warning VOLKSWAGEN EOS 2021 Owner´s Manual

The design of the wheel bolts is matched to the factory-installed wheels. If different wheels are installed, wheel bolts with the right length and bolt head shape must be used. This helps to ensure that wheels can be mounted securely and that the brakes will work correctly, Changing a wheel.
In most cases, you cannot use wheel bolts from a different vehicle. Even wheel rims from the same model may not fit properly.
Tires and wheel rims approved by Volkswagen have been matched precisely to your vehicle model and contribute considerably to good handling and safe vehicle performance.
Tightening torque
Wheel bolts must always be installed with the correct tightening torque ⇒ page 442. The required tightening torque for your vehicle's wheel bolts is 88 ft-lbs (120 Nm). After changing a wheel, the bolt torque must be checked as soon as possible with an accurate torque wrench. See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Wheel rims with bolted rim rings
Wheel rims with bolted rim rings have several parts. The parts are bolted together with special screws in a special process. This helps to ensure that they will work properly, prevent leaks, run true and safely. Damaged wheel rims must be replaced, and you must never take them apart or try to repair them yourself. Have an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility
repair them for you ⇒ .
Wheel rims with bolted decorative covers
Light-alloy wheels may have interchangeable decorative covers attached to the rim with self-locking screws. If you want to replace damaged wheel covers, contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Using improper or damaged wheel rims can affect driving safety, cause accidents and severe personal injury.
x Use only wheel rims approved for the vehicle.
x Regularly check wheel rims for damage and replace them if necessary.
WARNING
Improper loosening and tightening of the bolts on wheel rims with bolted rim rings can cause accidents and severe personal injury.
x Never loosen bolted connections on wheel rims with bolted rim rings.
x Have all work on wheel rims with bolted rim rings performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
New and replacement tires

x Install only radial tires of the same make, the same dimensions (tread circumference), and similar tread profile on all 4 wheels.
x The tread depth of new tires can differ between tire models and manufacturers because of different design features and tread design.
Replacing tires
x Tires should be replaced in pairs and not individually (both front tires or both rear tires at the same
time) ⇒ .
x Replace tires only with tires that have the same specifications, including width and diameter, load and top speed rating as the tires approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle and model.
x Never use tires that are larger or wider than the dimensions of the tires approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle and model. Larger tires could scrape and rub on the vehicle body or other parts of the vehicle.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) considerations
Factory-installed wheels are equipped with a sensor that constantly monitors tire pressure, then transmits this information to the TPMS, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). If you are going to replace the wheels, make sure that the new wheels also have sensors that are compatible with the TPMS on your vehicle. New wheels with sensors have to be recognized and integrated into the system. To detect the new wheels and sensors, you must leave the vehicle parked for at least 20 minutes and then drive for a short time at speeds above 15 mph (25 km/h).
If you install wheels that do not have sensors, or have sensors that are not compatible, the TPMS will not work properly. In this case, the TPMS will not be able to monitor tire pressure or warn you if pressure is low. An error message may appear in the instrument cluster display or the TPMS will switch itself off.
x Whenever you change sensors, you have to install new valves and seals. Please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer of an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
x Always drive with the valve caps securely installed. We recommend using factory-supplied valve caps. Ask an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to replace lost caps.
If you install new tires that differ from the original Volkswagen specifications for your vehicle and model, the benchmark tire inflation pressure values stored in your vehicle's TPMS may have to be adjusted (reprogrammed). This requires professional assistance. For more information, contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Installing replacement tires with steel cord body plies in the tire sidewall may cause a TPMS malfunction and is not recommended (cord material information is molded on the tire sidewall).
Always check the TPMS indicator light after replacing one or more tires on your vehicle. If the indicator light is on, the TPMS is not working properly. Your replacement tire might be incompatible with the system or some component of the TPMS may be damaged.
For detailed information about the TPMS, how it works, and what you need to know, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
WARNING
New tires tend to be slippery and must be broken in.
x Always drive with special care for the first 350 miles (560 km) to help reduce the risk of losing control, a collision, and serious personal injuries.

WARNING
Tires must have the required clearance. Tires that do not have enough clearance can rub against parts of the vehicle body, suspension, and brake system, causing brake system failure, tread delamination, and sudden blowouts.
x Always make sure that new tires are not larger than the tires approved for your vehicle and that the new tires do not rub against parts of the vehicle.
NOTICE
x When switching to different tires, make certain the valves and sensors are not damaged.
x Never drive without valve stem caps. The valves and sensors of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System could be damaged.
x If the sensor on the Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be replaced, the valve must be replaced at the same time.
Always dispose of old tires in accordance with legal requirements.
TPMS wheel sensors are classified as Perchlorate Material – Special handling may apply. Obey all legal requirements regarding handling and disposal of these components – see http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all applicable legal requirements regarding handling and disposal of the vehicle or parts of its restraint system, including airbag modules and safety belts with pretensioners. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the requirements, and we recommend that you have them perform this service for you.
If the replacement wheel is different from the tires that you have mounted on your vehicle (for example: winter tires; wider, low-profile tires; or a compact spare), then use the replacement wheel for a short time only, and drive cautiously.
x Replace it with a tire matching the others on your vehicle as soon as possible.
Although tire size specifications can be the same, the actual dimensions may differ from those nominal values for different tire makes, or the tire contours may be significantly different.
Tire inflation pressure

Fig. 104 On the driver door jamb: Location of the tire inflation pressure label.

