Wheel change for Your Volkswagen Atlas SUV First Generation (2018-2023)

Installing the full wheel cover  
1. Press the full wheel cover onto the rim so that the opening for the valve aligns with the tire valve. Make sure that the entire outer edge of the cover is secured.  
WARNING  
Unsuitable wheel covers and assembling wheel covers incorrectly can cause accidents and serious injuries.  
Wheel covers that are installed incorrectly can loosen while driving and endanger other road users.  
Do not use damaged hubcaps.  
Always make sure that the air supply to cool the brakes is not blocked or reduced. This also applies when wheel covers are retrofitted. An insufficient air  
supply can cause the braking distance to increase significantly.  
NOTICE  
The wheel cover may be screwed tightly and must not be removed with force.  
Wheel bolt caps  
Fig. 201 Remove the caps from the wheel bolts.  
The caps are for protecting the wheel bolts and must be completely reattached after a wheel change.  
Removing and attaching caps  
1. Removing: Take the extraction hook out of the vehicle tool kit ⇒ Vehicle tool kit components.  
2. Insert the extraction hook through the opening in the cap fig. 201 and pull in the direction of the arrow.  
3. Attaching: push the cap all the way on the wheel bolts.  
Wheel change  
Introduction  
Only change the wheel yourself if the vehicle is parked securely, you are familiar with the safety precautions and the necessary procedures and you have the  
necessary tools. Some vehicles are delivered from the factory without a vehicle jack and lug wrench. In such cases, have the wheel changed by an authorized  
Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen  
Service Facility.  
The vehicle jack supplied by the factory is only designed for changing one wheel that has a damaged tire and must be replaced. If both tires on one side of the  
vehicle, both tires on one axle, or all tires are damaged, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for assistance.  
Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
WARNING  
Changing a wheel can be dangerous, especially when done on the side of the road. To reduce the risk of serious injuries, observe the following:  
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Park the vehicle a safe distance away from moving traffic to change the wheel.  
All passengers, especially children, must keep a safe distance and be outside of the work area when changing a wheel.  
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Switch on the emergency flashers to warn other road users.  
Make sure the vehicle is on level and solid ground. If necessary, place a large, stable surface under the jack.  
Only carry out the wheel change yourself if you are familiar with the necessary steps. Instead, seek assistance from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or  
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service  
Facility.  
Only use suitable and undamaged tools for wheel changes.  
Always switch off the engine and move the selector lever to the P position to reduce the risk of the vehicle moving unintentionally.  
Set the electronic parking brake.  
After changing a wheel, immediately check the tightening torque of the wheel bolts with an undamaged torque wrench that is functioning correctly.  
If your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, you must recalibrate the system immediately after a wheel is changed ⇒ Tire  
Pressure Monitoring System.  
Preparations for changing a wheel  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Checklist  
Always perform the following steps in the specified order to prepare for a wheel change  
⇒
:
1. If the vehicle has a flat tire, park the vehicle a safe distance away from moving traffic on level and solid ground as soon as possible.  
2. Set the electronic parking brake.  
3. Automatic transmission: move the selector lever into the P position.  
4. Stop the engine and switch the ignition off.  
5. Remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.  
6. Have all vehicle occupants exit the vehicle on the side facing away from traffic and move to a safe area.  
7. Turn on the emergency flashers and set up the warning triangle ⇒ Securing yourself and the vehicle. Follow any applicable laws.  
8. Block the tire that is diagonal from the one you will be changing with a stone, chocks, or another suitable object.  
9. In trailer mode: Disconnect the trailer from the towing vehicle and park it ⇒ Trailer towing.  
10. If the luggage compartment is full: remove the contents from the luggage compartment.  
11. Where applicable, remove the subwoofer ⇒ Subwoofer.  
12. Remove the collapsible spare wheel, full-size spare wheel or compact spare wheel and the vehicle tool kit from the luggage compartment.  
13. Remove the wheel covers ⇒ Wheel covers.  
WARNING  
Failing to heed this checklist that is provided for your own safety can cause accidents and serious injuries.  
