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9-7
SECTION 9
CARE & MAINTENANCE
WHEEL REPLACEMENT RECOMMEN-
DATIONS
Wheels must be replaced if they become dam-
aged (i.e. bent, heavily rusted, leak air) or if lug
nuts often become loose. Do not straighten bent
wheels or use inner tubes in leaking wheels. Such
wheels may have structural damage and could
fail without warning. When replacing wheels for
any reason, the new wheels should be equal in
load limit, diameter, width, offset, and mounting
configuration to those originally installed on
your vehicle.
A wheel of the wrong size or type may ad-
versely affect wheel and bearing life, brake cool-
ing, speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping
ability, headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire clearance to the body
and chassis. Replacement with “used” wheels is
not advised. They may have been subjected to
harsh treatment or very high mileage and could
fail without warning.
Replacement wheels may by obtained at your
authorized dealer.
SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT
AND TIRE BALANCE
The front suspension and steering system of
this vehicle was factory aligned using highly ac-
curate equipment prior to delivery to the dealer-
ship. However, we recommend that alignment be
checked and adjusted, if necessary, after you
have fully loaded the motor home according to
your personal needs. Thereafter, the alignment
should be periodically inspected to help prevent
uneven tire wear.
Any excessive or abnormal tire wear may in-
dicate worn or misaligned suspension or steering,
unbalanced tire or other tire/suspension problem.
Alignment can be affected by worn steering/
suspension parts or by incidents which happen
during driving, such as hitting a curb, pothole or
railroad track, etc. Improper alignment can cause
tires to roll at an angle and wear unevenly. It may
also cause the vehicle to “pull” to the right or left.
Have your dealer inspect your vehicle’s suspen-
sion and steering components periodically for
misalignment or wear.
Out-of-balance tires will not roll smoothly and
can lead to annoying vibrations and uneven tread
wear such as cupping and flat spots. Tires may
need to be balanced if uneven wear is detected or
if ride comfort decreases noticeably.
See your Volkswagen Owner’s Manual for
further information.
CARE OF CUSTOM ALUMINUM
WHEELS (OPTIONAL)
•
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions with
regard to tire sizing and load capacities.
•
Mount tires on wheels only with mounting
equipment designed for plated aluminum
wheels. Do not use equipment which will
scrape or abrade the wheel finish.
•
Use adhesive-balancing weights only! Clip-
on weights will cut into the finish and allow
moisture to penetrate beneath the plated sur-
face.
•
Use only manufacturer approved mounting
hardware (lug bolts).
•
Using a calibrated torque wrench, torque lug
nuts to 105-128 ft. lbs.
•
Maintain proper air pressure in tires by
checking tire pressures at frequent intervals.
Use pressure guidelines established by your
tire manufacturer.
Finish
Your custom aluminum wheels are finished
with a thin layer of bonded chromium to provide
optimum finish sheen and brilliance. The finish
must be maintained as you would the color fin-
ish of your vehicle.
•
Clean your wheels frequently to prevent
brake dust and dirt deposits from corroding
or bonding to the wheel finish.
•
Only use a solution of mild soap and water
for cleaning your wheels.
•
Do not use any spray-on cleaners or degreas-
ers that you would not use on your car.
•
Most spray-on, hose off wheel cleaners are
caustic, and they are not formulated for use
on the finish used on your wheel.
•
Avoid car washes that use harsh detergent
pre-washes which may damage the chromi-
mum finish on your wheels.