Get Tires and wheels -> Glossary of tire and loading terminology Guide for Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Remove center hubcaps and decorative rim rings before installing

snow chains ⇒ꢀ . However, for safety reasons, caps must be in-

stalled on the wheel bolts. These are available from authorized

Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities.

Compact spare wheel

For technical reasons, snow chains cannot be used on the compact

spare

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 used

to replace the flat front tire. Be sure to install the unidirectional tires so

that they will run in the proper direction. Volkswagen recommends

installing the snow chains before mounting the wheel to the vehicle.

WARNING

Using the wrong snow chains or installing snow chains im-

properly can cause accidents and severe personal injuries.

Always use the proper snow chains.

Follow the installation instructions provided by the snow

chain manufacturer.

Never exceed the permissible speed limit when driving with

snow chains.

NOTICE

Remove snow chains when roads are free of snow. Otherwise,

the chains can damage the tires, impair vehicle handling and can

be quickly worn down.

Snow chains can scratch or damage wheel rims if they have

direct contact with the rims. Volkswagen recommends using

coated snow chains.

Glossary of tire and loading terminology

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Accessory weight

The combined weight (in excess of those standard items which may

be replaced) of automatic transmission, electro-mechanical power

steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, radio, and

heater, to the extent that these items are available as factory-installed

equipment (whether installed or not).

Aspect ratio

The ratio of sidewall height to tire width, expressed as a percentage.

A number of 70 (0.7:1 or 70%) or lower indicates a low-profile tire with

a shorter sidewall for improved steering response and better overall

handling on dry pavement.

Bead

The part of a tire made of steel wires, wrapped or reinforced by ply

cords, with the shape and structure to ensure proper fit to the wheel

rim.

Bead separation

A breakdown of the bond between components in the bead.

Carcass

The tire structure, except tread and sidewall rubber which, when in-

flated, bears the load.

Chunking

The breaking away of pieces of the tread or sidewall.

Cord

The strands of material forming the plies in the tire.

Cord separation

The parting of cords from adjacent rubber compounds.

Cracking

Any parting within the tread, sidewall, or inner liner of the tire extend-

ing to cord material.

Cold tire inflation pressure

The tire pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for a tire

of a specified size that has not been driven for more than a couple of

miles (kilometers) at low speeds in the 3 hour period before the tire

pressure is measured or adjusted.

Curb weight

The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the

maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, air conditioner, and addi-

tional weight of optional equipment.

Extra load tire

A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher inflation pres-

sures than the corresponding standard tire.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The load-carrying capacity of a single axle system, measured where

the tire contacts the ground.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The maximum loaded weight of the vehicle.

Groove

The space between 2 adjacent tread ribs.

Load rating (code)

The maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given inflation

pressure. You may not find this information on all tires because it is

not required by law.

Maximum load rating

The load rating for a tire at the maximum permissible inflation pres-

sure for that tire.

Maximum loaded vehicle weight

The total of:

Curb weight.

Accessory weight.

Vehicle capacity weight.

Production options weight.

Maximum (permissible) inflation pressure

The maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated.

Also called “maximum inflation pressure.”

Normal occupant weight

Means 150 lbs (68 kilograms) times the number of occupants seated

in the vehicle up to the total seating capacity of your vehicle.

Occupant distribution

The placement of passengers in a vehicle.

Outer diameter

The diameter of a new, properly inflated tire.

Overall width

Total width measured at the exterior sidewalls of an inflated tire, in-

cluding the additional width of labeling, decorations, or protective

bands or ribs.

Passenger car tire

A tire intended for use on passenger cars, multipurpose passenger

vehicles, and trucks, that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)

of 10,000 pounds or less.

Ply

A layer of rubber-coated parallel cords.

Ply separation

A parting of rubber compound between adjacent plies.

Pneumatic tire

A mechanical device made of rubber, chemicals, fabric, and steel or

other materials, that, when mounted on an automotive wheel, pro-

vides the traction and contains the gas or fluid that sustains the load.

