how do you change a tyre

Steps.

• 1. Find a flat, stable and safe place to change your tire. You should have a solid, level surface that will restrict the car from rolling. If you are ...
• 2. Apply the parking brake and put car into "Park" position. If you have a standard transmission, put your vehicle in first or reverse. [2]
• 3. Place a heavy object (e.g., rock, concrete, spare wheel, etc.) in front of the front and back tires. [3]
• 4. Take out the spare tire and the jack. Place the jack under the frame near the tire that you are going to change. Ensure that the jack is in contact ...

Full Answer

How hard can it be changing my own tyres?

Changing your own tires is a job you can handle yourself if you already have rims attached to your tires. Anyone can do it, it just takes knowledge, practice and confidence to build the skill. You can join the many people who have embraced the freedom of not paying mechanics to do the job – and all the booking, travel time to the garage ...

How and when do you change your tyres?

Things You Need to Know

• Tread Wear Indicator. You can check the condition of your tires yourself by taking a look at the Tread Wear Indicator. ...
• Tire Pressure Warning Light. The tire pressure warning light could signal that your tires are either underinflated or overinflated.
• Duration. ...
• Vibrations. ...

When should you change your tyres?

• A rough ride may indicate tyre damage or excessive wear.
• If you notice vibrations or other disturbances while driving, immediately reduce speed, drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road and stop, and inspect your tyres.
• If a tyre is damaged, deflate it and replace it with your spare. ...

How to change your own tyres?

• Use the wrench that came with your car or a standard cross wrench. Your wrench may have different sizes of openings on different ends. ...
• Try to prepare for any unforeseen tire changes by keeping the exact socket size for your lug nuts as well as a breaker bar handy in the trunk.
• It can take quite a lot of force to break your lug nuts free. ...

Can you change a TYRE by yourself?

You can change your tyres by yourself without any problems if you follow our instructions. However, because tyres cannot be balanced in a home garage, it is a good idea to have a professional do this.

How do you change a TYRE step by step?

0:392:01How to Change a Tire: A Step-by-Step Guide— Cars.comYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYourself with your manual in advance place the jack on your manuals recommended Jack point oftenMoreYourself with your manual in advance place the jack on your manuals recommended Jack point often marked the jack point will be a flat metal area of the cars frame near the flat tire.

How do you change a TYRE at home?

0:433:41How to Change a Car Tyre | Drive.com.au - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe car up slightly. And place the spare wheel under the car just in case the car falls off the jackMoreThe car up slightly. And place the spare wheel under the car just in case the car falls off the jack and remember to Jack the car a little bit higher allowing for the fully inflated. Tire.

How do you change a TYRE for dummies?

HOW TO CHANGE TIRESFIND A SAFE LOCATION. As soon as you realize you have a flat tire, do not abruptly brake or turn. ... TURN ON YOUR HAZARD LIGHTS. ... APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. ... APPLY WHEEL WEDGES. ... REMOVE THE HUBCAP OR WHEEL COVER. ... LOOSEN THE LUG NUTS. ... PLACE THE JACK UNDER THE VEHICLE. ... RAISE THE VEHICLE WITH THE JACK.More items...•

How do you change a tyre without a machine?

10:5912:54How to change a tire off the rim without tire machine - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then if you put the tire up on something towards lift it up like this while you're airing itMoreAnd then if you put the tire up on something towards lift it up like this while you're airing it gravity will hold this side of the bead. Against. So that you can air it up.

What are the five steps to change a flat tire?

HOW TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE IN FIVE STEPSStep One: Get Safe. Before you exit your vehicle, you need to pull over or find a place away from the rush of traffic on the road. ... Step Two: Grab Your Tools. ... Step Three: Loosen and Lift. ... Step Four: Change the Tire. ... Step Five: Lower and Tighten.

How do you change a tire by hand?

1:315:39How to change your own tires by hand - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis was a spare that was under the truck or whatever ten years five years we're not bored we'reMoreThis was a spare that was under the truck or whatever ten years five years we're not bored we're going to use it you can never reuse things last wind in a minute put pressure on it.

