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Wheels and tyres

Wheels and tyres

Your tyres are your only contact with the road. Discover information, products and services concerning your wheels and tyres – right here.

225/45 R17 94 W - explained in seven steps

What do the numbers on my tyres mean? In addition to the manufacturer and product name, you will find a lot of important tyre information, such as the type of tyre, rim diameter and maximum speed on your tyres.

Tyre Width in Millimeter
Height-width ratio
Tyre Design
Rim diameter in inches
Load Index
Speed Index
Date of Manufacture
Tyre Width in Millimeter
Height-width ratio
Tyre Design
Rim diameter in inches
Load Index
Speed Index
Date of Manufacture

It is measured from the sidewall to the sidewall of your tyre. Car tyres are between 125 and 335 mm wide.

How high is the tire compared to the width of its cross section in percent? The smaller the number, the lower the tire sidewall.

The tire carcass consists of fine cord threads.

R (radial tire):
The threads run at right angles to the direction of travel.
D (diagonal tires):
The threads run at an angle. R and D tires must not be combined.
RF (Run Flat Tire):
Self-supporting tire with run-flat properties.

It is measured from rim edge to rim edge. 10 to 20 "are common.

Indicates the maximum load capacity of the tire in connection with its maximum speed. At 94, e.g. B. approved a maximum of 670 kg.

The permissible maximum speed is to be seen in connection with the load index. The load capacity of the tires can decrease at high speeds.

You will find the so-called Date of Manufacturer number on at least one side of the tire. It provides information about the date of manufacture. The last four numbers are relevant here. The first two digits indicate the week of production as a calendar week and the last two as the year of production.

Tread depth and braking distance

Adequate tread depth is essential to your safety as the tyre tread helps to remove water from the road surface allowing your tyre to grip the road. As your tyre tread depth wears down, its ability to remove water and grip in the wet is reduced, compromising your safety.

The recommended minimum tread depth for a car tyre is 1.6mm across the central three quarters of the tyre around its entire circumference.

We'll gladly check your tyres tread depth, but if you'd like to do it yourself all you need is 20 cents.

Checking that your tyres comply with the minimum tread depth regulations is easy and should be carried out on a regular basis, we recommend once a month. The most accurate method is to use a calibrated tread depth gauge, checking the depth in at least three points around the tyre.

If you don't have a calibrated tread depth gauge, a quick and easy way to check is by using a 20 cents coin. Simply place the coin into the main tread of your tyre. If the marked rim of the coin doesn't totally disappear into the tread, it should be checked by your authorised Volkswagen service centre.

If your tyres need to be replaced, we have selection of tyre brands at competitive prices.

Tyre damage

Damages to the tyre put your safety and the safety of fellow road users at risk.

Abrasion points
Embedded foreign objects
Cracks, ruptures and porous areas
Abrasion points
Embedded foreign objects
Cracks, ruptures and porous areas

Abrasion points are generally found on the tyre sidewall. These are not wear-and-tear marks caused by simple road use - they are the result of e.g. bumping the kerb. Abrasion points are often dismissed as harmless damages. But: even the vehicle carcass can be damaged by a strong collision. Damages to the carcass are not immediately visible from the outside - making them particularly dangerous. The carcass may break or moisture may seep into the vehicle interior, leading to corrosion of the metal mesh. So, a seemingly harmless abrasion point may lead to the entire tyre becoming unstable. A tyre expert can recognise the pattern of damages - so get in touch with your professional workshop straight away.

Tip:
Do your rims bear clear traces of an impact? Then your tyres might also be affected.

Every now and then, embedded fragments, nails or sharp stones can find their way into the contact surface area. Foreign objects can come into contact with the tyres at any time and any place - especially on gravel surfaces or around construction sites. It's very rare for this to cause to tyre to "burst". It's more likely to cause a dangerous, gradual loss of pressure. What's more, moisture may reach the tyre interior and lead to the corrosion of a steel cord belt. In the worst case scenario, this may cause the tread or the belt to detach. A tyre expert can assess the damages - so get in touch with your professional workshop straight away.

Traces of ageing are not signs of wear-and-tear, but rather damages caused by improper storage. The correct way to store tyres is in a cool, dark and dry environment - and it's important to not stack too many tyres on top of each other. However, if tyres are stored in a place where they are exposed to a lot of sunshine, for example, the UV rays allow the softening agent in the tyres to escape. Over time, this results in the emergence of fine cracks. So, if you notice any cracks, ruptures or porous areas in your tyres, do no re-mount them for the new season. If you are unsure about anything concerning these points, consult a tyre expert in your professional workshop.

Abnormal tyre wear

If the wear pattern of your car tyre is unevenly distributed over the entire tread, then you should be aware: You can find out which irregular wear patterns you have to deal with here.

