Volkswagen CC (2015 year). Instruction — part 15

Engine

Engine

ID

code

Trailer with

brakes

Trailer

without

brakes

Trailer

hitch

tongue

weight

All gasoline
engines

all

2000 lbs

(907 kg)

1650 lbs

(748 kg)

200 lbs

(91 kg)

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and the Gross Axle Weight Rating
must not be exceeded, even with a trailer. These ratings are listed on
the safety compliance label on the driver door jamb

⇒ page 55, Im-

portant vehicle labels. When a trailer is towed, the weight of the ball
mount and the tongue weight of the trailer are added to the vehicle
weight

⇒ Determining the correct load limit.

The trailer weight ratings given above are valid only up to altitudes of
3000 ft (1000 m) above sea level. The maximum permissible com-
bined towing weight must be reduced by about 10% for every 3000 ft
(1000 m), or portion thereof, of additional altitude.

WARNING

Exceeding the gross trailer weight rating and tongue weight
can cause accidents and serious personal injury.

Never let the actual weights at the front and rear axles exceed

the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Never let the combined
front and rear weights exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR).

NOTICE

Exceeding the gross weight ratings can cause extensive vehicle
damage that is not covered by any Volkswagen Limited Warran-
ty.

Tires and wheels

Introduction

In this section you’ll find information about:
Tire and wheel handling
Wheel rims
New and replacement tires
New and replacement tires
Tire inflation pressure
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
UTQG classification

Volkswagen recommends that all work on tires and wheels be done
by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Ser-
vice 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:

Transporting
Trailer towing
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Braking and parking
Exterior care and cleaning
Vehicle tool kit

Consumer information
Wheel trim
Changing a wheel

WARNING

New tires or tires that are old, worn or damaged cannot provide
maximum control and braking performance.

Improper care and handling of tires and wheels can reduce

driving safety and cause accidents and severe injuries.

Install only radial tires of the same make, the same dimen-

sions (tread circumference), and similar tread profile on all
4 wheels.

New tires tend to be slippery and must be broken in. Always

drive with special care for the first 350 miles (560 km) to help
reduce the risk of losing control, a collision, and serious per-
sonal injuries.

Check tire inflation pressure regularly when the tires are cold

and always maintain the prescribed tire pressure. Low tire
pressure can cause tires to get too hot, resulting in tread sepa-
ration, sudden loss of pressure, and blowouts. Tires with ex-
cessively low pressure flex (bend) more, which can cause the
tire to overheat and fail suddenly without warning.

Check tires regularly for wear and damage.
Never drive with worn or damaged tires (for example, tires

with punctures, cuts, cracks, blisters, or bumps). Driving with
worn or damaged tires can lead to loss of vehicle control, sud-
den tire failure including blowouts and sudden deflation, crash-
es, and serious personal injuries.

Have worn or damaged tires replaced immediately.
Never exceed the maximum speed rating or the maximum

load rating of the tires on your vehicle.

The effectiveness of the driver assistance systems and the

braking support systems depends on the tire traction.

If you notice unusual vibration or if the vehicle pulls to one

side when driving, always stop as soon as it is safe to do so
and check the wheels and tires for damage.

To reduce the risk of losing control, crashes, and serious

personal injuries, never loosen the bolts on wheels with bolted
rim rings.

Never mount used tires on your vehicle if you are not sure of

their past use. Old, used tires and wheels may have damage
that cannot be seen that can lead to sudden tire failure and loss
of vehicle control.

Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail sudden-

ly, especially at high speeds, causing loss of vehicle control,
accidents, and severe personal injuries. 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.

For technical reasons it is usually not possible to use wheel rims

from other vehicles. Even wheel rims from the same model may not fit
properly. Check with an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility if necessary.

Tire and wheel handling

Fig. 110 Tire rotation diagram.

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Tires may be the least appreciated and most abused parts of a motor
vehicle. Tires are very important, since their small patches of rubber
are the only contact between your vehicle and the road.
Maintaining correct tire pressure, making sure that your vehicle and
its tires do not have to carry more weight than they can safely handle,
and regularly inspecting tires for damage (such as cuts, slashes, ir-
regular wear, and overall condition) are the most important things that
you can do to help avoid sudden tire failure, including tread separa-
tion and blowout.

The tires and wheels are essential parts of the vehicle's design. The
tires and wheels approved by Volkswagen are specially matched to
the characteristics of the vehicle for good road holding and safe han-
dling when in good condition and properly inflated.

Avoiding tire damage

If you must drive over a curb or other obstacle, drive very slowly

and as much as possible at a right angle to the curb with the tire tread
of both front wheels contacting the curb at the same time.

