the other front tyre.

5. If the vehicle still pulls, check the front and rear wheel alignment.

Tyre damage can have serious consequences and can be caused in several ways:

• Driving with insufficient tyre pressure: This is a common cause of tyre failure. A slow loss of pressure can cause the tyre material to heat up, leading to separation of components.

• Impact damage: Driving over kerbs or potholes at an angle can pinch the tyre and damage the carcass, leading to a swelling in the sidewall. Even if not visible from the outside, this can cause a “double rupture” inside the tyre.

• Cuts and foreign bodies: Sharp objects can pierce the tyre. Often, an object like a nail will plug the hole, leading to a slow, unnoticed loss of pressure that can result in complete tyre failure later. Repairs should not be attempted on steel-belted tyres punctured by a foreign body.

• Fitting error: If the tyre bead is not seated correctly in the rim well during fitting, the bead core can be overstretched and broken during inflation. This is a safety risk as the tyre is not securely seated.

WARNING: Whenever a safety risk cannot be ruled out, the tyre must be renewed.

Follow these instructions to ensure wheels are properly secured:

Preparation:

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

• Check that the centring seat of the brake disc and rim are also clean.

• Ensure the concave seats in the wheel bolt holes and the threads of the wheel bolts are free of corrosion, dirt, oil, or grease.

• Check that wheel bolts can be easily screwed in by hand. If the thread touches the bore in the brake disc, rotate the disc relative to the 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 approx. 30 Nm.

3. Lower the vehicle to the floor and tighten all wheel bolts diagonally to the specified torque using a torque wrench.

WARNING: Do not use an impact driver when screwing in the bolts!

The approved wheel and tyre combinations depend on the engine output. The following tables detail the standard and modification options for the VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VARIANT 2010.

Overview for Golf Variant, sales type AJ5 model year 2010 to 2011 (Type Approval No.: e1*2001/116*0328*15 to e1*2001/116*0328*16)

* 225/40 R 18 92Y tyres on 7 1/2 J x 18 rims with an offset of 51 are permitted only on vehicles with sports running gear and a rear axle camber of -1°45′!