What should be paid attention to when changing car tires?
3 Answers
Precautions for changing car tires are as follows: 1. Choose the appropriate tires. The specifications of the tires should be the same as the previous ones and must match the other tire on the same axle, such as speed rating, load index, tread pattern, brand, size, etc., which is beneficial for safe driving. 2. The valve stem should also be replaced. This is because when you change the tires, the aging cycles of the new tires and the valve stems are different. During the new tire cycle, the valve stem may develop issues, which are not easily noticeable. Therefore, it is best to replace the valve stem at the same time as the tires. 3. Installation direction and inflation. If using the original factory tires, install them according to the manufacturer's requirements. If using non-original tires, generally the side with the production date should face outward. If they are directional tires, ensure that the arrow on the wheel aligns with the direction of the car's forward motion. When inflating, you can inflate to the maximum pressure allowed by the tire and then reduce it to the standard pressure specified by the manufacturer. 4. It is best to install new tires on the rear axle of the vehicle. If more worn tires are placed on the rear axle, it will reduce the rear wheels' drainage capacity, thereby increasing the risk of driving in rainy conditions. Therefore, if only two new tires are installed, they should be mounted on the rear wheels.
Do your homework before changing tires! First check if the tire model matches - the alphanumeric code on the sidewall must be identical to OEM specs. Wrong size will throw off your speedometer. Never compromise on tools - the vehicle jack must be positioned at dedicated chassis points, using random bricks as support is downright suicidal. Follow proper bolt removal sequence - loosen them diagonally one by one to avoid damaging the wheel hub. When installing new tires, never apply grease to the hub for rust prevention - that slippery surface could cause brake failure! Always check tire pressure when cold, and re-torque bolts after driving a few kilometers. Don't rely on spare tires long-term - exceeding 80km/h is like carrying a time bomb. Finally, check the tire's production date - avoid tires with DOT codes showing they've been sitting for three years.
Learned the hard way changing tires myself yesterday. Scratched the rim with two marks due to improper tire changer operation, then spent another 200 bucks on roadside touch-up paint. Forgot to replace the valve stem during installation, resulting in slow leaks and multiple trips to the repair shop. The mechanic advised inflating to 1.3 times the labeled pressure first to seat the tire properly before reducing to standard PSI. Using a torque wrench for lug nuts is essential - I snapped a stud with the factory wrench. Pro tip: Allow extra time for winter snow tire changes; below-zero temps make rubber stiff, causing difficult installation and air leaks.
