Get Tires and wheels -> Changing a wheel Guide for Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

Vehicles with twist-off hubcaps

Wheel bolt caps

— To remove: Twist the hubcap to the left or right

until it loosens from the wheel rim → fig. 182.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

298.

and on page

— Grasp behind one of the lugs and pull the hubcap

off.

— To install: Push the hubcap onto the center of the

rim.

— Press the hubcap against the rim until it latches.

Wheel covers

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

298.

and on page

Fig. 184 Pulling cover caps off wheel bolts.

— Take the wire clip out of the vehicle tool kit

→ page 227, Vehicle tool kit.

— Insert the wire clip through the opening of the

cover cap → fig. 184 and pull off in the direction

of the arrow.

The caps are designed to protect the wheel bolts

and should be installed again after the wheel

change.

The anti-theft wheel bolt (if equipped) has a sepa-

rate cap. This only fits the anti-theft wheel bolt, but

not the standard wheel bolts.

Fig. 183 Pulling the wheel cover off.

Pulling off the wheel cover

— Take the lug wrench (if equipped) and wire clip

out of the vehicle tool kit → page 227, Vehicle

tool kit.

Changing a wheel

— Place the wire clip hook in one of the openings of

the wheel cover.

Introduction

— Slide the lug wrench through the clip → fig. 183

and pull the wheel cover off in the direction of

the arrow.

Change a wheel by yourself only if the vehicle is

parked in a safe location, you are familiar with safety

procedures and the technical steps, and you have

proper tools available. Otherwise, get expert assis-

tance.

Installing the wheel cover

— Screw the anti-theft wheel bolt (if equipped) into

position → fig. 186 2 or 3 in relation to the po-

sition of the tire valve. Otherwise, the wheel cov-

er cannot be installed.

The vehicle jack can only be safely used to change

the wheel on a vehicle that has only one flat or dam-

aged tire. If the vehicle does not have the support it

needs from 3 fully inflated tires, the vehicle can fall

off the jack. If more than 1 tire on the vehicle is flat

or damaged, do not lift the vehicle with the vehicle

jack. Instead, get expert assistance.

— Align the valve cutout with the valve

→ fig. 186 1 , and press the wheel cover onto the

wheel rim.

Make sure that the wheel cover is latched onto the

rim along the entire circumference.

Changing a wheel

299

WARNING

Preparations for changing a wheel

Changing a wheel, especially on the side of the

road, can be dangerous. To help reduce the risk of

serious personal injury:

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 299.

Always stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to

do so. Move the vehicle a safe distance off the

road where it is safe to change the wheel.

Checklist

Getting ready to change a wheel. Follow these steps

in the order listed here →

Always make sure that all passengers, especially

1. If you have a flat tire, move as far away from

traffic as possible. Park the vehicle on a flat and

level surface where no part of the hot catalytic

converter and exhaust system can come into

contact with flammable materials under the ve-

hicle, such as dry grass, brush, spilled fuel, etc.

children, are in a safe place outside the vehicle

and away from the vehicle and traffic (such as

behind a guard rail).

Turn on the emergency flashers and set up an-

other warning device about 25 yards (25 me-

ters) behind the vehicle to warn approaching

traffic.

2. Switch on the emergency flashers to warn on-

coming traffic → page 84, In an emergency. Ob-

serve all legal requirements.

Change a wheel by yourself only if you are fa-

miliar with the necessary steps. Otherwise, get

expert assistance.

3. Automatic or DSG transmission: Shift the trans-

mission to Park (P) → page 149, Automatic or

DSG® transmission selector lever.

Always make sure that the ground is level and

firm. If necessary, place the jack on a large and

sturdy board or on a similar ground support.

4. Set the parking brake to help prevent the vehi-

cle from moving → page 178, Using the parking

brake (Golf, Golf GTI).

Always use proper and undamaged tools when

changing a wheel.

