How To Change A Tyre On A Car

Can you change a car tyre yourself?

Gloves – Always wear gloves when changing tyres. Not only will they give you a better grip on the tools, they will also stop stubborn brake dust from getting on your hands and under your nails. Once you have changed your tyres once yourself, the process will quickly become routine. This is how it goes: Step 1: Put your car into first gear in your car and then apply the handbrake. For automatic transmissions, put the car into “park”. Step 2: Use the cross wrench to loosen all of the wheel bolts in the wheel. The position on the car where you should place the car jack can be found in your vehicle manual. Some cars also have a mark on the sill at the lower edge of the body. Step 4: Use the cross wrench to remove all of the wheel bolts. Take the wheel off the hub and mark it with your grease pencil. Step 5: Use the wire brush to remove any rust and dirt from the wheel hub. Now put on the new wheel. When mounting the wheel,, The wheel can only provide its special running characteristics with full safety if it is mounted the right way round. Step 6: Refit the wheel bolts. Use the cross wrench to tighten them lightly at this stage. Step 7 : Lower your car using the car jack until the tyre makes contact with the ground.

• It shouldn’t be able to turn any more.
• Step 8: Use the torque wrench to tighten up the wheel bolts to the stipulated torque.
• Always tighten the wheel bolts in a criss-cross pattern.
• This ensures that the wheel is seated correctly and snugly.
• Step 9: Lower your car the rest of the way and then remove the car jack.

Repeat these steps for all of the other wheels. Slacken off your torque wrench after use. A permanently tensioned spring loses its tensile force. This means that the torque value settings will no longer be correct. In some cases, it is advisable to have the tyre swap done professionally in a garage. For example, if your car has a direct Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

• In this case, sensitive sensors are built into your tyres which measure the actual air pressure and transmit the values directly to the control unit.
• If the air pressure is too low, the system will tell you that the pressure needs adjusting.
• If you have a direct TPMS on board, then you should only have your tyres changed by a professional.

They will check the sensors in the tyres and ensure that the wheels are changed correctly. If you drive with an indirect tyre pressure monitoring system – that is, without sensors – then you can change tyres with a TPMS system yourself. In this case, you only have to abide by the instructions given in the operating manual.

1. You can change your tyres by yourself without any problems if you follow our instructions.
2. However, because tyres cannot be balanced in a home garage, it is a good idea to have a professional do this.
3. In addition, you should note whether your tyres are directional or asymmetric, because this affects how they must be fitted.

When in doubt, it is best to get advice from a professional garage. It is not the tyres that are tightened, it is the wheel nuts. Our expert will tell you how to do it. Increase the service life of your tyres by regularly having it balanced out. Find all important information in our guide.

Is it hard to change a car tire?

9. Know your limits – Flickr/Rennett Stowe Changing a tire is actually rather physically demanding. You have to put some muscle in getting the lug nuts off and cranking the jack, and then you have to bend down and lift the tire. Often, folks will try to do all of this is a hurry to get on their way, but that’s a mistake. You could injure yourself, so play it cool and take your time.

Is it worth installing your own tires?

Should I Change My Tires at Home? – Altogether, you can set yourself up with the equipment to change tires yourself for a few hundred dollars. All that’s standing between you and the final product is some hard work and willingness to learn. But we have to come back to the question of whether it’s worth it.

It’s really not for the average person. That’s not to say learning a new skill isn’t good. However, it’s only going to cost around $100 to have a professional install the tires for you. Considering how little most people, even dedicated wrenchers actually change tires, it’s generally better just to pay a professional to do it.

Even if you take the affordable route, it’s going to take a long time for those tools to pay for themselves when you factor in the amount of time it takes to learn and the amount of work that goes into changing tires. Of course, there are exceptions. Some folks really do need to take this on themselves and others are just better off.

Even a pro-level tire-changing machine will pay for itself in a short while if you routinely swap tires throughout the year for a personal collection or due to special circumstances. Meaning that, while the average person is better off leaving tire changes to the professionals, it’s unfair to make a blanket statement that the same is true for everyone.

It all comes down to the individual. Again, it’s never a bad thing to learn a new skill, but you’ll have to make a judgment call of whether or not it’s practical for your situation.

Can you drive on a flat TYRE?

