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Table of Contents > Rims and tires > Change a wheel

VW Tiguan 2021 Owner's Manual ➜ Change a wheel

If hubcaps are fitted incorrectly, they could come  
off while driving and endanger other road users.  
change a wheel  
Introduction to the topic  
Β· Do not use damaged hubcaps.  
Β· Always make sure that the ventilation of the  
brakes is not interrupted or diminished. Also  
take this into account if you retrofit hubcaps.  
Insufficient ventilation can cause the braking  
distance to increase considerably.  
Only change a wheel yourself if you are familiar with  
the necessary operations and safety measures, if  
you have the necessary tools and if the vehicle is  
parked safely.  
Some vehicles come from the factory without a jack  
or wheel brace. In this case, have the wheel replaced  
by a duly qualifi ed specialized workshop. Volkswagen  
recommends a Volkswagen dealer.  
WARNING  
The hubcap can be screwed on firmly. Do not  
disassemble it using force.  
The factory-included jack has only been designed in  
the event that a vehicle tire becomes damaged and  
needs to be replaced. If both tires on one side of the  
vehicle, both on the same axle or all of them are  
damaged, seek help from a suitably qualified specialist  
workshop. Volkswagen recommends a Volkswagen  
dealer.  
Wheel bolt caps  
WARNING  
Changing a wheel can be dangerous, especially  
if it is done at the edge of the road. To reduce  
the risk of serious injury, observe the following: Β·  
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible. Park  
the vehicle a safe distance from road traffic to be  
able to change the wheel.  
Β· While changing the wheel, all occupants, and  
especially children, should always be at a safe  
distance and out of the work area.  
Fig. 254 Remove the caps from the wheel bolts.  
Β· Switch on emergency flashers to warn other  
road users.  
The caps protect the wheel bolts and must be  
pushed back in as far as they will go after changing  
the wheel.  
Β· Make sure the ground is level and firm.  
If necessary, use a wide, stable base to  
support the jack.  
Removing and installing the caps  
1. Remove: Take out the removal hook from the  
Β· Only change a wheel yourself if you are familiar  
on-board tools ΓΏ p. 312.  
with the necessary operations. Otherwise,  
seek help from a suitably qualified specialist  
workshop. Volkswagen recommends a  
Volkswagen dealer.  
2. Insert the hook into the hole in the hood ΓΏ fig.  
254 and pull in the direction of the arrow.  
3. Fit: Fit the caps onto the mounting screws  
Β· To change a wheel, always use suitable tools  
and in perfect condition.  
roll to the top.  
The anti-theft wheel bolt has a different cap, which  
is only compatible with the anti-theft wheel bolt and  
is not suitable for conventional bolts.  
Β· To reduce the risk of the vehicle rolling over  
If you move unintentionally, always switch off the  
engine and place the selector lever in position P.  
To reduce the risk that the vehicle may roll  
away unintentionally, engage a gear if the  
transmission is manual.  
368  
rims and tires  
Engage the electronic parking brake  
WARNING  
co.  
For your own safety, do not ignore this important  
checklist, otherwise accidents and serious injuries  
could result.  
Β· After changing a wheel, order immediately  
Check the torque of the wheel bolts with a  
perfectly working torque wrench.  
Β· Always follow the operations in the checklist.  
Β· If the vehicle is equipped with a tire monitoring system, you  
have to re-adapt the system immediately after changing a  
wheel ΓΏ p. 351.  
Β· Observe generally applicable security measures.  
wheel bolts  
Steps prior to changing a wheel  
,
Please note on  
page 368.  
at the beginning of this chapter,  
,
Please note on  
page 368.  
at the beginning of this chapter,  
Loosen the wheel bolts  
checklist  
In preparation for changing a wheel, always  
carry out the following operations in the order  
indicated ΓΏ :  
1. If you experience a tire failure, if possible park  
the vehicle on level, firm ground at a safe  
distance from road traffic.  
2. Engage the electronic parking brake.  
co.  
3. If the transmission is automatic, position the lever  
reader in position P.  
4. Shut off the engine and switch off the ignition.  
5. Remove the key from the ignition lock.  
6. If the change is manual, engage a gear.  
7. Get all the occupants out of the vehicle and  
Fig. 255 Changing the wheel: loosen the wheel bolts.  
To loosen the wheel bolts, use an appropriate wheel  
wrench.  
take them to a safe place away from road  
traffic.  
Before jacking up the vehicle, loosen the wheel  
bolts only approx.  
8. Connect the emergency flashers and co  
lock the warning triangle ΓΏ p. 69.  
1. Insert the wheel spanner into the screw as far as  
it will go ΓΏ fig. 255.  
Observe the legal provisions in this regard.  
2. Hold the key by the end and turn the screw  
approx. one turn counterclockwise ΓΏ .  
9. Block the diagonally opposite wheel with a rock,  
collapsible chocks, or other suitable object.  
Or: If a screw cannot be loosened, use your  
foot on the end of the key carefully. When doing  
so, hold on to the vehicle and try not to lose  
your balance.  
10. If you are using a trailer, unhitch it from the  
towing vehicle and park it ΓΏ p. 293.  
11. If the trunk is loaded, remove all the equipment  
heh.  
12. Take the spare tire (conventional or inflatable)  
or the emergency tire and the on-board tools  
out of the trunk.  