Wheel rim and tire damage is often difficult to see. Unusual vibrations or pulling to one-side can be
an indication of tire damage ⇒ .
x If you suspect tire damage, immediately reduce speed!
x Check tires and wheel rims for damage.
x If a tire is damaged, do not drive any farther. Get expert assistance.
x If no external damage is visible, slowly and carefully drive to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer, authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or other qualified workshop and have the vehicle checked.
Objects embedded in the tire
x If embedded objects have penetrated to the inside of the tire, do not remove them! If objects are stuck in the tread grooves of the tire, they can be removed.
x With a spare wheel or compact spare wheel: If necessary, change the damaged wheel, Changing a wheel. If necessary, get professional assistance to change the wheel.
x Check tire pressure and adjust if necessary.
Tire wear
Tire wear depends on several factors, including:
x Driving style.
x Unbalanced wheels.
x Wheel alignment.
Driving style – Fast cornering, hard acceleration and braking increase tire wear. If you experience increased tire wear under normal driving conditions, have the vehicle suspension checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Unbalanced wheels – The wheels on a new vehicle are balanced. When driving, however, various conditions can cause a wheel to become unbalanced. Unbalanced wheels can cause wear to the steering and suspension systems. Have all wheels rebalanced. A wheel must always be rebalanced if a new tire has been mounted.
Wheel alignment – Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive and uneven tire wear, impairing vehicle safety. If you notice excessive or uneven tire wear, have the wheel alignment checked by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Unusual vibrations or pulling to one side can indicate tire damage.
x Reduce speed immediately and stop when it is safe to do so.
x Check tires and wheel rims for damage.
x Never drive with a damaged tire or rim. Get expert assistance instead.
x If no external damage is visible, slowly and carefully drive to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer, authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or other qualified workshop and have the vehicle checked.

Check the tire inflation pressure of the spare or compact spare whenever you check the tire pressure of the road wheels, at least once a month. Inflate a compact spare wheel to the cold tire pressure specified for the compact spare on the tire pressure label or on a separate label for the compact spare, if there is one.
WARNING
Improper use of a compact spare wheel can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, and serious personal injury.
x Never use a compact spare wheel if it is damaged or worn down to the wear indicators.
x In some vehicles, the compact spare wheel is smaller than the original tire. A smaller compact spare wheel is identified with a sticker and the words “50 mph” or “80 km/h.” This is the maximum permissible speed when driving with this tire.
x Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) with a compact spare wheel. Avoid full-throttle acceleration, heavy braking, and fast cornering!
x Never drive more than 125 miles (200 km) if a compact spare wheel is installed on the front axle (drive axle).
x Replace the compact spare with a normal wheel and tire as soon as possible. Compact spare tires are designed for brief use only.
x Regularly check the U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) to determine the age of the
compact spare wheel ⇒ page 247, Tire labeling. Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly, especially at higher speeds.
x Tires that are more than 6 years old can only be used in an emergency and then with special care and at lower speeds.
x The compact spare wheel must always be secured with the wheel bolts provided by the factory.
x Never drive using more than one compact spare wheel.
x After installing the compact spare wheel, the tire pressure must be checked as soon as possible, Tire inflation pressure.
x Snow chains cannot be used on the 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 used to replace the flat front tire. Be sure you do not change the tire's direction of rotation. Install the snow chains on the full-sized road tire.
NOTICE
The spare wheel or compact spare wheel has no tire pressure sensor. When the spare or compact spare wheel is mounted on the vehicle, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
indicator light will flash in the instrument cluster display ⇒ page 259.
If possible, attach the compact spare wheel or the wheel you took off the vehicle securely in the luggage compartment.

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.
x 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.
x 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.
x 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.
x Overloading tires can cause heat build-up, sudden tire failure, including a blowout and sudden deflation and loss of control.
x Temperature grades apply to tires that are properly inflated and not over- or underinflated.
Winter tires

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.
x Winter tires have a maximum speed rating that may be lower than your vehicle's maximum speed.
x 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.
x 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.
If factory-installed wheels and/or tires are replaced when installing winter tires, make sure that the wheels are equipped with sensors that are compatible with the factory-installed Tire Pressure
Monitoring System and that the tires are also compatible with the system⇒ page 238, New and replacement tires,.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.
If necessary, ask your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility about permissible winter tire dimensions.
Snow chains

WARNING
Using the wrong snow chains or installing snow chains improperly can cause accidents and severe personal injuries.
x Always use the proper snow chains.
x Follow the installation instructions provided by the snow chain manufacturer.
x Never exceed the permissible speed limit when driving with snow chains.
NOTICE
x 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.
x 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

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 ⇒ page 249, Speed rating code letter. 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 underinflated 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, Tread depth and tread wear indicators.
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 standards. 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 affected 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.

WARNING
Overloading a vehicle can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, serious personal injury, and even death.
x Carrying more weight than your vehicle was designed to carry will prevent the vehicle from handling properly and increase the risk of the loss of vehicle control.
x The brakes on a vehicle that has been overloaded may not be able to stop the vehicle in a safe distance.
x Tires on a vehicle that has been overloaded can fail suddenly, including a blowout and sudden deflation, causing loss of control and a crash.
x Always make sure that the total load being transported – including the weight of a trailer hitch and the tongue weight of a loaded trailer – does not make the vehicle heavier than the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Determining the correct load limit