How long can you drive on a flat tyre? – Driving on a flat tyre is not just unsafe, it can also cause damage to the wheel the longer you drive on it for. If the tyre is still fully on the rim of the wheel, it will provide some cushioning over a short distance, but you run the risk of the rubber starting to break off.

Is it OK to change just one tyre?

Wear and replacing single tyres – Let’s say you’ve sourced a replacement tyre that matches the others. Now can you get away with replacing just one? The answer is ‘it depends.’ One of the factors that greatly affects tyre performance is wear. What you definitely don’t want is one tyre that is worn very differently to the others.

That includes fitting a new tyre if the others have substantial wear. A brand new replacement tyre with 8mm of tread depth may perform very differently to ones with, say, 4mm of tread. These differences are likely to be most evident just when you want the tyres to perform similarly – for example, in the wet, or during emergency braking.

For this reason, if your tyres have any significant wear, it’s always better to replace the entire set. However a dose of common sense can help. If you damage one tyre two weeks after buying a brand new set, there’s going to be little point in replacing more than one.

What is the most difficult part of changing a tire?

Fit the socket over the bolts that hold your wheel to the car. This will likely be the most difficult part of the process, as the bolts are often very tightly fixed to the car. With a little effort, they will come loose.

Can you remove Tyres at home?

Download Article Download Article You do not need an expensive tire removal machine or lots of mechanical knowledge to replace an old tire. Remove any tire by prying it loose from the rim with a few tools. Save money and take off any tire in a pinch with a pry bar and screwdriver.

• Remove the valve core first by twisting the cap counterclockwise with a valve core removal tool.
• Separate the tire’s braided edge (or, bead) from the rim by pushing the rubber down and forcing the bead out. Do this by hand or by driving over the wheel.
• Or, lock the tire into a manual tire changing machine and then pry the rim off with a changing rod.

1. 1 Remove the valve core from the tire with a removal tool. Set the tire on a flat surface and locate the air valve. It will be a small metal or rubber spoke sticking out from the tire. Twist the cap counterclockwise to remove it. The core is a metal cylinder inside the valve, and to remove it, you need a valve core removal tool.
   • The core holds in air, so removing it deflates the tire.
   • The valve core removal tool is a relatively inexpensive item that looks like a small screwdriver. It’s available at most auto parts stores.
2. 2 Drive a car over the tire to separate its bead from the rim. The bead is the braided edge of the tire that fits firmly against the rim. The simplest way to remove it without extra tools is to set it on the ground in front of a heavy vehicle. Carefully drive the vehicle onto the rubber part of the tire, not the metal rim.
   • You may need to drive over the rubber a few times to break it. The bead tends to be the most stubborn part, especially with older tires.
   • Another way to loosen a bead is with a jack. Raise the vehicle on a jack, slide the tire underneath the jack, then lower the vehicle down onto the rubber part of the tire.
   • If you have a hard time with the bead, you may be better off cutting through it with a sharp knife or saw. Be careful not to cut into the metal rim. This will destroy the tire, but if it is done correctly, it won’t damage the rim.

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3. 3 Pin the sides of the tire down with your feet. To prevent the tire from sliding, place it on a piece of carpeting, another tire, or a similar object. Begin with the front part of the rim face down. Step down hard on the rubber part of the tire. Standing or kneeling on it is safe and will help keep the wheel in place.
   • Doing this gives you more leverage against the tire bead and reduces the chances of scratches on the rim. To reduce the possibility of scratches further, always pry off the back side first.
4. 4 Spread liquid dish soap around the rim to lubricate it. Apply the dish soap directly by hand or mix about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of it into 1 gallon (3,800 mL) of water. A good grease-cutting dish soap will reduce resistance from debris, grease, and oil on used wheels. Spread the soap under the edges of the rim.
   • Some people choose to use cooking oil, WD-40, or similar products. Another option is to purchase tire lube from an auto parts store.
5. 5 Lift the tire over the top lip of the rim with a screwdriver and pry bar. Start on 1 side of the tire. Push down on the rubber so it is beneath the edge of the rim. Slide the pry bar underneath the rubber, then lift it until the bead is above the rim.
   • Flatter, wider pry bars and screwdrivers work best for this. They are less likely to scratch the rim than smaller tools.
6. 6 Use the pry bar and screwdriver to free the rim on the other side. The bottom half of the rim will be free at this point, but the top edge will get stuck on the tire’s lower bead. Pull the rim up as far as you can, then wedge the screwdriver underneath it.
   • Appy soap as needed to the other side of the rim in order to lubricate it.
   • If you’re having a hard time with it, stand the wheel up or flip it over. Try using the pry bar from a different angle and a wood mallet to strike the tire off of the rim

