tire VOLKSWAGEN EOS 2012 Owner's Guide

WARNING
Overloading a vehicle can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident, serious personal injury, and even death.
x Carrying more weight than your vehicle was designed to carry will prevent the vehicle from handling properly and increase the risk of the loss of vehicle control.
x The brakes on a vehicle that has been overloaded may not be able to stop the vehicle in a safe distance.
x Tires on a vehicle that has been overloaded can fail suddenly, including a blowout and sudden deflation, causing loss of control and a crash.
x Always make sure that the total load being transported – including the weight of a trailer hitch and the tongue weight of a loaded trailer – does not make the vehicle heavier than the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Determining the correct load limit

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 treadwear 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 (Treadwear-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 generation 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
performance 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, including 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 inside the driver door, Tire inflation pressure.
x The TPMS can only work correctly when all tires on the vehicle are filled to the correct cold tire inflation 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 factory. 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 replacing or rotating tires, make certain the valves and sensors are not damaged.
x The aluminum valves that are installed should be replaced after about 6 years of use because of aging in the rubber seals. The valves can be replaced when a tire is changed. Do not reuse aluminum valves after they are removed. They must be replaced. The tire pressure sensor can be reused.
x When replacing the valve cores, use only nickel-plated replacement cores.
x The batteries in the wheel electronics last 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 www.dtsc.ca.gov/hadardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all applicable legal requirements regarding proper disposal.
Do not rely only on the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. 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.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System checks for the factory-recommended inflation pressure, as shown on the label inside the driver door, Tire inflation pressure.
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; see the tire inflation pressure label on the driver
door pillar ⇒ page 240, 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 replaced.
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 determined by looking at the tire. This is especially true of low-profile tires.
A Declaration of Compliance with the United States FCC and Industry Canada regulations is found in the Consumer Information section of this Manual, Declaration of Compliance, Telecommunications and Electronic Systems.
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 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 that has sensors in the wheels.
Indicator light (telltale)

Tire Pressure Monitoring System display messages in the instrument cluster

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. 108 The Tire Pressure Monitoring system (TPMS) uses a pressure sensor in each read wheel.

your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
Spare wheel or compact spare wheel
The spare wheel or compact spare wheel has no tire pressure sensor. When the spare or compact spare wheel 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. The sensors are reactivated by driving the vehicle again.
WARNING
Incorrect tire pressure can cause sudden tire failure, loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.
x Always check and correct air pressure in all 4 tires, particularly after changing, exchanging, or repairing tires.
x After that, always make sure that all 4 tires are inflated to the correct tire pressure for the tires installed on the vehicle.
x See the tire pressure label ⇒ fig. 104, Tire inflation pressure and the Owner's Literature for recommended cold tire inflation pressure and other important information.
x When replacing tires or wheel rims on vehicles equipped with TPMS, always read and heed all of the information and WARNINGS, 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 tire air valve caps could result in damage to the valves, as well as to the sensors on the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Therefore, make sure your valve caps conform to the specifications of those originally installed on the vehicle and that they are always tightly and properly screwed on to the valves. Do not use metallic valve caps
x Do not use “comfort valve caps.” They do not seal properly and can damage the sensors.
x When changing or rotating the tires, be careful not to damage the valves or sensors.
x The aluminum valves that are installed should be replaced after about 6 years of use due to aging of the rubber seals. The valves can be replaced when a tire is changed. Do not reuse aluminum valves after they are removed. They must be replaced. The tire pressure sensors can be reused.

x In the rear center console ⇒ fig. 123.
NOTICE
x Follow the manufacturer's instructions for connected devices!
x Never exceed the maximum power consumption, or the entire vehicle electrical system may be damaged.
x 12 Volt socket:
– Only use equipment that has been tested for electromagnetic compatibility and complies with applicable guidelines.
– Never feed current into the socket, with a solar panel, for example.
Unshielded devices may interfere with radio reception or the vehicle's electrical system.