VOLKSWAGEN GTI 2009 (01) PDF Document

Conversions of wheels and tyres on your VOLKSWAGEN GTI 2009 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/type approval may be fitted.

• 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 the requirements of the road traffic regulations if converted.

Technical Conditions:

• The wheel and tyre combinations and conversions listed in the tables of this PDF 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.

• 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.

• Adhere to the associated tyre inflation pressures for the listed wheel and tyre combinations. These 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 (with the exception of the Touareg).

The sidewall of a tyre contains various identification markings. Below is a list of what each marking represents:

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

2. Position of TWIs (Tread Wear Indicators).

3. Manufacturer (trade name).

4. Construction: Radial cord direction and code for tubeless tyres.

5. Load capacity index / speed rating.

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: Indicates the tyre fulfils European guidelines.

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

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

13. Marking for Brazil.

14. Marking for China.

15. Country of origin.

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.

The tyre dimension markings provide key information about the tyre’s specifications. Here is an explanation using an example:

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 the tyre is certified for. The tyres for your VOLKSWAGEN GTI 2009 must be selected so that their maximum permitted speed is greater than the maximum speed that the vehicle can attain.

The load rating code 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 used at VW with their corresponding maximum load capacity.

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

Storage Room Conditions:

• Dark

• Dry

• Cool

• Ventilated

WARNING: Stored tyres must not come into contact with fuel, oil, grease, or chemicals under any circumstances, as this can damage the tyre material and lead 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 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 can be pressed together, making them difficult to fit later.

• If storing tyres 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. Here are some key points:

• Tyres stored for long periods harden and become brittle faster than tyres in constant use.

• Older tyres may develop hairline cracks from ageing.

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

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

How to determine tyre age from the DOT number:

• Example DOT number to 31.12.1999: DOT ….. 5 0 9 <. The “50” indicates the 50th week, and the “9” indicates the year 1999.

• Example DOT number from 01.01.2000: DOT ….. 0 1 0 0. The “01” indicates the 1st week, and the “00” indicates the year 2000.

Several factors influence a tyre’s service life to varying degrees:

Driving style:

• Speed

• Braking

• Acceleration

• Cornering

Maintenance:

• Tyre pressure

Environment:

• Road surface

• Ambient temperature and climate

Vehicle:

• Weight

• Dynamic toe and camber settings

Tyre use:

• Speed range

• Wet or dry

Tyre type:

• Winter or summer

The driving style is the most important influencing factor as regards the service life of a tyre.

To measure the tread depth correctly, follow these steps:

1. The tread depth should be measured in the main tread channels, not at the Tread Wear Indicators (TWIs).

2. Measure 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”, or the manufacturer’s logo.

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

5. The TWIs must not be included in the measurement. Always measure at the deepest point of the tread channel.

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

Prerequisites for Balancing Wheels:

• 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, etc.).

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

• A road test should be conducted prior to balancing.

Procedure for Balancing Wheels on a Stationary Machine:

1. Conduct a road test to determine the nature of the rough running and the speed range in which it occurs. Mark the tyre positions (e.g., FL, FR, RL, RR).

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.

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

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

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

7. If more than 60 grams of weight per tyre is needed, you may need to “match” the tyre and rim to achieve smoother running.

8. The wheel balancer display should indicate 0 grams.

9. Bolt the wheel back to the vehicle, first hand-tightening the lowest bolt to about 30 Nm, then the remaining bolts diagonally. Lower the vehicle and use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts to the specified torque in a diagonal sequence.

10. Carry out a final road test.

If your vehicle pulls to one side, it can be caused by the running gear, but experience shows that in 90% of cases, the tyres are the cause due to a slight asymmetry called “conicity”.

Test Conditions:

• Perform a road test on a level, straight, and un-grooved road that does not drop off to one side. There should be no crosswind.

• Check all suspension components for damage.

• Check tyre pressure and correct if necessary.

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

Remedies for Non-Directional Tyres:

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

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

3. Carry out another road test. If the vehicle now travels straight, the problem is solved. If it pulls to the other side, proceed to the next step.

4. Reverse one front tyre on its rim (so the direction of rotation is reversed). Carry out another road test.

5. If the problem persists, interchange the front and rear wheels and test again.

6. Continue strategic rotation, including reversing tyres on rims and swapping between axles, until the pulling is eliminated. If the issue cannot be resolved, check the wheel alignment.

Remedies for Unidirectional Tyres:

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

2. If it pulls, interchange the front and back wheels on the same side.

3. Carry out another road test. If the problem persists, first renew one tyre on the front axle and test again. If that doesn’t work, renew the other front tyre.

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

Tyres with run-flat properties have reinforced sidewalls compared to normal tyres. This design offers several advantages:

• It reduces the slippage of the sidewalls and prevents the tyre flanks from sticking when the tyre is run deflated.

• This ensures the vehicle remains controllable with almost normal driving characteristics even with a deflated tyre.

• A deflated tyre can be driven further to the next workshop (approx. 50 km or 30 miles) at a suitable speed (max. 80 km/h or 50 mph).

Identification:

Run-flat tyres can be identified by abbreviations such as DSST, Euforia, RFT, ROF, RSC, SSR, or ZP on the tyre flank.

Requirements for Use:

• These tyres may only be used on vehicles with a tyre pressure monitoring system.

• They must be fitted on disc-type wheels with a raised double hump (Extended Hump – EH2).

• Retrofitting run-flat tyres is only permissible if they are fitted as standard or available as an option for your specific model.

Repairs:

Tyres with run-flat properties must be replaced after they have been run deflated. Repairs are not permitted.

Properly changing and fitting wheels is crucial for safety. Follow these instructions:

Checks before Fitting:

• Ensure contact surfaces on the brake disc are free of corrosion and dirt.

• Ensure the contact surface and centring seat on 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 that wheel bolts can be screwed in easily by hand. The thread of the bolt must not contact the bore in the brake disc.

WARNING: 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!