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Tires and wheels -> Winter tires for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Sixth Generation (2005-2010)

WARNING  
Using incorrect or unmatched tires and/or wheels or improper tire and wheel combinations  
can lead to loss of control, collision and serious personal injury.  
Always use tires, wheels and wheel bolts that meet the specifications of the original  
factory-installed tires or other combinations that have been specifically approved by the  
vehicle manufacturer.  
All 4 wheels must be fitted with radial tires of the same type, the same size (tread  
circumference), and the same tread pattern. Driving with different tires reduces vehicle  
handling and can lead to a loss of control.  
Never drive faster than the maximum speed for which the tires installed on your vehicle  
are rated because tires that are driven faster than their rated speed can fail suddenly.  
Overloading tires can cause heat build-up, sudden tire failure, including a blowout and  
sudden deflation and loss of control.  
Temperature grades apply to tires that are properly inflated and not over- or underinflated.  
Winter tires  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
Winter tires improve the handling characteristics of your vehicle significantly when driving under wintry  
road conditions. Summer tires have less traction on snow and ice because of their design (width,  
rubber composition, tread design). Volkswagen strongly recommends that you always have winter  
tires or all-season tires installed on all 4 wheels on your vehicle, especially when winter road  
conditions are expected. Winter tires also improve the vehicle's braking performance and help reduce  
stopping distances during winter weather. Volkswagen recommends installing winter tires once  
temperatures are below +45 °F (+7 °C).  
Winter tires are no longer suitable for winter driving once the tread pattern is worn down to a depth of  
3/16 in (4.8 mm). In addition, winter tire performance decreases with age - independent of the tread  
profile depth.  
When using winter tires:  
Obey state and country-specific legal requirements.  
Install winter tires on all 4 wheels.  
Use winter tires only under wintry road conditions.  
Only use winter tires with dimensions approved for the vehicle.  
Use only winter tires of the same tire belt design, the same dimensions (tread circumference), and  
the same tread design.  
Follow speed restrictions according to the winter tire's speed rating code letter ⇒ꢀ  
Speed restrictions  
.
Winter tires are certified up to a top speed identified by speed rating code letters on the side wall  
⇒ꢀpage 168, Tire labeling.  
In some vehicle models it is possible to set a speed warning in the MFI menu in the instrument cluster  
display (Multi-Function Indicator - MFI), Volkswagen Information System.  
Top speed rating and tire inflation pressure for V winter tires depend on the engine installed in your  
vehicle. Be sure to ask you authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility  
about the maximum permissible speed and the required tire inflation pressure for the winter tires that  
you plan to use.  
WARNING  
Driving faster than the maximum speed for which the winter tires on your vehicle were  
designed can cause sudden tire failure including a blowout and sudden deflation, loss of  
control, crashes and serious personal injuries.  
Winter tires have a maximum speed rating that may be lower than your vehicle's maximum  
speed.  
Never drive faster than the maximum speed for which the winter tires installed on your  
vehicle are rated because tires that are driven faster than their rated speed can fail suddenly.  
Never exceed the maximum load rating for the winter tires installed on your vehicle.  
Install summer tires promptly in the spring. Summer tires offer better handling characteristics for  
temperatures above +45 °F (+7 °C). They are quieter, do not wear as quickly, and reduce fuel  
consumption.  
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated using the SET button whenever you  
remove and remount or change any wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or replacement  
wheels and tires are identical to those that were removed and even if the tire pressure does not  
change, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).  
If necessary, ask your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility  
about permissible winter tire dimensions.  
Snow chains  
Please first read and note the introductory information and heed the WARNINGS  
Obey local regulations as well as the applicable speed limits when driving with snow chains.  
Snow chains improve forward motion, traction and braking characteristics under wintry conditions.  
Snow chains may be used only on the front wheels and only in the following tire and wheel  
combinations:  
Tire dimensions  
Rim  
215/60 R16  
6 1/2 J x 16 ET 44  
Please contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility about  
appropriate wheel, tire and snow chain dimensions.  
If possible, use only chains with low profile links that are not thicker than 37/64 in (15 mm) including  
the tensioner.  
Remove center hubcaps and decorative rim rings before installing snow chains ⇒ꢀ . However, for  
safety reasons, caps must be installed on the wheel bolts. These are available from authorized  
Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities.  
Compact spare  
For technical reasons, snow chains cannot be used on the compact spare ⇒ꢀpage Error! Bookmark  
not defined., Compact spare wheel, Compact spare wheel.  
If you must use snow chains and have a compact spare wheel mounted, move the compact spare  
wheel to the rear axle if a front tire has to be replaced. The tire taken off the rear axle can then be