Always follow the tasks in the checklist.  
Observe the general safety precautions.  
Wheel bolts  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Two-piece wheel bolts  
Two-piece wheel bolts must be used. Two-piece wheel bolts have the bolt connected loosely to the head.  
Do not use single piece wheel bolts. If you are not sure which wheel bolts to use for your vehicle, consult an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized  
Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
Loosening wheel bolts  
336  
Fig. 202 Changing a tire: loosening the wheel bolts.  
Use a suitable lug wrench to loosen the wheel bolts.  
Only loosen the wheel bolts a few turns while the vehicle is not raised with the vehicle jack.  
1. Slide the lug wrench all the way onto the wheel bolt fig. 202.  
2. Hold the end of the lug wrench and turn the wheel bolt about one turn counterclockwise  
⇒
.
Or: if a wheel bolt cannot be loosened, carefully press on the end of the lug wrench using your foot. Hold onto the vehicle firmly while doing this and make sure  
you have secure footing.  
Wheel bolt tightening specification  
Tightening specification for wheel bolts in steel and aluminum alloy rims:  
88 ft-lbs (120 Nm).  
Wheel bolts that are corroded and difficult to turn must be replaced and the threads in the wheel hub must be cleaned before checking the tightening torque.  
Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads in the wheel hub.  
Check the tightening torque using a functioning torque wrench immediately after changing a wheel.  
WARNING  
Wheel bolts that are tightened incorrectly can loosen while driving and cause accidents, serious injuries, and loss of vehicle control.  
The wheel bolts and threads in the wheel hub must be clean, easy to move, and free of oil and grease.  
Always use only the lug wrench to loosen and secure the wheel bolts that have been attached to the vehicle at the factory.  
Only loosen the wheel bolts about one turn while the vehicle is not lifted with the jack.  
Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads in the wheel hub. Even when tightened to the specification, they could become loose while driving.  
Never loosen the bolts on rims with a bolted rim ring.  
Check the tightening torque regularly with a torque wrench. If the wheel bolts are not tightened enough to meet the specification, the wheel bolts and rims  
could come loose while driving. Exceeding the tightening specification could damage the wheel bolts and threads.  
WARNING  
Incorrect wheel bolts can loosen while driving and cause accidents, serious injuries, and loss of vehicle control.  
Only use wheel bolts that are intended to be used with the rim.  
Never use different wheel bolts.  
Use only two-piece wheel bolts on vehicles with two-piece wheel bolts.  
Subwoofer  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
337  
Fig. 203 Removing the subwoofer.  
Fig. 204 Leaning the subwoofer.  
Before you can remove the spare wheel, you must remove the subwoofer and lean it in the luggage compartment.  
Removing the subwoofer  
1. Open the trunk lid and hook the floor covering onto the upper edge of the luggage compartment.  
2. Turn the handwheel counterclockwise.  
3. Lift the subwoofer out carefully.  
4. Lift out the subwoofer and lean it against the side panel of the luggage compartment, ensuring that the subwoofer cannot tip or fall fig. 204.  
Installing the subwoofer  
1. Place the subwoofer carefully in the rim well. The point of the “FRONT” arrow symbol on the subwoofer must face forward.  
2. Screw the handwheel clockwise until the subwoofer is securely in place.  
3. Unhook the floor covering and fold it back into place on the luggage compartment floor.  
NOTICE  
If the subwoofer connector becomes loose or the cable is trapped or kinked, the subwoofer may be damaged.  
Spare wheel or compact spare wheel  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
338  
Fig. 205 In the luggage compartment: handle to secure the compact spare wheel.  
Removing the spare wheel or compact spare wheel  
1. Open the trunk lid.  
2. Lift up or remove the luggage compartment floor⇒ Opening and closing the luggage compartment floor .  
3. If necessary, lift up and remove the carpet.  
4. Remove the vehicle tool kit with the container.  
5. If necessary, remove the subwoofer ⇒ Subwoofer.  
6. Remove the locking wedge fig. 205  
upward.  
