tire pressure VOLKSWAGEN CC 2008 User Guide

After adjusting the tire inflation pressures, make sure to screw the
valve caps back on; replace missing valve caps immediately. Please
read and heed the information on resetting the Tire Pressure Monitor-
ing System, if necessary ⇒  Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Remember that the vehicle manufacturer, not the tire manufacturer,
determines the correct tire pressure for the tires on your vehicle.
Never exceed the maximum inflation pressure listed on the tire side-
wall for any reason.
Inflate a spare wheel to the pressure specified for the vehicle's road
wheels on the tire pressure label; inflate a compact spare wheel to
the pressure specified for the compact spare on the tire pressure la-
bel or on a separate label for the compact spare, if there is one.
WARNING
Incorrect tire pressure can cause a sudden tire failure or blow-
out, loss of control, collision, serious personal injury, and even
death.
Always inflate tires to the recommended and correct cold tire
pressure before driving off.
Low tire pressure can cause tires to get too hot, resulting in
tread separation, sudden loss of pressure, and blowouts. Tires
with excessively low pressure flex (bend) more, which can
cause the tire to overheat and fail suddenly without warning.
Excessive speed and/or overloading can cause heat build-up,
sudden tire failure including a blowout and sudden deflation
and loss of control.
If the tire pressure is too low or too high, the tires will wear
prematurely and the vehicle will not handle well.
Regularly check tire inflation pressure, at least once a month,
and also especially before a long trip.
Check the pressure in all 4 tires when the tires are still cold.
Never reduce air pressure in warm tires to match cold tire infla-
tion pressure.
NOTICE
Make sure not to jam the tire pressure gauge into the valve
stem. Otherwise you can damage both the tire valves and the tire

inflation pressure sensors ⇒  Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS).
Driving without valve caps, with the wrong valve caps, or with
valve caps that are not properly screwed on can damage the tire
valves and the sensors on the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
⇒  Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). To help prevent
damage, always use valve stem caps like those originally in-
stalled at the factory. The caps must be screwed on tightly. Do
not use metal valve caps or “comfort” valve stem caps.
Underinflation increases fuel consumption.
There may be differences between the pressure readings from a
tire pressure gauge and the pressures registered by the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System. The electronic Tire Pressure Monitoring System
is more accurate.
When the TPMS warns that the pressure in at least one tire is too
low, check the tire pressure in all 4 tires with an accurate tire pressure
gauge. Low tire pressure usually cannot be spotted by looking at the
tire. This is especially true for low-profile tires. When checking the tire
pressures, refer to ⇒  Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires

Engine Tire dimensions Tire pressure
bar psi kPa
3.6 L / 280 hp (206 kW)
4MOTION
235/45 R 17 2.3 34 230
235/40 R 18 xl 2.6 38 260
xl = reinforced sidewall.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is configured at the factory
with the correct tire inflation pressure applicable for the vehicle
model, engine and factory-installed tires. The tire inflation pressure
is listed on the tire inflation pressure label on the driver door jamb⇒ ,
Tire inflation pressure. The tire inflation pressures for the road tires
are listed on this label. The inflation pressure for the compact spare
is as specified on the tire pressure label or on a separate label for
the compact spare, if there is one. In the event of a discrepancy be-
tween the above figures and the tire pressures listed on the tire infla-
tion pressure label, the pressures listed on the label are the ones
you should use. The listed pressure applies to all road tires. If differ-
ent tires are installed that do not have the same cold tire inflation
pressure as the tires originally installed on your vehicle, the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System cannot properly monitor tire inflation
pressures unless the TPMS is reset to the new tire pressures
⇒ page 295. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized
Volkswagen Service Facilities have the necessary special tools and
can reset the TPMS for the new tires on your vehicle.

Put the wheel you took off the vehicle into the spare wheel well so
that the center hole of the rim is aligned with the threaded pin.
Turn the handwheel clockwise until the wheel is securely in place.
If necessary, return the vehicle tool kit to its location in the luggage
compartment.
Unhook the floor covering and fold it back down onto the floor of
the luggage compartment.
Close the luggage compartment lid.
If the spare wheel is different from the road wheels
If the spare is different from the road wheels, a compact spare wheel,
for example, or if the road wheels are winter tires, the spare wheel
must be used only in the event of a flat tire, only for a brief time, and
only when driving with extra caution ⇒ .
Replace it with a tire matching the others on your vehicle as soon as
possible.
Please heed the following:
Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h)!
Avoid full-throttle acceleration, hard braking, and fast cornering!
Do not use snow chains on the compact spare wheel ⇒Snow
chains.
After installing the spare wheel or compact spare wheel, check the
tire pressure as soon as possible ⇒ Tire inflation pressure.
Check the tire inflation pressure of the spare or compact spare when-
ever you check the tire pressure of the road wheels, at least once a
month. Inflate a spare wheel to the cold tire pressure specified for
the vehicle's road wheels on the tire pressure label; 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 spare wheel or a compact spare wheel can
cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, and se-
rious personal injury.
Never use a spare wheel or compact spare wheel if it is dam-
aged or worn down to the wear indicators.
In some vehicles, the spare wheel or 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.
Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) with a compact
spare wheel. Avoid full-throttle acceleration, heavy braking, and
fast cornering!
Never drive more than 125 miles (200 km) if a compact spare
wheel is installed on the front axle (drive axle).
Replace the compact spare with a normal wheel and tire as
soon as possible. Compact spare tires are designed for brief
use only.
Regularly check the U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
to determine the age of the compact spare wheel ⇒  Tire label-
ing. Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail sud-
denly, especially at higher speeds.
Tires that are more than 6 years old can only be used in an
emergency and then with special care and at lower speeds.
The compact spare wheel must always be secured with the
wheel bolts provided by the factory.
Never drive using more than one compact spare wheel.
After installing the compact spare wheel, the tire pressure
must be checked as soon as possible ⇒  Tire inflation pressure.
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
When the spare wheel or compact spare is being used, the TPMS
indicator light can come on after a couple of minutes ⇒ Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
If possible, attach the spare wheel, compact spare wheel, or the
wheel you took off the vehicle securely in the luggage compartment.
Tire labeling

