flat tire AUDI A8 2021 User Guide

Wheels


not permitted can lead to ve-
hicle damage or accidents.
—If you install wheel covers on
the vehicle, make sure they al-
low enough air circulation to
cool the brake system. If they
do not, this could increase the
risk of an accident.

Tire wear and damage

B4H-0415

a
Fig. 188 Tire profile: treadwear indica-
tor
Tire wear
Check the tires regularly for wear.
—Inflation pressure that is too low
or high can increase tire wear
considerably.
—Driving quickly through curves,
rapid acceleration, and heavy
braking increase tire wear.
—Have an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facili-


D Obey any applicable regulations in the
country where the vehicle is being oper-
ated.
298
ty check the wheel alignment if
there is unusual wear.
—Have the wheels rebalanced if an
imbalance is causing noticeable
vibration in the steering wheel.
If you do not, the tires and other
vehicle components could wear
more quickly.
Treadwear indicator
Original equipment tires contain
treadwear indicators in the tread
pattern, which are bars that are
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) high and are
spaced evenly around the tire per-
pendicular to the running direc-
tion > fig. 188. The letters “TWI”
or triangles on the tire sidewall
indicate the location of the tread-
wear indicators.
The tires have reached the mini-
mum tread depth !) when they
have worn down to the treadwear
indicators. Replace the tires with
new ones > A.
Tire rotation
Rotating the tires regularly is rec-
ommended to ensure the tires
wear evenly. To rotate the tires, >

Wheels


Z\ WARNING
Please note the important safe-
ty precautions regarding tire
pressure > page 299 and load
limits > page 302.
Tires and vehicle load limits
There are limits to the amount of
load or weight that any vehicle
and any tire can carry. A vehicle
that is overloaded will not handle
well and is more difficult to stop.
Overloading can not only lead to
loss of vehicle control, but can al-
so damage important parts of the
vehicle and can lead to sudden
tire failure, including a blowout
and sudden deflation that can
cause the vehicle to crash.

Your safety and that of your pas-
sengers also depends on making
sure that load limits are not ex-
ceeded. Vehicle load includes ev-
erybody and everything in and on
the vehicle. These load limits are
technically referred to as the vehi-
cle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(“GVWR”).
The “GVWR” includes the weight
of the basic vehicle, all factory in-
stalled accessories, a full tank of
fuel, oil, coolant and other fluids
302
plus maximum load. The maxi-
mum load includes the number of
passengers that the vehicle is in-
tended to carry (“seating capaci-
ty”) with an assumed weight of
150 lbs. (68 kg) for each passen-
ger at a designated seating posi-
tion and the total weight of any
uggage in the vehicle. If you tow
a trailer, the weight of the trailer
hitch and the tongue weight of
the loaded trailer must be includ-
ed as part of the vehicle load.
The Gross Axle Weight Rating
(“GAWR’”) is the maximum load
that can be applied at each of the
vehicle’s two axles.

The fact that there is an upper
limit to your vehicle’s Gross Vehi-
cle Weight Rating means that the
total weight of whatever is being
carried in the vehicle (including
the weight of a trailer hitch and
the tongue weight of the loaded
trailer) is limited. The more pas-
sengers in the vehicle or passen-
gers who are heavier than the
standard weights assumed mean
that less weight can be carried as
luggage.
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
and the Gross Axle Weight Rating >

4N0012721BF
Wheels

are listed on the safety compli-
ance sticker label located on the
driver’s side B-pillar.

A WARNING
Overloading a vehicle can cause
loss of vehicle control, a crash
or other accident, serious per-
sonal injury, and even death.
—Carrying more weight than
your vehicle was designed to
carry will prevent the vehicle
from handling properly and in-
crease the risk of the loss of
vehicle control.
—The brakes on a vehicle that
has been overloaded may not
be able to stop the vehicle
within a safe distance.
—Tires on a vehicle that has
been overloaded can fail sud-
denly, including a blowout and
sudden deflation, causing loss
of control and a crash.
—Always make sure that the to-
tal load being transported -
including the weight of a trail-
er hitch and the tongue
weight of a loaded trailer -
does not make the vehicle
heavier than the vehicle’s

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.

Determining correct load
limit
Use the example below to calcu-
late the total weight of the pas-
sengers and luggage or other
things that you plan to transport
so that you can make sure that
your vehicle will not be overload-
ed.
Steps for Determining Correct
Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “THE
COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCU-
PANTS AND CARGO SHOULD
NEVER EXCEED XXX KG OR XXX
LBS” on your vehicle’s placard
(tire inflation pressure label)
=> page 299, fig. 190.
2. Determine the combined
weight of the driver and pas-
sengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight
of the driver and passengers
from “XXX” kilograms or “XXX”
pounds shown on the sticker
=> page 299, fig. 190.
4. The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For ex-
ample, if the “XXX” amount
equals 1400 lbs. and there will >
303

4N0012721BF
Wheels

heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the mate-
rial of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure > A\.
The grade C corresponds to a level of perform-
ance which all passenger car tires must meet un-
der the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher Levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.

