VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2003 (01) PDF Document

Tyres are high-tech products optimally adapted to the operating conditions of modern vehicles like the VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2003. Proper care, maintenance, and service are essential for safety, performance, and comfort throughout the tyre’s service life.

Key points to remember:

• Only fit recommended tyre makes when renewing tyres, as they have been specifically designed and tested for your vehicle model.

• Vehicle safety is the top priority, and tyres must provide an optimal compromise for various conditions, including different speed ranges, winter/summer use, and wet/dry roads.

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

• Normal wear and tear will alter a tyre’s characteristics, which may result in noise and vibration. These are indications of wear and not a tyre defect.

When converting wheel and tyre combinations on your VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2003, you must observe the following technical conditions:

• Conversions listed in the 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 (reinforced sidewalls) may only be used on disc-type wheels with an extended hump and on vehicles with a tyre pressure monitoring system.

• If you use the listed wheel and tyre combinations, you must adhere to the associated tyre inflation pressures found on the sticker inside the tank flap or in the vehicle’s tables.

• Sufficient clearance to the wheels and tyres at parts of the wheel housing, suspension, and braking system must be assured under all operating conditions.

• Unless otherwise stated, snow chains may only be fitted to the drive wheels. For the Touareg, rear wheels may also be fitted with snow chains.

The sidewall of a tyre contains various identification markings providing important information. Here is an example and explanation:

Example: 205/55 R 16 91 H

• 205: Tyre width in millimeters.

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

• R: Code for radial tyre construction.

• 16: Rim diameter in inches.

• 91: Load capacity index, indicating the maximum load the tyre can bear.

• H: Speed rating, indicating the maximum permitted speed for the tyre.

Other markings may include:

• Manufacturer (trade name)

• Tread pattern name

• Construction type (e.g., Radial, Tubeless)

• DOT code: Includes the date of manufacture (week and year).

• E number: Approval number indicating it meets European guidelines.

• Country of origin

• Position of TWIs (Tread Wear Indicators)

• Markings for run-flat properties

Proper storage is essential to maintain the condition and longevity of your tyres. 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. The material can be damaged by chemical reactions that are not always visible, leading to dangerous situations when driving.

Storage of Complete Wheels (Tyres on Rims):

• Complete 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 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. Here are recommendations for managing tyre age:

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

• The age of a tyre can be determined from the DOT designation on the sidewall, which includes the week and year of production.

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

• On four-wheel drive vehicles like the Touareg, you must always use four wheels with tyres of the same size, construction, tread pattern, and make.

Tyres must always be renewed when the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm is reached or if there is visible mechanical damage.

Winter Tyres:

• For driving in winter, it is recommended to equip the vehicle with winter tyres in the sizes recommended in the vehicle documents.

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

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

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

• It is recommended that winter tyres be replaced after no more than six years.

Snow Chains:

• On the VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2003, snow chains may be used on the front and rear wheels.

• It is not possible to use snow chains with all wheel and tyre combinations. Refer to the vehicle tables in the PDF for specific notes.

• If no particular type is specified, small-link chains may be used. They must not protrude more than 15 mm beyond the wheel’s tread and inner wall.

• The maximum speed permitted by law when driving with snow chains is 50 km/h.

• Remove snow chains when there is no snow on the road to avoid adverse effects on handling and unnecessary wear on the tyres and chains.

To correctly measure the tread depth, follow these steps:

• The tread depth is measured in the main tread channels.

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

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

• The position of the TWIs can be identified by a “Δ” or the manufacturer’s logo on the shoulder of the tyre.

• 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 tyre wear is often caused by driving style but can also be the result of incorrect wheel alignment. The most frequent causes are:

• Driving Style: Driving fast on roads with lots of curves will cause increased wear, particularly on the outer shoulder of the tyre.

• Incorrect Wheel Alignment: One-sided wear is especially likely if the toe and camber have not been set correctly. The most frequent deviation is caused by external influences, like hard contact with a kerbstone.

