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Audi A6 C6: Tires General Information and Specs

Not every wheel and tire upgrade will suit your Audi A6. Keep reading to learn which specs will prevent rubbing and offer a sufficient level of clearance while you drive.

By Charlie Gaston - April 1, 2016

This article applies to the Audi A6 C6 (2005-2011).

The difference between a good tire and a bad tire is all in the specs. In other words, some tires just won't fit your Audi A6 C6. The width might be too small, or the tire itself may not offer a sufficient level of clearance to prevent rubbing while you drive. In either case, you could cause serious damage to your car, not mention the fact that your alignment will go out of whack and you will pay at the pump in added fuel costs. Let's go over the tire information and specs you'll need to know before outfitting your A6 with a new tire and wheel upgrade.

Tire Size

If you're interested in mounting higher profile tires on the wheels of your Audi A6, it's highly recommended that you stick to the following spec: 245/50 R18. Doing so will provide adequate clearance, minimizing the risk or potential for rubbing when the wheels are in motion. If you need to push your wheels out a bit, however, you could always install spacers. If you're not happy with the above spec, an alternative option would be 255/35 R19 tires.

Figure 1. Make sure there's enough clearance for your tires.

Winter Performance Tires

When it comes to plowing through long stretches of snow and ice on the road, it's highly recommended that you run a full set of quality winter tires on your Audi A6. We recommend trading in your stock summer tires (245/45 R17) for something more narrow, say 225/50 R17.

Figure 2. The Nokian Hakka R2 is a favorite winter tire among Audi A6 drivers.

Continental Extreme Contact DWS

If you're looking to purchase a set of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) rims for your Audi A6, then you'll need to stick with a quality set of 245/40 R18 tires. Tire brands such as Continental Extreme DWS are a favorite among A6 owners. Applauded for delivering an ultra high performance and incredible traction on all surfaces. Expect to pay around $1,500 for your entire wheel upgrade.

Figure 3. Audi A6 owners are raving about these Continental Extreme tires.

Common Questions

What is the tightening level for the bolts on my Audi A6 C6?

Set your torque wrench to a torque value of 89 to 90 lb/ft.

What are the most trusted names in performance winter tires?

For many Audi drivers, Nokian, Blizzak, and Michelin are the go-to brands for the A6. Note: The Audi A6 winter tire package features a full set of Michelin X-Ice four tires in 225/50 17.

What is the widest tire size I can run on 19-inch tires?

Generally speaking, for 19-inch tires, you won't want to go any wider than a 265/35 19 tire.

For 20-inch tires, you could safely mount a 235, 245 or 255 tire, with a sidewall of 35 or 45 (nothing below 30).

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