7. Turn the handwheel in the center of the spare wheel fig. 205  
all the way counterclockwise.  
8. Remove the spare wheel or compact spare wheel.  
Stowing the removed tire  
1. Open the trunk lid.  
2. Lift up or remove the luggage compartment floor⇒ Opening and closing the luggage compartment floor .  
3. If necessary, lift up and remove the carpet.  
4. If the removed wheel fits in the spare wheel well: place the removed wheel with rim down into the spare wheel well so that the center hole on the rim is directly  
above the hole or the threaded pin.  
5. Turn the handwheel clockwise on the threaded pin until the removed wheel is securely fastened.  
6. Position the locking wedge fig. 205  
in the slot on the threaded pin so that the handwheel cannot turn.  
7. Place the vehicle tool kit back in the container and stow it in the luggage compartment.  
8. If necessary, place the carpet in the luggage compartment.  
9. Reinsert the luggage compartment floor or fold back down ⇒ Opening and closing the luggage compartment floor .  
10. Close the trunk lid.  
If the removed wheel does not fit in the spare wheel well, the wheel must be securely stowed in the luggage compartment on the luggage compartment floor.  
If the spare wheel is different from the regular tires  
If the spare wheel is different from the regular wheels, then the spare wheel must only be used in the event of a vehicle breakdown and only for a short period of  
time →  
.
Note the driver information:  
Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).  
Avoid hard acceleration, heavy braking, and fast cornering.  
Do not use snow chains on the compact spare wheel ⇒ Snow chains.  
After installing the spare wheel or compact spare wheel, check the tire pressure as soon as possible ⇒ Tire pressure.  
The tire pressure of the spare wheel, compact temporary spare wheel or temporary spare wheel must be checked every time the tire pressure of the regular wheels  
is taken, or at least once a month. The tire pressure of the spare wheel, compact spare wheel or temporary spare wheel when the tires are cold must correspond to  
the details on the tire inflation pressure label ⇒ Tire pressure.  
339  
WARNING  
Incorrect handling of the spare wheel or compact spare wheel can result in loss of vehicle control, collisions, or other accidents, and serious injuries.  
Never use the spare wheel or compact spare wheel if it is damaged or if it is worn down to the wear indicator.  
Some vehicles may be equipped with a compact spare wheel instead of a spare wheel. The compact spare wheel can be identified by a label stating  
“80 km/h” or “50 mph”. This label indicates the permitted maximum speed at which the tire may be driven. Do not cover the sticker while the wheel is in  
use.  
Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).  
Never drive more than 125 miles (200 km) with a temporary compact spare wheel fitted to the drive axle.  
Avoid hard acceleration, hard braking, and driving fast around curves.  
Replace the compact spare wheel as soon as possible with a regular wheel. The spare wheel is only intended for short-term use.  
Always secure the compact spare wheel with the wheel bolts supplied by the factory.  
Never drive with more than one spare wheel that differs from the regular tires.  
After mounting the compact spare wheel,check the tire pressure as soon as possible ⇒ Tire pressure.  
Do not use snow chains on the compact spare wheel.  
Never mount a compact spare wheel on the rear axle when in trailer mode ⇒ Trailer towing.  
Raising the vehicle with the vehicle jack  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Lift points  
Fig. 206 Lift points for the vehicle jack (general example).  
The vehicle jack must only be positioned at the reinforced areas on the underbody that are located behind the markings on the vehicle body fig. 206. The lift point  
that is nearest the affected tire should be used ⇒  
.
Positioning the vehicle jack  
Fig. 207 Correct jack setup.  
340  
Fig. 208 Jack is positioned on the left side of the vehicle at the rear.  
Checklist  
For your own safety, follow the points below in the order they are given ⇒  
:
1. Select an area where the ground is level and firm for raising the vehicle.  
2. Adjust the steering wheel so that the wheels are not pointing straight forward.  
3. Stop the engine.  
4. Move the selector lever of the automatic transmission into the P position.  
5. Set the electronic parking brake.  
6. Block the tire that is diagonal from the one you will be changing with chocks or other suitable objects.  
7. If you are towing a trailer ⇒  
Introduction: disconnect trailer from the vehicle and park it.  
