Fig. 166 Tire tread: tread wear indicator.
The tread wear indicator is 1.6 mm (1/16 in) above the base of the tread fig. 166. Markings on the sides of the tire indicate the location of the tread wear indicator
fig. 166.
The tread wear indicator indicates if a tire is worn out. At the latest, the tire must be replaced if the tread depth is worn down to the tread wear indicator.
When you check the tread depth, you must check the wear indicators of all tread grooves
WARNING
Worn tires are a safety risk and make it difficult to control the vehicle well. They increase the braking distance and the risk of skidding.
Worn tires have significantly less grip. Particularly on wet roads, the vehicle is more likely to “hydroplane”.
Worn tires could cause loss of vehicle control, serious accidents and death.
Replace tires with new tires when the tires are worn down to the tread wear indicator.
Wheels and tires in snow and ice
Winter tires
Summer tires offer very little holding force on icy or snowy roads. Winter or all-season tires improve vehicle handling and braking performance in winter road
conditions. Volkswagen recommends using winter tires on the vehicle at temperatures below +7 °C (+45 °F) or in winter road conditions. This also applies to
vehicles with all-wheel drive (4MOTION).
The effectiveness of winter or all-season tires is greatly reduced when the tire tread is worn down to a depth of 3/16 in (4 mm).
The following applies when using winter tires:
Follow all applicable laws in the country of operation.
Use winter tires on all four wheels at the same time.
Only use in winter road conditions.
Only use the tire sizes permitted for the vehicle.
Only use winter tires that have the same belt construction, size, and tread pattern. Exception ⇒ Handling tires.
Follow the speed restriction based on the speed rating.
Speed restriction
Winter tires have a speed restriction based on their speed rating ⇒ Tire labeling and tire classifications.
A speed warning can be set in the Vehicle settings menu in the Infotainment System under the Tires menu.
On V winter tires, the speed restriction and required tire pressure depend on the engine. Always ask an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen
Service Facility about the permitted speed and required tire pressure. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized
Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
In winter road conditions, do not let the improved driving characteristics of winter tires tempt you to take safety risks, as otherwise you may lose control of the
vehicle, resulting in serious injuries.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions.
305
When temperatures are above +7 °C (+45 °F), summer tires provide better vehicle handling. There is less road noise, the tires wear more slowly, and economy
is better.
For vehicles with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, the system must be recalibrated after changing to winter tires ⇒ How the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Works.
The speed limit and tire load of winter tires may differ from those of summer tires.
You can contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for permitted winter tire sizes. Volkswagen recommends
contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Snow chains
Note the legal requirements and the permitted maximum speed when driving with snow chains.
Snow chains improve driving and braking handling when on roads covered with ice or snow.
Snow chains may only be mounted on the rear wheels and only on the following tire/rim combinations:
Battery capacity for high-voltage battery
52 (55) kWh, 58 (62)kWh
77 (82) kWh
Tire size
Rim
235/55 R19
255/50 R19
8 J x 19 ET45
8 J x 19 ET45
If possible, use fine-mesh snow chains that include a chain lock no larger than 12 mm (approx. 15/32 in).
Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for more information about wheel, tire, and snow
chain sizes. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Snow chains may only be used on tire/rim combinations that are approved for snow chain operation.
If using snow chains, remove the wheel covers and rim accent rings before mounting the snow chains. However, the wheel bolts must be covered with caps for
safety reasons. Caps can be obtained from an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an
authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Using snow chains on the compact spare tire or collapsible spare tire
Using snow chains on the compact spare tire or collapsible spare tire is not permitted for technical reasons.
1. If a rear tire is flat, mount the compact spare wheel or collapsible spare wheel on the front axle.
2. Replace the damaged rear wheel with the removed front wheel. Pay attention to the running direction when doing this.
The vehicle may be equipped with wheels that differ in tire and rim size on each axle. The different wheels must not be interchanged between the front and rear
axles, as this may also invalidate the vehicle's operating license. In this case, snow chains must not be used with a compact spare wheel or collapsible spare whee
on the vehicle.
Volkswagen recommends attaching the snow chains before mounting the wheel.
WARNING
Using unsuitable snow chains or installing snow chains incorrectly can cause serious accidents and death.
Always use the correct snow chains.
Only use snow chains on the tire/rim combinations approved by Volkswagen.
Follow the installation instructions provided by the snow chain manufacturer.
Never drive faster than intended according to the specifications of the snow chain manufacturer or permitted by law when snow chains are mounted.
NOTICE
If snow chains are used on routes that are not snowy, they will impair the driving characteristics, damage the tires, and be quickly destroyed.
Remove snow chains when driving on roads without snow.
NOTICE
Snow chains that come into contact with the rim directly can scratch or damage the rim.
To prevent damage, use snow chains with integrated rim protection.
On vehicles with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, the system must be reprogrammed after snow chains are mounted ⇒ How the Tire Pressure Monitoring
306
System Works.
Troubleshooting
Damage to tires and rims can often occur where it is not visible ⇒
.
If you suspect that a wheel is damaged, slow down and stop as soon as traffic allows and it is safe to do so.
Vehicle pulls to one side or unusual vibrations
The vehicle pulls to the left or right when driving, or there are unusual vibrations. This could indicate tire damage or too low a tire inflation pressure.
Check the tires!
Slow down immediately and stop the vehicle as soon as the traffic situation allows and it is safe to do so.
1. Check the tires and rims for damage.
2. Do not continue driving if there is tire damage.
3. Replace the damaged wheel ⇒
Introduction. If necessary, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for
assistance.
Or: seal the damaged tire using the tire mobility set and inflate it with air
⇒
Introduction.
4. If no exterior damage is visible, drive slowly and carefully to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have the
vehicle checked. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Foreign object stuck in the tire
A foreign object is stuck in the tire or between the tread segments.
On vehicles with run-flat tires (AirStop® tires): leave the object in the tire and contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Sealant that has been applied to the inside of the
tire running surface will surround the object and seal the tire temporarily.
1. If an object has punctured through to the inside of a tire, leave the object in place. Objects stuck between the tire tread segments can be removed.
2. Replace the damaged wheel ⇒
Introduction. If necessary, contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility for
assistance.
Or: seal the damaged tire using the tire mobility set and inflate it with air
⇒
Introduction.
3. Check and adjust the tire pressure.
4. Contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or
authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Tires lose traction
The vehicle loses traction when driving along curved stretches, and swerves. The braking distance is longer and the anti-slip regulation (ASR) and the anti-lock
brake system (ABS) take control earlier.
The tire may be too worn down to guarantee sufficient traction ⇒ Monitoring the tread depth.
1. Go slowly and carefully to the nearest suitably qualified professional to have the vehicle checked. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized
Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Wheel bolts can only be undone with difficulty
Wheel bolts can corrode over time. This means that the wheel bolts can only be undone with difficulty.
1. Contact professional assistance, or drive slowly and carefully to the nearest qualified professional to have the vehicle checked. Volkswagen recommends
contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
WARNING
Unusual vibrations or the vehicle pulling to one side while driving may indicate tire damage.
Tire damage could cause loss of vehicle control, accidents and serious or fatal injuries.
Slow down immediately and stop the vehicle as soon as the traffic situation allows and it is safe to do so.
Check the tires and rims for damage.
Never continue driving with damaged tires or rims. Instead, seek professional assistance.
If no exterior damage is visible, drive slowly and carefully to the nearest authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility to have
the vehicle checked. Volkswagen recommends contacting an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
307
2024 VW ID.4 Owner's Manual
