How to Change a Tire
Changing a tire is a very important part of automobile maintenance. Tires don’t last forever, and they need to be replaced regularly to provide maximum grip and control for your vehicle. Worn tires will lead to accidents that may lead to serious injury or even death. Changing your tire is something you can do at home, or on a safe location at the side of the road.
When to Change a Tire
You don’t have to wait for a very dangerous blowout that will send your car screeching and careening before changing your tires. Even new-looking tires should be replaced when they’re damaged or can no longer hold up to daily use. Here are the conditions when you should change your tires:
Worn treads. Treads, or the grooves embedded on the tires, are very important to help your car maintain grip on the driving surface. Off-road tires and truck tires typically have very deep grooves that usually only need to be retreaded. Once the tread on conventional tires are worn, the tire needs to be replaced.
Punctures represent the worst case scenario for your tires. Not only do punctures destroy the structural integrity of the tire, but they can also reduce tire pressure and make it very dangerous for you to drive.
Performance. For amateur and professional racers, conventional tires need to be replaced to provide maximum performance for the course of the race. The pit crew can replace all the tires of a car and refuel the vehicle in as little as seven seconds.
Equipment
To replace a tire, you need the following items:
Jack. A pneumatic or mechanical jack should always be stored in the trunk of your car. Make sure that the jack can hold the weight of your vehicle.
Early warning device. When you need to change a tire on the road, you should always have an early warning device. The device is usually a bright orange triangle that you position at least 10 feet in front and behind your car, and alerts drivers to steer clear of your path while you’re making necessary repairs.
Tire iron and wrenches. A tire iron and wrenches help you remove the wheel from the axles. You may also want to have a screwdriver handy if the hubcap is attached with screws.
Spare tire. The spare tire should be inflated and should be as brand-new as possible. You don’t want to replace your flat or punctured tire with a replacement tire that’s already worn to begin with.
Safety Precautions
Make sure that all your tools are in good working condition.
Never replace a car in the middle of the road. As much as possible, pull over to the shoulder or the curb. If you’re in the highway, try your best to reach an emergency bay. Always position your early warning devices at a visible distance before repairing your vehicle.
The weight of the car can seriously injure or even kill you. Always stay at a safe distance away from the base of your vehicle when you’re replacing your tire.
Steps
If you’re going to replace your tire on the road, make your way to the curb or the emergency bay of the freeway.
Place the jack under the car and lift the car up. You should have at least a three-inch clearance between the road and the wheel.
If your wheel has a hubcap, remove the screws or nuts with a screwdriver or a wrench.
Remove the lug nuts holding the wheel in place with the wrench or tire iron.
With the left hand on the ten o’clock position and the right hand on the three o’clock position, pull the wheel out of the axles.
While you’re at it, you should take the time to inspect the physical quality of your suspension system and axle. Check the structure for any mechanical or stress damage like cracks, fissures, or chinks in the springs and the steel. Also check for rust and corrosion.
Align the spare wheel and tire, making sure your matching the right holes and sockets. Replace the lug nuts tightly and securely, but not too tight to break the threads of the nuts. Replace the hubcap.
Disengage the jack and check to see that the new tire is holding the car’s weight. You may need to inflate it if it does not have the right air pressure.
Replacing a tire doesn’t have to be a road emergency where you would call freeway and tollway operators through the emergency bay phone. With these tips, safe and secure driving is always assured even if you do end up with a flat.
If you need new rims, too, see our guide on how to choose new rims for your tires.