8. Loosen the wheel bolts ⇒ Wheel bolts.  
9. Position the hand crank in the mount on the jack.  
10. Find the vehicle lift point fig. 206 under the vehicle that is closest to the wheel you will be changing.  
11. Crank the jack upward so that it is still positioned under the vehicle lift point.  
12. Make sure the entire base of the jack is seated securely on the ground and that the base of the jack is located exactly directly below the lift point fig. 207 and  
fig. 208.  
13. Straighten the jack and continue cranking the claw on the top of the jack upward until the claw is positioned on the jacking point under the vehicle fig. 208.  
14. Continue raising the vehicle jack until the wheel is lifted off the ground.  
WARNING  
Using the vehicle jack incorrectly can result in the vehicle slipping from the jack and causing serious injuries. To reduce the risk of injuries, observe the following:  
Never raise the vehicle if more than one tire is damaged.  
Never raise the vehicle while the engine is running or while the vehicle is on ground that is tilted to the side or sloping.  
Never allow the engine to be started if the vehicle is raised. Engine vibrations could cause the vehicle to fall off the jack.  
Only place the vehicle jack at the lift points described. The bracket on the vehicle jack must firmly grip the sill fig. 208.  
Only use jacks that are approved by Volkswagen for the vehicle. Other vehicle jacks, including those approved for other Volkswagen models, could slip.  
The ground must be level and firm. Sloped or soft ground can cause the vehicle to slip off the jack. If necessary, place a large, stable surface under the  
jack.  
If you are on a slippery surface such as tile, place a non-slippery object such as a rubber mat on the ground to prevent the jack from slipping.  
Never place any part of your body, such as your arm, under the vehicle when it is supported only by the jack.  
If you must work underneath the vehicle, additionally support the vehicle securely with suitable stands.  
WARNING  
341  
Failing to heed this checklist that is provided for your own safety can cause accidents and serious injuries.  
Always follow the activities in the checklist and follow the general safety precautions.  
Changing a wheel  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Removing a wheel  
Fig. 209 Wheel change: removing wheel bolts with the lug wrench.  
1. Follow the checklist ⇒ Preparations for changing a wheel .  
2. Loosen the wheel bolts ⇒ Wheel bolts.  
3. Raise the vehicle ⇒ Raising the vehicle with the vehicle jack .  
4. Remove loose wheel bolts completely using the lug wrench fig. 209 and place the bolts on a clean surface.  
5. Remove the wheel.  
Installing a spare wheel or compact spare wheel  
1. Note the running direction of the tire ⇒ Tire labeling and tire classifications.  
2. Position the wheel.  
3. Install all other bolts clockwise and lightly tighten.  
4. Lower the vehicle with the vehicle jack.  
5. Tighten all wheel bolts securely clockwise using the lug wrench ⇒  
. Do not go in order around the wheel while doing this, but rather always switch to a  
wheel bolt on the opposite side.  
6. Mount the caps, center wheel covers, or full wheel covers ⇒ Wheel covers.  
After a wheel change  
1. Clean the vehicle tool kit and place it back in the foam piece in the luggage compartment.  
2. Stow the old wheel securely in the luggage compartment.  
3. Always check the wheel bolt tightening torque ⇒ Wheel bolts.  
4. Always have the damaged wheel replaced as soon as possible.  
WARNING  
An incorrect tightening torque or incorrectly treated wheel bolts can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and cause accidents and serious injuries.  
Always keep all wheel bolts and threads in the wheel hubs clean and free of oil and grease. The wheel bolts must be easy to move and tightened to the  
tightening specification.  
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) indicator light may indicate a system malfunction after a wheel is changed ⇒ Troubleshooting the Tire Pressure  
Monitoring System.  
342  

Related Topics

Introduction
Preparations for changing a wheel
Wheel bolts
Subwoofer
Spare wheel or compact spare wheel
Raising the vehicle with the vehicle jack
Changing a wheel

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