Volkswagen CC (2015 year). Instruction — part 16

Tread depth and tread wear indicators

Fig. 113 Tread pattern: Wear indicator.

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Tread depth
Most driving situations require as much tread depth as possible and
similar tread depth for the tires on the front and rear wheels. This is
especially true when driving in winter weather, at low temperatures
and under wet conditions

⇒ .

In most countries the legally permissible minimum tread depth is
1/16 in. (1.6 mm), as measured in tread grooves next to the wear in-
dicators. Please be sure to obey country-specific legal requirements.
Winter tires are no longer suitable for winter operation once the tread
pattern is worn down to a depth of 3/16 in. (4.8 mm).
The tread depth of new tires can differ between tire models and man-
ufacturers because of the different design features and tread pat-
terns.

Tread wear indicator (TWI) in the tire
The 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) high wear indicators are molded into the bottom
of the tread grooves of the original tires running across the treads
⇒

fig. 113

. Several wear indicators are evenly spaced around the tire.

Markings on the sides of the tires (for example “TWI” or symbols)
show the position of the wear indicators.
Wear indicators show when the tires are worn down. The tires must
be replaced no later than when the tread pattern is worn down to the
wear indicators.

WARNING

Worn tires are dangerous and can cause loss of vehicle control
including serious personal injuries.

Never drive a vehicle when the tread on any tire is worn down

to the wear indicators, replace them sooner.

Worn tires do not grip the road properly, especially on wet

roads, increasing your risk of “hydroplaning” and loss of con-
trol.

Worn tires reduce the ability of your vehicle to handle well in

normal and difficult driving situations and increase braking dis-
tances and the risk of skidding.

Tire wear and damage

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Wheel rim and tire damage is often difficult to see. Unusual vibra-
tions or pulling to one-side can be an indication of tire damage

⇒

.

If you suspect tire damage, immediately reduce speed!
Check tires and wheel rims for damage.
If a tire is damaged, do not drive any farther. Get expert assistance.
If no external damage is visible, slowly and carefully drive to the

nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer, authorized Volkswagen Ser-
vice Facility, or other qualified workshop and have the vehicle
checked.

Objects embedded in the tire

If embedded objects have penetrated to the inside of the tire, do

not remove them! If objects are stuck in the tread grooves of the tire,
they can be removed.

If necessary, change the damaged wheel

⇒ Changing a wheel. If

necessary, get professional assistance to change the wheel.

Check tire pressure and adjust if necessary.

Tire wear
Tire wear depends on several factors, including:

Driving style.
Unbalanced wheels.
Wheel alignment.

Driving style – Fast cornering, hard acceleration and braking increase
tire wear. If you experience increased tire wear under normal driving
conditions, have the vehicle suspension checked by an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Unbalanced wheels – The wheels on a new vehicle are balanced.
When driving, however, various conditions can cause a wheel to be-
come unbalanced. Unbalanced wheels can cause wear to the steer-
ing and suspension systems. Have all wheels rebalanced. A wheel
must always be rebalanced if a new tire has been mounted.
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 author-
ized Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facili-
ty.

WARNING

Unusual vibrations or pulling to one side can indicate tire dam-
age.

Reduce speed immediately and stop when it is safe to do so.
Check tires and wheel rims for damage.
Never drive with a damaged tire or rim. Get expert assistance

instead.

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

Fig. 115 In the luggage compartment: Compact spare wheel.

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Removing the spare wheel or compact spare wheel

Open the luggage compartment lid, lift up the floor covering and

hook it on the upper edge of the luggage compartment.

Completely unscrew the handwheel in the center of the spare

wheel

⇒

fig. 114

or compact spare wheel

⇒

fig. 115

counterclockwise

and remove the spare wheel.

Stowing the replaced wheel

Hook the floor covering on the upper edge of the luggage com-

partment.

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.

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Knowing about tire specifications makes it easier to choose the cor-
rect replacement tires. Radial tires have specifications marked on the
sidewall.

Tire labeling
(example)

Meaning

Brand, Logo

Manufacturer

Tire name

Individual tire designation of the manufac-
turer.

P255 / 55 R 18

Dimensions:

P Tire application: Passenger car

255

Nominal sidewall-to-sidewall width of
tire in millimeters.

55 Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)

R Tire belt design letter code for radial.

18 Rim diameter (in inches)

109 H

Load rating code and speed rating code

XL

Indicates “reinforced” tire (heavy-duty)

M+S or M/S

Indicates Mud and Snow capability (also
M/S)

⇒ Winter tires.

RADIAL TUBELESS Tubeless radial tire.

E4 ...

Labeling according to international regula-
tions (E) including number of the approving
country. The multi-digit approval number is
listed next.

DOT BT RA TY5 1709

Tire identification number (TIN)

3

– In some

cases the manufacturing date is only on one
side of the tire:

3

TIN represents the serial number of the tire.

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.

Tire labeling
(example)

Meaning

Consumer information regarding comparison to specified base
tires (standardized test procedure)

⇒ ⇒ page 284:

TREADWEAR 220

Relative service life expectancy of the tire
referenced to a U.S.-specific standard test.

