How to Change a Tire Quickly, Easily, and Safely

In order to change a tire quickly easily, and safely, you need to prepare properly and follow the proper steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Periodically check your spare tire both to make sure that it is in useable condition and that you have easy access to it so that you can remove it from where it is stored without any problem.

2. Rather than ever trying to use the cheap, badly made, hard-to-use wrenches and jacks car manufacturers have been putting in their cars for the last 25 years, get yourself some decent tools.
   
   1. Get a decent floor jack. They are inexpensive and very quick and easy to use.
   2. Get a large, strong lug wrench which will supply good leverage for removing tight bolts.
   3. Get a four-way lug wrench (these wrenches usually get less leverage then a regular lug wrench) which, once the bolts are slightly loosened, can be used to remove the bolts very quickly.

3. Check the underneath of your vehicle to identify in advance exactly where on the frame you would position the jack to lift the vehicle for each of the four tires.

4. In your trunk, keep some work gloves and, if you wish, some coveralls. When you change a tire, you can get filthy. Also keep a good flashlight in your vehicle.

5. Try to avoid any chance of getting a flat tire as much as possible. Regularly check your tires to make sure they are properly inflated. Also check them for any excessive wear. While driving, always be careful about running over anything that could puncture or damage a tire.

6. If a flat tire occurs while driving, very carefully pull off the road to the nearest safe place to change the tire. Look for a spot far enough away from traffic so you won't be hit by a moving vehicle which provides a hard, flat surface such as level pavement. Jacking up a vehicle on soft or uneven ground or on a incline is risky. The vehicle could fall and get damaged, or you could be badly injured.

7. If your vehicle has hubcaps, carefully remove the one on the tire you plan to change by prying it off gradually. Loosen one side at a time until it is easy to remove.

8. Loosen the lug nuts a little bit before you jack up the vehicle. If you jack up the vehicle first and thEn try to turn the tight lug nuts, the whole wheel will just spin in the direction you are turning lug nuts, and they will not loosen. To loosen lug nuts, turn them to the left. At this point, you are not actually trying to remove any lug nuts; you are only loosening them up a bit before you jack up the vehicle.

9. Carefully jack up the vehicle. Place the jack in a spot that both holds the vehicle up securely and does not damage your vehicle in any way.

10. Finish loosening the lug nuts. At this point, the 4-way lug wrench can be used. By spinning the wrench, the bolts can be removed very quickly. Remove them and place them in a spot where you will remember where they are.

11. Carefully pull the wheel straight off and remove it.

12. Carefully put the spare tire on, lining it up carefully. Then put the lug nuts back on and tighten them only to the point at which the wheel begins to turn.

13. Lower the vehicle down from the jack slowly and carefully.

14. Tighten up all the lug nuts completely. Do not tighten them in a row. Tighten one on one side of the wheel then one on the opposite side until they are all tight.

15. Carefully put the hubcap back on being careful not to damage the valve stem which would the tire could leak air.

Tips & Warnings

• Changing a tire efficiently and safely is not difficult when you prepare, use the right tools, and follow an effective plan.

[oceanwaves]

on 10/1/2009 I understand...dread the thought. Who ever wants to change a tire?

[lllwallace]

on 10/1/2009 I hope I ne4ver have to.