Step-by-Step Guide to Changing a Flat Tyre
Some car owners choose to change a flat tyre or replace old tyres with new ones at home. While fitting tyres yourself can save you time and is considerably more budget-friendly, without the right tools and knowledge, you may be risking your own safety.
Follow these steps for a proper tyre replacement at home.
Step 1 - Park on a Safe Level Surface
Find a secure location on solid flat ground. It is important that your vehicle remains stable when you use the jack to lift the vehicle off the ground.
Step 2 - Gather Your Tools
Search your vehicle for a spare tyre, car jack, and a lug wrench as you will need them to fit new tyres. It is also a good idea to have a flashlight and a wheel chock ready in your car for roadside car tyre fitting.
Step 3 - Loosen the Lug Nuts
Before lifting the vehicle use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tyre. Loosen them just enough to break the initial resistance but do not remove them completely.
Step 4 - Jack up Your Car
Place the jack in the correct position under the vehicle's frame. Consult your car's manual for the precise location. Raise the vehicle until the flat tyre is off the ground. It is recommended that you seek professional help if this piece of information is missing.
Step 5 - Remove the Flat Tyre
Unscrew the lug nuts with your hands. Carefully pull the flat tyre straight toward you to remove it from the wheel hub.
Step 6 - Mount the Spare Tyre
Slide the spare tyre onto the lug bolts and push it all the way back until it sits flat against the wheel hub.
Step 7 - Lower the Car and Tighten Lug Nuts
Screw the lug nuts back on by hand until they are snug. Then slowly lower the vehicle until the spare tyre is just touching the ground. Once complete, use the lug wrench to fully tighten the nuts in a star pattern, lower the car and give the nuts one final check for tightness.
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How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tyre?
Cars with smaller temporary spares should not be driven at speed since they are not designed for high speed or poor weather conditions. Once the spare is fitted, it is recommended that you visit a tyre specialist for a closer inspection of your damaged tyre.
Professional Tyre Fitting & installation
Why should you have a tyre technician perform simple tasks like fitting tyres when tyre fitting can be done at home? This section of the article explains the benefits why tyre installation should be carried out by a professional tyre expert.
Why Choose Professional Tyre Fitting
Incorrectly fitting tyres to your car can damage your wheels and cause potential safety hazards. For this reason, we highly recommend choosing professional tyre fitting for optimal efficiency and safety on the road.
Professional technicians use specialized equipment to ensure your tyres are well-balanced, correctly mounted, and tightened to the manufacturer's exact specifications. The best practise for fitting tyres into your car is one performed by experienced professionals.
What’s Included in a Professional Tyer Fitting Service?
A comprehensive tyre fitting service typically involves the following services to ensure that your new wheels are installed correctly.
Removal of the old tyres from the wheel rim
Fitting tyres onto the rim with the correct tread direction
Replacing the valve stem to prevent air leaks
Inflating the tyres to the manufacturer's recommended pressure
Balancing the wheel to ensure even weight distribution and prevent vibrations
Final checks for safety and performance
Addressing key questions
Learn about the tyre fitting process, from removing old tyres to final checks, and what to expect from a professional service.
FAQ ABout Fitting tyres to your car
The price for fitting tyres can vary depending on your location, tyre size and whether you are having one or multiple tyres fitted. The cost may also change if you buy your tyres at the retailer and have them fitted there. Contact our tyre experts for pricing.
A wheel alignment is not always required after fitting a single new tyre. However, it is highly recommended when you replace a full set of tyres. A proper alignment ensures your new tyres wear evenly and lasts longer.
While changing a spare tyre yourself can take under 30 minutes, professional tyre installation is much faster and leaves less room for error. A trained technician can typically fit and balance four new tyres in roughly an hour.
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