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1. 1 Trace the tire changing machine’s base on a plywood surface. Get a 3 ⁄ 4 in (1.9 cm)-thick piece of plywood, then set the tire changer on top of it. Use a pencil to trace the base, marking the location of the bolt holes as well.
   • Manual tire changers are available online or at many tool shops. They’re relatively cheap and are much more efficient than prying the tire off by hand.
2. 2 Bolt the machine to the plywood with a screwdriver. Screw 5 in (13 cm) long, 1 ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) wide carriage bolts into the wood. Then, set the tire changer on top of the bolts. Secure the machine by placing a washer and nut on each bolt. Twist the nuts counterclockwise by hand to tighten them.
   • To position the bolts properly, set the machine on the plywood and trace the base with a pencil. Mark the location of the bolt holes.
   • For more stability, secure the tire changer to a concrete surface. This is a bit more difficult, since you need a masonry drill bit, but otherwise it attaches the same way.
3. 3 Open the stem valve with a valve removal tool. Find the air valve, which will look like a small spoke sticking out of the front end of the rim. It will either be black or metallic. Twist the cap counterclockwise to remove it, then place a valve stem remover into the valve. Turn the tool counterclockwise to pop out the valve stem.
   • Set the valve stem aside in a safe place in case you need it again.
4. 4 Rest the tire on the base and clamp it in place. Look for a small, triangular nub on the base. Start with the front of the rim facing upward. Hook the bottom of the rim on the nub, laying the wheel flat. Then, bring the tire changer’s arm down and rest it on top of the rubber, right next to the rim. The arm looks like a wedge, sort of like a bulldozer blade.
   • Secure the wheel tightly to the base before attempting to remove the tire. Push down on the arm to ensure the hanging wedge is firm against the tire.
5. 5 Use the changing rod to separate the tire bead from the rim. The changer will have a separate metal tube that fits into the open end of the arm. Stick the rod’s pointed end into the arm, then gradually push it down. This will push the wedge down onto the rubber, exposing the rim.
   • To loosen the bead further, push down on the tire by hand or with your foot. Go around the entire wheel to free the rim.
6. 6 Flip the wheel over and separate the other side with the wedge. Turn the wheel over, hook it on the nub again, then press the wedge against the rubber. Push the arm down to easily separate the tire bead from the rim. Press against the rubber on all sides of the wheel to finish loosening the rim.
   • To avoid scratching the rim, place a piece of paper, a rubber mat, or some other material on the changer’s base. You only need to do this when you place the front side of the rim face down.
7. 7 Lay the tire on top of the changer and lock it in place. Set the tire on the changer’s big spoke and position it so the smaller spoke passes through 1 of the lug nut holes. Wrap an old shirt around the center spoke, over the top of the rim. Then, set the bracket piece and top cap on the center spoke. Twist the cap counterclockwise to lock the tire in place.
   • The bracket piece looks like a flat cylinder with 4 spokes.
   • If you don’t have an old shirt to use, try placing pieces of rubber between the bracket and the rim. Doing this protects the rim from scratches.
8. 8 Pour liquid dish soap around the lip of the rim. Pull the rim up slightly so you are able to reach under it. Spread generous amounts of soap around and underneath it. The soap lubricates the rim, making the tire easier to remove.
   • A regular grease-cutting soap will do a lot of good for used tires. Other substances, including cooking oil and WD-40, may also help. For the best results, get tire lube from an auto parts store.
9. 9 Pry the tire over the lip of the rim with the changing rod. Detach the rod from the changer’s arm you used earlier to break the tire bead. Slide the pointed end between the rim and the tire. Then, leverage the rubber over the rim. Work all the way around the wheel to do this on all sides.
   • Using a pry bar or a similar tool also works well. The best tools to use are ones with wide, flat blades, since they are less likely to scratch the rim. Keep the shirt or other material in place for protection.
10. 10 Repeat prying the bottom side of the wheel until you can remove the rim. Leave the wheel in place on the tire changer. Pull the rubber back so you are able to slide the rod down to the rim’s bottom lip. Pull the bar back to lift the tire over the rim. Continue doing this on all sides of the wheel until you are able to lift the tire off of the changer.
    • The tire changer is a great way to fit a new tire onto the rim without much hassle. Basically, you do the steps in reverse. You use the arm to leverage the tire onto the rim, then replace the valve stem and add air.

