Be aware of your surroundings. Finally, tighten all of the lug nuts with the lug wrench in a crisscross pattern so they’re as tight as possible. Fortunately, changing a tire is a pretty simple task, provided you're prepared and willing to exert a little effort. Be … Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Try to prepare for any unforeseen tire changes by keeping the exact socket size for your lug nuts as well as a breaker bar handy in the trunk. Learning how to remove wheel bolts is an important measure to take before changing a tire on your Volkswagen. If you're planning on working under the car, place it on jack stands, or drive it up on ramps if the wheels don't need to be free. Approved. The slip-on versions just slide over your tire going from top to bottom. Put the lug nuts back on using the lug wrench, and lower the car back down to the ground using the jack. Install the new chair wheels by pushing the caster stem all the way into the … You can use a piece of wood or a rock if you don’t have a wheel chock. Place it so that it will stop the vehicle from dropping in case the jack is dislodged or shifts for some reason while the wheel is removed. I couldn't get it. Crank the jack until the tire you’re working on is lifted off the ground. Step 3 … There are hundreds of people killed each year while changing a tire on the side of the road; don't do this unless you must. Wheel covers and hub caps from Pep Boys fit like OEM and are available in a variety of styles to fit a wide range of vehicles. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Get your car ready. Locate the jacking point on your car. Before you begin the project, make sure your car is parked on a flat surface and the motor is not running. Andrew Quinn is a Master Mechanic in Kansas City, Missouri. Also, engage the parking brake and chock the wheels. Make sure the tire air valve faces "out" on the spare tire. Does the handbrake need to be in the off position when changing a rear wheel once the wheel nuts have been removed? Fortunately, I had a rubber mallet in my basement. Here’s how to select and install a set yourself. The star trick replacing the lug nuts was a great one. Have your tastes changed? wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Change-a-Tire-Step-1-Version-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Change-a-Tire-Step-1-Version-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3a\/Change-a-Tire-Step-1-Version-9.jpg\/aid2856-v4-728px-Change-a-Tire-Step-1-Version-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. He is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified and has over 9 years of experience working with companies such as Valvoline, Instant Oil Change, National Tire & Battery, and Tires Plus. He had to change the tire, which, "The step by step instructions and the reasons why each particular step was important helped me to fully grasp the, "I run a project in assisting women to be able to change tires; in this regard, your page has added much info and, "This was very easy once I did it. Step 6. If the spare tire is not included in the previous tire rotation, use it temporarily in the same way as the previous tip above, as it has significantly different treadwear compared to the other tires. This is usually a small slot or opening in the … % of people told us that this article helped them. Although rare, some vehicles actually have reverse threaded lug nuts. Then, remove the loosened lug nuts from the tire, and use your hands to pull the tire off. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Have you ever been stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire? There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. He is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified and has over 9 years of experience working with companies such as Valvoline, Instant Oil Change, National Tire & Battery, and Tires Plus. Instead, drive slowly and carefully to a shop and have your tire repaired or replaced. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 131,250 times. Next, remove the lug nut cover on the tire you’re changing if there is one, and use a lug wrench to loosen all of the lug nuts on the tire. If the car is standard (manual transmission). wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If you are looking for a small change in your vehicle, a steering wheel cover is an affordable option that is easy to install yourself. Many aftermarket wheel covers are a universal fit, dependent only on your personal taste. Push the wheel cover onto the steel wheel, and once it feels secure, check again to make sure the indent and the tire valve stem are lined up. To ensure the tire is balanced, don't completely tighten the nuts one at a time. Raise the jack while aligning the studs/holes. A brand new set of wheel covers can spruce up your old car, or bring a brand new look to your pride and joy. It won’t cost you much, but it will go for a while. I was ashamed to say no. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. and the tire was stuck onto the wheel by rust. For most trucks or older cars that have a frame, look to place the jack on one of the beams of the frame just behind the front tire or in front of the rear tire. If your wheel covers did not come with the retention rings installed, remove them from the packaging and place them face down on a surface that won’t scuff or damage their finish. If you notice the jack lifting at an angle or leaning, lower and reposition it so that it can lift straight up. For most modern uni-body cars, there is a small notch or mark just behind the front wheel wells, or in front of the rear wheel wells where the jack is intended to be placed. These hubcaps are plastic cover that look like a finished wheel, usually silver metallic color or in shiny chrome and will cover the top of your wheel and snap into place. This article has been viewed 2,047,971 times. Using the wrench, tighten the nuts as much as possible using a star pattern. ", balance I was going for in proper tire replacement. Make sure they are attached uniformly. You can pick a new wheel cover design and change your car’s look in just a few minutes. You have the choice of plain vinyl wheel cover, full colour vinyl disk, cut vinyl lettering or a full wrap covering the whole disk. Then to secure them so that the wind does not carry them away, just attach the Velcro straps and you are done. Then bevel the edges of the tape. And you're better off working on a free-moving wheel. Add a shiny touch to your wheel covers with Replace. The tire might stick due to rust. You will need it to change the tire. If it's a rear wheel, set the parking brake. Diameter: 15", Bolt Pattern: 5x100 mm, Installation: Bolt-On, Material: Plastic, Quantity: 1 Piece. As you lift, make sure that the car is stable. For better alignment, tighten the lug nuts in star pattern this will cause equal pressure and better alignment. Be sure to install the spare tire the correct way and not backwards. This article was co-authored by Andrew Quinn. The valve stem of a doughnut tire should face outwards, away from the vehicle. After reaching the office, he narrated the whole story and then asked me if I know how to change a tire. Be sure to get spare tires replaced with new ones because they are temporary and should not be used as a permanent replacement. Thank you very much." {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Switch-the-Wheels-on-a-Car-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Switch-the-Wheels-on-a-Car-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/51\/Switch-the-Wheels-on-a-Car-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid28718-v4-728px-Switch-the-Wheels-on-a-Car-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
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