5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the

ignition switch or turn off the ignition with the

starter button and remove the key from the ve-

hicle → page 141, Starting and stopping the en-

gine.

Never loosen the screws on rims with threaded

rim rings.

After changing a wheel, check the wheel bolt

tightening torque with an accurate torque

wrench.

6. Manual transmission: Shift into a gear

→ page 147, Manual transmission.

After changing a wheel or tire, reset the Tire

Pressure Monitoring System → page 260, Tire

Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

7. Have all passengers exit and go to a safe place,

such as behind a guard rail.

8. Block the diagonally opposite wheel with

chocks or other suitable things.

WARNING

Sudden vehicle movement when changing a tire

can cause the vehicle to slip off the jack and cause

serious personal injury. Only placing the transmis-

sion in Park (P) (automatic or DSG transmission) or

in any gear (manual only) will not prevent the vehi-

cle from moving suddenly when one wheel is off

the ground. Before raising the vehicle:

9. If the luggage compartment is loaded: Remove

the luggage.

10. Raise and secure the luggage compartment

floor.

11. If applicable: Remove the subwoofer

→ page 204, Removing the subwoofer.

Automatic or DSG transmission: Always shift the

12. Unscrew the fastening screw with washer coun-

terclockwise and remove.

transmission to Park (P), firmly apply the park-

ing brake, stop the engine, and remove the key

from the vehicle.

13. Take the spare or compact spare wheel and the

vehicle tool kit out of the luggage compart-

ment.

Manual transmission: Firmly apply the parking

brake, stop the engine and remove the key from

the vehicle, and shift to any gear.

14. Take off the wheel covers → page 298, Wheel

trim.

Always block the wheel diagonally opposite the

wheel being changed with chocks or other simi-

lar things.

WARNING

Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead

to accidents and serious personal injuries.

300

Tires and wheels

Always review and follow the checklist. Follow

accepted safety practices and use common

sense.

— Holding the lug wrench at the end, loosen the

wheel bolt by turning it counterclockwise about 1

complete turn (360°) →

Loosening the anti-theft wheel bolt (if equipped)

— Take the adapter for the anti-theft wheel bolt out

of the vehicle tool kit.

Wheel bolts

— Push the adapter all the way over the anti-theft

wheel bolt.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 299.

— Slide the lug wrench onto the adapter until it

stops.

— Holding the lug wrench at the end, loosen the

wheel bolt by turning it counterclockwise about 1

complete turn (360°) →

Important information regarding wheel bolts

The design of rims and wheel bolts is matched to

the factory-installed wheels. If different wheels are

installed, wheel bolts with the right length and bolt

head shape must be used. The attachment of the

wheels and function of the brake system depend on

this.

It may not be possible to use wheel bolts from dif-

ferent vehicles of the same model.

Fig. 185 Changing a wheel: Loosening the wheel bolts.

On a wheel with a wheel cover, the anti-theft wheel

bolt (if equipped) must be installed at points

→ fig. 186 2 or 3 in relation to the position of the

tire valve 1 . Otherwise, the wheel cover cannot be

installed.

Wheel bolt tightening torque

Correctly tightened bolts for steel and alloy wheel

rims should have a torque of 88 ft-lbs (120 Nm). Af-

ter changing a wheel, have the wheel bolt tightening

torque checked right away with an accurate torque

wrench.

Before you check the tightening torque, replace cor-

roded and difficult-to-turn wheel bolts and clean

the threads in the wheel hub.

Fig. 186 Changing a wheel: Tire valve

1 and installa-

tion points for the anti-theft wheel bolt (if equipped)

or 3 .

Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the threads

in the wheel hubs. The bolts can come loose while

driving if greased or oiled, even if tightened to the

required torque.

Loosen the wheel bolts only with the lug wrench

produced by Volkswagen for your vehicle.

Loosen the wheel bolts only about 1 turn before lift-

ing the vehicle with the jack.

