VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1994 (01) PDF Document

Tyres are high-tech products optimally adapted to the operating conditions of modern vehicles like your VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1994. Proper care, maintenance, and service are essential for safety, performance, and comfort throughout the tyre’s life. All recommended tyres have been tested and designed specifically for each model in collaboration with tyre manufacturers.

Vehicle safety is the top priority, considering various operating conditions such as:

• Differing speed ranges

• Winter and summer use

• Wet and dry roads

Proper adjustment of the axle geometry during wheel alignment is also a crucial prerequisite for ensuring the optimum service life of the tyre. Therefore, wheel alignment must always be within the specified tolerance range.

When converting wheel and tyre combinations on your VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1994, several conditions must be met:

Legislative Conditions:

• If the wheel and tyre size, including load index and speed symbol, is listed in the vehicle’s General Operating Permit (GTA) or EU operating permit/type approval, it can be fitted without issue.

• It is not necessary for the specific combination listed in the registration certificate to be fitted. Any combination approved in the GTA or EU operating permit may be used.

• 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/tyres are not included in the relevant GTA or EU operating permit, the vehicle will no longer meet road traffic regulations if converted.

Technical Conditions:

• Only use Volkswagen genuine disc-type wheels for the listed combinations.

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

• Adhere to the specified tyre inflation pressures, which can be found on the sticker inside the fuel filler flap.

• Ensure sufficient clearance between wheels/tyres and the wheel housing, suspension, and braking system.

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

The sidewall of a tyre has several identification markings. Here is an example based on a Continental ContiPremiumContact 2 tyre:

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

2. Position of TWIs (Tread Wear Indicators)

3. Manufacturer (trade name)

4. Construction: 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 centre of the tread and in the sidewalls, plus material information

10. E number = Approval number: Tyre fulfils European guidelines

11. Manufacturer code / date of manufacture

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

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

18. Rating of wet-braking traction, A, B or C

19. Rating of temperature resistance, A, B or C

20. Identifying tyres with run-flat properties

21. Tread pattern

The tyre dimensions and ratings provide crucial information. Here is a breakdown:

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

1. Tyre width: 195 mm

2. Aspect ratio in %: 65

3. Code for tyre construction: “R” indicates radial

4. Rim diameter designation: 15 inches

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

6. Speed rating code: V

7. Winter tyre/code for all-season tyre: M+S (if applicable)

Speed Rating / Maximum Speed Table:

The load rating code, or load index (LI), is found on the sidewall and indicates the maximum load a tyre can bear. It is part of the size designation (e.g., 195/65 R 15 91T). The following table shows the maximum load in kg for various load rating codes.

Proper tyre storage is important to maintain their condition. Follow these guidelines:

Storage Room Conditions:

• Dark

• Dry

• Cool

• Ventilated

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

Storage of Tyres:

• Complete wheels (tyres on rims): These 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.

• Tyres without wheels: These are best stored standing vertically. If stacked for long periods, they can be pressed together, making them difficult to fit. If stored vertically, it is recommended to turn them every 14 days to avoid flat spots.

Tyres age due to physical and chemical processes that 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.

Recommendation:

• 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 tread pattern should be mounted on one axle.

Determining Tyre Age:

The tyre age can be determined from the DOT designation on the sidewall.

• Example up to 31.12.1999: DOT … 5 0 9 < (50th week of 1999).

• Example from 01.01.2000: DOT … 0 1 0 0 (1st week of 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

Your driving style is a major factor in tyre wear. Here are some examples of how different actions impact wear:

I. Steady driving:

Driving at 180 km/h causes nine times more wear than driving at 100 km/h.

II. Braking:

Most wear occurs during braking. Heavy braking from 50 km/h can cause 2000 – 3000 times more wear than simply coasting to a stop.

III. Acceleration:

Driving off with wheels spinning can cause 100 – 200 times more wear than driving off gently.

IV. Driving through curves:

A “sporty” driving style with high speeds in curves causes greater wear. Doubling the cornering speed can increase wear 16-fold.

One-sided wear is often caused by driving style but can also result from incorrect wheel alignment. It typically shows signs of scuffing on the tread ribs and occurs when tyres roll with an extreme slip angle.

• Cause: Fast cornering, incorrect toe and camber settings, or external influences like hitting a kerb.

• Identification: A rounded outer shoulder and high wear on the outer tread blocks indicate fast cornering. A deviation in wheel alignment can be checked by measuring the axle geometry.

• Prevention: Ensure wheel alignment is correct. Use the vehicle only for its intended purpose. Regular servicing helps prevent wear. Adhere to prescribed tyre pressures and swap wheels front to rear seasonally to even out wear. If saw-tooth formation occurs, exchanging wheels between axles is often sufficient.

Vibration can be caused by numerous factors, including tyre wear which is not always uniform across the tread. This creates slight imbalances.

Recommendation: To ensure optimal safety, smoothest 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, ensure:

• The tyre pressure is correct.

• The tread is not one-sided and is at least 4 mm deep.

• The tyre shows no signs of damage (cuts, foreign bodies, etc.).

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

Procedure:

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

2. Mark the tyre positions (FL, FR, RL, RR) and remove the wheels.

3. Clean all contact surfaces on the wheel and wheel balancer.

4. Mount the wheel on a stationary balancing machine and balance it. Check for true running. If the wheel does not run true, check for radial or lateral runout.

5. If more than 60 grams of weight per tyre is needed, you may need to perform a match mounting procedure.

6. Bolt the wheel back onto the vehicle and perform another 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 phenomenon called “conicity” (a slight offset of the tread relative to the tyre’s centre).

Troubleshooting Steps:

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

2. Check all suspension components for damage.

3. Check and correct tyre pressure.

4. Check tyres for external damage, wear, and previous repairs.

5. If the complaint is justified, perform a strategic rotation of the wheels. The procedure differs for non-directional and unidirectional tyres.

Strategic Rotation 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.

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

• If it pulls to the other side, reverse one of the front tyres on its rim and test again.

• If it still pulls to the same side, interchange the front and rear tyres and test again. This process continues with various combinations until the issue is resolved or identified as a non-tyre problem.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, a wheel alignment check may be necessary.

The following tables show the recommended wheel and tyre combinations for the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1994, based on the General type approval No. E 657/1 Supplement 5 for front-wheel drive and E 960 Supplement 8 for Syncro models.

The following are the recommended summer tyres for the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1994.

The following are the recommended winter tyres for the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1994.