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

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.  
If the vehicle is delivered ex works with a jack, this jack may only be used if one wheel on the vehicle has been damaged and  
needs to be replaced. If both tires on one side of the vehicle, or both tires on one axle, or all tires are damaged, do not use the  
jack delivered ex works. Instead, contact a suitably qualified professional. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized  
Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
You must carry out the following steps to change a wheel.  
1. Prepare the vehicle for the wheel change ⇒ Preparing Your Vehicle.  
2. Depending on the vehicle and vehicle equipment, remove the subwoofer ⇒ Removing and installing the subwoofer.  
3. Take out the spare wheel ⇒ Removing the spare wheel or compact spare wheel.  
4. Remove the wheel hub cover or wheel bolt caps ⇒ Removing and Fitting the Wheel Bolt Caps.  
5. Loosen the wheel bolts ⇒ Loosening wheel bolts.  
6. Jack up the car ⇒ Raising the vehicle with the vehicle jack.  
7. Remove the damaged wheel and fit the spare wheel or compact spare wheel ⇒ Changing a wheel.  
WARNING  
It can be dangerous to change a wheel at the roadside.  
If the vehicle and work area are not secured properly, serious accidents and fatal injuries may occur.  
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.  
Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.  
To reduce the risk of the vehicle moving unintentionally, park the vehicle properly at a safe distance from moving  
traffic ⇒ Parking.  
Set the electronic parking brake.  
Move all passengers, particularly children, to a safe distance away from the working area on the side facing away  
from moving traffic.  
Switch on the emergency flashers to warn other road users and set up the warning triangle.  
Only jack up the vehicle on level, firm ground. 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.  
Only use suitable and undamaged tools for wheel changes.  
After changing a wheel, immediately check the tightening torque of the wheel bolts with an undamaged torque  
wrench that is functioning correctly.  
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Preparing Your Vehicle  
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. Park the vehicle a safe distance from moving traffic. Observe all important information on parking when doing so  
⇒ Parking. 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 vehicle jack.  
2. Switch on the emergency flashers ⇒ Center console.  
3. Have all vehicle occupants exit the vehicle on the side facing away from traffic and move to a safe area, such as behind a  
guard rail. Follow the local regulations regarding wearing a reflective vest.  
4. Set up the warning triangle to warn others on the road about the vehicle.  
5. Adjust the steering wheel so that the wheels are not pointing straight forward.  
6. Block the tire that is diagonal from the one you will be changing with a stone, chocks, or another suitable object.  
7. In trailer mode: Disconnect the trailer from the towing vehicle and park it ⇒ Trailer towing.  
8. If the luggage compartment is full: remove the contents from the luggage compartment.  
9. Depending on the vehicle and vehicle equipment, remove the subwoofer ⇒ Removing and installing the subwoofer.  
10. Remove the collapsible spare wheel, full-size spare wheel or compact spare wheel and the vehicle tool kit from the  
luggage compartment.  
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.  
Removing and installing the subwoofer  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
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Fig. 183 Under the luggage compartment floor: removing the subwoofer.  
Fig. 184 In the luggage compartment: 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. Unscrew the handwheel fig. 183  
counterclockwise.  
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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. 184.  
Installing the subwoofer  
1. Carefully place the subwoofer in the recess of the spare wheel cover. The arrow symbol with the word “FRONT” on the  
subwoofer must point forward fig. 183.  
2. Turn the handwheel fig. 183  
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  
Leaking liquids in the luggage compartment can damage the subwoofer.  
Immediately remove any spilled liquids, e.g. with a dry cloth.  
Removing the spare wheel or compact spare wheel  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Fig. 185 Under the luggage compartment floor: wing nut to secure the spare wheel or 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.  
3. If present, lift up and remove the carpet.  
4. Remove the vehicle tool kit with the container.  
5. Depending on the vehicle and vehicle equipment, remove the subwoofer ⇒ Removing and installing the subwoofer.  
6. Removing the spare wheel cover.  
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7. Unscrew the wing nut fig. 185  
8. Remove the lock washer fig. 185  
in the center of the spare wheel all the way counterclockwise.  
.
9. Remove the spare wheel or compact spare wheel.  
Stowing the removed tire  
1. If the removed wheel fits in the spare wheel well: place the removed wheel with the front of the rim facing down into the  
spare wheel well so that the center hole on the rim is directly above the hole or the threaded pin.  
If the removed wheel does not fit in the spare wheel well, securely stow the wheel in the luggage compartment on the  
luggage compartment floor.  
2. Slide the lock washer fig. 185  
3. Turn the wing nut fig. 185  
4. Install the spare wheel cover.  
onto the threaded pin.  
clockwise onto the threaded pin until the replaced wheel is securely fastened.  
5. Depending on the vehicle and vehicle equipment: install the subwoofer ⇒ Removing and installing the subwoofer.  
6. Place the vehicle tool kit back in the container and stow it in the luggage compartment.  
7. Place the carpet (if there is one) in the luggage compartment.  
8. Reinsert the luggage compartment floor or fold back down.  
9. Close the trunk lid.  
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 80 km/h (50 mph).  
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 ⇒ Checking the tir  
pressure.  
The tire pressure of the spare wheel or compact 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 or compact spare wheel when the tires are col  
must correspond to the details on the tire inflation pressure label ⇒ Checking the tire pressure.  
WARNING  
Incorrect handling of the spare wheel or compact spare wheel can result in loss of vehicle control, serious accidents or  
death.  
Never use the spare wheel or compact spare wheel if it is damaged or if it is worn down to the wear indicator.  
If the spare wheel is different from the regular wheels or you are using a compact spare wheel, never drive faster  
than 80 km/h (50 mph).  
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 more than 200 km (125 miles) with a temporary compact spare wheel fitted to the drive axle.  
Avoid hard acceleration, hard braking, and driving fast around curves.  
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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 compact spare wheel.  
Never drive with more than one spare wheel that differs from the regular tires.  
After mounting the spare wheel or compact spare wheel, check the tire pressure as soon as possible ⇒ Checking  
the 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.  
Removing and Fitting the Wheel Bolt Caps  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Removing the Caps  
Fig. 186 Remove the caps from the wheel bolts.  
The caps are for protecting the wheel bolts and must be completely reattached after a wheel change.  
1. Take the extraction hook out of the vehicle tool kit ⇒ Vehicle tool kit components.  
2. Insert the extraction hook into the opening in the cap.  
3. Remove the cap with extraction hook in the direction of the arrow fig. 186.  
Putting on Caps  
1. Push the cap all the way onto the wheel bolts.  
Loosening wheel bolts  
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Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Fig. 187 Loosening 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.  
2. Hold the end of the lug wrench and turn the wheel bolt about one turn counterclockwise ⇒  
.
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.  
WARNING  
If the wheel bolts are removed or loosened by more than one rotation before the vehicle is jacked up, the wheel could fall  
off and the vehicle might tip.  
This can result in serious injuries.  
Only loosen the wheel bolts about one turn while the vehicle is not lifted with the jack.  
Never place any part of your body, such as your arm, under the vehicle while you loosen the wheel bolts.  
Raising the vehicle with the vehicle jack  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Lift points  
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Fig. 188 On the side sill: markings for the jack lift points.  
The vehicle jack must only be positioned at the reinforced areas on the underbody that are located behind the markings on th  
vehicle body fig. 188. Always use the lift point that is nearest to the wheel you are changing ⇒  
.
Positioning the vehicle jack  
Fig. 189 Correct jack setup.  
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Fig. 190 On the left side of the vehicle at the rear: jack in position.  
Checklist  
For your own safety, follow the points below in the order they are given ⇒  
:
1. Position the hand crank in the mount on the jack.  
2. Find the jacking point fig. 188 under the vehicle that is closest to the wheel you will be changing.  
3. Crank the jack upward so that it is still positioned under the vehicle lift point.  
4. 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. 189 and fig. 190.  
5. 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. 190.  
6. Continue raising the vehicle jack until the wheel is lifted off the ground.  
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.  
WARNING  
Using the vehicle jack incorrectly can cause the vehicle to slip from the jack, resulting in serious injuries or death.  
Never raise the vehicle if more than one wheel is damaged.  
Never jack up the vehicle when the engine is running.  
Never start the engine if the vehicle is raised. Engine vibrations could cause the vehicle to fall off the jack.  
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Only place the vehicle jack at the lift points described. The bracket on the vehicle jack must firmly grip the sill  
fig. 190.  
Only use jacks that are approved by Volkswagen for the vehicle. Other vehicle jacks, including those approved for  
other Volkswagen models, could slip.  
Only jack up the vehicle on level, firm ground. 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.  
Changing a wheel  
Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice ⇒  
Introduction.  
Removing a wheel  
Fig. 191 Removing wheel bolts with the lug wrench.  
1. Follow the checklist ⇒ Preparing Your Vehicle.  
2. Loosen the wheel bolts and fit the mounting pin ⇒ Loosening wheel bolts.  
3. Raise the vehicle ⇒ Raising the vehicle with the vehicle jack.  
4. Remove loose wheel bolts completely using the lug wrench fig. 191 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.  
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3. Screw in four wheel bolts.  
4. Remove the mounting pin and screw in the remaining wheel bolts.  
5. Use the adapter to help if you have anti-theft wheel bolts.  
6. Lower the vehicle with the vehicle jack.  
7. Tighten each wheel bolt securely clockwise with 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.  
8. Fit the caps or hubcap⇒ Removing and Fitting the Wheel Bolt Caps.  
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. Get the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked as soon as possible at the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or  
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or  
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.  
4. Get the damaged tires replaced as soon as possible.  
Wheel bolt tightening specification  
Tightening specification for wheel bolts in steel and aluminum alloy rims:  
120 Nm (88 ft-lbs).  
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  
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,  
they 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  
Incorrect wheel bolts can loosen while driving and cause loss of vehicle control, serious accidents, and fatal injuries.  
461  
Always use wheel bolts that are correct for the rim and the vehicle model.  
Never use different wheel bolts.  
Use only two-piece wheel bolts on vehicles with two-piece wheel bolts.  
The tire pressure monitoring system indicator light may indicate a system malfunction after a wheel is changed  
. If the  
spare wheel or compact spare wheel has been fitted, the engine indicator light may light up  
because the spare wheel or  
compact spare wheel has a different tire diameter to the original tires.Contact the nearest suitably qualified workshop if the  
engine indicator light remains on after changing to the original tires and after three consecutive journeys, or after 120 km  
(75 miles). Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service  
Facility.  
If the dimensions of the new tires do not match the dimensions of the tires that have been removed and require a different  
cold tire pressure, you will need to adapt the tire pressures for the tire pressure monitoring system ⇒ Function of the Tire  
Pressure Monitoring System.  
Tire characteristics  
Tire labeling and tire classifications  
Fig. 192 International tire labeling.  
fig. 192Tire labeling (example), meaning  
Product name  
Individual manufacturer tire designation.  
The tire conforms to the legal requirements of the  
Department of Transportation in the USA, which is  
responsible for tire safety standards.  
DOT  
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Related Topics

Wheels and tires

Introduction
Taking care of wheels and tires
Maintaining wheels and tires
Wheels and tires in snow and ice
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Tire characteristics

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