ZA\ WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning or peak traction charac-
teristics.

ZA WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.

ZA WARNING
Temperature grades apply to tires that are
properly inflated and not over or underinflat-
ed.


Tire pressure monitoring
system
(1) General notes
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and inflat-
ed 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 placard or tire inflation pressure la-
bel, you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion 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 tell-
tale when one or more of your tires is significant-
ly under-inflated. 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 ona signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle's handling and stop-
ping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's re-
sponsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pres-
sure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the sys-
tem is not operating properly. The TPMS mal-
function indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approxi-
mately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function 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.
307

4N0012721BF
Emergency assistance

Emergency assistance
General information
> Park the vehicle as far as possible from moving
traffic in the event of a breakdown. In the event
of a flat tire, park the vehicle ona level surface.
If you are ona steep hill, be especially careful.
> Set the parking brake.
> Switch the emergency flashers on.
> Have the passengers exit the vehicle. They
should move to a safe place, for example be-
hind a guard rail.

zs

, WARNING
Follow the steps given above. This is for your
protection and the for the safety of others on
the road.

Equipment
Vehicle tool
vehicle jack
Applies to: vehicles with the vehicle tool kit, tire mobility kit,
and vehicle jack




Applies to: vehicles with conventional drive system
Fig. 191 Luggage compartment: cargo floor cover





Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
Fig. 192 Luggage compartment: cover

Conventional drive system: The vehicle tool kit,
vehicle jack*, tire mobility kit*, and compressor*
are stored in the luggage compartment under
the cargo floor cover > fig. 191.
Plug-in hybrid drive: The vehicle tool kit, tire mo-
bility kit, and compressor are located on the rear
side
of the cover and in the compartment under-
neath > fig. 192.
Conventional drive system
> Lift the cargo floor by the plastic handle
> fig. 191.
> Hook the handle into the luggage compart-
ment weather strip.
> Applies to: vehicles with spare tire: Turn the
handle counter-clockwise and remove the spare
tire.
> Unhook the cargo floor cover before closing the
luggage compartment lid.
Plug-in hybrid drive
> Open the cover using the handle > fig. 192.
Conventional drive system: Depending on the
equipment, the vehicle tool kit and the tire mobi-
lity kit* may be located under the spare tire*, un-
der another cover, or in the tool box.
Tips
— The vehicle jack* does not require any main-
tenance.
— Plug-in hybrid drive: The vehicle must not
be operated without a tire mobility kit.
Tire mobility kit
Applies to: vehicles with tire mobility kit
> Read and follow the important safety precau-
tions > page 317.
> Set the parking brake.
> Select the “P” position.
> Check if a repair with the tire mobility kit is pos-
sible > page 318.
317

4N0012721BF
Emergency assistance

Setting up the tire mobility kit
> Open the cover @) on the compressor!)
> fig. 194.
> Remove the connector () and pressure hose (5)
from the housing.
> Connect the compressor pressure hose © to
the flange © on the tire sealant bottle @).
> Insert the sealant bottle with the flange at the
bottom into the opening @) on the compressor.
> Remove the valve cap from the faulty tire.
> Connect the filler hose @) to the valve (7)
> fig. 195.
> Connect the plug @) © fig. 194 to an outlet in
the vehicle.
> Switch the ignition on.
Inflating a tire
> Move the switch (8) > fig. 195 on the compres-
sor into position I.
> Inflate the tire to between 29 psi (200 kPA)
and 36 psi (250 kPA) and read the pressure on
the gauge.
> If this tire pressure is not reached, remove the
filler hose. Drive slowly approximately 33 feet
(10 m) forward or in reverse so that the sealant
can be distributed in the tire. Inflate the tire
again > A\.

ZA WARNING
— Read and follow the manufacturer's safety
precautions on the compressor and in the in-
structions on the bottle of sealant.
—Ifatire pressure of 29 psi (200 kPA) cannot
reached after inflating for 6 minutes, then
the tire is too severely damaged. Do not con-
tinue driving.
— If the tire cannot be repaired with the tire
sealant, see an authorized Audi dealer or au-

thorized Audi Service Facility for assistance.

@ Tips
Do not operate the compressor for more than
six minutes continuously, or it can overheat.

2) The compressor may look different. However, the way it is
operated is generally the same.
Once the compressor has cooled, you can con-
tinue to use it.
Completing
Applies to: vehicles with tire mobility kit
> Affix the sticker that says "max. 50 mph (max.
80 km/h)" that is provided with the tire mobili-
ty kit within the driver's field of vision.
> Stop the vehicle after driving for about 10 mi-
nutes and check the tire pressure.
> If the tire pressure is lower than 19 psi (130
kPA), then the tire is too severely damaged. Do
not continue driving.

