If you’ve ever had to change a tire on the side of the road, you know that it’s no fun at all. You may have loads of experience, but you need to start with the basics every now and then. Here are seven quick tips to help you get through this unpleasant task with greater ease.
How Long Does It Take To Change A Tire ( Top 9 Tips)
1. FIND A SAFE LOCATION
Always keep safety in mind, and try to avoid accidents. Never drive faster than you’re comfortable doing so, especially when tired. Also, make sure you find a safe location to work on your car safely or change the tire.
A parking lot without any cars would be the best place to park. Keep the roadways smooth by not veering or slowing down, and oncoming traffic will have an easier time seeing you.
Just don’t try to change your tire while the shoulder is narrow, oncoming traffic is possible, and you’re the only one in sight. Find a safer spot instead. Because it may end up ruining your rim and lead to a lot of trouble on the road, changing your tire may be better than simply sitting there and hoping for the best.
As per your owner’s manual, it is imperative that you change a flat tire if needed in a timely manner.
2. Switch on your emergency lights.
The “flashers” on your car are meant to warn other drivers that you’re about to pull over to the side of the road. So when you notice they aren’t flashing or even blinking, pull over immediately.
3. Use the right tools
In addition to a spare tire, you should always have basic tools in your vehicle: a jack, lug wrench, flat-head screwdriver, and maybe even an automatic tire inflator. Even if you drive an economy car and never leave your driveway, it’s worth keeping these tools around—it could save you time or money down the road.
4. Check your spare tire pressure.
Be sure your spare tire is properly inflated to give you more grip on those winter days. You can check your pressure by looking at your vehicle’s door jamb or its owner’s manual. Check your tire tread: There are no visible tread blocks and at least 1/16 of an inch of tread left. If not, you may need to replace it right away; even if there is, keep checking it frequently because tires can wear out faster than they should when they get cold.
5. Don’t push if you can pull.
The jack and lug wrench is designed to be used on either side of your vehicle, so always put them back in their designated place when you’re done. If you don’t, you could scratch or damage other parts of your car while working under it. Also, if you need to remove bolts that have already been tightened down, don’t try pulling on them with all your might—push hard enough to loosen them.
6. Remove the jack
Keep your car’s owner’s manual in reach, and remember to put on your hazard lights before you begin. When removing your car’s jack from its storage location, make sure it’s in working order. Use it to raise one side of your vehicle enough to fit another car beneath it. If there are multiple people present who can help with changing a tire, ask them all to take part by putting additional weight on their respective tires.
7. Raise your car with jack stands
Remember, jacking up your car without support could result in disaster—don’t get overconfident and think you can raise one end of your car high enough on its own. Always use jack stands to support it while changing tires. If you don’t have access to them, make sure at least two other people are around who do before attempting to change a tire by yourself.
8. Loosen lug nuts with air gun/wrench combo
You can use an air gun/wrench to loosen and tighten your lug nuts. You might want to purchase one if you don’t have one. They’re not very expensive, and they make changing tires much easier than using just a wrench alone. You can use an air gun with no problems because most of them don’t put enough force on your tire or rims to cause any damage.
9. Tighten lug nuts with the torque wrench
Wrenching your car by hand can leave you with tire problems down the road. Instead, opt for a torque wrench to ensure that every lug nut is tightened to its ideal level. This will prevent dangerous blowouts and keep your car running efficiently. If you’re going to be fixing tires often, consider investing in an electric model that can tackle multiple lugs without switching between them manually.
Conclusion
By following these 7 tips, changing a tire should go from terrifying to exciting. Even if you don’t find yourself stranded on an isolated country road, knowing how to change a tire can come in handy around your neighborhood. Many cars today require inflated tires to travel over 50 miles per hour, so you must have at least one person who knows how to do it. Drive safely!
