When it’s time to change a tire, you’re probably stuck on the side of the road with no used car dealer in Geneva in sight. But there’s no reason to panic. Fixing a tire, though it might seem intimidating at first, is a fairly simple process that anyone can learn. Plus, it’s one of many important tire tips that we at Hawk Ford St. Charles, a used car dealer in Geneva, think you ought to know.
So let’s start learning how to change a tire, then we’ll move on to a bonus tire tip.
Changing a Tire
The first thing you need to do to change a tire is to gather your tools. Fortunately for you, your car probably already has all the tools you need which include a car jack, a spare tire, the owner’s manual, and a lug wrench, so you won’t need to go to a used car dealership in Geneva.
Though they’re not absolutely necessary, it may be a good idea to carry a flashlight, wheel wedges, and gloves.
Once you’ve found a highly visible, flat area to change your tire, put the parking brake and place the wheel wedges to stop the vehicle from moving. Assuming the hub cap is removed, use the wrench to loosen, but don’t remove the lug nuts.
With the lug nuts loosened, it’s time to place your car jack under the car and lift it. Your owner’s manual should specify where to place the car jack to avoid any damage when you raise the vehicle. With the vehicle raised, you can now take the lug nuts and the tire off.
After that, you’ll need to place the spare tire so it lines up with the bolts so you can screw the lug nuts back on by hand. Then, lower the car almost all the way and use the wrench to further tighten the lug nuts. At this point you can finally let the car down all the way. Once you’ve replaced the hubcap (if necessary) and stowed your equipment, your tire change is complete.
Bonus Tire Tip: Keeping Tires Properly Inflated
It’s a common mistake among most drivers to ignore tire pressure, but a tire that’s under or overinflated makes your car perform worse than it should and increases wear and tear. But just by keeping your tires properly inflated, you can extend the useful life of your vehicle.
