How to Change a Car Tire - Resources

Remember when you were a kid and the whole family got into a station wagon to go on a trip? Somewhere near the Tennessee border, your father reached into the back seat to calm the kids, hit him on the shoulder and blew a tire. When he fixed it, traffic jams were rushing past, he told you to watch. He said, "One day you'll need to know how to do it." But you were busy trying to catch a Minnesota license plate to complete the match-XNUMX bingo on the license plates to beat your sister. .

Fast forward to today and you will regret not watching your dad because now you really need to know how to change a tire. You have an apartment, and that Minnesota tag from the past doesn't help at all. Chapel Hill Tire professionals are ready to help you with our quick guide to changing a tire.

What tools do I need to change a tire?

It's always easier to get the job done when you have the right tools. When it comes to changing a tire, there are a few things you need to know.

• You need a jack. Your car came with a jack. It's a simple device that you turn to raise the car so you can remove a flat tire and put on a spare. One thing you might want to keep in mind is that factory jacks aren't the best. Your car comes with the most basic tools. If you want a more powerful jack or one that is easier to use, you can buy one for $25 to $100. If you're prone to hitting curbs and bursting tires, a good jack can be a good investment.
• You need a tire shop. Again, your car came with this. It is used to loosen the tire nuts, the large screws that hold the tire to the wheel. One tip: Tighten the nuts before jacking up the car while it's still on the ground. Removing them may require some leverage and you don't want to push your car off the jack. Some vehicles have a wrench to unlock the fastening nuts to prevent theft. Your owner's manual will have specific instructions for your vehicle.
• You need a spare tire. It's a bagel in your trunk. It is important to remember that spare tires are not rated like regular tires. Don't drive them long or fast. In fact, some people buy a full size spare, the same tire as the one on your car. Whether this is right for you or not depends on your budget and whether your trunk can fit a full size tire. Trucks or SUVs often have room for a full tire.

How to change a tire?

• Stop in a safe place. Remember when your dad pulled up on the side of the interstate? Do not do this. Get to a safe area with limited traffic and turn on your hazard warning lights.
• Loosen the clamp nuts. Once you have removed all the tools from the trunk, loosen the lug nuts. You don't want to shoot them completely, but you want them to start.
• Raise your car. Refer to the owner's manual for where you should place the jack. All cars are different. If you put it in the wrong place, it could damage your car... or worse, collapse and hurt you. You want to raise the car until the wheel is 6 inches off the ground.
• Replace tire. Remove the bad wheel and put on the spare. When you put on a new tire, you need to tighten the nuts to keep the tire in the correct position before lowering the car.
• Lower the car. Put the car back on the ground. Take your time and, even if you're almost done, keep an eye on your surroundings.
• Tighten nuts. With the vehicle on the ground, fully tighten the lug nuts. The DMV recommends tightening one nut 50%, then moving on to the opposite nut (in a circle) and so on until all are tight. Once everything is as tight as possible, pack all your tools and the damaged tire back into the trunk.

When you first start changing tires, do it slowly to make sure everything is in place. Your safety always comes first when it comes to business on the road.

Your tire specialists are always ready to help.

After changing a tire, contact your local Chapel Hill Tire representative. We can give you an estimate for a new tire or see if a flat tire can be repaired. Again, we don't want you to drive long with a factory part. It will help you get to a safe place, and will not replace your regular tire. All you have to do is book an appointment with Chapel Hill Tire and we will get your vehicle back in working order. With 7 locations throughout the Triangle, Chapel Hill Tire is here to help you with all your car care needs.

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