Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual: Winter tires

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject 

Winter tires improve the handling characteristics of your vehicle significantly when driving under wintry road conditions. Summer tires have less traction on snow and ice because of their design (width, rubber composition, tread design). Volkswagen strongly recommends that you always have winter tires or all-season tires installed on all 4 wheels on your vehicle, especially when winter road conditions are expected. Winter tires also improve the vehicle's braking performance and help reduce stopping distances during winter weather. Volkswagen recommends installing winter tires once temperatures are below +45 °F (+7 °C).

Winter tires are no longer suitable for winter driving once the tread pattern is worn down to a depth of 3/16 in (4.8 mm). In addition, winter tire performance decreases with age - independent of the tread profile depth.

When using winter tires:

• Obey state and country-specific legal requirements.

• Install winter tires on all 4 wheels.

• Use snow tires only under wintry road conditions.

• Only use winter snow tires with dimensions approved for the vehicle.

• Use only winter tires of the same tire belt design, the same dimensions (tread circumference), and the same tread design.

• Follow speed restrictions according to the winter tire's speed rating code letter ⇒ .

Speed restrictions

Winter tires are certified up to a top speed identified by speed rating code letters on the side wall ⇒ Speed rating code letter .

In some vehicle models it is possible to set a speed warning in the MFI menu in the instrument cluster display (Multi-Function Indicator - MFI) ⇒ Volkswagen Information System .

Top speed rating and tire inflation pressure for V winter tires depend on the engine installed in your vehicle. Be sure to ask you authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility about the maximum permissible speed and the required tire inflation pressure for the winter tires that you plan to use.

All-wheel drive (4MOTION)

Vehicles with all-wheel drive and standard road wheels have good forward motion and traction even under wintery road conditions. However, Volkswagen recommends installing winter tires or all season tires on all 4 wheels to improve handling as well as braking performance.

If you use snow chains, please read and heed information and directions ⇒ Snow chains .

Warning

Driving faster than the maximum speed for which the winter tires on your vehicle were designed can cause sudden tire failure including a blowout and sudden deflation, loss of control, crashes and serious personal injuries.

• Winter tires have a maximum speed rating that may be lower than your vehicle's maximum speed.

• Never drive faster than the maximum speed for which the winter tires installed on your vehicle are rated because tires that are driven faster than their rated speed can fail suddenly.

• Never exceed the maximum load rating for the winter tires installed on your vehicle.

Install summer tires promptly in the spring. Summer tires offer better handling characteristics for temperatures above +45 °F (+7 °C). They are quieter, do not wear as quickly, and reduce fuel consumption.

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System must be recalibrated using the appropriate menu in the MFI whenever you remove and remount or change any wheel or tire on the vehicle, even if the reinstalled or replacement wheels and tires are identical to those that were removed and even if the tire pressure does not change ⇒ Tire Pressure Monitoring System and recalibration with the MFI .

If necessary, ask your authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility about permissible winter tire dimensions.