ZA\ WARNING
Pay attention to the following after repairing
the tire:
— Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h).
— Avoid hard acceleration or braking and driv-
ing fast around curves.
— The vehicle may become more difficult to
control.
—If the tire is too severely damaged, see an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility for assistance.


©) For the sake of the environment
You can give the used tire sealant bottle to an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility for disposal.
@) Tips
Remember to obtain a new bottle of sealant
from an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility after repairing a tire.
Replacing wheels
You must complete the preparation before
changing a tire.
> Read and follow the important safety precau-
tions > page 317.
319

Emergency assistance

> Set the parking brake.
> Select the “P” position.
>» When towing a trailer: disconnect the trailer
from your vehicle.
> Lay out the vehicle tool kit > page 317 and the
spare tire > page 323.
» Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Air suspension:
wheel change.
> Switch the ignition off.

ZA\ WARNING
The vehicle must also be secured to prevent it
from rolling when using the vehicle jack”. Use
suitable objects to block the front and back of
the wheel that is diagonal from the wheel
with the flat tire.

Removing the caps


nb oD i)
ail z a

Ve

ae)


é
Fig. 196 Wheel: wheel bolts with caps
> Slide the plastic clip from the vehicle tool kit
onto the cap until it engages > fig. 196.
> Remove the cap with the plastic clip.
320

Tada more) bed
Applies to: vehicles with anti-theft wheel bolts



B4H-0470

Fig. 197 Anti-theft wheel bolt with cap and adapter
You need a special adapter in the vehicle tool kit
to remove the anti-theft wheel bolts.
> Remove the cap @).
> Slide the adapter @) all the way onto the anti-
theft wheel bolt @.
> Slide the wheel wrench* from the vehicle tool
kit all the way onto the adapter @).
> Loosen the wheel bolt > page 320.
@ Tips
Note the code number for the wheel bolt
adapter and store it in a safe place separate
from the vehicle. If you need a replacement
adapter, contact an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility and give them
the code number.
Loosening the wheel bolts

B4S-0221

Fig. 198 Wheel: loosening the wheel bolts

4N0012721BF
Emergency assistance

> Slide the wheel wrench* from the vehicle tool
kit all the way onto the wheel bolt).
> Turn the wheel bolt approximately one turn to
the left. To achieve the required torque, hold
the end of the wheel wrench*. If the wheel bolt
will not loosen, press carefully on the wheel
wrench* with your foot. Hold onto the vehicle
securely while doing this and make sure your
footing is stable.

Z\ WARNING
To reduce the risk of an accident, only loosen
the wheel bolts gently one turn before raising
the vehicle with the vehicle jack*.
Raising the vehicle
Applies to: vehicles with vehicle jack








RAZ-0257,

Fig. 200 Sill: positioning the vehicle jack
> Place the vehicle jack from the vehicle tool kit
ona firm surface. Use a flat, stable support if
necessary. On a slippery surface such as tile,
you should use a non-slip pad such as a rubber
mat > /\.

D_ You need the matching adapter in order to loosen and
tighten anti-theft wheel bolts* > page 320.
> Find the marking on the sill that is closest to
the tire that will be changed > fig. 199. Behind
the marking, there is a lifting point on the side
sill for the vehicle jack.
> Turn the vehicle jack located under the lifting
point on the sill to raise the jack until its arm @
=> fig. 200 is located under the designated plas-
tic mount.
> Align the vehicle jack so the arm (@) engages in
the designated lifting point in the door sill and
the movable base (2) lies flat on the ground.
The base @) must be directly under the mount-
ing point @.
> Continue raising the vehicle jack until the wheel
lifts off the ground slightly.

Z\ WARNING
—To reduce the risk of injury, make sure no
one is in the vehicle before raising it.
— Make sure the vehicle jack is stable. The risk
of injury is increased when the ground is
slippery or soft, because the vehicle jack
could slide or sink.
— Only raise your vehicle with the vehicle jack
provided by the factory. If you use a vehicle
jack designed for another vehicle, your vehi-
cle could slip and cause injury.
— Position the vehicle jack only at the desig-
nated mounting points on the side sill and
align the jack. Otherwise, the vehicle jack
could slip and cause an injury if it does not
have sufficient hold on the vehicle.
—To reduce the risk of injury, do not raise any
other vehicles or other loads using the vehi-
cle jack provided by the factory.
— Changes in temperature or load can affect
the height of the vehicle.
— To reduce the risk of an accident, never start
the engine when the vehicle is raised.
—To reduce the risk of injury, no work should
be performed under the vehicle while it is

raised.

321