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Add New Question

Question Where can I buy this equipment for removing the tires from rims? You should be able to get this equipment online, such as on Amazon or Ebay. You could also get it from an auto parts store, or have a mechanic do it for you.

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

• If you have trouble removing old or worn tires, take them to a professional mechanic. Many shops have tire removal machines that make the job much easier.
• Be gentle when working on the wheels to avoid scratching the rims. Shield them from the ground and sharp tools with rubber mats, cloth, or other materials.

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• Tire
• Valve stem removal tool
• Vehicle
• Pry bar
• Screwdriver
• Dish soap or tire lube

• Manual tire changer
• Plywood
• 1 ⁄ 2 in (1.3 cm) carriage bolts
• Electric screwdriver
• Tire
• Rubber mat or paper
• Old T-shirt

Article Summary X To get a tire off of a rim by hand, start by removing the tire from the car. Once you’ve done that, lay the tire down on a flat surface and locate the air valve. Unscrew the cap from the air valve, then insert a valve core removal tool into the valve.

• Turn the tool counterclockwise to get the core out.
• Next, carefully run over the rubber edge of the tire with another vehicle, taking care not to run over the metal part of the rim.
• This will help separate the rim from the bead of the tire, which is the edge of the rubber that fits into a groove around the metal rim and holds the tire in place.

Then, set the tire down on a non-slip surface, such as a piece of carpeting. Put your foot or knee down on the rubber part of the tire to help hold it in place as you work. To help the rim slip out more easily, spread some grease-cutting dish soap, cooking oil, or WD-40 around the edge of the rim where it meets the tire.

While pushing the rubber down with your foot, insert a pry bar between the edge of the rim and the bead of the tire to separate them. Lift up with the pry bar to pull the bead of the tire out of its groove and up over the lip of the rim. Insert a large flathead screwdriver into the space created by the pry bar and work your way around the tire with it, prying the bead loose from the rim as you go.

Then, move the pry bar to the opposite side of the tire and do the same thing. Keep going until you’ve completely freed the tire from the rim, then lift the rim out. For more tips, including how to use a manual tire changing machine, read on. Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 276,063 times.

Do all 4 tires need to be the same?

Primarily, you should avoid mixing different tire brands and different tread patterns. There are rare exceptions for approved mixed-tire fittings, but in general, manufacturers do not recommend tire mixing at all.

Is it OK to replace 2 tires at a time?

All tires wear differently depending on how, where, what you drive. If two of your tires wear out faster, it may only be necessary to replace those two instead of replacing all four. If you do, it’s important to have the two new tires installed on the back and the partially worn tires moved to the front – even on front-wheel-drive vehicles.

How much should 4 tires cost?

The general pricing for inexpensive tires will be $50 to $150 each, $100 to $300 each for moderately priced tires, and $300 to $1000 each for high-end. Based on the median price of tires in the United States, you can expect to spend a little over $600 for a set of 4 new tires, not including the price of installation.

Can I leave a flat tire overnight?

Fixing A Flat Tire – Most people who find that their car has a flat tire would automatically replace it right away with a spare. However, if you don’t have a spare, the tools, or the skills to remove your flat tire, can you just leave it overnight? You could leave your flat tire overnight but that isn’t such a great idea.

It would be best to immediately deal with the flat tire and change it. If you simply can’t due to any reason, you should at least make sure that the car isn’t putting most of its weight on the flat tire. If the weight of the vehicle is pressed on the flat tire for a long time, there would be weak areas that would develop.

That would cause premature wear and tear of the tire. Plus, it weakens areas, which increases the chance of a tire blowout. In the scenario above, the best thing to do is to change the flat tire if you have a spare. If not, calling for 24-hour roadside service to help you is the next best thing to do.

What is an unsafe tyre pressure?