Production options weight

The combined weight of installed regular production options weighing

over 5 lbs (2.3 kg) more than the standard items they replace, and not

previously considered as curb weight or accessory weight. These

include, for example, heavy-duty brakes, ride levelers, roof rack,

heavy-duty battery, and special trim.

Radial ply tires

A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are

laid at substantially 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread.

Recommended inflation pressure

The tire pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for a tire

of a specified size that has not been driven for more than a couple of

miles (kilometers) at low speeds in the 3 hour period before the tire

pressure is measured or adjusted.

Reinforced tire

A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher inflation pres-

sures than the corresponding standard tire.

Rim

The outer edge of a wheel upon which the tire beads are seated.

Rim diameter

The nominal diameter of the wheel's tire bead seating surface. If you

change your wheel size, to wheels of a different diameter, you will

have to purchase new tires to match the new wheels.

Rim size

Designation means rim diameter and width.

Rim type designation

The industry or manufacturer's designation for a rim by style or code.

Rim width

The nominal distance between wheel rim flanges.

Section width

The linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of an inflat-

ed tire, excluding elevations due to labeling decoration, or protective

bands.

Sidewall

The portion of a tire between the bead and the tread.

Sidewall separation

The parting of the rubber compound from the cord material in the

sidewall.

Speed rating (letter code)

A standardized letter code indicating the maximum speed at which a

tire is designed to be driven for extended periods of time. The ratings

range from 93 mph or 150 km/h (“P”) to 186 mph or (300 km/h) “Y”.

The speed rating letter code, where applicable, is molded on the tire

sidewall. You may not find this information on all tires because it is

not required by law.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System

A system that detects when at least one of a vehicle's tires is underin-

flated and illuminates a low tire-pressure warning light.

Tread

The portion of a tire that normally touches the road.

Tread rib

A tread section running circumferentially around a tire.

Tread separation

Tire failure caused by the tread pulling away from the tire carcass.

Tread wear indicators (TWI)

Raised areas within the main tread grooves that show, visually, when

tires are worn and near the end of their useful life ⇒ꢀpage 261.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)

A tire information system developed by the U.S. National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that is designed to help buyers

compare tires. UTQG is not a safety rating, nor is it a guarantee that a

tire will last for a certain number of miles or perform a certain way. It

gives tire buyers more information to compare with factors such as

price, brand loyalty and dealer recommendations. Under UTQG, tires

are graded by the tire manufacturers in 3 areas: tread wear, traction

and temperature resistance. UTQG information is molded into the tire

sidewalls.

U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)

A tire's serial number. It begins with the letters “DOT” (“Department of

Transportation”) and indicates that the tire meets all federal stand-

ards. The next 2 numbers or letters indicate the plant where the tire

was manufactured. The last 4 numbers represent the week and year

of manufacture.

For example, the numbers 1709 mean that the tire was produced in

the 17th week of 2009. Any other numbers are marketing codes used

by the tire manufacturer. This information is used to help identify af-

fected consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.

Vehicle capacity weight

The total rated cargo, luggage and passenger load. Passenger load is

150 lbs (68 kilograms) times the vehicle's total seating capacity (as

listed on the label inside the driver door).

Vehicle maximum load on the tire

The load on an individual tire that is determined by taking each axle's

share of the maximum loaded vehicle weight (GAWR) and dividing

by 2.

Vehicle normal load on the tire

The load on an individual tire that is determined by taking each axle's

share of the curb weight, accessory weight, and normal occupant

weight (distributed according to the table below) and dividing by 2.

Wheel size designation

Wheel rim diameter and width.

Occupant loading and distribution for vehicle normal load for

various designated seating capacities

Designated seating Vehicle normal load, Occupant distribu-

capacity, number of number of occu-

tion in a normally

loaded vehicle

occupants

2, 3, or 4

5

pants

2

3

2 in front

2 in front, 1 in back

Tires and vehicle load limits

¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Tires and wheels -> Glossary of tire and loading terminology for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

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