VOLKSWAGEN LUPO 1999 (01) PDF Document

Conversions of wheels and tyres on your VOLKSWAGEN LUPO 1999 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 Type Approval (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’s 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).

• 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 and conversions listed in the vehicle tables 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 (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 listed wheel and tyre combinations are used, 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 are observed.

• Unless otherwise stated, snow chains may only be fitted to the drive wheels.

The sidewall of your tyre contains a lot of useful information. Here is an explanation of the common markings:

1. Size code: e.g., 205/55 R 16. This indicates the tyre’s dimensions.

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

3. Manufacturer (trade name): The brand of the tyre.

4. Construction:
• Radial – Indicates radial cord direction in the carcass.
• Tubeless – Code for tubeless tyres.

5. Load capacity index / speed rating: e.g., 91 H. These numbers and letters indicate the maximum load and speed the tyre can handle.

6. Specified direction of rotation/installation: An arrow indicating the direction the tyre should rotate.

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 used.

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

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

12. DOT – Department of Transportation: Indicates the tyre meets US standards.

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 the 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: The model name of the tread pattern.

The codes on your tyre’s sidewall provide specific details about its size, construction, and capabilities.

Explanation of tyre dimensions:

Speed rating / maximum speed:

The load rating code (or load index) on the sidewall indicates the maximum load the tyre can bear. The following table shows the maximum load in kilograms (kg) for various load rating codes used on VW vehicles.

Proper tyre storage is essential to maintain their condition and performance. Follow these guidelines:

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 under any circumstances, as this can damage the tyre material.

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 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.

Tyres age due to physical and chemical processes, which can impair their function. You can determine the tyre’s age from the DOT designation on the sidewall.

Determining Tyre Age:

• For tyres made up to 31.12.1999: The DOT number ends with three digits. The first two digits are the week of production, and the last digit is the year. A triangle symbol may follow the number for tyres made in the 1990s. For example, `509<` means the 50th week of 1999.

• For tyres made from 01.01.2000: The DOT number ends with four digits. The first two digits are the week of production, and the last two digits are the year. For example, `0100` means the 1st week of 2000.

Recommendations for Replacement:

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

• When fitting new tyres, a spare tyre may 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, tyres of the same make and with the same tread pattern should be mounted on one axle.

Tyres must always be renewed when:

• The legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm is reached.

• There is visible mechanical damage.

For driving in winter conditions, it is important to adapt your vehicle’s equipment accordingly. Here are some basic rules and recommendations for winter tyres:

• All tyre sizes listed in the vehicle documents can also be used as winter tyres.

• Handling characteristics may be affected by the use of winter tyres. Adapt your speed to the changed handling characteristics and road conditions.

• For the best possible handling, winter tyres must be fitted on all wheels.

• When changing wheels, ensure you use the corresponding wheel bolts of the correct length and with the correctly shaped seats.

• The suitability of winter tyres with less than 4-5 mm of tread depth for winter operation is limited. Some countries legally require a minimum of 4 mm.

• It is recommended that winter tyres be replaced after no more than six years, as their special “winter properties” decline with age.

• The tyre pressure for winter tyres must be 0.2 bar more than the applicable pressure for standard tyres, but not more than 3.5 bar.

To ensure your tyres are safe and legal, you should regularly check the tread depth. Follow these steps:

1. The tread depth should be measured in the main tread channels, which are the widest grooves on the tyre.

2. Do not measure at the Tread Wear Indicators (TWIs). These are small raised bars at the bottom of the tread grooves.

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

4. Measure the tread depth at the points where the tyre is worn most heavily, at the deepest point of the tread channel.

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.

Vibrations can be caused by several factors, most commonly tyre wear that is not uniform across the tread. This creates slight imbalances that affect the smooth running of the wheel, even if it was previously balanced.

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

Before Balancing:

• 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, foreign bodies, etc.).

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

Procedure for Balancing:

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

2. Immediately after the test, raise the vehicle, mark the position of each tyre, and remove the wheels.

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

4. Mount the wheel on a stationary wheel balancing machine, preferably using a centering system like VAS 5271 to ensure it is 100% centered.

5. Rotate the wheel on the balancer and check for even running. If the tyre has one-sided wear, flat spots, or severe wash-out spots, it must be renewed.

6. Check for radial or lateral runout. If it is within tolerance, balance the wheel to 0 grams. More than 60 grams of weight per tyre should not be used. If more is needed, consider match mounting.

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

8. Perform a final road test to confirm the vibration is gone.

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 characteristic called “conicity.” Follow these steps to diagnose and remedy the issue.

Initial Checks:

• Perform a road test on a level, straight road with no crosswind to confirm the issue.

• Check all suspension components for damage.

• Check tyre pressure and correct if necessary.

• Check tyres for external damage, uneven wear, and previous repairs.

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

Strategic Rotation for 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 problem is solved.
• If the vehicle now pulls to the other side, the cause is one of the front tyres. Proceed to the next step.
• If the vehicle still pulls to the same side, the cause is likely the rear tyres or wheel alignment. Proceed to interchange the front and rear tyres.

4. If the pull switched sides after step 2, reverse one of the front tyres on its rim (this changes the direction of the conicity force). Perform another road test.
• If it now travels straight, the problem is solved.
• If it still doesn’t travel straight, interchange the front and rear wheels and repeat the process.

Strategic Rotation for Unidirectional Tyres:

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

2. Interchange the front and back wheels on the same side.

3. Perform another road test.
• If the vehicle travels straight, the problem is solved.
• If the vehicle still pulls, the issue is likely one of the front tyres. First, renew one tyre on the front axle and re-test. If the issue persists, renew the other front tyre. If the problem is still not resolved, check the front and rear wheel alignment.

The following table outlines the approved wheel and tyre combinations for the VOLKSWAGEN LUPO 1999 3L (type 6E, model years 1999 to 2006) with a 1.2l 45 kW engine.

Tyre pressures can be found on the inside of the fuel tank flap or in the Maintenance Booklet.

The following table outlines the approved wheel and tyre combinations for the VOLKSWAGEN LUPO 1999 (type 6X, model years 1999 to 2005).

The following are the recommended summer tyres for the VOLKSWAGEN LUPO 1999 model year 1999 to model year 2005. Always observe the general notes regarding recommended tyres.

Lupo 3L

Lupo FSI

Lupo GTI

Standard Lupo

The following are the recommended all-season tyres for the VOLKSWAGEN LUPO 1999 model year 1999 to model year 2005. Always observe the general notes regarding recommended tyres.

The following are the recommended winter tyres for the VOLKSWAGEN LUPO 1999 model year 1999 to model year 2005. Always observe the general notes regarding recommended tyres.

Lupo 3L

Lupo FSI

Lupo GTI

Standard Lupo