Sawtooth formation
Abrasion mainly in the middle of the tread
Abrasion mainly on the tyre shoulders
Brake or stand plates
Severe abrasion from just one tyre shoulder
Sawtooth formation
Abrasion mainly in the middle of the tread
Abrasion mainly on the tyre shoulders
Brake or stand plates
Severe abrasion from just one tyre shoulder

Features:
Irregular wear on the tyre shoulder in the shape of a sawtooth, louder rolling noise.

Possible causes:
Defective shock absorbers, misaligned axle geometry, sporty or over-cautious driving style.

Consequences:
Faster usability, more frequent tire changes and the associated additional costs.

Characteristics:
Uniform wear all around in the middle of the tread.

Possible causes:
Too much pressure, therefore mainly the depressed center of the tyre touches the road or exceeds the permitted maximum speed of the tyre.

Consequences:
More frequent tyre changes and associated additional costs.

The best thing to do is to ask your specialist workshop - and check the correct tyre pressure regularly.

Features:
Significantly less worn profile in the middle of the tread than on the two shoulders.

Possible causes:
Too low air pressure, because when rolling, mainly the shoulder areas of the tyre touch the road (with even wear) or habitually fast driving through curves with too little tyre pressure (more wear on the outer shoulder).

Consequences:
Faster usability and associated additional costs. In extreme cases, the carcass may be damaged or the tyre may suddenly fail because the carcass damage remains even if the tyre is driven with the correct pressure again.

Check the air pressure regularly and contact your specialist workshop if you are unsure.

Features:
Wear pattern distributed all around the tyre or selectively.

Possible causes:
Strong or full braking on a blocked tyre (brake plate), usually only in vehicles without ABS, or due to a long service life of the tyre or vehicle in connection with insufficient air pressure (base plate).

If you have any questions about the further suitability of the tyre, please contact your specialist workshop.

Characteristics:
Heavy abrasion on only one shoulder on one or all wheels.

Possible causes:
Incorrectly adjusted or worn undercarriage, overloading or no approved wheel / tyre combination.

With this appearance, you should definitely contact your specialist workshop.

The tyre pressure control system

Less consumption and more driving comfort

Too little tyre pressure quickly leads to tyre damage - the reason for around 40% of all accidents with personal injury. 1 Since November 2014, we have been equipping all Volkswagen passenger car and SUV models with a tyre pressure control system.

Direct system

How it works:

- A tyre pressure sensor is installed in each wheel.
- It transmits the information to a control unit.
- The on-board computer shows the tyre pressure.
- If the pressure drops, the system warns the driver.

Direct system models, standard:

- Touareg
- Arteon

Models with direct system, on request:

- Tiguan
- Passat
- Touran NF

Indirect system

How it works:

- The system does not measure the pressure, but the speed of the wheels
- Depending on the tire pressure, a wheel covers a certain distance during one revolution.
- This results in the speed of the wheel.
- The system calculates the pressure from the speed.
- If the engine speed increases, the pressure drops and the system warns the driver.

Indirect system models:

- Polo
- Golf
- Touran
- Tiguan
- Passat
- Sharan

There are many layers hidden inside your car tyre

Every tyre is made up of a contact surface and a tyre substructure

Contact surface and tyre substructure (carcass)

1. Tread - for an effective grip on the road and for taking up and draining water
2. Jointless bandage - enables high speeds
3. Steel cord belts layers - optimise driving stability and rolling resistance
4. Textile cord insert - maintains the shape of the tyre, even at high interior pressure
5. Inner liner - renders the tyre airtight
6. Side wall - protects against lateral damages
7. Apex - supports driving stability and steering behaviour and comfort response
8. Steel core - ensures a firm fit to the rim
9. Tyre bead reinforcement - supports driving stability and precise steering behaviour

How to increase tyre service life

A tyre’s maximum service life is six years – that’s assuming that they’re not damaged, the tread hasn’t been worn down earlier. The DOT number on your tyres will provide information about their age. Here are a few tips for a long tyre service life

Avoid hot tyres

Avoid racing starts and do not drive with hot tyres.

Stay away from the kerb

Do not hit the kerb when parking: It may damage the rubber outer layer and the inner structure of your tyres.

Correct air pressure

Lower pressure - higher degree of wear. Check your tyre pressure on a regular basis and increase it if you are driving with a heavy load. But be careful: Too high a pressure can also be damaging.

Regular checks

Measure the tread depth on a regular basis and check your tyres for damages and deformations.

Volkswagen Tyre Shield

At Volkswagen, having you drive safely is our priority. That is why we introduced Volkswagen Tyre Shield to offer you extra protection when investing in new tyres for your car. You can now enjoy a safer driving experience with added peace of mind that your tyres are being protected the way they should be.

