When driving with new tyres, be especially careful during the first 500 km.
If you have to drive over a kerb or similar obstacle, drive very slowly and as near as possible at a right angle to the kerb.
Inspect the tyres regularly for damage (cuts, cracks or blisters, etc.). Remove any foreign bodies embedded in the treads.
Damaged wheels and tyres must be replaced immediately.
Keep grease, oil and fuel off the tyres.
Replace any missing valve caps as soon as possible.
Mark the wheels before taking them off so that they rotate in the same direction when put back.
When removed, the wheels or tyres should be stored in a cool, dry and preferably dark place.
New tyres
New tyres do not give maximum grip straight away and should therefore be "run in" by driving carefully and at moderate speeds for about the first 500 km. This will also help to make the tyres last longer.
The tread depth of new tyres may vary, according to the type and make of tyre and the tread pattern.
Concealed damage
Damage to tyres and rims is often not readily visible. If you notice unusual vibration or the car pulling to one side, this may indicate that one of the tyres is damaged. Reduce speed immediately if there is any reason to suspect that damage may have occurred. Inspect the tyres for damage. If no external damage is visible, drive slowly and carefully to the nearest qualified workshop and have the car inspected.
Tyres with directional tread pattern
An arrow on the tyre sidewall indicates the direction of rotation on tyres with directional tread. Always note the direction of rotation indicated when mounting the wheel. This guarantees optimum grip and helps to avoid aquaplaning, excessive noise and wear.
Wheels with bolted rim flange*
Light-alloy wheels with a bolted rim flange consist of several components. A special technique is applied to bolt these components together. Apart from safety and true running this also ensures that the wheel functions correctly and that there is no leakage. Damaged rims must therefore be replaced; you must never attempt to repair or dismantle them WARNING!.
Wheels with bolted trim parts*
Light-alloy wheels can be fitted with interchangeable trim parts which are attached to the rim using self-locking bolts. Should you wish to replace damaged trim parts please contact a qualified workshop.
Caution!
- Please note that summer and winter tyres are optimised for the prevailing road conditions at different times of year. We recommend that you use winter tyres during the winter months. At low temperatures, summer tyres lose their elasticity and grip, and braking performance also suffers as a result. Cracks can form in the tread block on summer tyres if they are used at very cold temperatures, and this can cause permanent damage to the tyres. An increase in rolling noise and tyre imbalance may result from this damage. Audi cannot accept responsibility for this type of damage.
- Machined, polished or chrome-plated rims must not be used in winter conditions. The process used to manufacture these types of wheel rim does not provide adequate surface protection against corrosion, and the rims can be permanently damaged by road salt or similar.