Did you stay in the middle of the road with a flat tire? You want to change the tire without asking anyone for help! Fortunately, changing tires is an easy task, as long as you're willing to put in a little effort.
Steps
Step 1. Find a flat, stable, and safe place to change the tire
You will need a solid, level surface that will prevent the car from rolling. If you are near a highway, park as far away from traffic as possible and turn on your hazard lights. Avoid parking on soft ground and hills.
Step 2. Apply the brake and put your car in park position
If you have a standard transmission, put the car in first or reverse.
Step 3. Place a heavy object (for example:
a stone, concrete, change tire, etc.) in front of and behind the wheels.
Step 4. Remove the spare tire and jack
Place the jack under the tire that you are going to change. Make sure the tire is in contact with the metal portion of the car.
- Many cars have plastic molds on the base. If you don't place the jack in the right place, you will break the plastic when you start to lift it. If you are not sure how to position the jack, read the instruction manual.
- Many modern cars have a small mark behind the front tire, or in front of the rear tire, where the jack is supposed to be.
- For most older trucks and cars that have chassis, look at where the jack should be, behind the front tire or in front of the rear tire.
Step 5. Raise the jack until you can support the car (but not lift it)
The jack must be firmly positioned under the car. Make sure the cat is perpendicular to the floor.
Step 6. Remove the wheel caps and loosen the lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise
Don't remove them all; you just have to remove the resistance. When keeping the tire on the ground the first time you loosen the lug nuts, be sure to turn the lug nuts instead of the tire itself.
- Use a wrench that came with your car, or a regular wrench. The wrench should be of different sizes with different ends. The correct size will slide through the nut.
- Be sure to prepare for any unforeseen tire changes by storing the exact size tubes for the lug nuts, as well as a socket wrench, in the trunk.
- It may take a little force to loosen the nuts. If all else fails, you can either use your body weight or stand on the key (make sure you are turning it correctly, that is, counterclockwise). However, using your body weight or standing on the wrench will increase the risk of wearing the nuts, as it is difficult to maintain full contact.
Step 7. Turn the handle to place the tire on the ground
You need to lift it high enough to remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare tire.
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As you lift it up, make sure the car is stable. If you notice any instability, lower the jack and fix the problem before getting the car back up.
- If you notice that the cat is going at an angle, lower the height and reposition it so that you can raise it again.
- It is always recommended that you have a small jack on hand as a support in case the other gives way during the tire change. That way, using both jacks will keep you safe in case one of them fails.
Step 8. Remove the remaining nuts
Twist them counterclockwise until they pop out. Repeat this step with all of them, then remove them completely.
While rare, some vehicles have reverse threaded nuts. They are generally used in older cars like Chryslers and GMs
Step 9. Remove the tire
Place the flat tire underneath the vehicle so that, if something happens, the vehicle will land on the flat tire and thus avoid any accident. If the cat is on a flat, solid surface, you don't have to be in trouble.
The rim can stick due to rust. Try pressing down the middle of the tire with a rubber mallet to loosen it, or use the spare tire to push it out
Step 10. Place the tire in the center
Be very careful when lining up the mount with the rim bolts, then attach the lug nuts.
- Make sure you position the spare tire in the correct way and not the other way around. The valve closure on a tire should be outward, away from the vehicle.
- If your vehicle uses acorn style nuts, it will be easy to put them back. Just make sure the tapered part of the nut faces the wheel when tightening.
Step 11. Tighten nuts until done
They should rotate normally.
- Using a wrench, tighten the nuts as much as you can with the help of a star pattern. To make sure the tire is balanced, don't finish tightening it all the way. Turn each nut until completely tight.
- Avoid using too much force as it can upset the cat. If you tighten the lug nuts too hard, the car could fail.
Step 12. Lower the car without putting all the weight on the tire
Tighten the nuts as much as possible.
Step 13. Lower the car completely and remove the jack
Finish tightening all the lug nuts and replace the tire caps.
Step 14. Put the old tire in the garage and take it to the mechanic
Get an estimate of how much the repair will cost. Minor piercings can cost less than $ 15 each. If the tire cannot be repaired, you can properly dispose of it and purchase a replacement.
Advice
- Check from time to time to make sure the spare tire has enough air.
- Familiarize yourself with the procedure and directions before buying a new spare tire, so if you have to change it in the dark or in the rain, you can do it without problem.
- Make sure to replace the cap after replacing the nuts. This centers the rims and secures the lug nuts in place.
- If your tires have lug nuts, make sure you use the correct wrench. You will need it to change the tire.
- Spinning tires according to the manufacturer's recommendations can prevent a common problem when changing a tire.
- When loosening or tightening the nuts, use the wrench so that you can press them well (with gravity). This will eliminate back injuries and allow you to use your full body weight instead of using force in your arms. Press the end of the key. You can also use your foot, but make sure you keep your balance.
- Sometimes the tires will fit the jacks and it will be difficult to remove them. If this happens to you, you will need a hammer and another 2x4 piece of wood to remove the flat tire. Rotating the tires will prevent this from happening when you change one.
- A lug wrench will give you much greater torque power than a standard one-hand wrench.
Warnings
- Be careful around the surroundings. If you are on a busy road, be very careful with vehicles that get too close. Many people die each year when they change their tires on the side of the road; don't do it unless you have to.
- For safety reasons, place objects such as logs, stones, etc. under the car after fitting the jack, but before removing the tire. Position it so that you can prevent the car from moving in case the cat does not resist or if it moves while you remove the tire. Place them near the rim, where it supports.
- Most tires (large “donut” type tires) are not designed for speeds greater than 80 km / h (50 mph) per hour. Exceeding this speed can cause problems. Drive slowly and carefully to a mechanic center and ask them to fix or change the tire.