These are the dangers of driving with under-inflated tyres We all know that the tyres on our vehicles need pressurised air to ensure safe and confident operation. But what if the tyres are under-inflated or running really low in pressure? So, did you spot the difference in the photo above? One tyre is actually 10 PSI (or 70 kPa) lower than the recommended pressure.

Generally, car tyres have an operating tyre pressure of 33 PSI or 230 kPa, A slight difference is not a big deal, for example, a variation of one to three PSI (or 7- 21 kPa) but lower than 25% of the recommended (or 25 PSI/175 kPa) is unsafe and in fact, will be noticeable at the steering wheel. Here are the reasons why you should not continue driving if your tyres are under-inflated.

The tyre pressure information can usually be found at body section of the driver’s door, next to the seat 1. Under-inflated tyres affect safe handling This is the first sign of under-inflated tyres. The vehicle will tend to deviate to the side where the tyre with much lower pressure is.

Without air pressure holding and supporting the sidewall of the tyre, steering the vehicle becomes incredibly difficult. The tyre, now being compressed by the weight of the vehicle, struggle to provide sufficient grip for drive, steering and braking. If your steering feels heavier, or more effort is required to rotate it, drive carefully to the nearest petrol station to fill up the tyres if possible, as there is a high chance of an under-inflated tyre or even punctured.

How to change a car tyre – Auto DIY 2. Under-inflated tyres can cause a blowout As the weight of the vehicle compresses the tyre due to under-inflation, heat builds up at the sidewall. Driving at highway speeds will generate even more heat and this heat leads to tyre failure or blowout.

Example of a tyre blowout. Image: A blowout happens without any warning and can cause a loss of control that leads to an unfortunate collision or accident.3. Under-inflated tyres consume more fuel More energy is needed to move the tyre in every direction due to a greater increase in rolling resistance as a result of under-inflation.

Acceleration will be more sluggish, which in turn will make the car consume more fuel. The rubber valves do not hold tyre pressure for a long period. In fact, it is said that air pressure escapes at a rate of 1 PSI / 7 kPa per month, so always make it a habit to check the tyre pressures every two weeks.

In the comparison photo above, the tyre on left has lower pressure by 10 PSI / 70 kPa and this is not visible to our eyes, thus the more reason to have the habit of checking the tyre pressures regularly.4. Under-inflated tyres wear out a lot faster Under-inflated tyres also reduce the lifespan of the tyre, as lack of air pressure means the structural shape of the tyre is deformed, leading to a distorted tyre footprint.

Image: As the tyre’s sidewall and shoulders now support the vehicle to an even bigger scale, the inner and outer edges of the tyre will wear faster. Wearing out (or disappearance) of the “blocky” tread is also an indication that your tyres are under-inflated.

• Over inflating the tyres are also a bad idea, as the ride will become harsh and again shortened the lifespan of the tyre through an increased wear at the centre.
• What about the runflat tyres (RFT), where it will still provide mobility even with a total loss of air pressure? These are designed to be driven even without air pressure but only to the nearest tyre repair workshop.

Learn more about RFTs, Always make it a routine to check the tyre pressures in your car every two weeks, and don’t forget the fifth/spare tyre! Maintaining proper tyre pressure allows your vehicle to deliver the fuel economy, handling and safety it was designed to deliver.

Can I drive 1 mile on a flat tire?

Download Article Get to the nearest pull-out without damaging your car Download Article You’ve just gotten a flat and, to make matters worse, you’re nowhere near a place where you can safely pull over and change it. What now? Luckily, it’s usually possible to cruise a couple hundred yards on even the sorriest set of tread.

• Drive under 15-20 miles per hour and press lightly on the accelerator to avoid damaging your metal wheels.
• Keep the car on flat surfaces, avoiding potholes, gravel roads, or damaged asphalt. Also, drive as straight as possible.
• Pull over to the nearest available shoulder, and avoid driving any farther than you have to.

