Wheels and Tires: Description and Operation
Wheel, Changing
=> [ Protecting Wheel Centering Seat Against Corrosion ]
=> [ Wheel Changing Instructions ]
=> [ Wheel Changing and Wheel Installation ]
If the wheels are changed (for example, a change from summer to winter tires), the wheel electronics send data as soon as the speed of the new wheels exceeds 25 km/h (15 mph). The wheel electronics identification numbers are automatically recognized and read by the control module.
An acceleration data check also occurs with vehicle speed. This process takes about 7 minutes.
the tire pressure monitoring control module must first be in the learning mode before it can automatically learn the wheel electronics.
The vehicle must stand for 20 minutes for this. This takes 5 minutes after a recognized tire puncture.
If the standing time is not followed, the control module is not in the learning mode so the system recognizes a malfunction and can only automatically learn the wheel electronics after standing 20 minutes.
• When changing the wheels, be sure to install only Volkswagen approved wheel and tire combinations with the tire pressures listed on the tank flap.
• If unapproved wheel/tire combinations are installed, these must have a TUV certificate for the particular vehicle and a second wheel set must be programmed using the vehicle diagnostic tester.
• Learning is also needed if the tire pressure deviates from the pressures given on the fuel filler flap.
Wheel Sets with Other Specified Tire Pressures
If a vehicle is equipped with tires which have specified pressures different from those listed on fuel filler flap, these tires (2nd wheel set) can also be monitored by the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Specified values for a second wheel set must be entered into the system using the vehicle diagnostic tester.
Wheel electronics on wheels from a 2nd set are not automatically recognized and learned by the TPMS (as the wheel electronics on Volkswagen approved wheel/tire combination sets are).
To change to a 2nd wheel set, the following steps must be carried out:
• Read the wheel electronic (tire pressure sensor) identification numbers (IDs) before installing.
• Switch the TPMS to wheel set 2.
• Enter the needed specified tire pressures and wheel electronic IDs in the system.
Protecting Wheel Centering Seat Against Corrosion
Applies to light alloy and steel wheels
When a wheel is changed, the centering seat should be sprayed with wax spray (D 322 000 A2)
In order to prevent corrosion between wheel centering seat and rim.
- Remove the wheel.
- Thoroughly clean the centering seat on the wheel hub and the centering surface on the rim.
- Apply the wax in the area of the centering - arrow - using a brush.
Always make sure that only centering - arrow - is waxed and not rim contact surfaces. As a consequence, the brakes would become contaminated while driving and thereby result in poor braking.
Wheel bolts, contact surfaces of the wheel/wheel hub and the threads on the wheel hubs must not have wax applied to them. Never apply lubricants or anti-corrosion treatment to the threads on the wheel hubs.
- Install the wheel and tighten the wheel bolts. Refer to => [ Wheel Bolt Tightening Specifications ] Wheel Bolt Tightening Specifications.
Wheel Changing Instructions
Secure seating of the wheel bolts and the wheels is only ensured if the instructions and checks below are followed.
• After removing or installing one or multiple tires, the tire pressure monitoring system must be re-calibrated for vehicles with tire pressure monitoring system, refer to => [ Perform the basic setting. ] Tire Pressure Monitoring System Description.
- Make sure the contact surfaces - arrows - on the brake rotor are free from corrosion and dirt.
- Make sure the contact surfaces - arrow - on the brake rotor center seat are free of corrosion and dirt.
- Make sure the contact surface - arrow - on the wheel inner side as well as the central seat in the rim is free of corrosion and dirt.
- The spherical caps * in the wheel bolt openings and the wheel bolt threads must likewise be free of corrosion, dirt, oil or grease.
* The spherical cap is the curved surface of a section of a sphere.
- Check whether the wheel bolts can be easily installed by hand. The threads of the wheel bolts must not touch the holes in the brake rotor - arrow -.
If the thread of the wheel bolt touches the hole - arrow -, turn the brake rotor relative to the wheel accordingly.
If necessary, clean any dirt and corrosion, oil or grease off the surfaces and thread in the wheel hub and/or wheel bolts.
Heavily corroded, difficult to turn or damaged wheel bolts must be replaced.
Wheel Changing and Wheel Installation
- Coat the wheel centering seat with corrosion protection => [ Protecting Wheel Centering Seat Against Corrosion ].
1. When mounting a wheel, tighten all wheel bolts uniformly by hand.
2. Tighten the wheel bolts diagonally to 30 Nm.
3. Lower the vehicle to the floor and tighten diagonally all wheel bolts with the wrench to the specified wheel bolt tightening specification. Refer to => [ Wheel Bolt Tightening Specifications ] Wheel Bolt Tightening Specifications.
Never use an impact wrench to install the wheel bolts!