Tire failure while driving is not only troublesome but also dangerous. Although an increasing number of drivers use assistance insurance, knowledge on how to replace a car wheel can be very useful. How to change a tire?
How to change a tire? Secure yourself and the car first!
For a car, the situation is simple. Turn on the hazard warning lights and place a warning triangle behind the vehicle. These will show other road users where to stop the vehicle. The driver and passengers after leaving the cabin must wear reflective vests. Only in this way will they become visible! Before the operator begins to change the wheel, he should prepare the instruments. From the trunk – or other place designated by the manufacturer – must remove the spare (or access) wheel, key and jack.
When setting up the car, make sure that the ground under it is hard and stable. Only in this way will the driver ensure himself and passengers safety when the vehicle is lifted by the lift. In addition, it is necessary to apply the handbrake, drive in gear and, if possible, place a block (or even stone) under the wheel. Before the wheel breaks away from the ground, loosen the screws. It can’t be done in the air – the wheel will spin on the hub.
Of course, it may turn out that the screws will be baked or so tight that they will not want to move under the pressure of the key. However, this is not a reason to call for road assistance. It’s a good idea to pry WD40 screws or pour a small bottle of … Coke on them! And then the clamped fastening should let go. The next step is to set the jack at a point that the car manufacturer has identified as carrying – it is usually determined by means of a recess. And when lifting the body, remember to get the distance from the ground that it is sufficient to install an inflated spare wheel.
First, we lift the vehicle a few centimeters and check whether it remains stable. If so, unscrew the bolts and pull the wheel by gripping the bottom part (do not put your hand between the tire and the fender!).
Before putting on the rim with spare tires, make sure that you do not take the wheel we have taken off under stress. We put the spare on the hub (depending on how the wheel is attached, it can be mounted on bolts or only nuts / central nut). Tighten the screws first with your fingers and then with a wrench, but not until it stops. Remember to insert the screws crosswise. We tighten them properly after lowering the car to the ground. As standard in a passenger car, the recommended torque using a torque wrench is 110-130 Nm (depending on the manufacturer). In the case of sports cars, it can reach up to 500 Nm, which in the absence of appropriate devices (e.g. pneumatic wrench) may not be possible to achieve even with a long wrench.
After completing the replacement, the driver must first check the tire inflation status in the spare wheel. If the air pressure is too low, he must top it up.
