A Guide to Changing Car Tyres

Changing car tyres is one skill anybody can learn. This doesn’t mean it is something just anybody can do, however.

Before attempting to change the tyres of any car, there are some tools you need to have, preparations you need to take, and steps you need to take for you to successfully get the job done. In this guide, we would be equipping you with all this information and more.

What Tools Do You Need To Change Car Tyres

To safely and successfully change the tyres of any vehicle, you MUST have the following tools:

• A spare tyre: To replace the one you would be changing.
• A jack: To lift the car.
• A wench: To loosen and tighten the nuts that hold the tyres in place.
• Wheel chocks: To keep the car from rolling as you work on it.

The above tools are the most essential tools needed to change the tyres of any car. Without any of these tools, you should never attempt to change the tyres of any vehicle.

Other tools that might come in handy include:

• Your car handbook for reference, just in case.
• A torch for working at night.
• Gloves to keep your hands clean while working.
• A warning triangle to alert other drivers that your car is faulty and undergoing repair.
• Padding or mat to kneel on as you work.
• A reflective jacket to make you visible at night.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to change tyres in Penrith or Liverpool but do not have any of the essential tools at hand, we advise that you get emergency services near you as soon as possible.

Depending on the model of the car, some specialized tools might be needed to get the car’s tyres changed. In cases like this, we advise that you also contact car tyre experts near you to get the job done correctly.

Preparations to Take Before You Start Changing Car Tyres

Changing your car tyre is not something you should just start doing out of the blues, especially if the car tyre got damaged on the road. Below are a number of steps to follow before you actually start replacing your damaged tyre in order to keep your car, you, and any passengers you might have inside it safe while you fix the tyres.

A Quick Note: This procedure is only useful to people who need to change a car tyre that got damaged while in motion. If the car you wish to change its damaged tyre hasn’t been moved from the garage or the parking lot, then you are free to go straight to the next section.

Now with that said, let’s jump straight to the list.

1.    Get Your Vehicle off the Road

Get the car off the road or drive so it doesn’t obstruct other vehicles or any pedestrians. If possible, drive the car to a free space. If that is not a possibility, get the car as out of the way as you can.

2.    Park Your Car Properly

Make sure your car is adequately parked before you start working on replacing that damaged tyre. It is bad driving etiquette not to mention dangerous to do otherwise. Remember to apply your handbrake.

Also, you want to make sure that you are parking on level ground and not a slope.

3.    Put Up Your Warning Signs

Once the car is packed correctly, the next thing to do is put up the adequate warning signs to alert other drivers that there is a problem with the vehicle. A warning triangle is a great way to do this.

4.    Get the Car Empty

Remove any passengers from the car. Any heavy luggage should also be taken out to make the vehicle lighter.

Once you have all these preparations sorted out, you can now follow the steps listed below.

Steps to Follow When Changing a Car Tyre

Step 1: Position the Wheel Chock

Get the wheel chock to the adjacent tyre to the one you would be replacing i.e if you would be replacing the right-front tyre, then the should be chocking the left-back tyre. This would prevent the car from rolling when you get started.

Remember to position the wheel chocks correctly. If the tyre to be replaced is at the front, the chock should be placed behind the adjacent tyre. If it is at the back, however, the chock should be placed in front of the adjacent tyre.

In case you do not have chocks available, bricks, large rocks, or even a sturdy block of wood could get the job done.

Step 2: Get the Spare Tyre Out of the Car

It is always better to get the spare tyre out of the car before you start working on removing the damaged tyre. This way, your vehicle spends as little time as possible off the ground.

Step 3: Loosen the Nuts

Once the car has been chocked, you should then begin loosening the wheel nuts of the tyres that need to be replaced. It is much safer to do this before the car gets jacked up from the ground.

Do not loosen the nuts completely, however. That would be done later. To loosen the nuts, turn the wheel anti-clockwise.

Step 4: Jack the Car Up

Before you begin jacking up the car, locate its designated jacking point. This is where your car handbook comes in handy. If you do not have your handbook with you, you can simply look beneath the side of the car. You should be able to find it from there.

Use the jacking point closest to the tyre to be replaced when jacking the car and aim to position the jack in as stable a position as you can manage.

When jacking the car up, ensure to work slowly and carefully. Jack the car until it is at about 10-15cm off the ground.

Step 5: Remove the Flat Tyre

Once the car is off the ground, fully loosen the nuts and carefully take down the tyre to be replaced by pulling it closer to you till it comes free. Place it flat on the ground.

Step 6: Mount the Spare Tyre

Put the spare tyre in the newly removed tyre’s place. Replace the wheel nuts with your hands (the wrench would be used when the car is back on the ground).

To tighten the nuts (either with the wrench or your hands), turn the nuts in the clockwise direction.

Step 8: Lower the Car

Lower the car with the jack till the replaced tyre is touching the ground slightly.

Step 8: Tighten the Bolts Securely

Now that the car is safely on the ground, use the wrench to fully tighten the nuts. Ensure that the tyre is tightly fitted before stopping.

Step 9: Fully Lower the Car

Now you can lower the car completely and remove the jack.

Step 10: Pack Up

Now that the tyre has been replaced, you can now pack up your tools and the replaced tyre. And that’s it! You have just replaced your damaged tyre! All you need to do now is get the damaged tyre to a tyres expert in Liverpool and allis good as new!

Disclaimer: This is a generic Information & post; content about the services can be changed from time to time as per your requirements and contract. To get the latest and updated information, contact us today or visit our website.