When choosing tires and rims - be guided by the following recommendations:
- For technical reasons, never install wheels from other car brands, and in some cases even from modifications of this model.
- Tires and rims are structurally always created together i.e. this means that the tires must match the rims and vice versa.
- Whenever changing rims, such as changing to wheels with winter tires or installing wheels with light metal rims, only the supplied fasteners of the correct length, shape, etc. must be used. The strength of the wheel fastening and, as a result, the normal functioning of the brake system depends on this.
- The use of non-standard tires and wheels can adversely affect traffic safety.
- When installing additional protective caps, make sure that the air supply for cooling the brake system is not disturbed.
- It is best to replace tires and rims by specialists at service stations.
General recommendations
Check the tires from time to time, remove foreign objects stuck in the treads.
In order to prevent possible damage to tires and rims, try to drive over curbs and other obstacles at right angles. Do not allow oil, grease, fuel to get on the tires. In case of loss of valve caps, immediately replace them with new ones. When dismantling the wheels, mark them so as not to confuse them when reinstalling and thereby not violate the previous adjustment.
Removed wheels or tires must be stored in a dry, cool and, if possible, dark place. Tires removed from rims are stored vertically.
Spare wheel
Designed for temporary replacement of the main wheel.
New tires
New tires in the initial period of operation do not correspond to their optimal grip parameters. Requires rolling. Therefore, when running on new tires for the first 100 km, try not to drive at maximum speeds. The timing of their subsequent wear depends on a good break-in.
Tire wear
The timing of wear depends on the pressure in them. Excessive or, on the contrary, insufficient tire pressure reduces the period of their wear and impairs the driving performance of the car.
When driving for a long time at high speed, tires with insufficient air pressure increase and they heat up. The intensity of tread wear increases, the tire may even burst. In addition, fuel consumption increases.
Therefore - at least twice a month, and also before each long trip - check the pressure, including the spare tire. The pressure is checked on cold tires, on warm ones it is slightly higher. Don't forget about it and don't try to lower it! The prescribed pressure ratings are indicated on the plate on the inside of the fuel tank filler cap.
On modifications with decorative protective caps of a full profile, a valve extension is brought out. It is intended for control and regulation of pressure in tires. It is not necessary to unscrew. Tire wear also increases due to fast cornering, hard acceleration and braking of the car.
This is facilitated by any incorrect installation of the wheels, errors in adjustment. In these cases, the tires, as a rule, begin to wear out intensively on one side, and the stability of the machine is also impaired. The help of experts is required.
Tire wear signs
Signs of tire wear are small transverse abrasions, 1.6 mm deep in 6-8 places around the entire perimeter of the wheel at regular intervals. See drawing. Tire side markings in the form of letters. For example - TWI or triangles - indicate an acceptable level of wear.
If the tread profile in these places is no longer visible, the tire needs to be changed.
In Germany, the maximum permissible tread profile depth in these areas according to the traffic regulations is 1 mm, in countries of export, these standards may be different.
Worn tires are a source of increased danger. When driving at high speeds, especially in wet weather, the required kinematic grip of the wheels with the road is lost and they can come off it, therefore it is better not to wait for the tires to wear out to a critical state, but to replace them with new ones in a timely manner.
Wheel swap
If the treads of the front tires are noticeably worn, it is recommended to replace them with the rear ones. See diagram. Thanks to this rearrangement, all tires will have approximately the same life. Depending on the nature of wear, cross-shaped rearrangement is allowed.
In case of noticeable wear of the treads of the tires of the front wheels, it is recommended to change them in places with the rear (see diagram). Thanks to this rearrangement, all tires will have approximately the same life.
Tire change
For traffic safety, tires should be changed in pairs along the axles. At the same time, tires with a more preserved tread profile are always installed on the front wheels.
Tires can only be replaced with radial tires, if possible, of the same modification, the same dimensions and, preferably, even the same tread profile.
For safety reasons, when replacing tubeless tires, it is also recommended to replace rubber valves.
Installation of cameras on tubeless tires is allowed only in exceptional cases. In this case, you need to make sure that there is no accumulation of air between the tire and the chamber. He must be pitted.
Tire repairs should only be carried out by specialists. This requires extensive specialist knowledge.
Wheel balancing
The wheels of a new car are balanced at the factory. During operation, for various reasons, their imbalance may occur, which can be felt immediately by the behavior of the steering. Wheel imbalance contributes to a significant reduction in the life of the steering, suspension, and accelerates tire wear. Therefore, make sure that the wheels are always properly balanced.
Balancing is also necessary after any repair or replacement of tires.
Winter tires
In winter operating conditions, even in vehicles with four-wheel drive, winter tires significantly improve the driving performance of the car. Especially for modifications with VR or HR brand tires. Such tires are designed for driving at high speeds and are made of special heat-resistant rubber, which is not entirely suitable for use on slippery roads with snow and ice. When switching to winter tires, observe the following rules:
- Winter tires must be of radial construction only.
- It is advisable to install immediately on all four wheels.
- The pressure in them should be 0.2 bar higher than in summer ones. See section "Specifications".
- When the tread profile is worn down to a depth of 4 mm, winter tires lose their specific purpose and advantages for operation in winter conditions.
- All-weather tires can be used instead of winter tires.
- On SR- modification tires with the letter Q at the end of the digital code on the side and HR- tires (and the letter T) - the maximum speed of movement should be no more than 160 and 190 km / h, respectively.
Anti-skid chains
Snow chains can be matched to all tire sizes.
At the Audi Quattro, chains are installed only on the front wheels. They must be thin, not thicker than 15 mm, including the lock sector and with side links not thicker than 10 mm. Designed for driving on snowy roads. Not applicable in other conditions - may damage tires or tear
The speed limit for driving with snow chains in Germany is 50 km/h.
It is not permitted to store the chain on the spare wheel for technical reasons.
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