Volkswagen Polo Quiz
Changing a wheel

Wheel bolts

In this manual: Changing a wheel
Vehicle exterior — 4Vehicle interior — 8Instrument cluster — 14Before setting off — 14Opening and closing — 35Sitting correctly and safely — 46Lights and vision — 26Transporting items — 29Practical equipment — 20Starting the engine, changing gear and parking — 34Driver assist systems — 18Air conditioning system — 8At the filling station — 14In the engine compartment — 24Vehicle care and maintenance — 66Practical tips — 2In an emergency — 5Manual opening and closing — 6Vehicle toolkit — 4Hubcaps — 4Changing a wheel — 9Breakdown set — 7Fuses — 4Changing a bulb — 13Starting the engine with jump leads — 4Tow-starting and towing — 7
~3min read
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Tightening torque found on this page

Fig. 166 Changing a wheel: loosening the wheel bolts

Fig. 167 Changing a wheel: anti-theft bolt and adapter

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

Only the spanner delivered with the vehicle should be used to loosen the wheel bolts.

Only loosen the wheel bolts by approximately one turn before raising the vehicle with the vehicle jack.

If the wheel bolt is very tight, you may be able to loosen it by pushing down the end of the spanner carefully with your foot. Hold on to the car for support and take care not to slip.

Loosening the wheel bolts

  • Fit the box spanner over the wheel bolt as far as it will go .
  • Hold the end of the box spanner and turn the wheel bolt one turn anticlockwise .

Loosening the anti-theft wheel bolt

  • Take the adapter for anti-theft wheel bolts out of the vehicle toolkit.
  • Insert the adapter into the anti-theft wheel bolt . Push it in as far as it will go.
  • Insert the box spanner into the adapter as far as it will go.
  • Hold the end of the box spanner and turn the wheel bolt one turn anticlockwise .

Important information about the wheel bolts

The design of the wheel rims and wheel bolts is matched to the factory-fitted wheels. If different rims are fitted, the correct wheel bolts with the right length and correctly shaped bolt heads must be used. This ensures that wheels are fitted securely and that the brake system works properly.

In certain circumstances, wheel bolts from a vehicle of the same model series may not be used.

Tightening torque for the wheel bolts

The tightening torque for wheel bolts for steel and alloy wheels is 120 N·m. The tightening torque should be checked with a torque wrench immediately after changing a wheel.

If the wheel bolts are corroded and difficult to turn, they must be replaced and the wheel hub threads cleaned before the tightening torque is checked.

Never grease or lubricate the wheel bolts or the threads of the wheel hub. This could cause them to loosen while the vehicle is in motion, even if the required torque setting is used.

Incorrectly tightened wheel bolts can loosen while the vehicle is in motion and cause accidents, serious injury, and loss of control of the vehicle.
  • Only use wheel bolts that belong to the wheel.
  • Never use different wheel bolts.
  • The wheel bolts and threads of the wheel hubs must be clean, free from oil and grease, and turn easily.
  • Always use the box spanner placed in the vehicle at the factory to loosen and tighten the wheel bolts.
  • Only loosen the wheel bolts by approximately one turn before raising the vehicle with the vehicle jack.
  • Never grease or lubricate the wheel bolts or the threads of the wheel hub. This could cause them to loosen while the vehicle is in motion, even if the required torque setting is used.
  • Never remove the bolts on rims with bolted-on rings.
  • If the tightening torque of the wheel bolts is too low, the wheel bolts and rims can loosen while the vehicle is in motion. The wheel bolts and threads can be damaged if the tightening torque is too high.

Test yourself

A quick Volkswagen Polo quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.