Get Wheels and tyres -> Handling wheels and tyres Guide for Volkswagen Transporter Van Seventh Generation (2021-2025)

● The effectiveness of the driver assist systems and brake support systems depends on the tyre grip.

● If you notice unusual vibration, or if the vehicle pulls to one side when driving, stop immediately and check the

wheels and tyres for damage.

● In order to reduce the risk of losing control of the vehicle, and the risk of accident and serious injury, never loosen

the bolts on rims with bolted-on rim rings.

● Do not use wheels or tyres if you do not know their history. Used wheels and tyres may be damaged, even if the

damage is not visible. This can cause tyre damage, tyre failure and loss of control of the vehicle.

● Even if they have not been used, old tyres can suddenly lose pressure or burst, especially at high speeds, and thus

cause accidents and serious injuries. Use tyres that are more than 6 years old only if you have no alternative. In

this case, drive slowly and with extra care at all times.

WARNING

If the wheels are incorrectly fastened or if wheel bolts are missing, the wheels could come loose, leading to a loss of

control of the vehicle, causing accidents and serious injuries.

● Never drive if wheel bolts are missing or loose.

● Always use wheel bolts that match the wheel rims and the vehicle type.

● Always tighten the wheel bolts with the correct tightening torque. If you do not have a torque wrench, tighten

the wheel bolts with the wheel bolt wrench and have the torque checked without delay by the nearest

correspondingly qualified workshop.

For technical reasons, it is not generally possible to use the wheels from other vehicles. This can also apply to

wheels of the same vehicle type. Refer to the official vehicle documents or ask a qualified workshop.

Handling wheels and tyres

Fig. 1 Diagram showing how to swap wheels

The tyres and rims approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles have been carefully selected.

Rotating wheels

Regularly rotating the wheels as shown in the illustration→ Fig. 1 is recommended to help ensure that tyres wear

evenly. All the tyres will then last for about the same time.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends having the wheels changed by a suitably qualified workshop.

Avoiding damage to wheels and tyres

—Drive over kerbs and other low obstacles slowly and at right angles so that the two front wheels come into contact

with the obstacle at the same time.

—Check the tyre pressure on a regular basis.

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—Regularly check tyres for damage, e.g. holes, slits, punctures and blisters.

—Never exceed the maximum speed and load permitted for the tyres that are fitted (→ Tyre lettering and tyre type).

—Damaged or worn tyres must be replaced immediately .

—Protect the tyres from contact with aggressive substances, including grease, oil, fuel and brake fluid→

—Replace missing valve dust caps immediately.

—Remove foreign bodies that have not yet penetrated to the inside of the tyre .

—Observe all warnings issued by the tyre monitoring system (→ Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator).

Tyres that are older than 6 years

Tyres age through physical and chemical processes that can impair their function. Tyres that have been stored unused

for an extended period of time age quicker than tyres that are used all the time.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recommends replacing tyres that are more than 6 years old with new tyres. This

also applies for tyres which appear to still be in good condition and whose tread depth has not yet reached the

minimum value stipulated by legislation →

Winter and all-year tyres also largely lose their effectiveness throughageing – regardless of the remaining tread

depth.

The age of each tyre can be determined on the basis of the manufacturing date (→ Tyre pressure).

Storing tyres

—Always store tyres in a cool, dry and dark place if possible. Do not store tyres mounted on the rim vertically.

—Any tyres not fitted on wheel rims should be kept in suitable sleeves to protect against dirt and should be stored

vertically (standing on the tread).

All-terrain tyres

Some vehicles can be fitted at the factory with “all-terrain tyres”. These tyres have a deep-tread profile that alters

the vehicle's driving properties such as comfort, consumption, braking distance, cornering behaviour, rolling noise →

New tyres

—Drive particularly carefully for the first 600 km(370 miles) with new tyres as the tyres have to be run in. Tyres that

have not been run in have reduced grip and braking efficiency →

—All four wheels must be fitted with radial tyres of the same type, size, and the same tread pattern.

Replacing tyres

—Always replace tyres at least on an axle-by-axle basis.

—Old tyres should only be replaced by tyres that have been approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for the

vehicle type.

—Never use tyres with an effective size that is larger than tyres approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

In vehicles with a Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator

The Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator must be resynchronised after changing one or more wheels. This also applies if the

wheels have been swapped, e.g. from the front to the rear (→ Tyre Pressure Loss Indicator).

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WARNING

Corrosive liquids and other substances can cause visible and invisible damage to the tyres, which can cause the tyre

to burst.

● Always keep chemicals, oils, lubricants, fuel, brake fluid and other corrosive substances away from the tyres.

WARNING

Even if they have not been used, old tyres can suddenly lose pressure or burst, especially at high speeds, and thus

cause accidents and serious injuries.

● Use tyres that are more than six years old only if you have no alternative. In this case, drive slowly and with extra

care at all times.

WARNING

New tyres will have to be run in as they will initially have reduced grip and braking effect.

● Drive particularly carefully for the first 600 km(370 miles) in order to prevent accidents and serious injury.

WARNING

The deep-tread profile of all-terrain tyres can considerably increase the braking distance or cornering behaviour and

thus cause accidents and serious injuries.

● Always remember that the vehicle handling may have been altered, and drive with appropriate caution.

WARNING

Wheels must have the necessary freedom of operation. If the wheels do not have the necessary freedom of

operation, the tyre could rub on parts of the running gear, the vehicle body and the brake lines. This can lead to a

fault in the brake system and to tread separation and thus to a tyre bursting.

● The actual tyre size must not exceed the tyre dimensions of manufacturers approved by Volkswagen Commercial

Vehicles and must not rub on any vehicle body parts.

NOTICE

Avoid heavy impacts and drive around obstacles if possible. Tyres can be deformed by potholes and curb edges

especially. This can cause damage to the tyres and wheels.

NOTICE

Do not damage the valves when fitting different tyres. Never drive without valve caps. This could cause damage to

the valves.

Old tyres should be disposed of as required by

legislation.

If the spare tyre is not the same as the tyres that are mounted on the car - for example in the case of winter

tyres or a temporary spare wheel - only use the spare tyre in the event of a breakdown for a short period of

time and drive with extra care. Replace the temporary spare wheel with a normal wheel as soon as possible.

Tyres that have been approved by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are guaranteed to have the dimensions

that are suitable for the vehicle. In the case of other tyres, the tyre seller must provide a certificate from the

tyre manufacturer stating that the tyre is also suitable for the vehicle. Store the certificate in a safe place and

keep it in the vehicle.

Wheel rims and wheel bolts

Wheel rims, tyres and wheel bolts have be adjusted to the vehicle type. If different wheel rims are fitted, the correct

wheel bolts with the correct length and correctly shaped bolt heads must be used. This ensures that the brakes work

properly and that the vehicle drives quietly and safely.

For technical reasons, it is not generally possible to use the wheels from other vehicles. This can also apply to wheels

of the same vehicle type.

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Wheels and tyres -> Handling wheels and tyres for Your Volkswagen Transporter Van Seventh Generation (2021-2025)

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