Removing a car tire is a straightforward DIY task if you have the right tools and follow safety precautions. You'll need a jack, a lug wrench, and a wheel chock. The core process involves loosening the lug nuts, lifting the vehicle, removing the nuts, and then the tire. The most critical safety rule is to never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack; always use jack stands.
First, park on a flat, solid surface and engage the parking brake. Place a wheel chock against the tire diagonally opposite the one you're removing. Use the lug wrench to break the lug nuts loose with a counter-clockwise turn—just enough to overcome the initial tightness, don't remove them completely yet. This step is crucial because once the car is lifted, the wheel would just spin.
Position the jack under the vehicle's designated jack point (consult your owner's manual for its exact location, as lifting on a random spot can damage the frame). Slowly raise the car until the tire is about 6 inches off the ground. Now you can fully unscrew and remove the lug nuts. Place them in a safe container so they don't roll away. Pull the tire straight toward you to remove it from the wheel hub. If it's stuck, a solid kick on the sidewall or gently rocking it can break it free.
| Common Lug Nut Torque Specifications (for reference) | |
|---|
| Compact/Standard Car | 80-100 ft-lbs |
| SUV / Light Truck | 100-120 ft-lbs |
| German Luxury Sedans | 90-120 ft-lbs |
| Specific models require checking the manual | |
When installing the spare or new tire, hand-tighten the lug nuts, lower the car so the tire just touches the ground, and then use the wrench to tighten them in a star pattern to ensure even pressure. Finally, lower the car completely and do a final torque check. It's a good idea to get your lug nut torque professionally checked with a torque wrench at your earliest convenience.
