Get Wheels and tyres -> Changing a wheel Guide for Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

Changing a wheel

Introduction to the topic

Some models are delivered from the factory without a jack or box spanner. If this is the case,

wheels should be changed by a qualified workshop.

The jack supplied with the vehicle is only designed for changing a wheel when one vehicle tyre is

damaged and has to be replaced. If both tyres on one side of the vehicle, both tyres on one axle,

or all tyres are damaged, seek expert assistance.

WARNING

Changing a wheel can be dangerous, especially when carried out at the side of a road. Please

note the following steps in order to reduce the risk of serious injuries:

●

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible and when safe to do so. Park the vehicle at a safe

distance from moving traffic in order to carry out the wheel change.

●

All passengers and children in particular must be at a safe distance and away from the area

of work during the wheel change.

●

Switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users.

Check that the surface the vehicle is parked on is level and firm. If necessary, use a large,

strong board or similar support for the jack.

●

Only change the wheel yourself when you feel confident with carrying out the procedure. If

not, seek expert assistance.

●

Always use suitable and undamaged tools to change the wheel.

Always switch off the electric drive via the ignition, switch on the electronic parking brake

and move the selector lever to the P position to reduce the risk of the vehicle moving

accidentally.

●

The wheel bolt tightening torque should be checked with a correctly functioning torque

wrench immediately after changing a wheel.

In the case of vehicles with a Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator, the system must be re-

synchronised immediately after a wheel change (→ Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator, Function).

Preparations for changing a wheel

Checklist

The following actions must always be carried out in the given order in preparation for changing

the wheel →

:

1. If your vehicle has a flat tyre, park the vehicle on a firm and level surface at a safe distance

from moving traffic.

2. Switch on the electronic parking brake.

3. Move the selector lever to position P.

4. Switch off the electric drive and remove the vehicle key from the ignition lock.

5. Ask all vehicle occupants to leave the vehicle and stand at a safe distance away from moving

traffic.

6. Switch on the hazard warning lights and set up the warning triangle (→ In an emergency,

General safety). Observe any legal requirements.

7. Chock the wheel opposite the wheel being worked on with a stone or a similar object.

8. Remove any items of luggage from the luggage compartment.

9. Remove the vehicle toolkit from the luggage compartment.

0. Remove the hubcaps (→ Hubcaps, Description).

WARNING

Ignoring any of the items on this important safety checklist can lead to accidents and severe

injuries.

●

Always follow the instructions in the checklist and observe the general safety procedures.

Wheel bolts

Fig. 1 Changing a wheel: loosening the wheel bolts.

Fig. 2 Changing a wheel: tyre valve 1 and locations of the anti-theft wheel bolt 2 or 3 .

Use a suitable box spanner to loosen the wheel bolts.

Only loosen the wheel bolts by approximately one turn before raising the vehicle with the jack.

If a wheel bolt is very tight, you may be able to loosen it by pushing down the end of the box

spanner carefully with your foot. Hold on to the vehicle for support and ensure that you have a

secure footing.

Loosening wheel bolts

—Fit the box spanner over the wheel bolt as far as it will go → Fig. 1 .

—Hold the end of the box spanner and turn the wheel bolt one turn anticlockwise →

.

Loosening the anti-theft wheel bolt

—Take the adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolt out of the vehicle toolkit.

—Insert the adapter into the anti-theft wheel bolt as far as it will go.

—Push the box spanner onto the adapter as far as it will go.

—Hold the end of the box spanner and turn the wheel bolt one turn anticlockwise →

.

Screwing in the anti-theft wheel bolt (wheel cover)

On wheels with a wheel cover, the anti-theft wheel bolt must be screwed in at position → Fig. 2

2

or 3 according to the position of the tyre valve 1 . The wheel cover can otherwise not be

fitted.

Tightening torque for wheel bolts

Specified tightening torque for wheel bolts for steel or alloy wheel rims:

—120 Nm.

If the wheel bolts are corroded and stiff, they must be renewed and the wheel hub threads

cleaned before the tightening torque is checked.

Never grease or oil the wheel bolts or the threads of the wheel hubs.

Have the tightening torque checked with a properly functioning torque wrench immediately after

changing a wheel.

WARNING

Incorrectly tightened wheel bolts can loosen while the vehicle is in motion and cause accidents,

serious injury, and loss of control of the vehicle.

●

The wheel bolts and threads of the wheel hubs must be clean, free from oil and grease, and

turn easily.

Always use the box spanner placed in the vehicle at the factory to loosen and tighten the

wheel bolts.

Only loosen the wheel bolts by approximately one turn before raising the vehicle with the

jack.

Never grease or oil the wheel bolts or the threads of the wheel hubs. This could cause them

to loosen while the vehicle is in motion, even if the required torque setting is used.

●

Never loosen the bolts on wheel rims with bolted-on rings.

If the tightening torque of the wheel bolts is too low, the wheel bolts and rims can loosen

while the vehicle is in motion. The wheel bolts and the threads could be damaged if the

tightening torque is too high. Check the tightening torque regularly using a torque wrench.

