Step-by-step visual guide on how to change a wheel, illustrating the process of roadside tire replacement for driver safety and car maintenance
Knowing how to change a wheel is an essential skill for every driver. A flat tyre can happen unexpectedly, and being able to replace it yourself can save you time, money, and the inconvenience of waiting for roadside assistance. This guide provides a comprehensive 10-step process to help you confidently change your wheel and get back on the road safely.
1. Safety First: Prepare Your Vehicle
Before you even think about getting your spare wheel out, ensure your car is safely parked away from traffic. Pull over to a level, stable surface, away from the flow of traffic. Engage your handbrake firmly. For vehicles with manual transmissions, put the car in first gear or reverse. If you drive an automatic, shift into ‘Park’. Turn off the engine completely and ensure all passengers have exited the vehicle and are standing in a safe location away from the roadside and the car itself. Once the car is stable, retrieve your spare wheel, jack, and wheel wrench from their storage location, usually in the boot or under the floor of your vehicle.
2. Secure the Wheels with Wheel Chocks
Wheel chocks are crucial for preventing your car from rolling, especially when it’s raised on a jack. Place a wheel chock behind the wheel diagonally opposite to the flat tyre. For example, if you have a flat on your front left tyre, place the chock behind the rear right wheel. If the flat is on the rear left, chock the front right wheel. If you have a second chock, use it for the other wheel on the same axle for added security. If you don’t have dedicated wheel chocks, substantial rocks or bricks can serve as a temporary substitute.
3. Loosen Wheel Nuts Before Jacking
It’s significantly easier and safer to loosen the wheel nuts while the tyre is still on the ground. First, you might need to remove a plastic wheel trim or hubcap to access the nuts. These are usually pried off with a flathead screwdriver or the flat end of your wheel wrench. Once the nuts are exposed, use the wheel wrench to loosen them. Turn the wrench anti-clockwise. They might be tight, so apply firm, steady pressure. You don’t need to remove them completely at this stage, just loosen them enough so they can be easily turned by hand later.
4. Position the Jack Correctly and Jack Up the Car
Locate the correct jacking points on your vehicle’s chassis. These are typically reinforced areas of the frame, specifically designed to bear the weight of the car. Consult your car’s owner’s manual for the exact location of these jacking points – using the wrong point can damage your car. Position the jack close to the flat tyre. Placing a small piece of sturdy wood under the jack can provide added stability, especially on soft or uneven ground. Slowly and steadily raise the car with the jack until the flat tyre is approximately 10-15cm (4-6 inches) off the ground. This provides enough clearance to remove the flat tyre and install the inflated spare.
5. Remove the Flat Tyre Completely
Now that the car is safely jacked up and the wheel nuts are loosened, you can fully remove them. Unscrew each nut by hand, keeping them together in a safe place (like the wheel trim or your pocket) to prevent them from getting lost. Once all the nuts are removed, grip the flat tyre firmly and gently pull it straight towards you, away from the wheel hub. It might require a bit of wiggling to come loose. Place the flat tyre flat on the ground, out of the way, but close enough to access if needed.
6. Mount the Spare Wheel onto the Hub
Carefully lift the spare wheel and align it with the wheel studs or bolts on the hub. This can be the trickiest part as the spare wheel can be heavy and awkward to maneuver. Slide the spare wheel onto the hub, ensuring the bolt holes line up correctly with the studs. Push the wheel onto the hub until it sits flush against it.
7. Hand-Tighten Nuts, Lower Slightly, Then Wrench-Tighten
Once the spare wheel is in place, take the wheel nuts and hand-tighten them in a star pattern (opposite nuts first) to ensure even pressure. Tighten them as much as you can by hand. Now, use the jack to carefully lower the vehicle until the spare tyre just makes contact with the ground, but the full weight of the car is not yet on it. At this point, use the wheel wrench to fully tighten the wheel nuts, again in a star pattern. Ensure they are firmly tightened, but avoid over-tightening, which could damage the studs or nuts.
8. Fully Lower the Car and Final Tightening
Lower the car completely to the ground and remove the jack. Now, give the wheel nuts a final, firm tightening with the wheel wrench. This is a crucial step to ensure the wheel is securely attached. Once you are satisfied with the tightness, stow the jack, wheel wrench, wheel chocks, and the flat tyre back in their designated storage locations in your vehicle.
9. Check Spare Tyre Pressure
If you have a tyre pressure gauge, check the pressure of the spare tyre as soon as possible. Spare tyres, especially space-savers, often require a higher inflation pressure than regular tyres. Refer to your owner’s manual or the sidewall of the spare tyre for the correct pressure. If you don’t have a gauge, drive cautiously to the nearest petrol station or service station with an air pump and gauge to check and inflate the tyre to the recommended pressure.
10. Get Your Punctured Tyre Repaired or Replaced
Remember that a spare tyre, particularly a space-saver, is usually intended for temporary use only. Visit a tyre repair shop or garage as soon as possible to have your punctured tyre inspected. They can advise whether it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. Driving on a space-saver spare for extended periods or at high speeds is not recommended. Getting your original tyre fixed or replaced will ensure your vehicle is back to its optimal and safest driving condition.