Regularly check tires for damage, such as punctures, cuts, tears

and blisters.

Remove embedded material in the tread profile that has not yet

penetrated the inside of the tire

⇒ Tire wear and damage.

Heed all warning messages from the Tire Pressure Monitoring Sys-

tem

Replace worn or damaged tires immediately

⇒ Tire wear and

damage.

Damage to tires and wheels is often not readily visible. If you notice

unusual vibration or the vehicle pulls to one side, this may indicate
that one of the tires is damaged. The tires must be checked immedi-
ately for hidden damage by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. See also

⇒ Tire wear and

damage.

Never exceed the load and permissible maximum speed rating of

the tires

⇒ Tire labeling.

Always keep aggressive chemicals including grease, oil, gasoline

and brake fluid off the tires, including the spare wheel

⇒ .

Replace missing valve caps immediately.

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

⇒ Tire labeling. Unidirectional tires must always be mounted

according to the specified direction of rotation in order to deliver their
best grip, braking performance, low road noise, and good wear as
well as good hydroplaning resistance.
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.

Rotating tires
To help ensure even wear on all tires, regular tire rotation according
to the diagram

⇒

fig. 110

is recommended. In this way all tires can

have about the same service life.
Volkswagen recommends that you have your tires rotated by an au-
thorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facili-
ty.

Tires more than 6 years old
Tires age even if they are not being used. Physical and chemical pro-
cesses 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 (an unused spare and 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 ( )

⇒ Tire label-

ing.

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.

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, acci-
dents, and severe personal injuries.

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 require-

ments.

Wheel rims

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

The design of the wheel bolts is matched to the factory-installed
wheels. If different wheels are installed, wheel bolts with the right
length and bolt head shape must be used. This helps to ensure that
wheels can be mounted securely and that the brakes will work cor-
rectly

⇒ Changing a wheel.

In most cases, you cannot use wheel bolts from a different vehicle.
Even wheel rims from the same model may not fit properly.
Tires and wheel rims approved by Volkswagen have been matched
precisely to your vehicle model and contribute considerably to good
handling and safe vehicle performance.

Tightening torque
Wheel bolts must always be installed with the correct tightening
torque

⇒ Changing a wheel. The required tightening torque for your

vehicle's wheel bolts is 88 ft-lbs (120 Nm). After changing a wheel,
the bolt torque must be checked as soon as possible with an accurate
torque wrench. See an authorized Volkswagen dealer or an author-
ized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Wheel rims with bolted rim rings
Wheel rims with bolted rim rings have several parts. The parts are
bolted together with special screws in a special process. This helps to
ensure that they will work properly, prevent leaks, run true and safely.

Damaged wheel rims must be replaced, and you must never take
them apart or try to repair them yourself. Have an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility re-
pair them for you

⇒ .

Wheel rims with bolted decorative covers
Light-alloy wheels may have interchangeable decorative covers at-
tached to the rim with self-locking screws. If you want to replace
damaged wheel covers, contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer
or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

WARNING

Using improper or damaged wheel rims can affect driving safe-
ty, cause accidents and severe personal injury.

Use only wheel rims approved for the vehicle.
Regularly check wheel rims for damage and replace them if

necessary.

WARNING

Improper loosening and tightening of the bolts on wheel rims
with bolted rim rings can cause accidents and severe personal
injury.

Never loosen bolted connections on wheel rims with bolted

rim rings.

Have all work on wheel rims with bolted rim rings performed

by an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen
Service Facility.

New and replacement tires

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

New tires

Drive a vehicle with new tires especially carefully for the first

350 miles (560 km) because the tires must first be broken in. Tires
that are not broken in have reduced traction and braking performance
⇒ .

Install only radial tires only of the same make, the same dimen-

sions (tread circumference), and similar tread profile on all 4 wheels.

The tread depth of new tires can differ between tire models and

manufacturers because of different design features and tread design.

Replacing tires

Tires should be replaced in pairs and not individually (both front

tires or both rear tires at the same time)

⇒ .

Replace tires only with tires that have the same specifications, in-

cluding width and diameter, load and top speed rating as the tires
approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle and model.

Never use tires that are larger or wider than the dimensions of the

tires approved by Volkswagen for your vehicle and model. Larger
tires could scrape and rub on the vehicle body or other parts of the
vehicle.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) considerations
Factory-installed wheels are equipped with a sensor that constantly
monitors tire pressure, then transmits this information to the TPMS

⇒

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). If you are going to replace
the wheels, make sure that the new wheels also have sensors that
are compatible with the TPMS on your vehicle. New wheels with sen-
sors have to be recognized and integrated into the system. The new
wheels and sensors are recognized and integrated when driving off
the first time.
If you install wheels that do not have sensors, or have sensors that
are not compatible, the TPMS will not work properly. In this case, the
TPMS will not be able to monitor tire pressure or warn you if pressure
is low. An error message may appear in the instrument cluster display
or the TPMS will switch itself off.

