Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual: Snow chains

Volkswagen Golf Owners Manual / Cleaning and maintenance / Vehicle care and maintenance / Wheels and tyres / Snow chains

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

Please heed legislation and also the permitted speed when driving your vehicle with snow chains.

In winter conditions, snow chains will not only improve acceleration, but also braking response.

Snow chains may only be fitted on the front wheels – even on four-wheel drive vehicles (4MOTION) – and only with the following wheel and tyre combinations:

Tyre size	Wheel
195 / 65 R 15	6 J x 15 offset 43
205 / 55 R 16	6 J x 16 offset 48
205/50 R 17^a)	6 J x 17 offset 48

Volkswagen recommends that you ask your Volkswagen dealership for information about appropriate wheel, tyre and snow chain size.

If possible, use snow chains with fine-pitch links which do not protrude more than 15 mm, including the tensioner.

Remove wheel centre covers and trim rings before fitting snow chains . For safety reasons cover caps must then be fitted over the wheel bolts. These are available from your Volkswagen dealership.

Temporary spare wheel

For technical reasons, snow chains must not be used on the temporary spare wheel .

If you have to use snow chains with the temporary spare wheel fitted, the temporary spare wheel should be fitted to the rear axle even when a front wheel is damaged. You can then use the wheel taken from the rear axle to replace the damaged front wheel. Please note the direction of rotation. Volkswagen recommends fitting the snow chains before mounting the wheel on the car.

WARNING

The use of snow chains that are unsuitable for your vehicle or the incorrect installation of snow chains can cause accidents and serious injuries.

Always use the correct snow chains.

Follow the assembly instructions provided by the snow chain manufacturer.

Never exceed the maximum speed permitted for the snow chains that are fitted.

NOTICE

Remove the snow chains when driving on roads that are free of snow. On surfaces other than snow, snow chains will impair handling, damage the tyres and wear out very quickly.

Snow chains that are in direct contact with the wheel can scratch or damage it. Volkswagen recommends using non-scratch snow chains.

Snow chains are available in a range of sizes for a vehicle type.

^a) Only use snow chains with fine-pitch links which do not protrude more than 8 mm, including the tensioner.

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