How to Remove Studs From Winter Tires

Winter tires may or may not come with studs.

Studded winter tires are a lifesaver in wintry conditions for many motorists. As winter fades, though, the studs can become a problem. They are outlawed in most states after the threat of significant cold weather has passed. You must either remove the tires from your car or remove the studs from the tires. If you opt to extract the studs, check the amount of tread remaining on the tires. It is recommended that if you have 7/32 or more tread depth, removing the studs will be worth the effort. Take care to avoid damaging the tires during the removal process..

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Locking pliers
• Jack
• Lug wrench
• Tub
• Water

Instructions

1. Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts of the wheel with the studded tire. Jack up the the corner of the car where the studded tire is mounted. Finish unscrewing and removing the lug nuts. Lift the tire and wheel from the car. If you have tire-changing equipment, use it to hold the tire securely. Otherwise, stabilize the tire and wheel as much as possible while taking the studs out of the winter tire. Grip a stud with a pair of pliers or locking pliers. Pull upward on the stud while twisting it. The twisting action will break the bond between the stud and the tire.

2. Pull until the stud is extracted from the tire. Do not pump up and down on the stud. This can damage the tire and cause it to leak. If the stud proves to be difficult to remove, try twisting it more until it is loose in the hole. When it feels easier to rotate, attempt to pull it again. Continue doing this until all of the studs have been removed from the tire.

3. Submerge the tire in a tub of water and check the tire for leaks. Focus on the holes that are left after the studs have been removed. If there are leaks, repair them before replacing the tire back onto the car. If there are no leaks, mount the tire and wheel on the car. You may need to have the tires balanced after the studs are removed for a smoother ride. Repeat this entire process for each studded tire.

Tips & Warnings

• In some cases, it might be easier to store the studded snow tires until they are needed again and mount a different set of tires on the car for the warmer time of the year.

• Use safety glasses to protect your eyes while removing the studs.

References

• TireRack: Removing Studs From Winter Tires
• Consumer Reports: Studded Tires