VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2012 Owners Manual

Determining the correct load limit

Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG): Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire side-wall between the tread shoulder and maximum section width. Example:
x Treadwear (number)
x Traction: AA, A, B or C
x Temperature: A, B or C
For example: Treadwear 200, Traction AA Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 (Tread wear-value 150) would wear one-and-one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance ⇒ .
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C representing the tire's resistance to the genera-tion of heat, and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law ⇒ .
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

WARNING
Incorrect tire pressures and/or underinflation can cause sudden tire failure, loss of control, collision, serious personal injury or even death.
x When the warning symbol appears in the instrument cluster, stop and inspect the tires.
x Incorrect tire pressure and/or underinflation can cause increased tire wear and can affect the handling of the vehicle and stopping ability.
x Incorrect tire pressures and/or underinflation can also lead to sudden tire failure, includ-ing a blowout and sudden deflation, causing loss of vehicle control.
x The driver is responsible for the correct tire pressures for all tires on the vehicle. The
recommended tire pressure values are listed on a sticker on the driver door ⇒  Tires and wheels.
x The TPMS can only work correctly when all tires on the vehicle are filled to the correct cold tire pressure specified for the tires installed on the vehicle.
x Using incorrect tire pressure values can cause accidents or other damage. Always inflate the tires to the correct specified cold tire pressure values for the tires installed on the vehicle.
x Always maintain correct cold tire inflation pressure so that TPMS can do its job.
x Always inflate tires to the recommended and correct tire pressure before driving off.
x Driving with underinflated tires causes them to flex (bend) more, letting them get too hot, resulting in tread separation, sudden tire failure, and loss of control.
x Excessive speed and/overloading can cause heat build-up, sudden tire failure and loss of control.
x If the tire pressure is too low or too high, the tires will wear prematurely and the vehicle will not handle well.
x If the tire is not “flat” and you do not have to change a wheel immediately, drive carefully and at reduced speed to the nearest service station to check the tire pressure and add air as required.
x When replacing tires or wheel rims on vehicles equipped with TPMS always read and heed
the information and all WARNINGS regarding Tires and wheels ⇒  Tires and wheels.
NOTICE
x The wheel electronics are attached to special aluminum valves on the wheels. These valves are screwed on rigidly. Never bend the valves “into position” when checking and adjusting tire pressure.
x Missing valve stem caps can cause damage to the valves as well as to the TPMS sensors. To help prevent damage, always use valve stem caps like those originally installed at the facto-ry. The caps must be screwed on tightly. Do not use metal valve stem caps.
x Do not use “comfort valve caps”. They do not seal properly and can damage the sensors.
x When switching to different tires, make certain the valves and sensors are not damaged.
x When replacing the valve cores, use only nickel-plated replacement cores.
x The batteries in the wheel electronics have a life of up to 10 years. It is not possible to replace the batteries. The entire device must be replaced.
Underinflation increases fuel consumption and tire wear.
Dispose of the wheel electronics and the old batteries in an environmentally responsible manner. Batteries of the type used in the wheel electronics may contain Perchlorate Material. Special handling

may apply. See http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hadardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all applicable legal re-quirements regarding proper disposal.
Do not rely solely on the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Check your tires regularly to make sure they are properly inflated and have no signs of damage, such as punctures, cuts, cracks, and blisters. Remove any objects that become embedded in the tire tread but have not penetrated into the body of tire itself.
When you take delivery of the vehicle, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is calibrated for the factory-recommended cold tire inflation pressure for the tires on your vehicle, as shown on the
label inside the driver door ⇒ fig. 111.
x For replacement tires that require a different inflation pressure, the TPMS must be adjusted to the new pressure specification by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Only one value can be entered for each tire partial or full load; see the tire inflation pressure
label on the driver door pillar ⇒  Tire inflation pressure.
x To help prevent damage to the sensor and valve, do not put excessive force on the valve when checking the tire pressure. Do not try to bend the valve.
x If sensors have to be replaced, have the valves changed at the same time.
x The tire valve gaskets must be replaced whenever a tire is mounted on the rim. Your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility has a valve seal and gasket kit for this purpose. Always make sure that a valve seal and gasket kit is also used whenever a sensor is re-placed.
x If you have to adjust the tire pressure on a “warm” tire, fill the tire with 2.0 - 4.35 psi (20 - 30 kPa) more than the pressure specified on the tire pressure label.
x When the TPMS determines that the air pressure in at least one tire is too low, carefully check the pressure in all 4 tires with an accurate tire pressure gauge. Low tire pressure usually cannot be deter-mined by looking at the tire. This is especially true of low-profile tires.
x A Declaration of Compliance with the United States FCC and Industry Canada regulations is found on of this manual.
There may be differences between the pressure readings from a tire pressure gauge and the pressures registered by the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The electronic TPMS is more accurate.
If you have work done on your wheels or tires, inform the workshop that the vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that has sensors in the wheels.
New tires may expand slightly the first time they are driven at high speeds, which can trigger a tire pressure warning. Remember that tire pressure can only be properly measured when the tire is
“cold” ⇒  Tires and wheels.
Indicator light (telltale)

Lights
up
Display
text
Possible cause or
meaning ⇒ 
Proper response

Flashes Display
text
Possible cause or
meaning ⇒ 
Proper response
(Intermittently
while driv-
ing.)
cation problem be-
tween a sensor and
the system. This
may be caused by
interference from a
nearby radio trans-
mitter (such as a
mobile phone or
other broadcast de-
vice) that uses the
same frequency
range. The indicator
light should stop
flashing as soon as
you are far enough
away from the de-
vice causing the
interference.
terference off.

WARNING
Incorrect tire pressures and/or underinflation can cause sudden tire failure, loss of control, collision, serious personal injury, or even death.
x When the warning symbol

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Fig. 116 Instrument cluster display: Current tire inflation pressures.

Key to ⇒ fig. 116
Position number Meaning
(5) No data received, right rear tire.
(6) Benchmark pressure, rear tires.

If the tire pressure is too low, the relevant tires and the respective readings are shown in yellow
⇒ fig. 116.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle plac-ard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly underinflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's respon-sibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if underinflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for approximately 1 minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
Collapsible spare tire
The collapsible spare tire has no tire pressure sensor. When the collapsible spare tire is mounted on the vehicle, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) indicator light will flash in the instrument cluster display. The TPMS continues to monitor the other 3 wheels.
Tire storage
If the tires do not move for an extended period of time, the sensors will not transmit tire pressures to the system. This saves sensor battery life. When the ignition is switched on, the sensors transmit signals to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).