What are the steps to change a spare tire by yourself?
5 Answers
The steps to change a spare tire by yourself are: 1. Loosen the screws; 2. Lift the vehicle with a jack; 3. Remove the screws fixing the wheel, counterclockwise to loosen, clockwise to tighten; 4. Remove the original tire; 5. Install the spare tire. The precautions for tire replacement are: 1. Choose a tire of the same specification; 2. Replace the valve stem at the same time; 3. Pay attention to the installation direction and inflation; 4. Check the tire pressure; 5. Perform a four-wheel alignment after changing the tire; 6. When removing the tire, slightly loosen the fixing screws and then lift the vehicle partially with a jack; 7. Choose tires with guaranteed quality.
I've got experience changing spare tires. First, make sure to park safely on a flat surface, turn on the hazard lights, and place the warning triangle. Before using the jack, remember to shift heavy items in the car to the side with the flat tire to prevent wobbling. Use the tire wrench to loosen the bolts diagonally but don't remove them completely. Find the metal jacking point on the chassis to position the jack. Once the car is lifted, remove all the bolts and take off the flat tire, being careful not to scratch the wheel hub. When installing the spare tire, align it with the bolt holes, hand-tighten all the nuts, and then pre-tighten them in a cross pattern. After lowering the car, use all your strength to tighten the nuts diagonally. Finally, pack up your tools and don't forget to check under the car for any bolts that might have bounced there. Never drive fast on a spare tire—80 km/h is the limit—and head to a repair shop ASAP.
Last month, I changed a spare tire on the highway by myself and realized the key lies in the preparation steps. First, engage the handbrake and turn off the engine—placing the warning sign 50 meters away is especially crucial. The tools and spare tire are in the hidden compartment of the trunk; girls are advised to wear gloves to prevent scratches. Loosen the screws in a diagonal pattern, like drawing a pentagram, then position the jack under the metal protrusion below the car door. When removing the tire, use your knee to brace it against sudden detachment, and install the new spare tire with the valve stem facing outward. Tighten the nuts in three steps: hand-tighten fully, use the wrench to tighten further when the jack is halfway down, and apply extra force by stepping on the wrench after the car is lowered. Finally, remember to check the spare tire’s pressure—if it’s insufficient, drive slowly to find a gas station.
The biggest fear when changing a spare tire yourself is jack failure. I've summarized six key points: Park on flat ground and engage the handbrake; Place warning signs 100 meters away; Loosen nuts diagonally before jacking up the car; Align spare tire bolt holes with the hub; Hand-tighten nuts first then secure with tools; Finally check if the spare is mounted backwards. Remember wrapping hands with a jacket prevents oil stains, and bringing a folding stool makes the job easier. Don't drive fast on shallow-tread spares - 50km is the maximum distance.
As a seasoned driver who has traveled the 318 route, changing a spare tire requires adapting to the environment. In urban areas, it's straightforward, but in the wild, first assess the terrain: use rocks to block the wheels on slopes. Loosen nuts with a wrench and an extension pipe for leverage; if you don’t have a dedicated jack, use the off-road vehicle’s Hi-Lift jack. Don’t place the spare tire directly on muddy ground—use a tool bag as a pad to keep it clean. If the wheel hub is rusted stuck, kick the tire’s sidewall to loosen it. After installation, always test-drive a few meters to listen for unusual noises. Such an emergency tire lasts at most two days; for Tibet trips, it’s best to carry a full-size spare.
