Checking tire condition

This check is best performed with the vehicle raised, for example during an oil change at a service station.

PROCEDURE

Rotate each wheel through a full revolution.

Foreign objects such as small stones can be removed from the tread grooves with a narrow screwdriver without damaging the tire.

According to regulations, since 1992 the tread depth must be at least 1.6 mm across the full width of the tire.

For safety reasons, replace tires when tread wear reaches 3 mm, because wide Audi 80 tires hydroplane on wet road surfaces earlier than the narrower tires of older models.

Tread wear indicators are raised bars in the tread grooves, located at regular intervals and running perpendicular to the tread. They are marked on the sidewall with the letters «TWI» (tread wear indicator).

If these bars are level with the tread surface, the remaining tread depth is 1.6 mm and the tire must be replaced immediately.

The tire wear pattern provides useful information. See the following section.

Tire Wear Patterns
Front tires that are more worn on the outer edges are not unusual on the Audi 80. The cause is increased load on these areas of the tread when cornering.

One-sided wear may also indicate incorrect wheel alignment, especially if only one tire is worn this way.

Heavy wear in the center of the tread indicates excessive inflation pressure. This effect is especially noticeable on the rear wheels. Alternatively, frequent driving at high speed causes the tread to become rounded.

If both outer edges of the tread are worn more than the center, the tire inflation pressure has been too low for a long period.

Uneven, patchy tread wear indicates a defective shock absorber.

If uneven wear appears only in specific places, the wheel is out of balance or the tire carcass is damaged.

A single area of heavy tread wear results from braking with a locked wheel, the so-called brake skid mark (only on models without ABS).

Note: if a serviceable, balanced wheel must be removed, for example to inspect the brakes, first mark the position of the wheel on the hub. Otherwise the wheel will be out of balance when refitted.