2015 Golf Sportswagen SEL TDI

[David B]

Hi this is my first post so hope you get it.
Bought my first ever Volkswagen and first ever Diesel.
Feels a little sluggish compared to gasoline but don't really care.
The ride feels a little hard as the wheels/tires are 225/40R18 92H M+S
Manual says they should be inflated to 38psi, i reduced it to 35psi.
My question is; is this safe and can the wheels be changed say to 17 inch?
Other than the hard ride i love it as my previous car was a 4Runner V8 4.7L which only did 14 miles per gallon.
Thanks & hope to hear some advice

 

[Matt927]

Yes to can size down, many do.

I assume you have Durbans as your 18" wheel. You will find that in addition to the harsher ride, they do bend easily as well.

 

[David B]

Under Pressure...

Thanks, is it safe to reduce the air pressure by 3psi?
It made a small difference but not much

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I thought the recommended pressure was 34 PSI. It is for my GSW with 16s. You can go as small as 15" wheels on your car, just get the appropriate tire size to keep the diameter the same so the speedometer and odometer are correct.

Welcome to the club! Enjoy the car.

 

[David B]

Thanks for the reply but I have standard 18'' wheels on my 2015 Golf Sports Wagon SEL. The recommended pressure is 38 psi and its a hard ride

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I've driven a Golf with 18s, and it's noticeably harder riding. I don't know where you are in LA, but some of the older freeways bring out the harshness.

Look on Craigslist for some 16" 5x112 wheels for your car. These are steel but they'd work: https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/wto/d/las-vegas-16-vw-jetta-tires/6780716401.html

 

[MichaelB]

I've driven a Golf with 18s, and it's noticeably harder riding. I don't know where you are in LA, but some of the older freeways bring out the harshness.

Look on Craigslist for some 16" 5x112 wheels for your car. These are steel but they'd work: https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/wto/d/las-vegas-16-vw-jetta-tires/6780716401.html

Do yourself a favor and ditch those 18's. I traded my 18's that came on my Passat for a set of 16" Biolines and some cash on Vortex. Many on that site prefer bling to comfort. I don't feel I lost any handling with the taller narrower sidewall. I also added a set of Koni FSD's at the same time. Perfect ride if you ask me. Living in the snow belt prompts me to have a set of 16" steel wheels and hubcaps for winter tires.