Should the Handbrake Be Applied When Changing Tires?

[SanBrantley]

When replacing tires, the vehicle should be in park and the handbrake should be engaged. Some vehicles have wheel hub covers that need to be removed first to loosen the nuts, which can be taken off using a wrench. Principles of Tire Replacement: Tires of different specifications have varying outer diameters and section widths when inflated. Installing them on the same axle will result in uneven load distribution. Due to the different carcass structures between radial tires and bias tires, their cushioning performance and circumferential deformation differ. Mixing these two types of tires on the same axle will inevitably lead to uneven load-bearing and inconsistent wear. Steps for Changing Tires: Place the jack in the designated slot under the vehicle. Use the jack handle to turn clockwise, raising the jack until it just touches the vehicle's underside. Loosen the wheel bolts with a socket wrench, but do not remove them completely. Note that turning counterclockwise loosens the bolts, while clockwise tightens them. Continue raising the jack until the wheel is about 5 centimeters off the ground. Fully loosen and remove the bolts, then take off the tire. Retrieve the spare tire, place it onto the hub, and store the removed tire in the designated space.