spare wheel VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI 2013 5G / 7.G Owners Manual

Tires and wheels
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Tire and wheel handling
Wheel rims
New and replacement tires
Tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires
Tire inflation pressure in cold tires
Tread depth and tread wear indicators
Tire wear and damage
Spare wheel or compact spare wheel
Tire labeling
Winter tires
Snow chains
Glossary of tire and loading terminology
Tires and vehicle load limits
Determining the correct load limit
Volkswagen recommends that all work on tires and wheels be done by an authorized Volkswagen
dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. They are familiar with the technical requirements
and recommended procedures, have the necessary special tools and spare parts, and can properly
dispose of old tires.
More information:
x Transporting
x Trailer towing
x Braking, stopping and parking
x Tire Pressure Monitoring System
x Exterior care and cleaning
x Vehicle tool kit
x Consumer information
x Wheel covers
x Changing a wheel

Rotating tires
To help ensure even wear on all tires, regular tire rotation according to the diagram ⇒ fig. 159 is
recommended. In this way all tires can have about the same service life.
Volkswagen recommends that you have your tires rotated by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Tires more than 6 years old
Tires age even if they are not being used. Physical and chemical processes reduce tire strength and
performance and cause them to harden and become brittle. Old tires can fail suddenly and without
warning.
Volkswagen recommends replacing tires that are 6 years and older. This also applies to tires that look
new (including the tire on the compact spare wheel) or that seem to still be usable with tread depth
that has not yet reached the legal minimum depth ⇒ .
The age of each tire can be determined with the manufacturing date that is part of the U.S. DOT tire
identification number (4).).
Tire storage
Mark tires before removing them to help make sure that the previous location (left, right, front, rear)
and rolling direction can be maintained when remounting them. Store tires in a cool, dry and preferably
dark place. Do not store tires mounted on wheels standing up.
Tires not mounted on wheels should be covered to help protect them from dirt and stored vertically
(sitting on the tread).
WARNING
Aggressive fluids and materials can cause visible and invisible tire damage that can cause
tire blowouts.
x Always keep chemicals, oils, grease, fuels, braking fluids and other aggressive
substances away from tires.
WARNING
Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly, especially at high speeds,
causing loss of vehicle control, accidents, and severe personal injuries.
x Tires that are more than 6 years old can be used only in an emergency and even then only
with special care and at low speed.
Always dispose of old tires in accordance with legal requirements.
Wheel rims

Wheel alignment – Incorrect wheel alignment causes excessive and uneven tire wear, impairing
vehicle safety. If you notice excessive or uneven tire wear, have the wheel alignment checked by an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Unusual vibrations or pulling to one side can indicate tire damage.
x Reduce speed immediately and stop when it is safe to do so.
x Check tires and wheel rims for damage.
x Never drive with a damaged tire or rim. Get expert assistance instead.
x If no external damage is visible, slowly and carefully drive to the nearest authorized
Volkswagen dealer, authorized Volkswagen Service Facility, or other qualified workshop and
have the vehicle checked.
Spare wheel or compact spare wheel

Fig. 162 In the luggage compartment: Handwheel holding the spare wheel in place.

Fig. 163 In the luggage compartment: Compact spare wheel.

Stowing the replaced wheel
x Hook the floor covering on the upper edge of the luggage compartment.
x 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.
x Turn the handwheel clockwise until the wheel replaced is securely in place.
x If necessary, return the vehicle tool kit to its location in the luggage compartment.
x Unhook the floor covering and fold it back down onto the floor of the luggage compartment.
x Close the rear hatch.
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:
x Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h)!
x Avoid full-throttle acceleration, hard braking and fast cornering!
x Do not use snow chains on the compact spare wheel
x After installing the spare wheel or compact spare wheel, check the tire pressure as soon as
possible
Check the tire inflation pressure of the spare or compact spare whenever 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 serious personal injury.
x Never use a spare wheel or compact spare wheel if it is damaged or worn down to the
wear indicators.
x 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.
x Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) with a compact spare wheel. Avoid full-throttle
acceleration, heavy braking, and fast cornering!
x Never drive more than 125 miles (200 km) if a compact spare wheel is installed on the front
axle (drive axle).
x Replace the compact spare with a normal wheel and tire as soon as possible. Compact
spare tires are designed for brief use only.
x Regularly check the U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) to determine the age of the
compact spare wheel. Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly,
especially at higher speeds.
x Tires that are more than 6 years old can only be used in an emergency and then with
special care and at lower speeds.
x The compact spare wheel must always be secured with the wheel bolts provided by the
factory.
x Never drive using more than one compact spare wheel.
x After installing the compact spare wheel, the tire pressure must be checked as soon as
possible.
x 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
If possible, attach the spare wheel, compact spare wheel, or wheel you took off the vehicle
securely in the luggage compartment.

WARNING
Inappropriate spare parts and accessories as well as improperly performed work,
modifications and repairs can cause vehicle damage, accidents and serious personal
injuries.
x Volkswagen strongly recommends to only use accessories approved by Volkswagen and
Genuine Volkswagen Parts®. These parts and accessories have been evaluated by
Volkswagen for their suitability, reliability and safety.
x Have repairs and vehicle modifications performed by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and authorized
Volkswagen Service Facilities have the required tools, diagnostic equipment, repair
information, and trained personnel to properly replace any airbag in your vehicle and assure
system effectiveness in a crash.
x Only install parts on the vehicle that are consistent with factory-installed parts with
respect to design and characteristics.
x Never store, mount, or attach objects, such as cup holders or phone cradles, on or next to
the airbag module covers or within the airbags deployment zones.
x Only use wheel rim/tire combinations approved by Volkswagen for the respective vehicle
type.
Break-in period

Vehicle tool kit
Introduction
In this section you’ll find information about:
Storage
Contents
When securing the vehicle after a breakdown, always obey all applicable legal requirements.
More information:
x Trailer towing
x Preparations for working in the engine compartment
x In an emergency
x Changing a wheel
WARNING
Loose tools and other items in the vehicle tool kit and a loose spare (or compact spare) wheel
may be thrown through the passenger compartment if you brake suddenly or steer sharply or
are involved in an accident. This can cause severe injuries.
x Always make sure the vehicle tool kit and spare (or compact spare) wheel are securely
stowed in the luggage compartment.
WARNING
Improper or damaged vehicle tools can lead to accidents and injury.
x Never work with tools that are damaged or not right for the job.
Storage

Fig. 176 In the luggage compartment: Floor covering raised and 1 secured.

The vehicle tool kit, spare wheel, or compact spare wheel may be in one of several places under the
floor covering in the luggage compartment.
x If necessary, detach the luggage net
x Lift the floor covering and hang it on the hook beneath the luggage compartment cover ⇒ fig. 176
(1).
Completely retract the jack after use. Otherwise it will not fit in its compartment and cannot be
stowed safely.
Contents

Fig. 177 Contents of the vehicle tool kit.