tires AUDI E-TRON 2021 Owner's Manual

Wheels

position and the total weight of
any luggage in the vehicle. If you
tow a trailer, the weight of the
trailer hitch and the tongue
weight of the loaded trailer must
be included 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
are listed on the safety compli-
ance sticker label located on the
driver’s side B-pillar.
254


Z\ 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 ona 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.

Wheels


ZA\ WARNING
Wheel bolts that are tightened or repaired in-
correctly can become loose and result in loss
of vehicle control, which increases the risk of
an accident. For the correct tightening specifi-
cation, see S page 272, Finishing.
— Always keep the wheel bolts and the threads
in the wheel hub clean and free of grease.
— Only use wheel bolts that fit the rim.
— Always have damaged rims repaired by an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility. Never repair or disassemble
rims yourself, because this increases the risk
of an accident.
Loose wheel warning
Applies to: vehicles with loose wheel warning

Within the limits of the system, the loose wheel
warning in the instrument cluster warns you if
one or more wheels are loose.
Using the ABS sensors, the loose wheel warning
system compares the vibration characteristics of
the individual tires. If one or more wheels are
loose, it will be indicated in the instrument clus-
ter display with the & indicator light and a mes-
sage. If only one wheel is affected, the location
of that wheel will be indicated.
Messages
fi Wheel bolts loose. Please safely stop the ve-
hicle and check all wheel bolts!
Loose wheel warning for at least one wheel > A\.
Check the wheel bolts on all wheels with the
wheel wrench (vehicle tool kit). Have the tighten-
ing specification checked as soon as possible with
a torque wrench. Drive carefully until then. For
the correct tightening specification, see
=> page 272, Finishing.
fl Wheel assessment active. Please continue
driving carefully
After this message appears and you have checked
the wheel bolts, the assessment phase begins
when the vehicle is in motion. This may take sev-
eral minutes.
256
fi Loose wheel warning: malfunction! See
owner's manual
There is a system malfunction. Drive immediately
to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility to have the malfunction repaired.

Z\ WARNING
Wheel bolts that are tightened incorrectly can
become loose and result in loss of vehicle con-
trol, which increases the risk of an accident.
— If a message appears, reduce your speed im-
mediately and avoid any hard steering or
braking maneuvers. Stop as soon as possible
and check the wheel bolts.
— Check your wheels for damage. Have the
damaged wheels checked and/or replaced
immediately by an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility.
— Under certain conditions (such as a sporty
driving style, winter conditions, or unpaved
roads), the message may be delayed.
— The driver is responsible for ensuring that
the wheels are attached correctly.
(i) Tips
— The loose wheel warning system can also
stop working when there is an ESC malfunc-
tion.

— Using snow chains may result in a system
malfunction.
Winter tires significantly improve the vehicle's
handling when driving in winter conditions. Be-
cause of their construction (width, compound,
tread pattern), summer tires provide less traction
on ice and snow.
> Use winter tires on all four wheels.
> Only use winter tires that are approved for your
vehicle.
> Please note that the maximum permitted
speed may be lower with winter tires > A\ in
General information on page 241. An author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility can inform you about the maximum per-
mitted speed for your tires.

4KE012721BF
Wheels

> Check the tire pressure after installing wheels
=> page 251.
The effectiveness of winter tires is reduced great-
ly when the tread is worn down to a depth of
0.16 in (4 mm). The characteristics of winter tires
also decrease greatly as the tire ages, regardless
of the remaining tread.
@) For the sake of the environment
Reinstall summer tires at the appropriate
time, because they provide better handling
when roads are free of snow and ice. Summer
tires cause less road noise, tire wear, and en-
ergy use.
@) Tips
You can also use all season tires instead of
winter tires. Please note that in some coun-
tries where winter tires are required, only win-
ter tires with the 4 symbol may be permit-
ted.
Tea
Snow chains improve both driving and braking in
winter road conditions.
> Only install snow chains on the rear wheels.
> Check and correct the seating of the snow
chains after driving a few feet, if necessary. Fol-
low the instructions from the manufacturer.
> Note the maximum speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h). Observe the local regulations.
Use of snow chains is only permitted with certain
rim/tire combinations due to technical reasons.
Check with an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility to see if you may use
snow chains.
Use fine-mesh snow chains. They must not add
more than 0.40 inch (10.5 mm) in height, includ-
ing the chain lock.
You must remove the snow chains on roads with-
out snow. Otherwise, you could impair driving
ability and damage the tires.

