Just had two new tyres on my A3 and they balanced them with steel
weights, not lead as they are toxic and not allowed to be used any more
incase anyone eats their wheels!

Since then my ASR light flashes when I pull away and has to be turned
off and on in order for me to carry on driving.

Could the weights be affecting the ASR or worse still could it affect
my ABS when I need it most?!

My garage is looking into it, but this could help if they find nothing
and others too in the future.

Thanks

Sly

On 22 Jan 2007 05:02:34 -0800, "Sly" <slyjenkins (AT) tesco (DOT) net> wrote:

First thought: this guy is nuts. Second thought, maybe not!

OK, so you can't use lead... This is 100% correct, there are numerous
instances of smaller children chewing wheels and ingesting the lead
weights. Shocking but true, I read it on the Internet...

OK, seriously:

Yes, it is *remotely* possible that they are affecting the traction
control especially if they are magnetized! Try to find a heavy metal
other than steel of the same weight and substitute these for your
steel weights. You can stick them on with double sided foam tape
(that's still legal where you are, I hope!) making sure the wheel is
clean first. (One thought on a weight material is stainless steel flat
bar stock). You'll need a scale to weight each weight so your
replacements are the same weight.

And what country now doesn't allow proper wheel weights? I'd like to
avoid that country if possible--I have a low tolerance for extremists!

Sly wrote:
while. Steel weights are standard these days (EU Directive). It meant I
couldn't have stick-on weights on my A3 with 15" wheels as they fouled
the calipers.

I had an ABS light after changing wheel bearings. VAG system showed left front
with a low reading compared to the other three wheels until it reached ten mph.

Turned out that the ABS sensor had been bumped so that it had twisted about 15
degrees out spec. I twisted it back straight and the problem was fixed.

Sly wrote:

It's the UK I'm afraid. We just don't like lead no more.

Took the family to Wales for the weekend so have covered over 500 miles
and it still occurs. It is indeed tight with the calipers, the mechanic
tried sticking one weight on the other and that would have fouled so he
had to stick them alongside each other. They're right in the cap
between the spokes as well, quite unsightly but they'll soon muddy up
to match the rest of the car!

I watched the guys doing the job, friendly local garage, so I'm sure
there was no damage.
It was purely wheel off, wheel on again. I will check though if all
else fails, thanks.

I meant Gap!

What was the alternative to stick on weights for you? If you don't mind
me asking!

Sly wrote:
they *always* mark the rim a little, but had no choice.

Chris Bartram wrote:
Oh, wouldn't be able to (or want to!) fit those to my alloys then.
Thanks anyway. Have to find some lead somewhere!