How to Change a Car Tyre
For many motorists, changing a tyre is a particularly alien task, something which we leave up to breakdown technicians and mechanics. This doesn’t have to be the case though, changing a tyre is a lot simpler than many people have it in their heads, especially if you break the process down into smaller, more manageable chunks and remain focused on the task at hand.
With this in mind, in this article Munster Tyres will be focusing on how to change a tyre.
What you’ll need
Firstly, before you even consider the task of changing a tyre, you need to have the right items, either at home or in the boot of your car. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Spare wheel with a properly inflated tyre
- Tyre jack and wheel brace
- Screwdriver
- Clean rag
- Warning triangle
Starting the tyre changing process
Firstly, you will need to safely steer your vehicle off the road and away from traffic in order to carry out the process safely. Remove anything that’s preventing access to the spare wheel and, once you’ve removed it from its housing, make sure you check that it’s properly inflated. It’s also worth checking that the tyre jack is fully functional.
Jacking up the car
Firstly, use the wheel brace to loosen the nuts slightly on the wheel you’re changing in an anti-clockwise direction. Once completed, use the tyre jack to begin raising the wheel up. However, it’s vital that you use the lifting point outlined in your vehicle handbook, if you use a different point, the car may collapse.
Removing the wheel
Once your car is raised such that the wheel is properly clear from the road, then unscrew the nuts fully and remove them. Once completed, it’s time to remove the wheel. Make sure that you take great care when removing the wheel, since it will be heavy and carrying a great deal of dirt.
Putting the spare wheel on
Ensuring that the wheel is the correct way round, fit the spare wheel securely onto the car, then start to screw the wheel nuts in moderately tight. Use the old wheel as a safety cushion by placing it flat under the raised section of the car, offering support in the unlikely event the car slips off the jack.
Lowering the car and finishing
Use the jack to lower your car back down until it is safely in contact with the road again. Now, with the brace in place again, tighten the wheel nuts so they are properly secure – but not too tight. Finally, remove the old wheel from underneath the car and remove the jack.
If you are looking to replace worn or damaged tyres to ensure safe driving, the professionals at Munster Tyres can provide you with a reliable and competitively priced new set. With many years of experience and a highly trained team, if you are in need of replacements, repairs, servicing or MOTs, we are sure to be able to provide an effective and efficient solution. For a trustworthy garage in West London, get in touch with our team today.