1. 1 Drive slowly. Try not to go faster than about 15-20 miles per hour on a flat. Doing so may cause irreparable damage to the metal wheel beneath the tire, and could even cause you to lose control of the vehicle. Press down on the accelerator lightly, or, if possible, idle along until you find a suitable place to pull over.
   • Traveling at high speeds will just damage your wheel faster, as higher speeds will subject the wheel to greater forces, without the tire to protect it from bumps and debris.
   • If you’re headed downhill, let the car coast gently on its own momentum with your foot poised on the brake.
2. 2 Keep the vehicle on smooth, flat ground. Avoid potholes, steep inclines and broken patches of asphalt. Rough road conditions can bang up your rims, causing them to bend and putting your vehicle out of alignment. You should also beware of wet or sandy terrain that could cause you to slip, sink or become stuck.
   • Paved roads, parking lots or the shoulder of the highway or interstate will be your best bet.

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3. 3 Go as straight as possible. Don’t take any steep curves or try to navigate winding avenues while you look for place to pull over. Instead, coast ahead slow and straight, turning the wheel gently when you have an opportunity to exit the flow of traffic. Take the most direct route to get where you’re going.
   • Resist any drag created by the flat by holding the wheel steady, but don’t struggle against it so hard that it compromises your ability to steer.
   • Turning sharply places more strain on the edges of the rim.
4. 4 Pull over to a safe spot. The first opportunity you get, make your way off the main road and head for the first place you see where traffic is not too heavy. Make sure the vehicle has come to a complete stop, then engage your parking brake and turn on your emergency flashers to signal to other motorists that you’re experiencing car trouble.
   • Pull over somewhere level in case you need to lift your car up on a jack.
   • Don’t get out of your car until you’re sure that traffic is clear on the driver’s side.
5. 5 Don’t go far. You should never attempt to drive any further than a couple hundred yards on a flat tire, even if it isn’t completely deflated. This may not be enough distance to get you to an auto garage, but you can at least creep along until you’re away from the hazards of the highway. Remember to go slow and pull over as soon as you’re able.
   • You can change a tire almost anywhere in a pinch, so don’t bother trying to find a designated parking area for your car.
   • Get yourself to safety before worrying about how to fix your vehicle.

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1. 1 Try to make it to a gas station. If there’s a gas station within sight, and you’ve been fortunate enough to avoid a total blowout, you may be able to steer the vehicle in carefully and inflate the tire at an air pump. Gas stations also typically stock the sort of supplies needed for basic auto repairs, like tire patching kits, which means there are few better places to be if you experience a flat.
   • Don’t push yourself too hard to get to a gas station. If your destination is more than half a mile away, you’ll be better off pulling over where you are.
   • In some cases, gas station attendants are trained to be able to help stranded drivers change flat tires.
   • If you can make it to a tire store, even better, but don’t push it.
2. 2 Keep a spare in your vehicle. Most newer vehicles comes equipped with a spare tire either on the back or in a separate compartment in the trunk. If your car or truck is among them, you’re in luck. Just switch the flat tire out with the spare and you’ll be able to make it to a garage for a full repair.
   • If you’re not sure how to change a tire yourself, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for a step-by-step walkthrough.
   • Compact spare tires (also known as “donuts”) are designed to carry you about 50 miles maximum, and can only withstand speeds up to 55mph.
3. 3 Call a tow truck. If you aren’t able to make it to a garage or change the tire yourself, you may have no choice but to get a tow. Once you make the call, a wrecker service will be dispatched to take your vehicle to the nearest auto repair center so that you can get the problem fixed without delay.
   • Signing up for a roadside assistance program like AAA can be a big help should you find yourself in a bind.
   • Typically, you can expect to wait 45 minutes to an hour for the tow truck driver to arrive. That’s still probably not much longer than it would take for you to change the tire yourself.
   • Keep your cell phone charged when you’re on the road in case you need to place a call in the event of an emergency.
4. 4 Invest in a set of run flat tires. Run flat tires are specially engineered to be safe to drive on even after they’re totally deflated. The reinforced flat acts as a cushion against the wheel that eases the stress of coasting to a safe stopping location. Whether you don’t have any experience changing a tire or you’d simply prefer not to, run flat tires can save you quite a bit of inconvenience.
   • Some run flat tires can allow drivers to keep going for up to 100 miles at a reduced speed before wearing out.

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• Be on the lookout constantly for objects and obstacles that could potentially cause a flat.
• If your car doesn’t already come equipped with a spare tire, considering buying one and finding a place to stash it.
• Emergency flashers and reflector lights will help other drivers see you if you’re forced to pull over after dark.

