Changing a tire is relatively simple in theory, but it takes a bit of practice to master. Fortunately, the process is incredibly simple: you roll the old tire out of the way and slide the new one into place. If your car is equipped with an electric lug wrench, you can attach the wrench to the lug nuts, loosen them, and slide the old tire out of the way. If you do not have a wrench with your car, now is the time to get one. You might be fine with an in lb torque wrench for changing your tire, or it may be best to get multiple types of wrenches, just in case.
If you want to do things the old-fashioned way, you’ll first need to remove the bad tire. Don’t know how to do it? Read on to learn more.
Here Are 10 Tips on How to Change a Tire:
- Find a safe place to pull over. Changing a tire on the side of the road can be dangerous, especially if there are no guardrails or a hard shoulder to use. Even if there are no hazards, you don’t want to drive out on the road with a flat tire simply because you will be at a higher risk of being sideswiped by another car. It would be best to find a safe, well-lit area to pull off of the road. A driveway, parking lot, or curb is ideal. Make sure there is nothing around the car that could injure you, like low-hanging branches, no debris, or poles.
- Use your hazard lights and parking brake. If you don’t have a spare tire, then leave your car where it is and turn on your hazard lights. This will help alert other drivers and pedestrians that your car is on the side of the road. Ensure the car is in the park and your parking brake is on, as this will help to ensure it remains in the same place.
- Check for materials or tools that you need. Tire technology has improved dramatically over the years, making tires much safer and easier to replace. The main things that you’ll need to change a tire are tools, such as a tire gauge, a 1⁄4-inch or 3/8-inch socket, a ratchet, and a jack.
- Loosen the lug nuts. You will probably need to have appropriate tools because different vehicles require different nuts. A tool suitable for removing bigger bolts may be required if you need to replace tractor tires, for example. Once you remove the lug nuts, remove the tire, then the wheel from the car. Next, insert the lug wrench into the wheel hub, loosen the bolts, and slide the wheel off the car. Now you’re ready to swap out the tire.
- Lift your vehicle off the ground by using jacks. You need to raise your vehicle up. The easiest way is to pull your car up using lifts. If you don’t have one, you can use jack stands. Place one jack stand on each side of your vehicle and one in front. Next, place one jack under each wheel, and lift the vehicle up.
- Remove the lug nuts and the tires. When changing a tire, you need to know a couple of things: you need to remove both tires from the rim, and then you need to remove the lug nuts from the tires. Removing the lug nuts is no small task, but the entire process is relatively simple.
- Place the spare tire on the car. When you change a flat, the spare is useless unless you know how to fix it. What you do need to know, though, is how to switch out a tire if needed. Some basic tools can make the job much easier, and if you don’t have them, you can buy them at your local auto parts store. It’s best to learn to change a tire before you need to use one since it’s easy to get distracted while changing a flat, and you don’t want to end up stuck in the middle of the road.
- Replace the lug nuts. Remove all the lug nuts on the tire you want to change. Then, turn your wheels, so the flat side is facing up. Using one of your hands, place the lug nut on the flat side of the wheel. Use your other hand to hold the lug nut in place. Tighten the lug nut until your wheel is secure. Repeat the step with your other wheel.
- Lower your car and begin tightening. When changing a tire, the first thing to do is lower your car. This stops the car from rolling away and rips you away from the accident scene. If you don’t have a jack, or your car doesn’t have a jack point, then use some bricks and stones from the pavement.
- Lower your car completely and finish tightening. This is the last step of repairing. Once your tire has been completely tightened, gently lower the car, and remove all the equipment that may be in your path.
There you have it! Learning how to change a tire should be a rite of passage and is something that you should know how to do before stepping foot in a vehicle. Now, it is as easy as ever to change a tire but be sure to enlist the help of a professional if you are unsure at any point.
