subject: The Basics Of Chaning A Tire [print this page] If you drive a car, motorcycle, or bike the likelihood of needing to change a tire at some point is extremely high. Just imagine being stuck on the side of the road, waiting for help to arrive, because you don't know how to change a car tire yourself.
The best and worst part of a situation like this is that it is not difficult to learn how to change a car tire. You no longer need to fear that you will be left on the side of the road.
Learning how to change a tire will save you money, time waiting for help to arrive, and will give you the satisfaction of knowing that you have gained a new skill. Review your vehicle owner's manual for the correct procedure for changing a tire on your particular car. The following are only general guidelines for a tire change.
Get the appropriate tools for changing a tire. The tools needed for a tire change include a jack, rubber mallet, wheel nut wrench, tire iron or large screwdriver, wheel lock key (if your car model features a wheel lock), and wheel chocks or bricks. Keep all of these tools in the trunk of your car, along with your spare tire.
When changing a tire park your car on a firm and level surface. If this is difficult at your current location, then make it as level as you possibly can.
Next, make sure that your vehicle is put in park. Now, put on the parking brake and remove the car key from the ignition.
You should place a brick or wheel chock if you have one, diagonally opposite the wheel that is in need of fixing. Next, remove the tire wheel.
Some vehicles have separate wheel covers. If your vehicle does, use a pry bar to remove them first.
Wheel covers can be removed by placing the pry bar beneath the edge of the wheel cover and then gently prying the wheel cover upwards.
Repeat this at random points around the wheel cover until it starts to loosen. When you have loosened it enough you will easily be able to remove the entire wheel cover.
If your vehicle has a wheel lock key, fit the key to the wheel lock and place your lug wrench onto it. Turn the lug wrench clockwise until the wheel lock becomes loose.
Then be sure to place the wheel lock in a safe place.
What you are trying to do now, is loosen the lug nuts. It is important to note that you don't want to remove the lug nuts completely, just loosen them.
If you find that a lug nut is difficult to loosen, you can place the lug wrench on the lug nut until it gets nearly horizontal with the ground. Then, stand safely close to the end of the lug wrench and do a little hop or jump. This method should crack that tight lug nut loose and allow you to continue changing the tire.
Now place the jack in position under the car. You can do this by following your vehicle's manual instructions. Most likely the jack will be placed in front of the rear wheels and close to the rear of the front wheels.
If the ground is grassy, sandy, or soggy it is a good idea to place some plywood under the jack. This helps to level out the jack and keep it in place for the rest of the process.
Then, carefully and steadily raise the vehicle until the tire is just barely making any contact with the ground. Using your lug wrench, remove all the lug nuts and place them aside in a safe area.
Raise your vehicle with jack until the wheel clears the ground. Now remove the wheel.
After removing the wheel, put your spare tire in its place. Put the lug nuts back on and lower the car down.
Make sure you put away all your tools and old tire before leaving the area. Be sure to put on a new tire as soon as possible. Spare tires are only meant to be used for a short amount of time.
Drive safe and remember to get your tires changed and rotated. Although these precautions won't guarantee you won't get a flat tire, it will lower your chances. When you know how to change a flat tire you will be prepared if you ever need to put your skill into action.