ZA\ WARNING
Using incorrect snow chains or installing snow
chains incorrectly can result in loss of vehicle
control, which increases the risk of an acci-
dent.
(@) Note
— Snow chains can damage the rims and
wheel covers* if the chains come into direct
contact with them. Remove the wheel cov-
ers* first. Use coated snow chains.
— Do not install and use snow chains if there is
a malfunction in the air suspension*, be-
cause the vehicle height will be very low. If
you drive with snow chains anyway, the
wheel housings and other vehicle compo-
nents can be severely damaged.
G@) Tips
When using snow chains, it may be advisable
to limit the ESC > page 106.
Low-profile tires
Applies to: vehicles with low-profile tires

Compared to other tire/rim combinations, low-
profile tires offer a wider tread surface and a
larger rim diameter with shorter tire sidewalls.
This results in an agile driving style. However, it
may reduce the level of comfort and increase
road noise when driving on roads in poor condi-
tion.
Low-profile tires can become damaged more
quickly than standard tires when driving over
large bumps, potholes, manhole covers, and
curbs. Therefore, it is particularly important to
maintain the correct tire pressure > page 251.
To reduce the risk of damage to the tires and
rims, drive very carefully on poor roads.
Check your wheels regularly every 2,000 mi
(3,000 km) for damage. For example, check for
bulges/cracks on the tires or deformations/cracks
on the rims.
After
a heavy impact or damage, have the tires
and rims inspected or replaced immediately by
257
>

Wheels

an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
Low-profile tires can wear out faster than stand-
ard tires.

item Me Clin meleCel lire)
— Tread wear
— Traction AAABC
— Temperature ABC
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire side wall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width > page 242, fig. 155.
For example: Tread wear 200, Traction AA, Tem-
perature A.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment 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, Band C. Those grades represent the tire's
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured un-
der controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance
oA.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
258
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.

Z\ 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.

ZX 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).

4KE012721BF
Wheels

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.
If the tire pressure monitoring indicator
appears
Applies to: vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitoring System in-
dicator
The tire pressure indicator in the instrument
cluster informs you if the tire pressure is too low
or if there is a system malfunction.
Using the ABS sensors, the tire pressure monitor-
ing system compares the tire tread circumference
and vibration characteristics of the individual
tires. If the pressure changes in one or more
tires, this is indicated in the instrument cluster
display with an indicator light @ and a message.
If only one tire is affected, the location of that
tire will be indicated.
The tire pressures must be stored again each
time you change the pressures (switching be-
tween partial and full load pressure) or after
changing or replacing a tire on your vehicle
= page 260. The tire pressure monitoring system
only monitors the tire pressure you have stored.
Refer to the tire pressure label for the recom-
mended tire pressure for your vehicle
=> page 251, fig. 158.
Tire tread circumference and vibration character-
istics can change and cause a tire pressure warn-
ing if:
— The tire pressure in one or more tires is too low
— The tires have structural damage
— The tire was replaced or the tire pressure was
changed and it was not stored > page 260
— Tires that are only partially used are replaced
with new tires
Indicator lights
If the @ indicator light turns on, there is a loss
of pressure in at least one tire .> A\ Check the
tires and replace or repair if necessary. Check and
correct the pressures of all four tires and store
the pressure again > page 260.
ia Tire pressure: malfunction! See owner's
manual
fe appears after switching the ignition on or
while driving and the @ indicator light in the in-
strument cluster blinks for approximately one
259
>

Wheels

minute and then stays on, there is system mal-
function. Try to store the correct tire pressures
= page 260. In some cases, you must drive for
several minutes after storing the pressures until
the indicator light turns off. If the indicator light
does turn off or turns on again after a short peri-
od of time, drive to an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility immediately to
have the malfunction corrected.

ZA\ WARNING
— If the tire pressure indicator appears in the
display, reduce your speed immediately and
avoid any hard steering or braking maneu-
vers. Stop as soon as possible and check the
tires and their pressure.
— The driver is responsible for maintaining the
correct tire pressure. You must check the
tire pressure regularly.
— Under certain conditions (such as a sporty
driving style, winter conditions, or unpaved
roads), the tire pressure monitoring system
indicator may be delayed.

(i) Tips
— The tire pressure monitoring system can al-
so stop working when there is an ESC mal-
function.
— Using snow chains may result in a system
malfunction.
— The tire pressure monitoring system in your
Audi was calibrated with “Audi Original
Tires” > page 248. Audi recommends using
these tires.
Storing tire pressures
Applies to: vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitoring System in-
dicator
If the tire pressure changes or a tire is replaced,
it must be confirmed in the MMI.
> Before storing the tire pressures, make sure the
tire pressures in all four tires meet the speci-
fied values and are adapted to the load
=>page 251.
> Switch the ignition on.
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Settings & Service > Tire pressure
260
monitoring > Store tire pressure > Yes, store
now.
@) Tips
Do not store the tire pressures if snow chains
are installed.

