Get General maintenance -> Wheels (tyre pressures) Guide for Audi S5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2017-2024)

document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 232 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17

232

Wheels and tyres

Concealed damage

Wheels

Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily visible. If you notice

unusual vibration or the car pulling to one side, this may indicate

that one of the tyres is damaged. Reduce speed immediately if there

is any reason to suspect that damage may have occurred. Inspect

the tyres for damage. If no external damage is visible, drive slowly

and carefully to the nearest qualified workshop and have the car

inspected.

General notes

– When driving with new tyres, be especially careful during

the first 500 km.

– If you have to drive over a kerb or similar obstacle, drive

very slowly and as near as possible at a right angle to the

kerb.

Tyres with directional tread pattern

An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the direction of rotation on

tyres with directional tread. Always note the direction of rotation

indicated when mounting the wheel. This guarantees optimum grip

and helps to avoid aquaplaning, excessive noise and wear.

– Inspect the tyres regularly for damage (cuts, cracks or

blisters, etc.). Remove any foreign bodies embedded in

the treads.

– Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immedi-

ately.

Tyre service life

Correct inflation pressures and sensible driving habits

will increase the service life of your tyres.

– Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.

– Replace any missing valve caps as soon as possible.

– Mark the wheels before taking them off so that they

rotate in the same direction when put back.

– When removed, the wheels or tyres should be stored in a

cool, dry and preferably dark place.

New tyres

Fig. 219 Open driver's

door (LHD vehicle) with

sticker listing tyre

New tyres do not give maximum grip straight away and should

therefore be “run in” by driving carefully and at moderate speeds for

about the first 500 km. This will also help to make the tyres last

longer.

inflation pressures

– Check the tyre pressures at least once a month.

The tread depth of new tyres may vary, according to the type and

make of tyre and the tread pattern.

document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 233 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17

Wheels and tyres

233

Wheel balancing

– The tyre pressures should only be checked when the

tyres are cold. The slightly raised pressures of warm tyres

must not be reduced.

The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various factors

encountered in normal driving can cause them to become unbal-

anced, which results in steering vibration.

– The pressures must be altered to suit major changes in

the load being carried.

Unbalanced wheels should be rebalanced, as they otherwise cause

excessive wear on steering, suspension and tyres. A wheel must

also be rebalanced when a new tyre is fitted or if a tyre is repaired.

– Avoid fast cornering and hard acceleration.

– Inspect the tyres for irregular wear from time to time.

Incorrect wheel alignment

Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive tyre wear, impairing the

safety of the vehicle. If you notice excessive tyre wear, contact your

Audi dealer.

Tyre pressure and vehicle loading

The tyre pressure must be adjusted according to the load the vehicle

is carrying. We recommend adhering to the tyre pressure specifica-

tions for a maximum load. The tyre inflation pressures are listed on

a sticker on the end face of the driver's door ⇒ page 232, fig. 219.

WARNING

However, if you prefer an extra-smooth ride and the vehicle is not

fully loaded, you can select the tyre pressure for a normal load (no

more than three people travelling in the vehicle). However, should

you wish to drive with a full load you must increase the tyre pressure

to the specified maximum.

• Always adapt the tyre pressure accordingly when the vehicle

load changes.

• Under-inflated tyres flex more and can overheat at continuous

high speeds. This can cause tread separation and tyre blow-out,

which could result in an accident.

Under-inflation or over-inflation will reduce the life of the tyres

considerably and also impair the car's handling. Correct inflation

pressures are very important, especially at high speeds. The pres-

sures should therefore be checked at least once a month and before

starting a journey.

For the sake of the environment

Under-inflated tyres will increase the fuel consumption.

Do not forget the spare wheel* when checking the tyre pressures.

Keep the spare tyre inflated to the highest pressure required for the

road wheels.

Driving habits

Fast cornering, heavy acceleration and hard braking (squealing

tyres) all increase tyre wear.

Controls

Safety

Driving tips

General maintenance

Self-help

Technical data

document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 234 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17

234

Wheels and tyres

Tread wear indicators

WARNING (continued)

The tread wear indicators show the condition of the tyre

treads.

aquaplaning in deep puddles of water and when driving through

corners. Braking is also adversely affected.

• The speed has to be adapted accordingly, otherwise there is a

risk of losing control over the vehicle.

Changing wheels round

Fig. 220 Tyre tread:

Tread wear indicators

The original tyres on your vehicle have 1.6 mm high “tread wear

indicators” ⇒ fig. 220 running across the tread. Depending on the

make, there will be 6 to 8 of them spaced at equal distances around

the tyre. Markings on the tyre sidewall (for instance the letters “TWI”

or a triangle) indicate the positions of the tread wear indicators.

Fig. 221 Changing

wheels round

The minimum tread depth required by law in Germany is 1.6 mm

(measured in the tread grooves next to the tread wear indicators).

