Get Wheels and tires -> Introduction Guide for Volkswagen Atlas SUV Second Generation (2024-2025)

Wheels and tires

Introduction

Wheels are the parts of the vehicle that are under the most demand, yet are also the most underestimated. Wheels are very

important because the narrow contact surfaces of the tires are the only contact that the vehicle has with the road.

The tire and rim combinations approved by Volkswagen are speciﬁcally designed for each other.

The service life of the tire depends on the tire pressure, the driving style, the way the tires are handled, and correct mounting

of the tire.

Rims, tires and wheel bolts

Rims, tires, and wheel bolts are determined based on the vehicle model. Whenever another rim is installed, the wheel bolts to

be used must have the correct length and bolt head shape. This ensures that the brakes can work correctly and that the

vehicle drives smoothly and safely. For technical reasons, standard rims from other vehicles cannot be used. Under certain

circumstances, this may even apply to rims for the same vehicle model. You must consult a suitably qualiﬁed professional to

replace rim/tire combinations. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility.

The correct wheel bolts must always be used for each vehicle model, and these bolts must always be tightened to the correct

torque ⇒ Monitoring the tightening torque.

Declaration of conformity for wheels and tires

Applies only to India: The tires ﬁtted on the vehicle meet the requirements of BIS and the requirements of the Central Motor

Vehicle Rules (CMVR), 1989.

WARNING

Incorrect handling of wheels can reduce driving safety and cause serious accidents and fatal injuries.

Regularly check the tire pressure when the tires are cold and always maintain the speciﬁed pressure ⇒ Checking

the tire pressure. If the tire pressure is too low, the tire can heat up so much while driving that the tread separates

or the tire ruptures.

Check the tires regularly for damage and wear.

Never exceed the maximum permissible speed and tire load speciﬁed for the tires ﬁtted to your vehicle.

For all four wheels, use only radial tires of the same design, size (rolling circumference), and tread pattern.

While driving, if unusual vibrations can be heard or the vehicle pulls to one side, stop immediately and check the

wheels and tires for damage.

Never loosen the bolts on rims with a bolted rim ring.

Only perform work on the wheels if you have the necessary knowledge and tools.

WARNING

New tires or tires that are old, worn, or damaged cannot provide the maximum vehicle control and braking effect.

This can cause accidents and fatal injuries.

Break in new tires because they have reduced traction and braking efﬁciency when they are new. Therefore drive

carefully for the ﬁrst 600 km (370 miles).

Never drive with tires that are worn or damaged, e.g. punctured, cut, cracked, or bulging. If you are unsure whether

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it is safe to continue driving, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

While driving, if unusual vibrations can be heard or the vehicle pulls to one side, stop immediately and check the

wheels and tires for damage.

Do not use any tires or rims if you do not know how they have been used in the past. Used tires and rims may be

damaged in a way that may not even be visible.

Only use tires that are more than six years old if absolutely necessary and drive with extreme caution if doing so,

even if the tires have never been used.

Have worn or damaged tires replaced immediately by suitably qualiﬁed professionals. Volkswagen recommends

contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

WARNING

If the wheel bolts are not tightened enough to meet the speciﬁcation, the wheel bolts and consequently the wheel could

come loose while driving. Exceeding the tightening speciﬁcation could damage the wheel bolts and threads.

Wheel bolts that are tightened incorrectly or missing could cause you to lose control of the vehicle and lead to serious

accidents and fatal injuries.

Always tighten the wheel bolts to the correct tightening torque. If you do not have a torque wrench, tighten the

wheel bolts with the lug wrench and then have the tightening torque checked as soon as possible by a suitably

qualiﬁed professional. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized

Volkswagen Service Facility.

Never drive with missing or loose wheel bolts.

Always use wheel bolts that are correct for the rim and the vehicle model.

Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads in the wheel hub. Even when tightened to the speciﬁcation, the

wheel bolts could become loose while driving.

Ensure the wheel bolts and threads in the wheel hubs are clean, easy to move and free of oil and grease.

Never loosen the bolts on rims with a bolted rim ring.

WARNING

Improper installation of the tires on the rim can result in damage to the rim and cause tires to suddenly lose air or go ﬂat

while driving.

This can cause accidents and fatal injuries.

Always have tires installed on the rim by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service

Facility.

Taking care of wheels and tires

Handling tires

Preventing damage to the tires

Always drive over curbs and other low obstacles slowly and at a right-angle so that both front wheels come into contact

with the obstacle at the same time.

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There is a high risk of damage to tires and rims, especially for low-proﬁle tires, on poor road surfaces or when driving on

unpaved roads or off-road.

Check the tire pressure regularly.

Check tires regularly for damage, e.g. punctures.

Never exceed the load index and maximum speed of the tire ⇒ Tire labeling and tire classiﬁcations .

Have damaged or worn rims replaced immediately ⇒ Troubleshooting.

Protect tires from coming into contact with corrosive materials such as grease, oil, gasoline, and brake ﬂuid

Replace missing dust caps on the valves immediately.

⇒

Remove any objects provided they have not punctured the inside of the tire ⇒ Troubleshooting.

Observe all tire pressure monitoring system warnings ⇒ Troubleshooting the Tire Pressure Monitoring System .

WARNING

Corrosive ﬂuids and materials can cause visible and invisible damage to the tires, which can cause the tires to fail.

This can cause accidents and fatal injuries.

Always keep chemicals, oils, grease, fuel, brake ﬂuid, and other corrosive materials away from the tires.

Storing tires

Only store tires in a cool, dry location that is as dark as possible.

Do not stand tires that are mounted on rims up vertically.

Protect tires that are not mounted on rims from dirt with suitable covers and store them standing on the tread surface.

Tires that are more than six years old

Tires age due to physical and chemical processes that affect their function. Tires that have been stored and unused for long

periods of time age more quickly than tires that are used continuously.

Volkswagen recommends replacing tires that are more than six years old with new tires. This even applies to tires that may

appear to be usable and whose tread depth is still greater than the minimum requirement ⇒

Winter and all season tires lose their characteristics to a large extent due to aging, regardless of the remaining tread depth.

The age of the tire can be determined based on the production date ⇒ Tire labeling and tire classiﬁcations .

WARNING

Old tires can suddenly lose air or rupture, particularly at high speeds.

This can cause accidents and fatal injuries.

Only use tires that are more than six years old if absolutely necessary and drive with extreme caution if doing so,

even if the tires have never been used.

New tires

Drive particularly carefully during the ﬁrst 600 km (370 mi) with new tires because they must be broken in. Tires that have

not yet been broken in have reduced gripping abilities and braking efﬁciency ⇒

Only use tires with the same design and as close to the same construction, size (rolling circumference) and tread pattern

as possible on all four wheels.

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Wheels and tires -> Introduction for Your Volkswagen Atlas SUV Second Generation (2024-2025)

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