Whenever you change sensors, you have to install new valves and

seals. Please see an authorized Volkswagen dealer of an authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.

Always drive with the valve caps securely installed. We recom-

mend using factory-supplied valve caps. Ask an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or an authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to
replace lost caps.
If you install new tires that differ the original Volkswagen specifica-
tions, for your vehicle and model, the benchmark tire inflation pres-

sure values stored in your vehicle's TPMS may have to be adjusted
(reprogrammed). This requires professional assistance. For more
information, contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
Installing replacement tires with steel cord body plies in the tire side-
wall may cause malfunction of the TPMS, and is not recommended
(cord material information in molded on the tire sidewall).
Always check the TPMS indicator light after replacing one or more
tires on your vehicle. If the indicator light is on, the TPMS is not work-
ing properly. Your replacement tire might be incompatible with the
system, or some component of the TPMS may be damaged.
For detailed information about TPMS, how it works and what you
need to know

⇒ Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

WARNING

New tires tend to be slippery and must be broken in.

Always drive with special care for the first 350 miles (560 km)

to help reduce the risk of losing control, a collision, and serious
personal injuries.

WARNING

Tires must have the required clearance. Tires that do not have
enough clearance can rub against parts of the vehicle body,
suspension, and brake system, causing brake system failure,
tread delamination, and sudden blowouts.

Always make sure that new tires are not larger than the tires

approved for your vehicle and that the new tires do not rub
against parts of the vehicle.

NOTICE

When switching to different tires, make certain the valves and

sensors are not damaged.

Never drive without valve stem caps. The valves and sensors

could be damaged.

If a sensor for the Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be

replaced, the corresponding valve must be replaced at the same
time.

Always dispose of old tires in accordance with legal require-

ments.

TPMS wheel sensors are classified as Perchlorate Material –

special handling may apply. Obey all legal requirements regarding
handling and disposal of these components – see
http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate. Obey all appli-
cable legal requirements regarding handling and disposal of the vehi-
cle or parts of its restraint system, including airbag modules and safe-
ty belts with pretensioners. Authorized Volkswagen dealers and au-
thorized Volkswagen Service Facilities are familiar with the require-
ments, and we recommend that you have them perform this service
for you.

If the replacement wheel is different from the tires that you have

mounted on your vehicle — for example, winter tires, wider, low-
profile tires or a compact spare — only use the replacement wheel for
a short time and drive cautiously.

Replace it with a tire matching the others on your vehicle as soon

as possible.

Although tire size specifications can be the same, the actual di-

mensions may differ from those nominal values for different tire
makes, or the tire contours may be significantly different.

Tire inflation pressure

Fig. 111 On the driver door jamb: Location of the tire inflation pres-
sure label.

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

The correct tire inflation pressure for the factory-installed tires is listed
on a label. The factory-installed tires may be summer, winter, or all-
season tires. The label

⇒

fig. 111

is on the driver door jamb.

Under- or over-inflation significantly shortens the service life of your
tires and affects the handling of the vehicle

⇒ . The correct tire

pressure is very important, particularly when the vehicle is driven at
higher speeds. Incorrect tire pressure causes increased wear and
even sudden tire failure and blowouts.
Therefore, tire pressure should be checked at least once a month and
always before long trips.
The specified tire inflation pressure applies to a cold tire. When tires
are warm, the pressure will be higher than when the tires are cold.
Do not reduce the tire pressure on warm tires to match the required
cold tire inflation pressure. The tire inflation pressure would then be
too low and could cause sudden tire failure and blowout.

Checking tire inflation pressure
Always check the tire pressure only on “cold” tires when the vehicle
has not been driven more than a couple of miles (kilometers) at low
speed within the last 3 hours.

Check tire inflation pressure regularly and on cold tires. Check all

the tires, including the compact spare, if any. In colder climates tire
pressure should be checked more often, but only when the tires are
cold. Always use an accurate tire pressure gauge.

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

Please first read and note the introductory information and

heed the WARNINGS

Engine

Tire dimensions

Tire pressure

bar psi kPa

2.0 L / 200 hp (147 kW)

235/45 R 17

2.1

30 210

235/40 R 18 xl

2.3

33 230

3.6 L / 280 hp (206 kW)

235/45 R 17

2.3

33 230

235/40 R 18 xl

2.5

36 250

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.