Saturday, November 13, 2010

Changing a Tire-how one can change tires?

Here is how one can change tires. Follow the directions.
Tools Needed 

- Jack
- Wheel lock key
- Wheel chocks or bricks
- Wheel nut wrench
- Rubber mallet
- Pry bar, tire iron or large screwdriver
- Protective work gloves

Directions 
Step 1:
The car has to be parked on a level surface and the parking brake has to be engaged. The manual transmission cars should be placed in gear. Ensure that the car is not on the road. The engine has to be turned off and the hazard lights should be turned on. Open the car's hood as this will be an indication of a vehicle under repair for other drivers.

Step 2:
Place a big rock or wheel chock behind the tire for preventing the car from rolling. It must be done even when there is a slight incline. Take out the car jack, spare, lug nut and wrench.
Step 3:
The hubcap should be removed if needed.

Step 4:
The lug nuts which hold the wheel should be loosened before the car is jacked up. One end of the lug nut wrench should be placed over the lug nut. A hollow pipe having a length of about 2 feet should be used for leverage by slipping it over the end of the lug nut wrench. Now the wrench can be turned anti-clockwise for loosening the lug nut. It should be loosened in a pattern of a star, loosen the first with few turns and then loosen the opposite one. Work crosswise on the tire until all the nuts are slightly unscrewed.

Step 5:
Carefully raise the car on the jack and consult the car manual for more instructions. The car has to be jacked up a little more higher than needed so that there will be space available to remove the old tire and then putting on the new one.

Step 6:
The lug nuts have to be removed all the way and put them aside where they will not roll away. The flat tire will be hanging from the struts at this point.

Step 7:
Remove the flat tire now and place it aside.

Step 8:
Lift the new tire on to the wheel studs. In case there is any confusion regarding putting it in a correct way, then try to locate the valve from where the air is filled because it always points outwards.

Step 9:
Now the lug nuts should be replaced. Tighten them in the same way in which they were loosened. Turn each nut for few times and work in a pattern of a star around the wheel. Don't tighten the adjacent nuts consecutively.

Step 10:
Now when the tire has been put on, lower the jack slowly and then remove it.

Step 11:
The lug nuts can be tightened again, make sure that they are tightened firmly.

Step 12:
Now the hubcap can be put back on.
The new tire is on the wheel. Take the old tire to the auto store or repair shop as soon as possible, and have the lug nuts properly torque.

Tips & Precautions - NEVER go under a vehicle that is supported by a jack. If intended, use an approved jack stand for supporting the vehicle.
- A hydraulic jack will make the car jack up easier.
- Be sure that you are aware where the wheel key lock is, it should be in the car. The places are the glove box and it can be attached to the jack handle.
- The method for changing tires can be practiced few times to get familiarized so one will be prepared in emergency cases.

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