• Running Gear Modifications: Using “suspension-lowering kits” or alloy wheels not recommended by VW can result in altered wheel positions that deviate from the specified alignment, causing uneven wear.

• Incorrect Tyre Pressure: The prescribed minimum tyre inflation pressures must be adhered to.

To prevent one-sided wear, ensure the wheel alignment is correct and have it checked regularly. Regular servicing of the vehicle and swapping wheels from front to rear (rotating) can help compensate for different wear rates and promote even wear.

Vibration can be caused by tyre wear, which is not always uniform across the tread. This causes imbalances that affect the smooth running of the wheel. To ensure optimal safety 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 should be at least 4 mm deep and not show one-sided wear.

• The tyre must not show any signs of damage (cuts, foreign bodies, etc.).

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

Procedure:

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

2. Raise the vehicle, mark the tyre positions (e.g., FL, FR, RL, RR), and remove the wheels.

3. Clean the contact surfaces of the wheel and the wheel balancer.

4. Mount the wheel on a stationary wheel balancing machine and balance it. If one-sided wear or flat spots are apparent, the tyre must be renewed.

5. Check for radial or lateral runout if the wheel does not run true.

6. If more than 60 grams of weight per tyre is required, you may need to perform a match mounting procedure to align the tyre and rim for better balance.

7. After balancing, reinstall the wheels, tightening the bolts diagonally to the specified torque.

8. Perform a final road test.

If your vehicle pulls to one side, experience shows that in 90% of all complaints, the tyres are the cause due to a slight “conicity” or taper in the tyre carcass. Perform a road test on a level, straight road to confirm the issue.

Before the road test, check the following:

• All suspension components for damage.

• Tyre pressure.

• Tyres for external damage, punctures, cuts, or bubbles.

• Tyres for even wear and tread depth. Ensure all tyres are of the same type, manufacture, and tread pattern.

If the complaint is justified, perform a strategic rotation of the wheels to compensate for the lateral forces causing the pull. The procedure varies depending on whether your tyres are directional or non-directional.

For Non-Directional Tyres:

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

2. Interchange the front wheels.

3. Perform another road test. If the vehicle now pulls to the other side, the issue is with one of the front tyres. If it pulls to the same side or travels straight, the issue may be with the rear tyres or alignment. Further strategic rotation (reversing a tyre on its rim, swapping front to rear) may be required to isolate the problematic tyre.

For Unidirectional Tyres:

1. Perform a road test.

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

3. Perform another road test. If the vehicle now travels straight, the procedure is complete. If it still pulls, you may need to renew one tyre on the front axle, then the other, performing a road test after each change to isolate the problem.

If strategic rotation does not solve the problem, check the front and rear wheel alignment.

To ensure wheels are properly secured, follow these instructions:

Preparation for Fitting:

• Check that contact surfaces on the brake disc and the inner side of the wheel (rim), as well as the centring seat, are free of corrosion and dirt.

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

• Check that wheel bolts can be easily screwed in by hand and do not contact the bore in the brake disc.

WARNING: Damaged, badly corroded, or difficult-to-remove wheel bolts must be renewed.

Fitting Wheels:

1. Preserve the wheel centring seat against corrosion as per workshop manual instructions.

2. When fitting the wheel, screw in all wheel bolts uniformly by hand.

3. Tighten the wheel bolts in a diagonal sequence to approx. 30 Nm.

4. 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 following tables show the approved wheel and tyre combinations for the VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2003 (Type 7L). Note that specific combinations may depend on the vehicle’s engine and running gear type (e.g., heavy-duty “Expedition” gear).

For vehicles with heavy-duty running gear 1BP (Expedition):

For all other running gear types:

Note: Additional combinations exist for V6, V8, V10, and W12 engines. Always consult the specific tables in the PDF for your exact engine configuration.

The following summer tyres are recommended for the VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2003 model year and later. Observe the notes regarding recommended makes.

The following all-season tyres are recommended for the VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2003 to 2010 model years.

The following winter tyres are recommended for the VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2003 to 2010 model years.