Other specifications may apply in export countries.

To ensure that the wear is equal on all tyres the wheels should be

changed round from time to time according to the system

⇒ fig. 221. All the tyres will then last for about the same time.

WARNING

Replacing wheels and tyres

To avoid putting safety at risk, the tyres must be replaced at the

latest when the tread is worn down to the tread wear indicators.

It is important to use the correct wheels and tyres when

replacement is necessary.

• Especially in difficult driving conditions such as wet or icy

roads, it is important that the tyres have sufficient tread depth.

The tread depth should same on the tyres of both the front and the

rear axles.

– All four wheels must be fitted with tyres of the same type,

size (rolling circumference) and preferably the same

tread pattern.

• The decrease in driving safety due to insufficient tread depth is

– If possible, tyres should be replaced at least in pairs and

not individually (i.e. both front tyres or both rear tyres

together).

particularly evident in vehicle handling, when there is a risk of

document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 235 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17

Wheels and tyres

235

means, for example, that the tyre was produced in the 10th week of

2006.

– Never use tyres whose actual size exceeds the dimen-

sions of the factory-approved makes of tyre.

Please note that with some types of tyres, the actual tyre size can

differ from the nominal size marked on the tyre (for instance 245/40

R 18 93 Y), and there may be significant differences in the contours

of the tyres, even though the tyres are marked with the same

nominal size designation. When replacing the tyres, it is therefore

important to make sure that the actual size of the new tyres does

not exceed the dimensions of the factory-approved makes of tyre.

– If you wish to fit the vehicle with non-standard rims or

tyres, it is advisable to consult an Audi dealer before

purchasing them.

The tyres and wheel rims are an essential part of the vehicle's

design. The tyres and rims approved by Audi are specially matched

to the characteristics of the vehicle and make a major contribution

Failure to observe this requirement can affect the clearance needed

for the tyres. This could result in contact between the tyres and

suspension components or bodywork. The brake lines could also be

to good roadholding and safe handling ⇒

.

The sizes of the rims and tyres approved for your vehicle are listed

in the vehicle's documents (e.g. EC Certificate of Conformity or COC

damaged and the vehicle's safety could be severely impaired ⇒

When using tyres with the maximum permitted nominal dimen-

sions, this can also void the vehicle's registration.

.

5)

document ). The vehicle documents vary depending on the

country of residence.

Understanding the tyre designations makes it easier to choose the

correct tyres. For example, radial ply tyres have the following tyre

designations marked on the sidewall:

If you use tyres that are approved by Audi you can be sure that the

actual tyre dimensions will be correct for your vehicle. If you decide

to fit a different type of tyre, you must obtain the appropriate manu-

facturer's certificate from the tyre retailer to confirm that the tyres

are suitable for your vehicle. Keep this certificate in a safe place.

245 / 40 R 18 93 Y

This contains the following information:

Your local Audi dealer will be able to advise you on which tyres may

be fitted to your vehicle.

245

40

R

Tyre width in mm

Height/width ratio in %

Tyre construction: Radial

Rim diameter in inches

Load rating code

All four wheels must always be fitted with tyres of the same type,

make and tread pattern, otherwise the drive-line can be damaged by

the constant differences in wheel speeds. For the same reason, only

use a spare wheel* with the same tyre dimensions as the normal

road wheels.

18

93

Y

It the spare tyre* is not the same type as the tyres fitted on the car

(for example if the car has winter tyres or wide-section tyres) you

should only use the spare tyre if a puncture occurs, and then only

for a short period of time. In this case, please drive with extra care.

Refit the normal road wheel as soon as possible.

Speed rating code letter

The manufacturing date is also indicated on the tyre sidewall

(possibly only on the inner side of the wheel):

DOT ... 1006...

It is best to have all servicing of wheels and tyres performed by a

qualified workshop. They have the necessary special tools and

5)

COC = certificate of conformity

Controls

Safety

Driving tips

General maintenance

Self-help

Technical data

document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 236 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17

236

Wheels and tyres

replacement parts, trained personnel and facilities for disposing of

the old tyres.

Wheel bolts

The wheel bolts are designed to suit the rims on your car.

The wheel bolts are matched to the rims. When installing different

wheels (for instance wheels with winter tyres) it is important to use

the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped

bolt heads. This is essential for the secure fit of the wheels and for

the proper function of the brake system.

WARNING

• It is very important to ensure that the tyres you have chosen

have adequate clearance. When selecting replacement tyres, do

not rely entirely on the nominal tyre size marked on the tyre; with

some makes of tyre the effective tyre size can differ significantly

from the nominal dimensions, even though the tyres have the

same size designation. Inadequate tyre clearance can result in

damage to the tyres or the vehicle, causing a serious safety risk. It

may also invalidate the vehicle's type approval for use on public

roads.