Can you change a tire without a jack?

A Hole in One Using a shovel — or even your hands in a true emergency — dig out the soil around and underneath the flat tire. Keep digging until you have enough room to change the tire. Again, loosen the lug nuts, change the tire, replace the lug nuts and tighten gently. Fill in the hole until you can drive out of it.

What tools are needed to change tires?

Tools to Change a TireA manual car jack designed to raise your vehicle high enough to remove the flat tire.A spare tire. ... A lug wrench or torque wrench. ... Wheel wedges. ... A portable tire inflator.A tire gauge to read the recommended tire pressure.

Is it hard to change a tire?

Changing a tire is actually rather physically demanding. You have to put some muscle in getting the lug nuts off and cranking the jack, and then you have to bend down and lift the tire. Often, folks will try to do all of this is a hurry to get on their way, but that's a mistake.

How do you get a tyre off?

0:532:22How to Change a Tyre - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd make sure it's sitting nice and flat and square to the vehicle. Then start each of the wheelMoreAnd make sure it's sitting nice and flat and square to the vehicle. Then start each of the wheel nuts by hand. Then remove the flat tire from under the vehicle. And lower the jack.

How do you loosen a lug nut?

0:493:06How to Remove a Stuck Lug Nut on Your Car - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut let's say your mechanic used a giant impact wrench like this and you can't get it off even withMoreBut let's say your mechanic used a giant impact wrench like this and you can't get it off even with your leg. Well then you get a long piece of pipe like this and act like Archimedes.

How do you change a flat TYRE on a car?

Five simple steps on changing a flat tyrePull over. Park your car in a safe area away from traffic and any road hazards. ... Open boot. Look for the tools and jack, usually kept in the car's boot. ... Remove tyre. Check that your new tyre is inflated. ... Jack under car. ... Take off tyre and tighten wheel nuts.

How do you change a tyre NZ?

How to change a tyreTake out the jack, tools and spare tyre.Remove the hub cap on the flat tyre if there is one. ... Find the lifting point under your car where the jack needs to be placed. ... Remove the wheel nuts with your tyre tool, then remove the wheel and change it over with the spare.More items...

How do you put new tires on a car?

1:593:06Install Two New Tires on the Rear Axle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipForward always put the new tires on the rear. Remember reducing driving speed when highways are wetMoreForward always put the new tires on the rear. Remember reducing driving speed when highways are wet is the single most important factor in avoiding hydroplaning.

Should car be in neutral when changing tires?

DON'T leave the car in neutral You'll obviously want to leave the engine off before you start the tyre change, but the gearstick should be left in either first or reverse gear. The reason you want to do this is that the handbrake only operates on two wheels, usually the rear wheels to be exact.

How to prevent a car from rolling when jacked up?

Position the wheel chocks. Chocks prevent the car from rolling while jacked up. Position a chock on the opposite wheel to the one with a puncture. For example, if your left-front tyre has a puncture, put a chock behind the right-rear wheel. If your left-rear tyre is flat, you need a chock in front of the right-front.

Can you change a tyre if you have a blowout?

Experiencing a tyre blowout can be frightening - make sure you are in a safe place and a calm state before following our advice on how to change a tyre. First thing's first, never try and change a tyre if your personal safety is at risk or if you do not have the correct tools. If you are, however, in a safe place, ...

Can you change an offside wheel after a tyre repair?

It takes machinery to balance and wheel after tyre repair. 1) Never change an offside wheel, which leaves you exposed to traffic, if needs be, drive to the other side of the carriageway , and change the wheel. Or use another car as a protection.

How to change a tire properly?

11 Steps for Changing a Tire Properly. Step 1. Pull over at a safe spot. As soon as you notice something wrong, find an area where it’s safe to pull over, preferably with a wide shoulder so you have more room to work. Put your hazard lights on, begin to slow down and come to a full stop on the shoulder.

