How to Properly Replace a Car Tire?
2 Answers
Park the car and turn off the engine, then engage the handbrake. Place heavy objects in front of and behind the wheels to prevent sliding. Set up a triangular warning sign behind the vehicle. Locate the tire, jack, and wrench. Loosen the screws on the tire to be replaced in a diagonal pattern, but do not remove them yet. Position the jack under the side of the car where the tire needs to be replaced and lift the vehicle to a certain height. Remove the screws and take off the tire, ensuring the top screw is the last to be removed. Install the spare or new tire. Mount the tire onto the axle, starting from the top and tightening the anti-theft screws in a diagonal pattern. Tip: The inflation valve should face outward. Lower the vehicle by releasing the jack and tighten the screws and nuts again. Inflate the tire if necessary.
I have quite some experience with changing tires. First, find a safe spot to park, away from traffic, engage the handbrake, and turn on the hazard lights. Then, place a warning triangle about 50 meters behind the car to alert other drivers. Checking the spare tire to ensure proper air pressure is a must. I usually loosen the lug nuts of the old tire with a wrench but don’t remove them completely. When positioning the jack, make sure to find the correct lifting point on the chassis to avoid misalignment. Lift the car just enough to get the wheel off the ground. Then, remove the old tire, mount the new one, hand-tighten the lug nuts, and use the wrench to tighten them in a crisscross pattern—don’t tighten them all at once. Finally, lower the jack slowly and check if the tire is securely fixed. Be cautious throughout the process to avoid sudden vehicle movement that could cause injury, especially on rainy days or muddy roads. Having gloves and lighting tools ready makes the job safer and significantly reduces the risk of accidents.