5 N M 0 1 2 7 6 0 A J  
13. Remove the hubcaps ΓΏ p. 367.  
change a wheel  
369  
Loosen the anti-theft wheel bolt  
Β· The wheel bolts and threaded holes in the wheel  
hubs must be clean, free of oil and grease. The  
screws must be able to be easily screwed in and  
out.  
Β· To loosen and tighten the wheel bolts, use only the  
wheel wrench supplied with the vehicle from the  
factory.  
Β· Before raising the vehicle with the jack, loosen  
the wheel bolts only one turn  
approx.  
Β· Never apply grease or oil to the wheel bolts or  
threaded holes in the wheel hub. Even if the bolts  
Fig. 256 Changing a wheel: tire valve 1  
are tightened to the prescribed torque, they could  
loosen while driving.  
and anti-theft wheel bolt mounting locations 2  
or 3 .  
Β· Never loosen the threaded connections of the wheel  
studs with screwed hoops.  
1. Take the adapter for the anti-theft screw from the on-  
board tools.  
Periodically check the tightening torque  
with a torque wrench. If the wheel bolts are  
tightened below the prescribed torque, the bolts  
and the rims could come loose while driving. On  
the contrary, an excessive tightening torque could  
damage the screws and the thread.  
2. Insert the adapter into the anti-theft screw as far as  
it will go.  
3. Fit the wheel wrench into the adapter until it  
stop.  
4. Hold the end of the key and turn the screw approx.  
one turn counterclockwise ΓΏ .  
WARNING  
If unsuitable wheel bolts are fitted, they could come  
loose while driving. This could cause loss of vehicle  
control, an accident, and serious injury.  
Screw in the anti-theft wheel bolt (integral hubcap)  
On wheels with full hubcaps, the anti-theft wheel bolt  
must be screwed into the position ΓΏ fig. 256 2 or 3 valve  
, taking as reference  
position of the tire 1 . Otherwise it will not be possible to  
Β· Only use wheel bolts that correspond to the rim in  
question.  
Β· Never use different wheel bolts.  
mount the hubcap.  
Wheel bolt tightening torque  
Subwoofer  
Prescribed tightening torque for bolts on steel and light-  
alloy wheels:  
,
Please note on  
page 368.  
at the beginning of this chapter,  
β€” 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs)  
Before checking the tightening torque, replace the  
wheel bolts that are rusty and difficult to unscrew and  
screw in, and clean the threaded holes of the wheel  
hub.  
In order to remove the spare wheel, the subwoofer  
must first be disassembled.  
Never apply grease or oil to the wheel bolts or  
threaded holes in the wheel hub.  
After changing a wheel, have the torque checked  
immediately with a fully functioning torque wrench.  
WARNING  
If the wheel bolts are tightened improperly, they  
could come loose while driving. This could cause loss  
of vehicle control, an accident and serious injury.  
370  
rims and tires  
Removing and installing the subwoofer (variant 1)  
6. 7-seater vehicles: Lower the third row of  
seats and raise the back of the rear seat  
ro.  
7. Close the tailgate.  
Removing and installing the subwoofer (variant 2)  
Fig. 257 In the boot: remove the subwoofer (variant  
1).  
Disassemble the subwoofer:  
1. 7-seater vehicles: Move the third row of seats forwards  
and fold the rear seat back forwards ΓΏ p. 105.  
Fig. 258 In the boot: remove the subwoofer (variant  
2).  
2. Open the tailgate.  
Disassemble the subwoofer:  
1. Open the tailgate.  
3. Remove the boot floor ΓΏ p. 287.  
4. If necessary, lift up the floor covering and remove it.  
2. Raise the variable boot floor until it is held in place by the  
side notches.  
5. 7-seater vehicles: Raise the third row of seats with the  
loops on the seat frame on the trunk side until the row  
3. Unscrew the knob ΓΏ fig. 258 1 in the direction of the  
arrow.  
fit.  
4. To unlock the connector, press the lock at the end of  
the connector ΓΏ fig. 258 2  
.
,
6. To unlock the connector ΓΏ fig. 257 2  
compress the snap tabs (arrows 1 ).  
5. Disconnect the connector in the direction of the arrow  
and set the cable aside.  
7. Disconnect the connector ΓΏ fig. 257 2 in the  
direction of the arrow and lay the cable aside.  
6. Carefully pull out the subwoofer.  
Mount the subwoofer:  
8. Unscrew the knob ΓΏ fig. 257 3 in the  
direction of the arrow  
1. Place the subwoofer on the rim base carefully. The  
β€œFRONT” arrowhead ΓΏ fig. 258 3 on the subwoofer  
9. Carefully pull out the subwoofer.  
Mount the subwoofer:  
should point forward.  
1. Place the subwoofer on the rim base with  
careful. When doing so, the β€œFRONT”  
2. Insert the connector until the lock ΓΏ fig. 258 2  
engage audibly.  
arrowhead on the subwoofer should point forward.  
3. Screw the wheel ΓΏ fig. 258 1 into the set screw in the  
opposite direction of the arrow until the subwoofer is  
firmly attached.  
2. Attach the connector ΓΏ fig. 257 2 until in  
castrate audibly.  
3. Screw the wheel ΓΏ fig. 257 3 into the set screw in the  
opposite direction of the arrow until the subwoofer is  
firmly attached.  
4. Place the variable boot floor on the  
floor covering.  
5. Close the tailgate.  
4. If necessary, lay the floor covering  
in the trunk.  
5 N M 0 1 2 7 6 0 A J  
5. Refit the boot floor ΓΏ p. 287.  
change a wheel  
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