How to Change a Spare Tire?
4 Answers
Steps to change a spare tire are: 1. Park the car and turn off the engine, apply the handbrake; 2. Find the spare tire, jack, and wrench in the car; 3. Place the jack under the side of the car where the tire needs to be changed; 4. Loosen the bolts of the tire to be changed in a diagonal pattern; 5. Remove the tire and take off the bolts; 6. Replace with the spare tire; 7. Lower the car by releasing the jack and tighten the bolts and nuts. Types of spare tires include: 1. Full-size spare tire; 2. Compact spare tire; 3. Run-flat tire. Precautions for spare tires: 1. Regularly inspect the spare tire; 2. Avoid contact with oil products; 3. Spare tires can age if stored for a long time.
Having driven for many years, safety is my top priority when changing a spare tire. First, park the car on a flat and open area, pull the handbrake tight, shift into P or reverse gear, turn on the hazard lights, and place a warning triangle about 50 meters behind the car to alert other drivers. Don’t rush—take out the spare tire, jack, and wrench from the trunk for backup. Remember, loosen the lug nuts slightly with the wrench before jacking up the car, but don’t remove them completely; take them off only after lifting the car. Position the jack at the correct support point under the car and slowly raise the vehicle until the tire is a few centimeters off the ground. Then remove the old tire and install the spare, making sure it aligns with the wheel hub holes. Hand-tighten the lug nuts before lowering the car back to the ground, then tighten all the nuts diagonally with full force to ensure they don’t loosen. After changing, check the spare tire’s pressure—if it’s usually low, use the onboard air pump to inflate it to the recommended level. Be careful not to get hurt by tools, especially when the car isn’t stable—avoid going under it. The spare is just for emergencies; head to a repair shop to replace the original tire promptly to avoid issues on the road.
Changing a spare tire isn't complicated, just follow the steps. Park on a safe, flat surface, turn off the engine, engage the parking brake, and turn on the hazard lights. Retrieve the tools, spare tire, jack, and wrench from the trunk—don't forget anything. First, loosen the lug nuts but don't remove them completely; use the wrench to turn them slightly loose. Then, position the jack under the car at the designated lift point and slowly raise the vehicle until the tire is off the ground. Fully remove the lug nuts, take off the old tire, place the new spare tire on, align the holes, and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Lower the jack to let the car settle back on the ground, then use the wrench to tighten the lug nuts diagonally, giving them a few extra turns to ensure they're secure. Pack up your tools—remember, the spare is temporary, so don't drive too fast; keep it under 80 km/h. Wear gloves to keep your hands clean while changing the tire. If you encounter stubborn, rusty lug nuts, a bit of lubricant spray can help. Newcomers should practice a few times to get familiar with tool placement and jack points for future emergencies.
Tire changing tools are crucial – in my experience, missing any can be troublesome. The spare tire is usually a compact black one stored under the trunk floor. Always check that the jack and wrench are in good condition. After parking, find a level spot – avoid slopes. Clean the hubcap (if present) before loosening the lug nuts. Use a cross wrench or L-shaped wrench to loosen the tire bolts – don’t remove them completely, just loosen slightly, then use your foot for safety and effort-saving. Position the jack under the vehicle’s metal support point and raise the car slowly – don’t rush – just enough to lift the tire off the ground. Remove the old tire, mount the spare (ensure correct orientation), and hand-tighten the bolts a few turns first. After lowering the car, tighten the bolts diagonally in a crisscross pattern to avoid warping. Finally, check tire pressure and inflate if needed. Store tools promptly – the spare isn’t for long-term use (speed limit 80 km/h) – head to a repair shop to fix the original tire. For maintenance, regularly check the spare’s condition, keep it properly inflated, and store tools neatly to avoid scattering.