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Care and cleaning

Care and cleaning
General information
Regular, proper care helps to maintain your vehi-
cle's value. It can also be a requirement when
submitting warranty claims for corrosion damage
and paint defects on the body.
The required cleaning and care products can be
obtained from an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Service Facility. Read and follow the in-
structions for use on the packaging.

ZA\ WARNING
— Using cleaning and care products incorrectly
can be dangerous to your health.
— Always store cleaning and care products out
of reach of children to reduce the risk of poi-
soning.

@ For the sake of the environment
— Purchase environmentally-friendly cleaning
products if possible.
— Do not dispose of cleaning and care prod-
ucts with household trash.
Car washes
The longer that deposits such as insects, bird
droppings, tree sap or road salt remain on the ve-
hicle, the more the surface can be damaged. High
temperatures such as those caused by sunlight
increase the damaging effect.
Before washing, rinse off heavy deposits with
plenty of water.
Stubborn deposits such as bird droppings or tree
sap are best removed with plenty of water and a
microfiber cloth.
Also, wash the underside of your vehicle once
road salt stops being used for the season.
Pressure washers
When washing your vehicle with a pressure wash-
er, always follow the operating instructions pro-
vided with the pressure washer. This is especially
important in regard to the pressure and spraying
distance. Do not aim the spray directly at the
seals on the side windows, doors, hood, luggage
compartment lid, or sunroof*, or at tires, rubber
hoses, insulating material, sensors*, camera
lenses*, or the laser scanner*. Keep a distance of
at least 16 inches (40 cm).
Do not direct the washer stream toward the wall
mount clip*.
Do not remove snow and ice with a pressure
washer.
Never use cone nozzles or high pressure nozzles.
The water temperature must not be above 140 °F
(60 °C).
Automatic car wash
Spray off the vehicle before washing.
Make sure that the windows and roof* are closed
and the windshield wipers are off. Make sure that
the vehicle is still able to roll during the washing
process in the car wash. Follow instructions from
the car wash operator, especially if there are ac-
cessories attached to your vehicle.
If possible, use car washes that do not have
brushes.
Washing by hand
Clean the vehicle starting from the top and work-
ing downward using a soft sponge or cleaning
brush. Use solvent-free cleaning products.
Washing vehicles with matte finish paint by
hand
To reduce the risk of damaging the paint when
washing, first remove dust and large particles
from your vehicle. Insects, grease spots, and fin-
gerprints are best removed with a special cleaner
for matte finish paint.
Apply the product using a microfiber cloth. To re-
duce the risk of damaging the paint surface, do
not use too much pressure.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water. Then
clean using a neutral shampoo and a soft micro-
fiber cloth.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly again and let it air
dry. Remove any water residue using a chamois.
261
>

Care and cleaning


height and width of the inside of the car
wash.
ZA\ WARNING
—To reduce the risk of accidents, only wash
the vehicle when the ignition is off and fol-
low the instructions from the car wash oper-
ator.
—To reduce the risk of cuts, protect yourself
from sharp metal components when wash-
ing the underbody or the inside of the wheel
housings.
— After washing the vehicle, the braking effect
may be delayed due to moisture on the
brake rotors or ice in the winter. This in-
creases the risk of an accident. The brakes
must be dried with a few careful brake appli-
cations.
—To reduce the risk of paint damage, do not
wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
—To reduce the risk of damage, do not wash
decorative decals* with a pressure washer.
—To reduce the risk of damage to the surface,
do not use insect removing sponges, kitchen
sponges, or similar items.
— When washing matte finish painted vehicle
components:
— To reduce the risk of damage to the sur-
face, do not use polishing agents or hard
wax.
— Never use protective wax. It can destroy
the matte finish effect.
@) Note — Do not place any stickers or magnetic
signs on vehicle components painted with
matte finish paint. The paint could be
damaged when the stickers or magnets
are removed.

— If you wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash, you must fold the exterior mirrors in
to reduce the risk of damage to the mirrors.
Power folding exterior mirrors* must only
be folded in and out using the power folding @) For the sake of the environment
function.
—To reduce the risk of damage to the rims
and tires, compare the width between the
wheels on your vehicle with the distance be-
tween the guide rails in the car wash.
—To reduce the risk of damage, compare the
height and width of your vehicle with the
Only wash the vehicle in facilities specially de-
signed for that purpose. This will reduce the
risk of dirty water contaminated with oil from
entering the sewer system.
Cleaning and care information
When cleaning and caring for individual vehicle are not listed, consult an authorized Audi dealer
components, refer to the following tables. The or authorized Audi Service Facility. Also follow
information contained there is simply recommen- __ the information found in > A.
dations. For questions or for components that
Exterior cleaning



