VOLKSWAGEN POLO 2010 (01) PDF Document

Conversions of wheels and tyres on your VOLKSWAGEN POLO 2010 must adhere to specific legislative and technical conditions. The manufacturer is issued a general operating permit (GTA) and EU operating permit for the vehicle, which includes all parts for specific conversions.

Legislative Conditions:

• If the size of the wheel and tyre, including the load index and speed symbol, is listed in the vehicle’s GTA and EU operating permit/type approval, this combination can be fitted without any issue.

• It is not necessary for the wheel and tyre combination specified in the registration certificate part I to be fitted. Any combination approved in the vehicle’s GTA or EU operating permit may be fitted.

• For conversions recommended by VOLKSWAGEN AG, there are no general operating permits according to § 22 StVZO (German road traffic and licensing regulations).

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

Technical Conditions:

• The listed wheel and tyre combinations 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 sidewalls) may only be used on disc-type wheels with an extended hump and on vehicles with a tyre pressure monitoring system.

• Adhere to the specified tyre inflation pressures. 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).

For technical reasons, some VOLKSWAGEN POLO 2010 vehicles require wheel housing extensions, also known as flaps, on the wing or bumper when using certain wheel and tyre combinations. It is important to check the overview table for your specific vehicle to determine if these extensions are necessary and if there is a requirement to remove existing flaps.

Since January 1, 1998, all passenger cars licensed in the European Union must have a type approval corresponding to EU guidelines. The Certificate of Conformity (COC) document contains the EU general type approval number and detailed technical information. You can use the EU general type approval model code to identify your vehicle’s sales type and sales or trade designation.

The sidewall of a tyre on your VOLKSWAGEN POLO 2010 contains various identification markings. Here is a guide to what they mean:

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

2. Position of TWIs: Tread Wear Indicators.

3. Manufacturer: The trade name, e.g., Continental.

4. Construction: Indicates if it’s a Radial tyre and if it’s Tubeless.

5. Load capacity index / speed rating: e.g., 91 H.

6. Specified direction of rotation/installation: An arrow indicating the mounting direction for the 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 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, model, and the date of manufacture.

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

13. Marking for Brazil

14. Marking for China

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

16. Safety notes: Information 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: e.g., ContiPremiumContact.

Understanding the markings on your VOLKSWAGEN POLO 2010’s tyres is crucial for safety and performance. Here’s a breakdown:

Explanation of Tyre Dimensions

A typical tyre marking like 195/65 R 15 91 V is broken down as follows:

• 195: Tyre width in millimeters.

• 65: Aspect ratio in % (the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the width).

• R: Code for tyre construction, “R” indicates radial.

• 15: Rim diameter designation in inches.

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

• V: Speed rating code.

• M+S: A code for winter or all-season tyres.

Speed Rating / Maximum Speed

The load rating, or load index (LI), is found on the sidewall of your VOLKSWAGEN POLO 2010’s tyre and indicates the maximum load that the tyre can bear. It is part of the size designation (e.g., 195/65 R 15 91T). The following table shows the load rating codes used at VW with their corresponding maximum load capacities.

Proper storage is essential to maintain the quality and safety of your VOLKSWAGEN POLO 2010’s tyres.

Storage Room Conditions:

The storage area should be:

• dark

• dry

• cool

• ventilated

WARNING: Stored tyres must not come into contact with fuel, oil, grease, or chemicals under any circumstances. Chemical reactions can damage the tyre material, which is not always visible, leading 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 before storage.

• 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 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. It is important to consider not just the tread depth but also the age of all tyres, including spare, stored, and infrequently used ones.

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

• Regular use activates softeners in the rubber, preventing hardening.

• Even visually flawless or barely used tyres older than six years may show a significant reduction in performance, especially wet grip and winter suitability.

Determining Tyre Age:

The tyre’s age can be determined from the DOT designation on the sidewall. The production date is indicated by a code.

• Example of a DOT number to 31.12.1999: DOT ….. 5 0 9 <. This means the 50th week of 1999.

• Example of a DOT number from 01.01.2000: DOT ….. 0 1 0 0. This means the 1st week of 2000 (last two digits are the production year).

Recommendation:

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

• A spare tyre may be used if it is in flawless condition and not more than 6 years old. However, combining an older spare tyre with new tyres can adversely affect car handling.

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

To correctly measure the tyre tread depth on your VOLKSWAGEN POLO 2010, follow these instructions:

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

• Do not measure at the Tread Wear Indicators (TWIs). 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.

• 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.

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

One-sided wear is often caused by driving style but can also result from incorrect wheel alignment. It occurs when tyres roll with an extreme slip angle, causing them to “rub” on the road surface. Fast cornering, in particular, causes increased wear on the outer shoulder.