TRACTION A

Traction rating under wet conditions (AA, A,
B or C).

TEMPERATURE A

Temperature stability of the tire at increased
test bench speeds (A, B or C).

Additional numbers found on the tire could either be tire manu-
facturer internal labels or country-specific labels (such as for
Brazil and China).

Unidirectional tires
Unidirectional tires are designed to rotate only in one direction. Unidi-
rectional tires have arrows on the sidewalls that show the direction of
rotation. Make sure you mount the tire so that it rotates in the proper
direction. The tire's performance with regard to hydroplaning, traction,
noise, and wear is worse if it is not mounted in the proper direction of
rotation.
If you have to mount a tire opposite to its proper direction of rotation,
you must drive more carefully, since the tire is no longer being used
as designed. This is particularly important on wet roads. You must
replace or remount the tire as soon as possible in order to restore the
correct direction of rotation.

Load rating code
The load index indicates the maximum permissible load per individual
tire in pounds (kilograms).
91 1356 lbs (615 kg)
92 1388 lbs (630 kg)
93 1433 lbs (650 kg)
95 1521 lbs (690 kg)

97 1609 lbs (730 kg)
98 1653 lbs (750 kg)
99 1709 lbs (775 kg)
100 1763 lbs (800 kg)
101 1819 lbs (825 kg)
102 1874 lbs (850 kg)
103 1929 lbs (875 kg)
104 1984 lbs (900 kg)
110 2337 lbs (1060 kg)

Speed rating code letter
The speed rating code letter indicates the maximum permissible road
speed of the tires.
P up to 93 mph (150 km/h)
Q up to 99 mph (160 km/h)
R up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
S up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
U up to 124 mph (200 km/h)
H up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
Z over 149 mph (240 km/h)
W up to 168 mph (270 km/h)
Y up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
Some tire manufacturers label tires with a maximum permissible road
speed above 149 mph (240 km/h) with the letter combination “ZR.”

WARNING

Using incorrect or unmatched tires and/or wheels or improper
tire and wheel combinations can lead to loss of control, colli-
sion and serious personal injury.

Always use tires, wheels and wheel bolts that meet the speci-

fications of the original factory-installed tires or other combina-
tions that have been specifically approved by the vehicle manu-
facturer.

All 4 wheels must be fitted with radial tires of the same type,

the same size (tread circumference), and the same tread pat-
tern. Driving with different tires reduces vehicle handling and
can lead to a loss of control.

Never drive faster than the maximum speed for which the

tires installed on your vehicle are rated because tires that are
driven faster than their rated speed can fail suddenly.

Overloading tires can cause heat build-up, sudden tire fail-

ure, including a blowout and sudden deflation and loss of con-
trol.

Temperature grades apply to tires that are properly inflated

and not over- or underinflated.

Winter tires

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Winter tires improve the handling characteristics of your vehicle sig-
nificantly when driving under wintry road conditions. Summer tires
have less traction on snow and ice because of their design (width,
rubber composition, tread design). Volkswagen strongly recommends
that you always have winter tires or all-season tires installed on all
4 wheels on your vehicle, especially when winter road conditions are
expected. Winter tires also improve the vehicle's braking performance
and help reduce stopping distances during winter weather.
Volkswagen recommends installing winter tires once temperatures
are below +45 °F (+7 °C).
Winter tires are no longer suitable for winter driving once the tread
pattern is worn down to a depth of 3/16 in (4.8 mm). In addition, win-

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

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Obey local regulations as well as the applicable speed limits when
driving with snow chains.
Snow chains improve forward motion, traction and braking character-
istics under wintry conditions.
Snow chains may be used only on the front wheels and only in tire
and wheel combinations that have been approved by Volkswagen.
Please contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility about appropriate wheel, tire and snow
chain dimensions.
If possible, use only chains with low profile links that are not thicker
than 37/64 in. (15 mm) including the tensioner.

Remove center hubcaps and decorative rim rings before installing
snow chains

⇒ . However, for safety reasons, caps must be in-

stalled on the wheel bolts. These are available from authorized
Volkswagen dealers and authorized Volkswagen Service Facilities.

Compact spare wheel
For technical reasons, snow chains cannot be used on the compact
spare
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 to install the unidirectional tires so
that they will run in the proper direction. Volkswagen recommends
installing the snow chains before mounting the wheel to the vehicle.

WARNING

Using the wrong snow chains or installing snow chains im-
properly can cause accidents and severe personal injuries.

Always use the proper snow chains.
Follow the installation instructions provided by the snow

chain manufacturer.

Never exceed the permissible speed limit when driving with

snow chains.

NOTICE

Remove snow chains when roads are free of snow. Otherwise,

the chains can damage the tires, impair vehicle handling and can
be quickly worn down.

Snow chains can scratch or damage wheel rims if they have

direct contact with the rims. Volkswagen recommends using
coated snow chains.

Glossary of tire and loading terminology

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

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