Why is it important to learn to change a tire?

Learning to change a tire is one of the most crucial skills every driver should have — it’ s easy — plus it saves time, saves money (no more leaning on roadside assistance to fix everything), and is an all-around practical and useful skill to have.

How to tighten lug nuts on a spare tire?

Place lug nuts. Place the lug nuts and tighten them by hand. Do NOT use the lug wrench while the car is on the jack. Step 10. Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts. Lower the jack slowly until the car is on the ground. Use the lug wrench to fully tighten the lug nuts onto the spare tire.

How to remove a lug on a tire?

If your lug nuts are already exposed, skip this step. Step 3. Loosen the lug nuts. Use the lug wrench to loosen, but not remove, all of the lug nuts on the affected tire. Turn them counterclockwise until you are able to loosen them by hand later.

What to do if you blow out a tire in Illinois?

Make sure you are in a safe area to change the tire and have taken extra precautions. If you have a blow out on a freeway your only option may be the shoulder of the road. In this case, be sure to set up road flares or reflective cones. If you do not have flares or cones and traffic is heavy or you’re uncomfortable, call roadside assistance and 911 for emergency traffic assistance. If you’re in Illinois, emergency traffic assistance is typically provided by Emergency Traffic Patrol (ETP).

How fast can you drive on a donut tire?

When driving on a donut tire, do NOT drive above 50 mph. Braking, cornering and handling WILL be affected. Check the donut’s tire pressure. It should be 60 psi. You can only drive so many miles on a donut.

How to stop a car from rolling?

Put your hazard lights on, begin to slow down and come to a full stop on the shoulder. Engage your parking break and if necessary, set up the reflective triangles to alert drivers that you are stopped ahead. Place the wheel wedges behind/in front of the car to prevent any possible rolling. Step 2. Remove the hubcap.

What you need to change a tyre

As with most things in motoring, preparation is key. And if you don’t have a basic kit in your car, get one now. It might help you get your vehicle up and running in short order.

How to change a tyre step-by-step

Now that you’re fully prepared, here’s your step-by-step guide to changing a flat or damaged tyre. In a nutshell:

Can you change a tyre on a motorway or a hard shoulder?

If you’ve developed a flat on the motorway don’t panic. It’s best if you can get your vehicle off at the next exit or pull into a service area if possible.

Does breakdown cover include tyre punctures?

A flat or damaged tyre is among the top three reasons listed by many breakdown cover providers for call out assistance.

How to check for a flat tyre

The biggest indication of a flat tyre while driving is through the steering wheel which tends to vibrate and become unstable. You may hear a loud noise too. It’s a serious hazard to drive with a flat tyre.

How to change a tire on a car?

Lift the Vehicle Up. Using the jack, get your vehicle to lift high enough off the ground for you to change the tire. Make sure the jack is not placed where it will contact plastic molding, as it can damage your vehicle if placed improperly. 5. Replace the Tire.

How to change a tire without being an obstacle?

Follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll be well on your way! 1. Safely Get Your Vehicle Off the Road. You want to find a safe place to pull over, so you can change your tire without becoming an obstacle for oncoming traffic. Make sure you pull over as far from the road as possible.

How to change a tire with lug nuts?

The lug nuts are what is securing the tire to the car. You’ll need to remove lug nuts to change the tire. Using the wrench, begin by turning them counterclockwise until they are loose enough to turn by hand, but not entirely. 4. Lift the Vehicle Up.

How to stop a car from rolling while changing tires?

Also, make sure the ground where you pull over is flat enough to keep your car from rolling while you change the tire.

What to do if your car tire is not repaired?

If the original tire cannot be repaired, you’ll need to get a new spare tire as soon as possible. If another one of your tires needs to be replaced, and the only extra tire you have is the flat one in your trunk, you’ll be in trouble.

How to remove a flat tire from a car?

