Overview

• Check condition before swapping: the legal minimum tread is 1.6 mm, while ADAC advises at least 4 mm for winter tires and 3 mm for summer, with replacements by eight years for winter and ten for summer.
• Work only on firm, level ground with the handbrake engaged and gear or park selected, and use the correct jacking points with a stable hydraulic jack rather than the onboard emergency jack.
• Tighten wheel bolts in a cross pattern and use a torque wrench set to the manufacturer’s specification, keeping the tool checked or calibrated to avoid rim damage or wheel loss.
• Avoid grease or general assembly paste on wheel and hub contact surfaces, using only a specific hub paste sparingly if required so the wheel seats properly.
• After installation, set tire pressures to spec and recheck bolt torque after 50–100 km because components can settle and loosen slightly.