wheel torque VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2011 Owners Manual

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 ⇒  Changing a wheel. The required tightening torque for the Touareg's wheel bolts is 133 ft-lbs (180 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 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 injuries.
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

If the driver door is opened before the ignition is switched off, the electronic steering column lock is activated only after the vehicle has been locked with the vehicle key or via the sensor in the door handle.
Power steering
Power steering automatically adjusts to driving speed, steering torque, and the steering angle of the wheels. Power steering works only when the engine is running.
If power steering is reduced or lost completely, it will be much harder to steer and control the vehicle.
Counter-steering assistance
Counter-steering assistance is part of Electronic Stability Control (ESC). This feature makes it easier for the driver to control the vehicle in difficult situations. For example, if you have to brake hard on a surface that provides uneven traction, the vehicle could pull to the right or left. ESC detects this situa-
tion and helps the driver counter-steer with additional steering power ⇒ .
WARNING
The counter-steering assistance in ESC can do no more than help the driver steer in difficult situations. The driver must still control the vehicle. The vehicle does not steer by itself with this feature!
NOTICE
If the ignition is off, the steering column lock will engage and the vehicle cannot be steered. For this reason, you must leave the ignition on when going through an automatic car wash, for example, so that the wheels will still steer.

WARNING
Changing a wheel, especially on the side of the road, can be dangerous. To help reduce the risk of serious personal injury:
x Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Move the vehicle a safe distance off the road where it is safe to change the wheel.
x Always make sure that all passengers, especially children, are in a safe place outside the vehicle and away from the vehicle and traffic (such as behind a guard rail).
x Turn on the emergency flasher and set up another warning device about 25 yards (25 meters) behind the vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
x Change a wheel by yourself only if you are familiar with the necessary steps. Otherwise, get expert assistance.
x Always switch the engine off, firmly apply the parking brake, and shift the transmission into Park (P) (automatic transmission) or any gear (manual only) to help prevent the vehicle from moving suddenly and slipping off the jack.
x Always make sure that the ground is level and firm. If necessary, place the jack or a large and sturdy board or on a similar ground support.
x Always block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel being changed with chocks or simi-lar things.
x If you are towing a trailer, always unhitch it from your vehicle before starting to change the wheel. Always apply the trailer brakes firmly and make sure the trailer cannot move unin-tentionally.
x Always use proper and undamaged tools when changing a tire.
x Once a wheel is lifted off the ground, having the transmission in Park (P) or in gear will not prevent sudden vehicle movement.
x Always use a jack that has been approved by the manufacturer for your vehicle. Never use other jacks, even if they have been approved for use on other Volkswagen models.
x To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious personal injuries, never loosen the screws on rims with threaded rim rings.
x After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked with an accurate torque wrench.
Preparations for changing a wheel

Wheel bolt tightening torque
Correctly tightened bolts for steel and alloy wheel rims should have a torque of 133 ft-lbs. (180 Nm). After changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening torque checked right away with an accurate torque wrench.
Before you check the tightening torque, replace corroded and difficult-to-turn wheel bolts and clean the threads in the wheel hub.
Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads in the wheel hubs. The bolts can come loose while driving if greased or oiled, even if tightened to the required torque.
WARNING
Improperly tightened wheel bolts can come loose while driving and cause you to lose control over the vehicle, resulting in accidents and serious injuries.
x Only use wheel bolts that belong your vehicle and to the wheel being installed.
x Never use different wheel bolts.
x Wheel bolts and wheel hub threads must always be clean, easy-to-turn and free of oil and grease.
x Only use the lug wrench that is supplied with the vehicle to loosen the wheel bolts.
x Loosen the wheel bolts only about one turn before lifting the vehicle with the jack.
x Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads in the wheel hubs. The bolts can come loose while driving if greased or oiled, even if tightened to the required torque.
x Never loosen bolted connections on wheel rims with bolted rim rings.
x If the wheel bolts are not tightened to the proper torque, the wheel can come off the vehi-cle when it is moving. Extremely high torque can damage the wheel bolts and/or their threads.
Lifting the vehicle with the vehicle jack

Fig. 338 Lift points for the jack.

Removing the wheel
x Review the checklist ⇒  Preparations for changing a wheel.
x Loosen the wheel bolts ⇒  Wheel bolts.
x Lift the vehicle ⇒  Lifting the vehicle with the vehicle jack.
x Unscrew the topmost loosened wheel bolt using the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle
⇒ fig. 334 place it on a clean surface.
x Screw the mounting pin in the vehicle tool kit into the empty hole by hand ⇒ fig. 342.
x Remove the remaining wheel bolts using the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle ⇒ fig. 334 and place them on a clean surface.
x Remove the wheel.
Mounting spare tire or collapsible spare tire
If the tire is a unidirectional tire, be sure to install it in the proper rolling direction ⇒  Unidirectional tires.
x Put the spare tire or collapsible spare tire into place on the vehicle.
x Screw in 4 wheel bolts clockwise and tighten them slightly using the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle.
x Unscrew the mounting pin and screw in the last wheel bolt.
x Lower the vehicle with the jack.
x Use the lug wrench to firmly tighten all wheel bolts (turn clockwise) ⇒ . Do not tighten them in sequence! Tighten any wheel bolt to begin, then tighten the wheel bolt diagonally opposite the first bolt, and so forth.
x Install the wheel bolt caps, center wheel hubcap, or wheel cover, if any ⇒  Wheel trim.
WARNING
Wheel bolts that are tightened or installed improperly can come loose, causing loss of vehi-cle control, a crash, and serious personal injury.
x Always keep wheel bolts and threads in the wheel hub clean and free of oil and grease. The wheel bolts must turn easily and must be tightened with the right torque.
x Use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver handle only to turn the wheel bolts when they are loose, never to loosen them or tighten them firmly.
WARNING
Improper use of a collapsible spare tire can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, and serious personal injury.
x Never use a collapsible spare tire if it is damaged or worn down to the wear indicators.
x Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) with a collapsible spare tire. Avoid full-throttle acceleration, heavy braking, and fast cornering!
x Never drive more than 125 miles (200 km) with a 16" collapsible spare wheel that is in-stalled on the front axle (drive axle).
x Replace the collapsible spare with a normal wheel and tire as soon as possible. Collapsi-ble spare tires are designed for brief use only.