Wheel Changing
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Volkswagen Beetle, 2015 Volkswagen Beetle, 2014 Volkswagen Beetle, and 2013 Volkswagen Beetle. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
Warm up cold tires to the minimum mounting temperature.
This applies also to ultra high performance tires (height- / width ration smaller/same 45% and speed rating symbol larger than/same as V).
WARNING:
The minimum mounting temperature for a tire should be between 15 °C and 30 °C in the center of the tire.
- For injury-free mounting, the upper sidewall and the upper bead inside must be minimum 15 °C.
- The internal temperature is called the core temperature.
- Rubber is a poor heat conductor. For this reason, a cold tire must exposed to a temperature controlled environment until the inner rubber layers have warmed up to at least 15°C (59 °F).
- The temperature of the tire surface during the warm-up phase should not be considered as the temperature on the inside of the tire.
- Do not stack tires one on top of the other so that cold tires can absorb the warmth from the outside air quickly. They should be stored separately so that the warm air can "flow" around them.
- Never us a room heater or a hot air gun to warm up tires because the surface temperature will heat up very quickly to a critical temperature.
- Using warm water or warm air (maximum 50°C (122 °F)) is the only way to warm a tire safely.
- If cold tires (below 0 °C (32 °F)) are brought into a warm room (above 0 °C (32 °F)), a layer of ice will start to form on the tires. This layer of ice means that humidity in the warm air is condensing on the tire.
- Once the layer of ice starts to melt, water will start to build. Wipe up the water with a cloth so that the warming process does not slow down.
Warm-Up Time:
- Tires warmer than 0°C (32 °F) must be stored at minimum 19°C (66.2 °F) for at least 2 hours.
- Tires colder than 0°C (32 °F) must be stored at minimum 19°C (66.2 °F) for at least 2.5 hours.
Recommendations:
- if possible, let the tires stand in the workshop for 1 day before mounting them.
- Store them on an insulated surface, a wood pallet or something similar.
- Position the tires so that they can be "surrounded" by the warm air.
- Wipe off the sweat.
- never heat the tires with a room heater or a hot air gun!