First, pull over to a safe part of the road, turn on your hazard lights, and engage your parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire with a wrench, and then lift your vehicle using a car jack. Finish unscrewing the lug nuts and then remove the flat from the car. Next, put the spare tire in place and replace the lug nuts.

What do you need to do a parking brake?

2. Gather the Necessary Materials. At the very least, you will need a wrench, a car jack, and a spare. Depending on the conditions, you may also be well served by a rain poncho, a flashlight, gloves, and a tire gauge.

HOW TO CHANGE TIRES

As soon as you realize you have a flat tire, do not abruptly brake or turn. Slowly reduce speed and scan your surroundings for a level, straight stretch of road with a wide shoulder. An empty parking lot would be an ideal place. Level ground is good because it will prevent your vehicle from rolling.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIX A FLAT TIRE?

Aside from taking your tire to a professional, the above procedure shouldn’t take more than 15 to 30 minutes to change a tire. Just be sure you don’t leave out any steps.

A FEW MORE TIPS ON CHANGING TIRES

Knowing how to fix a flat tire is great, but regular tire maintenance is even more important. In addition to reviewing this guide regularly, remember to do the following:

CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY

There’s never a good time for a flat. That’s why Bridgestone DriveGuard tires are masterfully engineered to keep you moving for up to 50 miles at speeds up to 50 MPH without disruption.

CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY

There’s never a good time for a flat. That’s why Bridgestone DriveGuard tires are masterfully engineered to keep you moving for up to 50 miles at speeds up to 50 MPH without disruption.

How to stop a car from rolling when changing a flat tire?

In addition to applying your emergency brake, place a large rock or stick behind the tire opposite of the flat to prevent the car from rolling.

How to put spare tire on wheel?

Place your spare tire onto the wheel by lining up the holes with the bolts. Place the lug nuts back onto the bolts and turn them in a clockwise fashion. Once you have tightened the lug nuts by hand, use the lug wrench to make sure each lug nut is secure. 5.

How to remove lug nuts after a tire is lifted?

After the vehicle is lifted, remove the lug nuts that you loosened prior to using the jack by using the lug wrench. You don’t want to lose any lug nuts. Make sure to keep your lug nuts in a safe location so you do not loose them while changing the tire.

How to remove a nut from a wheel?

It is important to complete this step before using the jack to lift the wheel. Place the lug wrench onto each nut and apply pressure to the handle in a counter clockwise fashion . Only loosen the nuts, do not remove them completely.

How to loosen a lug nut?

Only loosen the nuts about ¼ to ½ of a turn, do not remove them completely. If you have trouble loosening a lug nut, use your foot or knee to gain leverage on the handle of the lug wrench.

Where to find a spare tire?

1. To begin the process of changing the flat tire, locate your spare tire and jack in the trunk of your vehicle. Spare tire is usually found in the trunk. Most models store these two items in a compartment underneath the floor of the trunk. Carefully lift the spare tire and place it on the ground in close proximity to the flat tire.

How to jack up a car with a hydraulic jack?

Jacking up a car with the hydraulic jack. Position the jack on a strong part of your vehicle’s frame. You vehicle’s owner manual will give specific information about the proper placement of the jack on your particular vehicle. Turn the jack in a clockwise fashion by hand until it meets the vehicle.

Preparing to Change Your Tire

Before you start the process of replacing your flat tire, you need to make a few preparations for your safety and the safety of other drivers. Here is what you need to do:

Changing Your Car Tire

Now that you are adequately prepared, you can start on the actual changing of the car tire.

How Long Does it Take to Change a Car Tire?

The entire process of changing a car tire should not take you more than 15 minutes to half an hour. If you have been driving a car for decades and have had practice with changing your tires, it can take you an even shorter time than that. Just make sure you do not skip the essential steps written above.

How to Avoid Having a Flat Tire

Although it is important to learn how to change a flat tire, it is even more important to maintain your tires regularly. In addition to learning this step-by-step guide, you should also remember to do the following to prevent or at least reduce the risks of tire punctures.

About THE AUTHOR

I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.