Note: The tires and rims suitable for use on the vehicle, as well as the tire inflation pressure, are indicated on the plate attached to the B-pillar on the driver's side (see specifications in the Chapter "Controls and operating techniques").
1. For sporty driving, it is recommended to increase the tire pressure by 0.3 atm, based on the base value for different load conditions.
2. Winter tires, as a rule, have a pressure 0.2 atm higher than summer tires. It is necessary to take into account the recommendations of winter tire manufacturers, and also remember that such tires have a speed limit.
3. Regularly checking your tires will help you avoid the hassle of being stopped on the road due to a flat tire. In addition, such checks provide valuable information about possible problems with the steering and suspension before serious damage occurs.
4. The tires used on the vehicles in question are equipped with built-in tread wear indicator strips that become exposed when the tread depth decreases to 1.6 mm. The location of such indicators is indicated by the TWI inscriptions on the sidewall of the tire. When the indicator appears, the tires are considered worn. In most cases, it is recommended to replace tires with a tread depth of less than 3 mm (for winter tires - less than 4 mm). Tread depth can also be determined using a simple and inexpensive device known as a tread depth gauge.
5. Pay attention to any unusual tread wear. Tread defects such as cavities, bulges, flattening and more severe wear on one side indicate a violation of the wheel alignment angles and/or wheel balancing. If any of these defects are detected, contact a tire repair shop to have them corrected (see illustration).
12.5. Examples and possible causes of tire wear
6. Tires are subject to aging, so it is recommended to replace them (including spare tire), regardless of their actual wear, at least once every six years. The tire's manufacturing date is encrypted in the marking on the sidewall of the tire: "DOT...1005" means that the tire was manufactured in week 10 of 2005.
6. Check your tires carefully for cuts, punctures, and stuck nails or tacks. Sometimes, after a tire has been punctured by a nail, it will still hold its pressure for a while or deflate very slowly. If you suspect that you have such a "slow puncture," first check the tire inflation valve for leaks. Then inspect the tread to see if there are any foreign objects stuck in it or previously repaired punctures that have started to let air through again. You can verify that there is a puncture by wetting the suspected area with soapy water. If there is a puncture, the solution will start to bubble. If the puncture is not too big, the tire can be repaired at any tire shop.
7. Carefully inspect the sidewalls of the tires on the inside of the wheel for traces of brake fluid. If any, check the brake system immediately.
8. Maintaining the correct tire pressure increases their life, helps save fuel and improves overall driving comfort. A pressure gauge is required to check the pressure.
9. Always check tire pressure when tires are cold (i.e. before traveling by car). If you check the pressure on warm or heated tires, this will lead to overestimation of the pressure gauge readings due to thermal expansion of air. In this case, you should not lower the pressure, because after the tire cools down, it will be lower than normal.
10. To check the inflation pressure of the tire, remove the protective cap from the valve, then press the pressure gauge nozzle firmly against the inflation valve and read the reading - it must meet the requirements of the Specifications to the Chapter "Controls and Operating Techniques". Do not forget to replace the protective cap to prevent dirt and moisture from getting into the valve. Check the pressure in all tires, not forgetting the spare tire, and inflate them if necessary.
11. If the front wheels are very worn, you can swap them with the rear wheels, although this may worsen the dynamic characteristics of the car.
The original article is posted on the resource: AUDImanual