Causes:

• Driving Style: Fast driving on roads with many curves.

• Incorrect Wheel Alignment: The most frequent deviation is caused by external influences, like hard contact with a kerbstone. If the toe and camber are not set correctly, one-sided wear is likely. A toe-out (negative toe-in) is when the distance between the front of the wheels is greater than the distance between the rear of the wheels.

• Running Gear Modifications: Using “suspension-lowering kits” or non-recommended alloy wheels can alter wheel positions and lead to uneven wear.

Prevention:

• Correct Wheel Alignment: Ensure the wheel alignment is within the specified tolerances.

• Regular Servicing: Regular servicing of the vehicle and tyres helps prevent wear.

• Tyre Pressure: Adhere to the prescribed minimum tyre inflation pressures.

• Wheel Rotation: Different wear on the front and rear axles is unavoidable. Compensate for this by rotating the wheels from front to rear, ideally during the seasonal change between summer and winter tyres. This helps tyres wear down equally.

• Address Saw-Tooth Formation: If saw-tooth formation is present, exchanging wheels between axles is usually sufficient. If it is very pronounced, the wheels may need to be changed so their direction of rotation is reversed.

Saw-tooth wear is a stepped wear pattern on the individual tread blocks that can cause increased tyre noise. It is caused by uneven deformation of the tread blocks in the tyre’s contact patch and is more pronounced on non-driven wheels.

Appearance of Saw-Tooth Wear:

• A – New Tyre: Tread blocks are equally high in front and back.

• B – Developing Saw Teeth: Tread blocks become higher in the front than in the back (seen in the direction of rotation).

• C – Pronounced Saw Teeth: Tread blocks show greater wear in the front section of the “saw tooth.”

Pronounced saw-tooth wear occurs under these conditions:

• toe values are too high

• tyre pressures are incorrect

• tread is coarse and open

• tyres are fitted on the non-driven axle

• very fast cornering

How to Address Saw-Tooth Wear:

• Non-directional tyres: In the event of saw-tooth wear, the direction of rotation of the tyre must be reversed. If the wear is especially pronounced and tyre noise has increased, interchange the tyres diagonally. This will reduce the saw-tooth effect.

• Directional tyres: In the event of increased saw-tooth wear on the rear tyres, interchange the front and rear tyres. If wear is on the outer edges of the tyres on one axle, turn both tyres around on their rims. The left-hand wheel must then be fitted on the right side of the vehicle and the right-hand wheel on the left side.

To ensure optimal safety, smooth running, and even wear, it is recommended to have the wheels and tyres of your VOLKSWAGEN POLO 2010 balanced at least twice during the tyre’s service life.

Before Balancing:

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

• The tyre pressure must be correct.

• The 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.

Procedure for Balancing on a Stationary Machine:

1. Clean the contact surfaces, the centre of the wheel, and the recess on the inside of the wheel.

2. Mount the wheel with the tyre on the wheel balancer. Use a centring system like VAS 5271 to ensure the wheel is 100% centred and clamped without damage.

3. Rotate the wheel and tyre on the balancer.

4. Check that the indicator lines on the sidewall and the body of the tyre run evenly while rotating.

5. Check for radial or lateral runout if the wheel does not run true. If runout is within tolerance, balance the wheel and tyre.

6. Balance the wheel so the display indicates 0 grams. More than 60 grams of weight per tyre should not be used. If more is required, “matching” the tyre and rim may be necessary.

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

8. After balancing, carry out a road test.

If your VOLKSWAGEN POLO 2010 pulls to one side, it may be caused by tyre conicity. A strategic rotation of the wheels can help balance out this behavior. Before starting, mark the tyres (e.g., FR, FL, RR, RL) and ensure road tests are performed by the same person on the same road in both directions for consistency.

Procedure for Non-Directional Tyres:

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

2. If it pulls, interchange the front wheels and carry out another road test.

• If the vehicle now travels in a straight line, the process is complete (END).

• If the vehicle pulls to the other side, proceed to the next step.

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

3. With the front wheels now swapped, reverse one of the front tyres on its rim (so its direction of rotation is reversed). Carry out another road test.

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

• If it does not travel straight, interchange the front and rear wheels and test again. If it still pulls, check alignment.

Procedure for Unidirectional Tyres:

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

2. If it pulls, interchange the front and back wheels with tyres and test again.

• If it travels straight, the process is complete (END).

• If it does not travel straight, first renew one tyre on the front axle and re-test.

3. If it still does not travel straight, renew the other tyre on the front axle and re-test.

4. If the vehicle still pulls, check the front and rear wheel alignment. If the problem persists after confirming correct alignment, contact Product Support.

Always observe the notes on the use of temporary spare wheels. The specifications for the VOLKSWAGEN POLO 2010 (type 6R) are as follows: