Tires and wheels -> Introduction for Your Volkswagen Beetle 4 Door Third Generation (2012-2019)

Tires and wheels  
Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Tire and wheel handling  
Wheel rims  
Tire inflation pressure  
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires  
Tread depth and tread wear indicators  
Tire wear and damage  
Compact spare wheel  
Tire labeling  
Winter tires  
Snow chains  
Glossary of tire and loading terminology  
Tires and vehicle load limits  
Determining the correct load limit  
Volkswagen recommends that all work on tires and wheels be done by an authorized Volkswagen  
dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. They are familiar with the technical requirements  
and recommended procedures, have the necessary special tools and spare parts, and can properly  
dispose of old tires.  
More information:  
Transporting.  
Braking, stopping and parking.  
Tire Pressure Monitoring System.  
Exterior care and cleaning.  
Vehicle tool kit.  
Consumer information.  
Wheel covers.  
Changing a wheel.  
WARNING  
New tires or tires that are old, worn or damaged cannot provide maximum control and  
braking performance.  
Improper care and handling of tires and wheels can reduce driving safety and cause  
accidents and severe injuries.  
Install only radial tires of the same make, the same dimensions (tread circumference), and  
similar tread profile on all 4 wheels.  
New tires tend to be slippery and must be broken in. Always drive with special care for the  
first 350 miles (560 km) to help reduce the risk of losing control, a collision, and serious  
personal injuries.  
Check tire inflation pressure regularly when the tires are cold and always maintain the  
prescribed tire pressure. Low tire pressure can cause tires to get too hot, resulting in tread  
separation, sudden loss of pressure, and blowouts. Tires with excessively low pressure flex  
(bend) more, which can cause the tire to overheat and fail suddenly without warning.  
Check tires regularly for wear and damage.  
Never drive with worn or damaged tires (for example, tires with punctures, cuts, cracks,  
blisters, or bumps). Driving with worn or damaged tires can lead to loss of vehicle control,  
sudden tire failure including blowouts and sudden deflation, crashes, and serious personal  
injuries.  
Have worn or damaged tires replaced immediately.  
Never exceed the maximum speed rating or the maximum load rating of the tires on your  
vehicle.  
The effectiveness of the driver assistance systems and the braking support systems  
depends on the tire traction.  
If you notice unusual vibration or if the vehicle pulls to one side when driving, always stop  
as soon as it is safe to do so and check the wheels and tires for damage.  
To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen  
the bolts on wheels with bolted rim rings.  
Never mount used tires on your vehicle if you are not sure of their past use. Old, used  
tires and wheels may have damage that cannot be seen that can lead to sudden tire failure  
and loss of vehicle control.  
Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly, especially at high speeds,  
causing loss of vehicle control, accidents, and severe personal injuries. Tires that are more  
than 6 years old can be used only in an emergency and even then only with special care and  
at low speed.  
For technical reasons it is usually not possible to use wheel rims from other vehicles. Even wheel  
rims from the same model may not fit properly. Check with an authorized Volkswagen dealer or  
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility if necessary.