Get Tires General Information Guide for Volkswagen Routan SUV First Generation (2009-2014)

TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION

WARNING! (Continued)

Tire Pressure

•

Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-

lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.

Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect

vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting

in loss of vehicle control.

Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and

satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary

areas are affected by improper tire pressure.

Safety

•

Unequal tire pressures from one side of the ve-

hicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to

the right or left.

WARNING!

•

Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can

cause accidents.

Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-

mended cold tire inflation pressure.

Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can re-

sult in over-heating and tire failure.

Economy

Over-inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion

shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can

cause damage that result in tire failure.

Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear

patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal

wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for

(Continued)

earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation, also increases

tire rolling resistance and results in higher fuel

consumption.

CAUTION!

After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure, al-

ways reinstall the valve stem cap. This will prevent

moisture and dirt from entering the valve stem,

which could damage the valve stem.

Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability

Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.

Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable

ride.

Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always

“cold tire inflation pressure.” Cold tire inflation pressure

is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not

been driven for at least three hours, or driven less than

1 mile (1.6 km) after a three-hour period. The cold tire

inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum infla-

tion pressure molded into the tire sidewall.

Tire Inflation Pressures

The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the

driver’s side “B” Pillar.

The tire pressure should be checked and adjusted, and

the tires inspected for signs of wear or visible damage, at

least once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge

to check tire pressure. Do not make a visual judgement

when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look

properly inflated, even when they are under-inflated.

Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide range

of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with

temperature changes.

Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per loading may be required for high-speed vehicle opera-

12° F (7° C) of air temperature change. Keep this in mind tion. Refer to original-equipment information, or an

when checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in authorized tire dealer, for recommended safe operating

the Winter.

speeds, loading and cold tire inflation pressures.

Example: If garage temperature is 68°F (20°C) and the

outside temperature is 32°F (0°C), then the cold tire

inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa),

which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) for this

outside temperature condition.

WARNING!

High-speed driving, with your vehicle at or above

maximum load, is dangerous. The added strain on

your tires could cause them to fail. You could have a

serious accident. Do not drive a vehicle loaded to the

maximum capacity at continuous speeds above

75 mph (120 km/h).

Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi (13 to 40 kPa)

during operation. Do not reduce this normal pressure

buildup or your tire pressure will be too low.

Tire Pressures for High-Speed Operation

The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds

within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-

tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high

speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very

important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle

Radial-Ply Tires

WARNING!

•

Temporary-use spare tires are for emergency use

only. With these tires, do not drive faster than

50 mph (80 km/h).

Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires

on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle

poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-

ways use radial ply tires in sets of four. Never

combine them with other types of tires.

Temporary-use spare tires have limited tread life.

When the tread is worn to the tread wear indica-

tors, the temporary use spare tire needs to be

replaced.

•

Be sure to follow the warnings that apply to your

spare. Failure to do so could result in spare tire

failure and loss of vehicle control.

Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in

the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your

authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.

Compact Spare Tire

Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a

conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the

wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.

The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with

radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style

vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the

original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-

stalled at the first opportunity.

Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheel

on the vehicle at any given time.

CAUTION!

WARNING!

Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take

your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the

compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may

result.

•

Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gen-

erated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire

damage or failure. A tire could explode and injure

someone.

Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than

30 mph (48 km/h), or for more than 30 seconds

continuously, when you are stuck; and do not let

anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the

speed.

Tire Spinning

When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not

spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h),

or for more than 30 seconds continuously, without stop-

ping.

Tread Wear Indicators

Refer to “Freeing A Stuck Vehicle” in “What To Do In

Emergencies” for further information.

Tread wear indicators are in the original-equipment tires

to help you in determining when your tires should be

replaced.

Life of Tire

The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying

factors, including, but not limited to:

•

Driving style

Tire pressure

Distance driven

WARNING!

The tires and the spare tire should be replaced after

six years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to

follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.

You could lose control and have an accident resulting

in serious injury or death.

1 — Worn Tire

2 — New Tire

These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread

grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth

becomes 1/16 in (2 mm). When the tread is worn to the

tread wear indicators, the tire should be replaced.

Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little

exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact

with oil, grease and gasoline.

Replacement Tires

WARNING!

The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many

characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for

wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-

facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-

lent to the originals in size, quality and performance

when replacement is needed. Please see “Tread Wear

Indicators” and “Tire and Loading Information” placard

for the size designation of your tire. The service descrip-

tion and load identification will be found on the original-

equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent replacement

tires may adversely affect the safety, handling, and ride of

your vehicle. We recommend that you contact your

original-equipment manufacturer, or an authorized tire

dealer, with any questions you may have on tire specifi-

cations or capability.

•

Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than

that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations

of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-

pension dimensions and performance characteris-

tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and

braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-

able handling and stress to steering and suspen-

sion components. You could lose control and have

an accident resulting in serious injury or death.

Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings

approved for your vehicle.

•

Never use a tire with a smaller load index or

capacity, than what was originally equipped on

your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index

could result in tire overloading and failure. You

could lose control and have an accident.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

•

Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having

adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire

failure and loss of vehicle control.

CAUTION!

Replacing original tires with tires of a different size

may result in false speedometer and odometer read-

ings.

Tires General Information for Your Volkswagen Routan SUV First Generation (2009-2014)

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