Fig. 116 International tire labeling.

Tire labeling
(example)
Meaning
DOT
The tire complies with the require-
ments of the United States Depart-
ment of Transportation, responsible
for issuing safety standards.
BT Identification letter of the manufactur-
ing site.
RA Manufacturer information regarding
tire dimensions.
TY5 Tire characteristics provided by the
manufacturer.
1709 Manufacturing date: 17th week in
2009.
TWI Marks the position of the treadwear indicator
Made in Germany Country of manufacture.
MAX LOAD 615 KG
(1356 LBS)
United States maximum load rating per
wheel.
MAX INFLATION
350 KPA (51 PSI)
United States maximum permissible inflation
pressure.
ROTATION Rotation direction (unidirectional tires)
SIDEWALL 1 PLY
RAYON
Tire ply composition and materials used:
1 layer of rayon.
TREAD 4 PLIES
1 RAYON + 2 STEEL
+ 1 NYLON
Tire tread composition and materials used:
In this example there are 4 layers under the
tread: 1 layer of rayon, 2 layers of steel belt
and 1 layer of nylon.

ter tire performance decreases with age – independent of the tread
profile depth.
When using winter tires:
Obey state and country-specific legal requirements.
Install winter tires on all 4 wheels.
Use winter tires only under wintry road conditions.
Only use winter tires with dimensions approved for the vehicle.
Use only winter tires of the same tire belt design, the same dimen-
sions (tread circumference), and the same tread design.
Follow speed restrictions according to the winter tire's speed rating
code letter ⇒ .
Speed restrictions
Winter tires are certified up to a top speed identified by speed rating
code letters on the side wall ⇒  Tire labeling.
In some vehicle models it is possible to set a speed warning in the
menu in the instrument cluster display ⇒  Volkswagen Information
System.
Top speed rating and tire inflation pressure for V winter tires depend
on the engine installed in your vehicle. Be sure to ask you authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility about
the maximum permissible speed and the required tire inflation pres-
sure for the winter tires that you plan to use.
WARNING
Driving faster than the maximum speed for which the winter
tires on your vehicle were designed can cause sudden tire fail-
ure including a blowout and sudden deflation, loss of control,
crashes and serious personal injuries.
Winter tires have a maximum speed rating that may be lower
than your vehicle's maximum speed.
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.
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 consump-
tion.
If factory-installed wheels and/or tires are replaced when in-
stalling 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 sys-
tem. If new tires are not identical to those that were removed and re-
quire different cold tire inflation pressure, the tire inflation pressure
values must be reprogrammed for the TPMS. Please see your author-
ized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility ⇒ 
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated 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 author-
ized Volkswagen Service Facility about permissible winter tire dimen-
sions.
Snow chains

Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those standard items which may
be replaced) of automatic transmission, electro-mechanical power
steering, power brakes, power windows, power seats, radio, and
heater, to the extent that these items are available as factory-installed
equipment (whether installed or not).
Aspect ratio
The ratio of sidewall height to tire width, expressed as a percentage.
A number of 70 (0.7:1 or 70%) or lower indicates a low-profile tire with
a shorter sidewall for improved steering response and better overall
handling on dry pavement.
Bead
The part of a tire made of steel wires, wrapped or reinforced by ply
cords, with the shape and structure to ensure proper fit to the wheel
rim.
Bead separation
A breakdown of the bond between components in the bead.
Carcass
The tire structure, except tread and sidewall rubber which, when in-
flated, bears the load.
Chunking
The breaking away of pieces of the tread or sidewall.
Cord
The strands of material forming the plies in the tire.
Cord separation
The parting of cords from adjacent rubber compounds.
Cracking
Any parting within the tread, sidewall, or inner liner of the tire extend-
ing to cord material.
Cold tire inflation pressure
The tire pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for a tire
of a specified size that has not been driven for more than a couple of