Audi dealers have full information on the technical requirements

when installing or changing tyres, rims or wheel trims.

The wheel bolts should be clean and turn easily.

A special adapter is required to turn the anti-theft wheel bolts*

⇒ page 254.

• Please ask your Audi dealer or qualified workshop whether run

flat tyres can be used on your vehicle. Unauthorised use of these

tyres can invalidate the vehicle's type approval for use on public

roads. Furthermore, this could cause damage to your vehicle and

possibly also result in an accident.

Winter tyres

Winter tyres will significantly improve the car's handling

in winter road conditions.

• Avoid running the car on tyres that are more than 6 years old.

If you have no alternative, you should drive slowly and with extra

care at all times.

– Use only radial ply winter tyres.

– Winter tyres must be fitted on all four wheels.

– Only use winter tyres of the correct type approved for

your vehicle.

For the sake of the environment

Old tyres must be disposed of according to the laws in the country

concerned.

– Please note that the maximum permissible speed for

winter tyres may be lower than for summer tyres.

Note

– Also note that winter tyres are no longer effective when

• Never mount used tyres if you are not sure of their previous

the tread is worn down.

history.

– After fitting the wheels you must always check the tyre

pressures. The correct tyre pressures are listed on the

sticker on the end face of the driver's door.

• For technical reasons it is not normally possible to use wheel

rims from other vehicles. In some cases this also applies to rims

from other vehicles of the same model.

document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 237 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17

Wheels and tyres

“All-weather” tyres can also be used instead of winter tyres.

237

In winter road conditions winter tyres will considerably improve the

car's handling. Due to their type of construction (width, rubber

compound, tread pattern), summer tyres give less grip on ice and

snow. This applies particularly to vehicles equipped with wide

section tyres or high speed tyres (code letters H, V or Y on the side-

wall).

Using winter tyres with V-rating

Please note that the generally applicable 240 km/h speed rating for

winter tyres with the letter "V" is subject to technical restrictions;

the maximum permissible speed for your vehicle may be signifi-

cantly lower. The maximum speed limit for tyres with a V-rating

depends directly on the maximum axle weights for your car and on

the listed weight rating of the tyres being used.

Only use winter tyres of the correct type approved for your vehicle.

The sizes of the winter tyres approved for your vehicle are listed in

the vehicle's documents (e.g. EC Certificate of Conformity or COC

6)

It is best to contact an Audi dealer to check the maximum speed

which is permissible for the V-rated tyres fitted on your car on the

basis of this information.

document ). The vehicle documents vary depending on the

country of residence. Also refer to ⇒ page 234.

Winter tyres are no longer fully effective when the tread is worn

down to a depth of 4 mm.

WARNING

The performance of winter tyres is also severely impaired by ageing,

even if the tread is still much deeper than 4 mm.

Exceeding the maximum speed permitted for the winter tyres

fitted on your car can cause tyre failure, resulting in a loss of

control of the vehicle – risk of accident.

Winter tyres are subject to the following maximum speed limits

according to speed rating code letter: ⇒

Speed rating code letter Maximum speed limit

⇒ page 234

For the sake of the environment

Summer tyres should be fitted again as soon as possible; they give

better handling on roads which are free of snow and ice. Summer

tyres produce less rolling noise, do not wear down as quickly and,

most importantly, reduce fuel consumption.

Q

S

T

160 km/h

180 km/h

190 km/h

210 km/h

H

V

Snow chains

240 km/h

Snow chains will improve the vehicle's handling on snow-

covered roads.

(note restrictions)

In Germany vehicles capable of exceeding these speeds must have

an appropriate sticker attached so it is visible to the driver. Suitable

stickers are available from Audi dealers and specialist retailers.

Please note regulations to this effect in your country.

– Snow chains can be used on the front wheels only.

– Keep your speed below 50 km/h.

Snow chains will improve braking ability as well as traction in winter

conditions.

6)

COC = certificate of conformity

Controls

Safety

Driving tips

General maintenance

Self-help

Technical data

document_0900452a81793dcc.book Seite 238 Mittwoch, 21. März 2007 5:42 17

238

Wheels and tyres

For technical reasons snow chains may only be used on tyres with

certain wheel rim/tyre combinations.

Rim size

8.5Jx18

Rim offset

29 mm

Tyre size

245/40

8.0Jx18

31 mm

225/45

Only use snow chains with fine-pitch links. The links must not

protrude more than 13.5 mm from the tyres (including tensioner).

Remove the chains when roads are free of snow. Otherwise they will

impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out very quickly.

where snow chains are compulsory on certain roads, this normally

also applies to cars with four-wheel drive. Snow chains may only be

fitted to the front wheels (also on vehicles with four-wheel drive).

General maintenance -> Wheels (tyre pressures) for Your Audi S5 4 Door Fourth Generation (2017-2024)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals