Since this procedure requires lifting the vehicle off the ground and removing the wheels, check the operation of the brakes at the same time (refer to Section Brake checks).
Even if you are not going to rotate, at least check the tightness of the wheel bolts.
2. If the front tires wear faster, it is recommended to swap front and rear tires. Thus, the service life of all four tires is equalized.
3. Refer to the information in Section Jacking and towing to properly raise the vehicle when changing a wheel.
4. The vehicle should be raised on a lift or placed on stands so that all four wheels are off the ground. Make sure the car is securely fastened!
Do not replace any tire separately. Both tires of one axle need to be replaced. Tires with a larger tread depth are mounted on the rear wheels. The front and rear wheels must have tires of the same size and type, and for all-wheel drive vehicles also the same manufacturer and tread design. Tires that have been in operation for more than 6 years should only be used in the event of an accident, and care must be taken when driving. When replacing or removing tubeless tires, be sure to change the valve.
5. In the case of tires with a tread that allows movement only in a certain direction, which is indicated by an arrow on the side of the tire, the indicated direction must be observed. Only in this way is it possible to achieve the necessary driving characteristics of the car, namely the absence of aquaplaning, road stability, low noise levels and low wear. If the spare wheel is to be fitted with the opposite direction of rotation due to an accident, this use should only be temporary, as the driving characteristics described above cannot be achieved. This applies especially to driving on wet roads. Therefore, it is recommended to adjust the driving speed to the road conditions and reposition the tire in accordance with the specified direction of rotation.
Spare wheel
6. The spare wheel can be installed on both the front and rear axles.
7. The spare wheel is for short-term use only and should be replaced with a regular one as soon as possible.
8. After installing the spare wheel, the pressure in its tire should be 4.2 bar.
9. With the spare wheel installed, the speed must not exceed 80 km/h. Maximum vehicle acceleration, heavy braking and sharp turns should be avoided.
10. When installing a spare wheel, the ground clearance under the corresponding axle is reduced by about 30 mm.
Spare wheels from other types of vehicles should not be used.
Two or more spare wheels are not allowed.
Wheel replacement
11. Remove the wheel trim.
12. With the vehicle on the ground, apply the handbrake and loosen the wheel bolts.
13. Raise the appropriate side of the vehicle and secure it on stands.
14. Turn away the top bolt of fastening of a wheel and on its place screw an adjusting pin. The use of a locating pin facilitates the installation of the spare wheel.
Light alloy rims are protected against corrosion with a transparent varnish. Be careful not to damage the lacquer finish. If the coating is damaged, cover the disc with a layer of varnish.
15. For exclusion "sticking" wheel discs to the hub, before installing the wheel, apply a thin layer of grease to the shoulder of the hub centering the wheel disc.
16. Zinc plated wheel bolts can only be used on stamped rims.
17. Light alloy rims are attached only with chrome-plated wheel bolts that have a tapered rotating washer. This washer, mounted under the head of the bolt, protects the disc surface when the bolts are tightened.
18. Before screwing in, do not lubricate the threads of the wheel bolts.
19. Tighten the wheel bolts evenly in several stages in a diagonal sequence.
The tightening torque of the wheel bolts is given in Specifications.
Anti-skid chains
20. Chains must be installed only on the front wheels, also on a four-wheel drive vehicle.
21. Snow chains can only be installed on tires with dimension 195/65 R 15. For technical reasons, snow chains cannot be installed on the emergency wheel.
22. Only fine mesh chains should be used, protruding no more than 15 mm (including lock links).
23. When installing snow chains, remove the full-size wheel covers and decorative disc rings. For safety reasons, the wheel bolts must be protected with special caps.
24. Before driving on a snow-free section of the road, remove the snow chains. They impair driving performance, increase tire wear and quickly break down themselves.