WARNING

Improperly tightened wheel bolts can come loose

while driving and cause you to lose control over

the vehicle, resulting in accidents and serious inju-

ries.

If a wheel bolt does not come loose, carefully push

the end of the lug wrench with your foot. Make sure

you are standing firmly on the ground and hold on to

the vehicle for support.

Only use wheel bolts that belong your vehicle

and to the wheel being installed.

Loosening the wheel bolts

— Push the lug wrench over the wheel bolt all the

way → fig. 185.

Never use different wheel bolts.

Changing a wheel

301

Wheel bolts and wheel hub threads must always

be clean, easy-to-turn and free of oil and

grease.

Never loosen bolted connections on wheel rims

with bolted rim rings.

If the wheel bolts are not tightened to the prop-

er torque, the wheel can come off the vehicle

when it is moving. Extremely high torque can

damage the wheel bolts and/or their threads.

Only use the lug wrench produced by Volkswa-

gen for your vehicle to loosen the wheel bolts.

Loosen the wheel bolts only about 1 turn before

lifting the vehicle with the jack.

Check the wheel bolt tightening torque regular-

ly with an accurate torque wrench.

Never grease or oil the wheel bolts and the

threads in the wheel hubs. The bolts can come

loose while driving if greased or oiled, even if

tightened to the required torque.

Lifting the vehicle with the vehicle jack (Golf)

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 299.

Fig. 187 Lift points for the jack.

Fig. 188 Jack in position at the left rear lift point.

The jack must be positioned at one of the 4 lift

points located behind the markings on the vehicle

body (2 on each side as shown in → fig. 187). You

must use the lift point closest to the wheel being

The vehicle may only be lifted by a jack positioned at

one of the 4 jack lift points.

changed →

302

Tires and wheels

Checklist

sonal injury. To help reduce the risk of serious per-

sonal injury:

For your own safety and that of your passengers,

carry out the following steps in the order listed

Use only jacks approved by Volkswagen for the

vehicle. Other jacks might slip, even those ap-

proved for other Volkswagen models, but not

for your vehicle.

→

1. Find a level spot on firm ground for lifting the

vehicle.

Always set up the jack on firm and level ground.

2. Straighten the steering wheel so that the front

wheels point straight forward.

The vehicle may slip off the jack if the jack is

resting on soft or sloping ground. If necessary,

place a sturdy board under the jack.

3. Automatic or DSG transmission: Shift the trans-

mission to Park (P) → page 149, Automatic or

DSG® transmission selector lever.

On a hard, slippery surface (such as a tiled

floor), use an anti-skid rubber mat or something

similar to help prevent the jack from slipping.

4. Firmly apply the parking brake to help prevent

the vehicle from moving → page 178, Using the

parking brake (Golf, Golf GTI).

Position the jack only at the described vehicle

lift points. Before you raise your vehicle, always

make sure the jack claw properly grips the verti-

cal rib under the sill so that the jack does not

slip off when you are raising the vehicle

→ fig. 188.

5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the

ignition switch or turn off the ignition with the

starter button and remove the key from the ve-

hicle → page 141, Starting and stopping the en-

gine.

Never have any part of your body (such as your

6. Manual transmission: Shift into a gear

→ page 147, Manual transmission.

arm or leg) under the vehicle when it is support-

ed by the jack. Never let other persons have any

part of their body under the vehicle, either!

7. Block the diagonally opposite wheel with

chocks or other suitable things.

If you must work under a vehicle raised on

8. Loosen the wheel bolts of the wheel to be

a floor jack, always make sure that the vehicle is

safely supported on safety stands intended for

that purpose that are strong enough to support

the weight of the vehicle.

changed → page 301, Wheel bolts.

9. Find the jack lift point → fig. 187 on the vehicle

frame that is closest to the wheel to be

changed.

Never lift the vehicle when it is tilted or inclined

to one side or the engine is running.

10.