Component Situation Solution
Windshield wiper | Deposits Soft cloth with glass cleaner, > page 56
blades
Headlights/ Deposits Soft sponge with a mild soap solution®
tail lights
Sensors/ Deposits Sensors: soft cloth with a solvent-free cleaning product
camera lenses Camera lenses: soft cloth with an alcohol-free cleaning sol-
ution
Snow/ice Hand brush/solvent-free de-icing spray >

262

Emergency assistance


ZA\ WARNING
— Please note that the tire mobility kit cannot
be used in all situations, and that it may on-
ly be used temporarily.
— The tire sealant must not come in contact
with skin, eyes, or clothing.
— If tire sealant comes into contact with your
eyes or your skin, thoroughly rinse the af-
fected area immediately with clean water.
— Do not inhale the fumes.
— If you swallow any of the tire sealant, thor-
oughly rinse your mouth immediately and
drink a lot of water. Do not induce vomiting.
Seek medical attention immediately.
— Change your clothing immediately if it
comes into contact with tire sealant.
— If an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical
attention immediately.

— Keep the tire sealant away from children.

@ Tips
— If sealant leaks, allow it to dry in place. You
can then peel it off like a sticker.
— Note the expiration date on the sealant bot-
tle. Replace the tire sealant at an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility.
— Radio reception can be interrupted when
operating the compressor.
— Follow the legal regulations that are appli-
cable in the country where you are operating
the vehicle.

2) The compressor may look different. However, the way it is
operated is generally the same.
268
Repairing tires
Applies to: vehicles with tire mobility kit


RAZ-0213|






Fig. 162 Tire mobility kit connection
Requirement: the tire mobility kit must be laid
out and ready for use > page 267.
Setting up the tire mobility kit
> Remove the connector (3) and pressure hose (4)
from the bottom of the housing.
> Connect the compressor pressure hose ®@ D to
the flange © on the tire sealant bottle ©.
> Insert the sealant bottle with the flange at the
bottom into the opening (2) on the compressor.
> Remove the valve cap from the faulty tire.
> Connect the filler hose (8) to the valve ©)
> fig. 162.
> Connect the plug @) > fig. 161 to an outlet in
the vehicle.
> Switch the ignition on.
Inflating a tire
> Move the switch (%) > fig. 162 on the compres-
sor into position I.

Emergency assistance

Removing and installing a wheel
@ Rg tT
“% © oO

B8K-1477



Fig. 169 Wheel: alignment pin in the top hole
Removing a wheel
> Remove the top wheel bolt completely using
the hex socket in the screwdriver handle from
the vehicle tool kit > fig. 168 and place it ona
clean surface.
> Then install the alignment pin from the vehicle
tool kit in the empty wheel bolt hole by hand
> fig. 169.
> Remove the rest of the wheel bolts.
> Remove the wheel >(). The alignment pin re-
mains in the hole while doing this.
Installing a wheel
Read the directions on page 272 when instal-
ling unidirectional tires.
> Slide the wheel on over the alignment pin >@.
> Install the wheel bolts and tighten them gently
using the hex socket.
> Remove the alignment pin and tighten the re-
maining wheel bolt.
> Carefully lower the vehicle using the vehicle
jack*.
> Tighten the wheel bolts in a diagonal pattern
using the wheel wrench*.
272
The wheel bolts must be clean and loosen and
tighten easily. Check the contact surfaces for the
wheel and hub. Contaminants on these surfaces
must be removed before installing the wheel.

Z\ WARNING
— Read and follow the important information
and notes under > page 248.
— Never use the hex socket in the screwdriver
handle to tighten the wheel bolts. Using the
hex socket will not achieve the required
tightening torque, which increases the risk
of an accident.
C) Note
When removing or installing the wheel, the
rim could hit the brake rotor and damage the
rotor. Work carefully and have a second per-
son help you.
Unidirectional tires
A unidirectional tire profile is identified by arrows
on the tire sidewall that point in the running di-
rection. You must always maintain the specified
running direction. This is necessary to ensure the
tire's optimal performance in regard to adhesion,
running noise, and friction, and to reduce the risk
of
hydroplaning.

To benefit fully from the advantages of the uni-
directional tire design, you should replace faulty
tires as soon as possible and restore the correct
running direction on all of the tires.
> Reinstall the caps on the wheel bolts if necessa-
ry.
> Store the vehicle tool kit in its designated
place.
> If the removed wheel does not fit in the spare
wheel well, store it securely in the luggage
compartment © page 79.
> Check the tire pressure on the installed wheel
as soon as possible.
> Correct the tire pressure and store it in the MMI
=> page 260.