How to change a tyre

There are several main reasons why drivers may need to exchange complete wheels on their vehicle:

1. It’s time for a seasonal switch, i.e. from summer tyres to winter tyres, or vice versa.
2. They’re damaged or showing tread wear. Check the tread wear indicator to find out if this is the case.
3. They’re 10+ years old. Information provided on the sidewall details the age of a tyre. After this length of time, it’s a good idea to replace them – regardless of their condition. Vehicle manufacturers may recommend a different lifespan based on the specific vehicle application – adhere to this.
4. You got a puncture while driving.

If you need to replace your tyres due to reasons 2 or 3, be sure to check your car’s spare tyre for damage or ageing at the same time. Replace it with a new one if needs be.

No matter the reason for a tyre change, how it’s done is fairly straightforward. Armed with some basic tools and our step-by-step guide, vehicle owners can properly manage this essential task themselves.

1. Safety first: do these things before you begin.

• Park your car on a flat surface – never change tyres on a slope.
• Apply the hand brake and put the vehicle in park (if automatic) or in gear (if manual).
• Ensure no one is in the vehicle.
• Use chocks, or heavy objects (wedges of wood, bricks, large rocks) either side of the wheel diagonally opposite the one being changed.
• If you’re out driving and you get a flat, stop in a safe place well off the road, and turn on your car’s hazard lights.

2. Remove the hubcap or wheel cover if there is one.

3. Loosen – but don’t remove – the wheel nuts using a wheel wrench.

You only want to loosen them enough to make their removal easier once you’ve lifted the car off the ground. Wheel nuts too tight? You can carefully apply pressure to the wrench – ensuring it’s in a horizontal position – with your foot.

4. Raise the car up.

Place a jack under the car. If you’re not sure where, your car’s manual will let you know the right position to place the jack. Slowly and smoothly raise your car until the wheel to be changed is about 15 cm off the ground.

5. Remove your lug nuts.

Now that they have been loosened (step #3), you can remove them completely by hand. Make sure you put them in a safe place!

6. Remove your wheel.

Pull it towards you with both hands. Roll it away to the side and out of the way.

Important: If you’re in the process of switching out a complete set of tyres and you’re going to store them, label each one with a piece of chalk as you remove it. Think: LF (left front), RF (right front), and so on. Why? This way, you can keep track of where each one was mounted, and take this into account if you’re considering tyre rotation when you put them back on in future.