Insert the crank → fig. 152 7 into the opening

on the vehicle jack → fig. 152 5 .

Never lift the vehicle when more than 1 tire is

flat or damaged.

11. Crank up the jack so that it still just fits under-

neath the lift point.

Do not start the engine while the vehicle is sup-

ported by a jack. Engine vibrations may cause

the vehicle to slip off the jack.

12. Position the jack so that its base is directly un-

derneath the lift point → fig. 188, making sure

that the entire base of the jack rests securely on

the ground.

WARNING

Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead

to accidents and serious personal injuries.

13. Align the jack and wind up the jack claw at the

same time, until the claw cradles the vertical rib

underneath the vehicle → fig. 188 (arrow).

Always review and follow the checklist. Follow

accepted safety practices and use common

sense.

14. Continue cranking up the jack until the wheel is

just a little off the ground.

WARNING

Improper use of your vehicle jack can cause the

vehicle to fall off the jack leading to serious per-

Changing a wheel

303

Lifting the vehicle with the vehicle jack (Golf GTI)

Please read the introductory information and heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 299.

Fig. 189 Lift points for the jack.

Fig. 190 Jack in position at the left rear lift point.

The jack must be positioned at one of the 4 lift

points located behind the markings on the vehicle

body (2 on each side as shown in → fig. 189). You

must use the lift point closest to the wheel being

3. Automatic or DSG transmission: Shift the trans-

mission to Park (P) → page 149, Automatic or

DSG® transmission selector lever.

4. Set the parking brake to help prevent the vehi-

cle from moving → page 178, Using the parking

brake (Golf, Golf GTI).

changed →

The vehicle may only be lifted by a jack positioned at

one of the 4 jack lift points.

5. Stop the engine and remove the key from the

ignition switch or turn off the ignition with the

starter button and remove the key from the ve-

hicle → page 141, Starting and stopping the en-

gine.

Checklist

For your own safety and that of your passengers,

carry out the following steps in the order listed

→

6. Manual transmission: Shift into a gear

→ page 147, Manual transmission.

1. Find a level spot on firm ground for lifting the

vehicle.

7. Block the diagonally opposite wheel with

chocks or other suitable things.

2. Straighten the steering wheel so that the front

wheels point straight forward.

8. Loosen the wheel bolts of the wheel to be

changed → page 301, Wheel bolts.

304

Tires and wheels

9. Find the jack lift point → fig. 189 on the vehicle

frame that is closest to the wheel to be

changed.

Position the jack only at the described vehicle

lift points. Before you raise your vehicle, always

make sure the jack claw properly grips the verti-

cal rib under the sill so that the jack does not

slip off when you are raising the vehicle

→ fig. 190.

10.

Insert the crank → fig. 152 7 into the opening

on the vehicle jack → fig. 152 5 .

11. Crank up the jack so that it still just fits under-

neath the lift point.

Never have any part of your body (such as your

arm or leg) under the vehicle when it is support-

ed by the jack. Never let other persons have any

part of their body under the vehicle, either!

12. Position the jack so that its base is directly un-

derneath the lift point → fig. 190, making sure

that the entire base of the jack rests securely on

the ground.

If you must work under a vehicle raised on

a floor jack, always make sure that the vehicle is

safely supported on safety stands intended for

that purpose that are strong enough to support

the weight of the vehicle.

13. Align the jack and wind up the jack claw at the

same time, until the claw cradles the vertical rib

underneath the vehicle → fig. 190 (arrow).

Never lift the vehicle when it is tilted or inclined

to one side or the engine is running.

14. Continue cranking up the jack until the wheel is

just a little off the ground.

Never lift the vehicle when more than 1 tire is

flat or damaged.

WARNING

Improper use of your vehicle jack can cause the

vehicle to fall off the jack leading to serious per-

sonal injury. To help reduce the risk of serious per-

sonal injury:

Do not start the engine while the vehicle is sup-

ported by a jack. Engine vibrations may cause

the vehicle to slip off the jack.

