How To Change A Tire

Why It Is Important To Know How To Change A Tire  

A blown or flat tire can happen to anyone at any time, and if it does, not being able to change a tire could leave you stranded. Even a small amount of damage to any tire, especially an old tire, can bring a road trip to a halt. A small stone causing a puncture, a shard of glass, giving you a flat tire, a sudden blowout, and many other things could potentially cause you some trouble. While you could call roadside assistance if your car insurance company offers it or a tow truck to get yourself out of the situation, you'll probably have to wait a while and pay a pretty penny to have these services done. Having the ability to change a tire in a pinch can be a great way to get yourself out of a sticky situation, saving you time and money.  

What Tools Do I Need To Change A Tire?  

Changing a tire requires some tools. You can't just grab the treads, rip the tire off, and replace it with a new one. The process is a bit more precise than that and, as a result, can't be done entirely by hand. Changing a tire requires a few basic tools to get the job done.  The tools you need to change a tire are:  

• A car jack  
• A lug wrench  
• A spare tire  

Some tools that aren't needed but will still be helpful are:  

• A flashlight 
• Gloves  
• A tire gauge  
• A poncho  
• Traffic cones or pylons  
• Wheel wedges  

Be sure to keep these items in your car so you can change your tire no matter where you are or when you need to.  

How To Change A Tire  

There are a few simple steps involved in changing a tire. Some of these steps require special tools, and they also must be done in a specific order. While that might seem like a lot to handle, it's much easier to do so in practice once you remember the basic steps. Here are the steps on how to change a tire when in an emergency while on the road. 

1. Pull Over In A Safe Location Away From Traffic 

The first step in changing a tire is pulling over so that you don’t drive for too long on a flat, damaged, or blown tire. It's best not to pull over too suddenly, so you should ensure that your emergency flashers or hazard lights are on for a few seconds to alert other cars that you are pulling over. Try to use a place that's isolated enough for you to have enough space to work but is still easy to pull over into. This is especially important when you're on a busy road.  A flat surface is ideal for changing a tire. Once you find an ideal spot, mark the location so others don't venture in. This can be done with objects like traffic cones. 

2. Ensure The Vehicle Will Remain Stationary 

Once your vehicle is parked, do everything you can to ensure it won't move while changing a tire. Put the vehicle in park, turn on the parking brake, and turn the car off. If you have wheel wedges, you should place them to avoid sudden, unwanted movement. Place the wedges behind your rear wheels if you change the front tire. If you change a rear tire, place the wedges in front of the front wheels. 

3. Remove The Hubcap And Loosen The Lug Nuts 

If your wheels have hubcaps, you need to remove them so that you can loosen the lug nuts.  Some hubcaps have special instructions for how to remove them. If this is true, follow those instructions. Otherwise, most hubcaps are removed using the flat end of your lug wrench. 

It is safer to loosen the lug nuts on the tire you want to change before you elevate the vehicle. If you wait until after you raise the vehicle to loosen the lug nuts, you risk throwing the car off the jack. Spin the lug nuts counterclockwise about half a turn, but leave each in for now, as you still want the tire to be attached. The scientifically tried-and-true method of righty-tighty, lefty-loosey can help you remember which way to spin them. 

4. Elevate The Vehicle 

To elevate your vehicle, you will need your jack. In most instances, you should place your jack near the tire that needs to be elevated, although some cars have designated places for you to put a jack. Your jack's owner manual might have special instructions on how to use it properly and the correct jack placement. You should raise the vehicle 15 centimetres above the ground for proper leverage. Once the vehicle is lifted, avoid placing any part of your body under the vehicle so that you don't injure yourself. The jack should be placed under a solid, flat piece of metal and not a piece of the frame. 

5. Replace The Tire 

Finish removing the lug nuts one by one by hand. Gloves are handy for this if you have any available. If the tire needs force to come off, it is best that you call a professional for help instead of trying to force it yourself. At this point, you will want to grab your spare tire while putting your damaged tire aside. Place the spare tire directly over the lug nut bolts. Screw the lug nuts back in by hand clockwise (right) as much as you can, one by one. This will keep your spare tire in place long enough for you to use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts up later.  

6. Lower The Vehicle 

Use your jack to lower the vehicle. To avoid hurting yourself or damaging anything, follow all instructions in your jack's manual during this step. When you're done, put your jack away, as you are done with it for now. 

7. Fully Tighten The Lug Nuts And Reattach The Hubcap 

Use your lug wrench to finish tightening your lug nuts as tight as possible. If you have a hubcap, place it on the spare tire. Double-check to ensure the spare tire is inflated fully and has the correct air pressure. However, it should be noted that spare tires aren't designed to last a long time, as they are just a temporary solution. For this reason, it is recommended that you replace the spare tire with a new one as quickly as you reasonably can. 

When you're done changing a tire, remember to pick up any equipment you use and put it back in its proper place. 

8. Visit A Mechanic 

Your old, flat tire might still be helpful. A mechanic or tire professional can tell you if it can be properly repaired and reinflated or if it's better to accept that it's simply a broken tire. If this is the case, you need to get a replacement tire. Now might also be an ideal time to replace all your tires since it's on your mind. 

How Long Does It Take To Change A Tire? 

With the right tools and equipment, changing a tire can usually be done in about 30 minutes it is important to remember that changing a tire is not a race and doing it too fast can lead to an unsafe situation. Take your time and get every step correct, so don't hurry to get the job done faster.