WARNING

The wrong wheel bolts can loosen while the vehicle is in motion and cause accidents, serious

injury, and loss of control of the vehicle.

●

Only use wheel bolts that belong to the respective wheel rim.

Never use different wheel bolts.

On vehicles with two-piece wheel bolts: use only two-piece wheel bolts.

Lifting the vehicle with the jack

Fig. 1 Jacking points.

Fig. 2 Jack applied at the rear left-hand side of the vehicle.

The jack may be positioned only at the reinforcements on the underbody, which are located

behind the markings on the body → Fig. 1 . Always use the jacking point closest to the wheel you

are working on →

.

Checklist

For your own safety, carry out the following points in the specified order →

1. Choose a firm and level surface suitable for lifting the vehicle.

:

2. Switch off the electric drive. Move the selector lever to position P and switch on the

electronic parking brake.

3. Chock the wheel diagonally opposite using collapsible chocks or other suitable objects.

4. Loosen the wheel bolts (→ Wheel bolts, Fitting).

5. Find the jacking point under the vehicle → Fig. 1 which is closest to the wheel that is being

changed.

6. Insert the hand crank into the opening on the jack (depending on equipment).

7. Crank up the jack until it just fits under the jacking point of the vehicle.

8. Ensure that the entire surface of the foot of the jack is resting securely on the ground, and

that the foot of the jack is positioned fully underneath the point of application → Fig. 2

and

.

9. Position the jack and simultaneously continue to crank the claw up until it is in position

around the vertical rib underneath the vehicle → Fig. 2 .

0. Crank the jack further until the wheel is just clear of the ground.

WARNING

Incorrect use of the vehicle jack can cause the vehicle to slip off the jack, which can lead to

severe injuries. Please note the following to help reduce the risk of injuries:

●

Never fit the vehicle jack on the high-voltage battery.

●

Only use vehicle jacks that have been approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle type. Other

vehicle jacks could slip out of position – this includes vehicle jacks supplied with other

Volkswagen models.

●

The ground must be firm and level. Soft ground or surfaces at an incline under the vehicle

jack may cause the vehicle to slip off the jack. If necessary, use a large, strong board or

similar support for the jack.

●

On a hard, slippery surface (such as tiles), use a rubber mat or similar to prevent the vehicle

jack from slipping.

Apply the jack only at the points described. The vehicle jack claw must grip the vertical rib

under the side member securely → Fig. 2 .

Never place any part of your body (e.g. an arm or leg) underneath a vehicle which is only

supported by the jack.

If you have to work underneath the vehicle, use suitable stands to provide extra support for

the vehicle.

Never lift the vehicle when the electric drive is switched on or if the vehicle is tilted to the

side or on a gradient.

Never switch on the electric drive when the vehicle is raised on a vehicle jack.

WARNING

Ignoring any of the items on this important safety checklist can lead to accidents and severe

injuries.

●

Always follow the instructions in the checklist and observe the general safety procedures.

Changing a wheel

Fig. 1 Changing a wheel: removing the wheel bolts with the screwdriver handle.

Removing the wheel

—Observe the checklist (→ Changing a wheel, Prerequisite).

—Loosen the wheel bolts (→ Wheel bolts, Fitting).

—Jack up the vehicle (→ Raising the vehicle with a jack, Operation).

—Using the hexagon socket in the screwdriver handle → Fig. 1 , completely unscrew the

loosened wheel bolts and place them on a clean surface.

—Remove the wheel.

Fitting a wheel

—Note the tyre direction of rotation (→ Tyre lettering and tyre type, Standards/Directives).

—Put the wheel in place.

—Screw in the anti-theft wheel bolt using the adapter at position → Fig. 2 2 or 3 and

tighten it slightly in a clockwise direction.

—Screw in all the other wheel bolts in clockwise direction and tighten them slightly.

—Lower the vehicle with the jack.

—Use the box spanner to tighten all the wheel bolts securely in a clockwise direction → . Do

not tighten the bolts in clockwise or anticlockwise sequence. Tighten them in diagonal

sequence.

—Fit the caps, wheel centre trim or wheel cover (→ Hubcaps, Description).

After changing a wheel

—Clean the tools and place them back in the foam rubber holder in the luggage compartment.

—Stow the changed wheel securely in the luggage compartment.

—Have the tightening torque of the wheel bolts checked immediately (→ Wheel bolts, Fitting).

—The damaged wheel should be replaced as soon as possible.

WARNING

Incorrect torque or incorrect use of wheel bolts can lead to a loss of control of the vehicle,

cause accidents and serious injuries.

●

Always keep all wheel bolts and threads in the wheel hubs clean and free from oil and

grease. The wheel bolts must be easy to turn and be tightened to the specified torque.

●

The hexagon socket in the screwdriver handle should be used only for turning wheel bolts

and not for loosening or tightening them.

After changing a wheel, the indicator lamp for the tyre monitoring system may indicate a

fault in the system (→ Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator, FAQ) (→ Tyre Pressure Monitoring

System, FAQ).

Wheels and tyres -> Changing a wheel for Your Volkswagen E Golf 4 Door Second Generation (2017-2020)

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