WARNING

Use only jacks approved by Volkswagen for the

vehicle. Other jacks might slip, even those ap-

proved for other Volkswagen models, but not

for your vehicle.

Disregarding the safety-related checklist may lead

to accidents and serious personal injuries.

Always review and follow the checklist. Follow

accepted safety practices and use common

sense.

Always set up the jack on firm and level ground.

The vehicle may slip off the jack if the jack is

resting on soft or sloping ground. If necessary,

place a sturdy board under the jack.

On a hard, slippery surface (such as a tiled

floor), use an anti-skid rubber mat or something

similar to help prevent the jack from slipping.

Changing a wheel

305

then tighten the wheel bolt diagonally opposite

the first bolt, and so forth.

Changing a wheel

— Install the wheel bolt caps, center wheel hubcap,

or wheel cover, if any → page 298, Wheel trim.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 299.

WARNING

Wheel bolts that are tightened or installed im-

properly can come loose, causing loss of vehicle

control, a crash, and serious personal injury.

Always keep wheel bolts and threads in the

wheel hub clean and free of oil and grease. The

wheel bolts must turn easily and must be tight-

ened with the right torque.

Use the hexagonal socket in the screwdriver

handle only to turn the wheel bolts when they

are loose, never to loosen them or tighten them

firmly.

WARNING

Fig. 191 Changing a wheel: Remove previously loos-

Improper use of a compact spare wheel can cause

loss of vehicle control, a crash or other accident,

and serious personal injury.

ened wheel bolts using the screwdriver handle.

Removing the wheel

Never use a compact spare wheel if it is dam-

aged or worn down to the wear indicators.

— Review the checklist → page 300, Preparations

for changing a wheel.

Never drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) with

a compact spare wheel. Avoid full-throttle ac-

celeration, heavy braking, and fast cornering!

— Loosen the wheel bolts → page 301, Wheel bolts.

— Lift the vehicle → page 302, Lifting the vehicle

with the vehicle jack (Golf) or → page 304, Lifting

the vehicle with the vehicle jack (Golf GTI).

Never drive more than 125 miles (200 km) if

a compact spare wheel is installed.

— Completely unscrew and remove the previously

loosened wheel bolts using the hexagonal socket

in the screwdriver handle → fig. 191. Place the

wheel bolts on a clean surface.

Replace the compact spare with a normal wheel

and tire as soon as possible. Compact spare tires

are designed for brief use only.

— Remove the wheel.

Mounting a spare or compact spare wheel

After changing a wheel

If the tire is a unidirectional tire, be sure to install it

in the proper rolling direction → page 260, Tires and

wheels.

Please read the introductory information and

heed the Warnings and Notice

on page 299.

— Place the spare wheel or compact spare wheel on

the axle.

— Clean the tools in the vehicle tool kit if necessary

and stow them in the foam insert in the luggage

compartment → page 227, Vehicle tool kit.

— Place the anti-theft wheel bolt (if equipped) in

position → fig. 186 2 or 3 in relation to the po-

sition of the tire valve 1 . Hand tighten it using

the adapter by turning clockwise.

— Securely store the spare wheel, compact spare

wheel, or the wheel you took off the vehicle in

the luggage compartment.

— Screw in the wheel bolts clockwise and tighten

them slightly using the hexagonal socket in the

screwdriver handle.

— Have the wheel bolt tightening torque immedi-

ately checked with a torque wrench → page 301,

Wheel bolt tightening torque.

— Lower the vehicle with the jack.

— Have the damaged wheel replaced as soon as

possible.

— Use the lug wrench to firmly tighten all wheel

bolts (turn clockwise) → . Do not tighten them

in sequence! Tighten any wheel bolt to begin,

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be

recalibrated after each tire change

306

Tires and wheels

Tires and wheels -> Changing a wheel for Your Volkswagen Golf 4 Door 2023

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