How to Replace All 4 Tires

Tires are the foundation of a safe driving experience and they require regular replacement. Optimally, wear should be distributed evenly across all four tires, so that one tire does not require replacement before the others. When all four tires wear at the same rate, this means they must all be replaced at the same time, so knowing how to properly replace four tires at once is crucial, especially for AWD vehicles.

Things You'll Need

• Tire iron
• Car jack
• 4 replacement tires

Instructions

1. Turn off the vehicle and make sure it is parked on level ground.

2. Apply the car jack to the frame of the vehicle near one of the tires as indicated in the vehicle's instruction manual. Written instructions on how to use car jacks are often printed on them.

3. Elevate the vehicle with the jack so the tire to be replaced is an inch or two off the ground.

4. Remove the hubcap if it covers the lug nuts.

5. Loosen and remove each lug nut and set them aside for attaching the new tire.

6. Slide the old tire off the axle and set it aside with its hubcap.

7. Slide the new tire onto the axle so that the axle screws fit through the screw holes of the tire.

8. Screw one lug nut into place with the tire iron. Turn only until it stops turning -- do not over-tighten.

9. Screw one lug nut onto the screw opposite the last lug nut. This will ensure the tire is secured evenly.

10. Repeat steps 8 to 9 until all lug nuts are evenly tight and the tire is firmly secured.

11. Apply the hubcabs from the old tire onto the new tire.

12. Lower the vehicle with the jack until the tire is back on the ground.

13. Remove the jack from under the vehicle.

14. Repeat steps 2 to13 with the remaining three tires.

Tips & Warnings

• Tightening the lug nuts evenly is crucial to properly securing the tires in place. Only use a tire iron to manually tighten the lug nuts, as a pneumatic driver can over-tighten them.

• Make sure the vehicle is off and parked on level ground. Always make sure to follow the vehicle's instruction manual and jack instructions carefully. Whenever possible, work away from road traffic.

References

• DMV.org - How to Change a Tire
• 4x4ABC - Why You May Have to Buy Four New Tires If Only One Is Bad