What is it about?

Volkswagen Tyre Shield is a value-added assurance plan for new tyres. The plan provides protection for your tyres against damages that result in air leak and offers an attractive price rebate of up to 100% should there be a need for you to subsequently replace your tyres. 

How do I qualify?

Simply buy 4 new tyres* in a single purchase at any Volkswagen Centre Singapore, and these tyres will be insured under the Volkswagen Tyre Shield at no additional cost.

What are the benefits?

Volkswagen Tyre Shield allows you to enjoy these benefits for your new tyres:

  1. Value-added tyre insurance at no additional cost.
  2. Peace of mind protection for up to 24 months or 40,000 km mileage, whichever comes first.
  3. Coverage from any form of tyre damage that results in air leak.
  4. Attractive price rebates of up to 100%. 

How can I make a claim?

For your convenience, a certificate will be presented to you upon your new tyre purchase. To make a claim, simply present the certificate, your invoice as proof-of-purchase together with the damaged tyre at any Volkswagen Centre Singapore. We will replace it with a new tyre based on the corresponding rebate amount.

How much rebate can I claim?

The rebate amount is determined by the mileage of your car or duration of usage from the date of tyre purchase, whichever comes first.

How many times can I claim for each tyre? 

You can make one single claim for each tyre within the coverage period of up to 24 months or 40,000 km mileage, whichever comes first.

*Terms and conditions apply.

Duration Usage from date of purchase Up to 3 month 4 to 6 month 7 to 9 month 10 to 12 month 13 to 18 month 19 to 24 month 24 month + 1 day
Vehicle usage km (odometer) from date of purchase 1 to 5,000km 5,001 to 10,000km 10,001 to 15,000km 15,001 to 20,000km 20,001 to 30,000km 30,001 to 40,000km > 40,001km
Rebate from purchase invoice 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 10% 0%
Payment for replacement tyre 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 90% 100%
Terms & conditions

Tyre Shield (the plan) is only applicable for tyres purchased from Volkswagen Centre Singapore that qualify for this plan. Volkswagen Group Singapore shall inform owner, at the point of purchase, whether or not the selected tyre make, model and size qualify for this plan. 

Volkswagen Group Singapore reserves the right to change the tyres that qualify for this plan from time to time without prior notice. 

For tyres that qualify for this plan, a minimum of four tyres will need to be purchased at any one time and within a single invoice. 

A certificate will be issued for your safekeeping if the tyres qualify for the plan. The - Improper tyre maintenance by the driver certificate and original invoice will need to be presented upfront when you exercise the plan for any applicable rebate. Volkswagen Group Singapore reserves the right to reject any claims and/or rebates if proper documentation is not presented. 

Should the Tyre Shield Certificate be misplaced; the plan shall be considered null and void. No replacement certificate will be issued. 

The plan will cover your newly purchased tyres for a period of up to 24 months or for a mileage of up to 40,000 km, whichever comes first. 

The plan only allows one single claim for each tyre within the coverage period of up to 24 months or 40,000 km of mileage, whichever comes first. 

The plan covers the tyres from any form of damage resulting in air leakage. 

The plan does not cover aesthetic damage to the tyre due to wear and tear, such as minor surface tear and/or scratches to the tyre without resulting in any air leakage. The plan also does not cover any associated parts of the wheel and other parts of the vehicle, including but not limited to the rim of the wheel, that may be damaged. 

The plan entitles you to replacement tyres of the same make and specifications, where possible and subject to availability at the point of claim. If the exact make of tyre is unavailable, an equivalent tyre of similar cost and specification of the replacement tyre. 

The plan does not cover damage to the tyres due to any of the following reasons:

  • Incorrect tyre alignment and uneven wear

  • Improper tyre maintenance by the driver

  • Vibrations and/or noise attributed to one or more tyres 

  • Improper use of tyres 

  • Road accidents

  • Usage in competitive racing

  • Malicious action and/or vandalism 

  • Theft and/or fire 

  • Improper vehicle storage causing flat spots

  • Cause from any mechanical defect of vehicle 

  • Repair done by any third party other than Volkswagen Centre Singapore

The rebate amount for the plan will be based on the initial purchase price of the tyres, before taxes (GST), as indicated in the original invoice. 

The plan shall only cover the tyres for vehicles registered in Singapore. 

The damaged tyre must be presented and given to Volkswagen Group Singapore for any rebate in the plan to be effective. Thereafter, the damaged tyre will be the property of Volkswagen Group Singapore. 

The rebate is strictly applicable for purchase of new tyres at any Volkswagen Centre Singapore. The rebate is not exchangeable for cash, services or any other items. 

The plan is strictly not transferable to any subsequent vehicle owner or to another registered vehicle. 

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