Wheel Related Problems of the 2022 Volkswagen GTI

Wheel problem

4/14/24 I hit a pothole at night which punctured the right front tire. Luckily, I was close to a friend’s house and pulled into his driveway with a flat tire. Two safety issues; 1. The warning notification that there was damage to the right front tire appeared for about 10 seconds then disappeared. Only the tire icon continued illuminated. The warning notification should stay lit. Continuing to drive could have been a safety issue. This is a software issue that should be corrected. 2. I was completely unable to change the tire because I could not figure out how to remove the damaged wheel and tire. If this had happened on a deserted back road it could have been very dangerous. The car has a spare, a jack, and a lug wrench, but there are no visible lug nuts on the wheel. After complaining to vw legal and numerous ineffective communications with vw customer care I now understand that there are plastic covers over the lug nuts that must be pried off to reveal the lug nuts. Unfortunately, these covers look like they should be unscrewed with a torx wrench. I called vw roadside assistance that night; they did not understand what I was asking. The owners manual did not have a single section explaining how to change a tire. Later, after reading multiple sections of the manual I did determine there is a wire loop tool to pull off these covers. Neither I nor my vw dealer could remove it with just finger strength. Vw customer care referred me to the online owner’s manual. Not useful, it shows only the lug nuts, no mention of plastic covers. This is a specific example of a general problem NHTSA should look into. Namely that the owner’s manuals for today’s cars are written to cover many models. Finding something specific is difficult at best. In my case it could have been dangerous. What to do? make the manufacturers publish online manuals that can be downloaded by the dealer for each specific vehicle. Carr lane quackenbush 17 lakeside dr. Monson, MA 01057.