Changing a tire might seem daunting if you’ve never done it before. Knowing when a tire change is necessary can be tricky without a close inspection. If you’re not comfortable diagnosing tire problems, a professional mechanic can help. However, learning how to change a tire yourself is a valuable skill.
A key indicator that your tires need replacing is a decline in performance. For instance, if your car, which typically handles well in bad weather, starts to lose grip, or if your braking distance increases, it’s time to check your tires.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 millimeters. Most tire manufacturers include tread wear indicators (TWI) molded into the tire’s tread pattern, usually at the 1.6-millimeter mark. When the tire wears down to the TWI, it must be replaced.
Tire wear results from several factors, not just age and normal use. Emergency braking, improper inflation (under or over), and wheel misalignment can accelerate wear. Once a tire reaches or exceeds its legal wear limit, replacement is essential.
To prolong your tires’ life, regularly check for proper inflation using a tire pressure gauge. You can use a mechanical or electronic gauge, or a pump with a built-in gauge. Small compressors powered by your car’s cigarette lighter are convenient but avoid cheap models, as they tend to be unreliable.
If your tires are still in poor condition despite proper care, replacement is unavoidable. The process is straightforward with a few simple steps. Before you start, ensure you have your car’s jack, a properly inflated spare tire, a lug wrench that fits your wheel’s lug nuts, and the correct lug bolts.
Park your car on a level surface and engage the parking brake. Place bricks or large stones behind the wheels opposite the tire you’re changing to prevent rolling. Gather the jack, spare tire, and lug wrench.
Start by removing the hubcap or wheel cover. Loosen the lug nuts with the lug wrench before jacking up the car. Turn the nuts counterclockwise. Once loosened, position the jack according to your car’s manual and raise the vehicle until the flat tire is off the ground.
Remove the old tire by pulling it towards you. Mount the spare tire onto the wheel studs, aligning the holes properly. Reinstall the lug nuts, tightening them by hand in a star pattern (opposite nuts first) to ensure even pressure.
Lower the vehicle with the jack until the tire touches the ground. Fully tighten the lug nuts in the same star pattern using the lug wrench. Once tightened, lower the vehicle completely and remove the jack. Finally, replace the hubcap or wheel cover.
Changing a tire may seem challenging initially, but it becomes easier with practice. Knowing how to change a tire is a valuable skill that can save you time and money.