Tires and wheels -> Introduction for Your Volkswagen Passat SUV Seventh Generation (2010-2014)

Tires and wheels  
¤ Introduction  
In this section you’ll find information about:  
Tire and wheel handling  
Wheel rims  
New and replacement tires  
New and replacement tires  
Tire inflation pressure  
Tire inflation pressure  
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires  
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires  
Tread depth and tread wear indicators  
Tire wear and damage  
Spare wheel or 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  
UTQG classification  
Volkswagen recommends that all work on tires and wheels be done  
by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Ser-  
vice 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  
Trailer towing  
Tire Pressure Monitoring System  
Braking and parking  
Exterior care and cleaning  
Vehicle tool kit  
Consumer information  
Wheel trim  
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 dimen-  
sions (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 per-  
sonal 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 sepa-  
ration, sudden loss of pressure, and blowouts. Tires with ex-  
cessively 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, sud-  
den tire failure including blowouts and sudden deflation, crash-  
es, 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.