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• If you end up accidentally damaging your rims, you’ll likely have no choice but to have the entire wheel replaced.
• Over-inflating a tire can cause it to explode suddenly.

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• Spare tire
• Car jack and tire changing tools
• Reflector lights
• Roadside assistance service membership
• Tire pressure gauge
• Charged cell phone

Article Summary X If you need to drive a short distance on a flat tire, drive slowly and avoid going over 20 miles an hour to avoid putting more pressure on the tire. Keep your vehicle on smooth, flat ground and drive as straight as possible to minimize the damage to your rims.

If you need to take a corner, turn the wheel gently. If you’re going downhill, let the car coast gently and only use the break if you have to. Don’t drive more than a couple hundred yards, even if your tire’s not completely deflated, and pull over safely as soon as you can. Try to stop on level ground in case you need to lift your car up on a jack.

For more tips, including how to change a flat tire, read on! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 147,103 times.

Is it safe to repair your own tire?

6 Reasons You Shouldn’t Repair Your Own Tire If you have a flat tire, you might be thinking about attempting to repair it yourself. You may have seen tire repair kits in auto part stores, but you should think twice before you attempt to repair your own tire. Instead, take your vehicle to a tire shop for these reasons.1.

1. It May Need to Be Replaced Instead First of all, not all tires can be safely repaired.
2. If there are multiple punctures in your tire, if your tire doesn’t have much tread left, or if the damage is in the sidewall or shoulder of your tire, for example, you’ll need to replace it.
3. A professional can take a look at your tire and let you know whether or not it can be repaired.2.

You May Need Help Choosing Between a Plug or a Patch There are two options that can be used for repairing a tire: plugging and patching. A plug may work if your tire has a smaller puncture, but a patch may have to be used for more severe damage. A professional can help you determine if a plug or patch would be appropriate for repairing your tire.3.

You May Not Have the Right Equipment Repairing a tire is not as easy as just purchasing a tire patch kit. You’ll also need to have the right tools to jack your car up and remove the tire. Additionally, you may need an air compressor to replace the air that has leaked out. If you have to go out and buy a jack or a lug wrench that has the appropriate socket for your car, then you may find that taking your car to a tire shop to have your tire repaired is the better idea.

The technicians at the shop that you go to should have easy access to all of the necessary equipment to get the job done quickly and properly.4. Driving With an Improperly Repaired Tire Is Dangerous If you don’t patch or plug your tire properly, you could find yourself in a dangerous situation.

You may reach higher speeds on your repaired tire — after you think that it has been fixed properly — only to have the plug or patch fail, causing you to get into an accident. A professional can help you make sure that your tire is safe to drive on, though.5. Your Tire Could Be Damaged If It’s Not Repaired Properly In addition to possibly being in an accident because of a tire that has not been repaired properly, then there might be other problems for you to worry about, too.

When a tire is repairable, choosing to repair it instead of replacing it can save you a lot of money. If the tire is not repaired properly, though, it could become more damaged when you drive on it. If this happens, then you may have to replace the tire completely.6.

Professional Repairs Are Often Affordable You might be thinking about trying to repair your own tire because of the cost of having it done by a professional. However, many tire shops will plug or patch a tire without charging a lot for the service. In comparison to the cost of the tire repair kit and the time that you’ll have to put into trying to repair your tire yourself, you may find that the reasonable cost of having your tire professionally repaired is well worth it.

If you have a tire that needs to be repaired, don’t just buy a tire repair kit to try to do it yourself. at Radial Tire Service to find out more about having your tire repaired. : 6 Reasons You Shouldn’t Repair Your Own Tire

Can you buy tyres and fit them yourself?

How much to fit tyres? The cost of fitting tyres in the UK can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type and size of the tyres, the location of the fitting centre, and whether any additional services are required. At Blackcircles.com the price of fitting is included in the price when you choose the fully fitted service. So, there is nothing to pay on the day of your fitting.

Can I fit tyres myself to save money?It is possible to fit tyres yourself if you have the necessary equipment and experience. However, it’s important to note that fitting tyres can be dangerous if not done properly, and it’s always recommended to have them fitted by a professional. Where can I go to get tyres fitted?There are many places in the UK where you can get tyres fitted, including tyre fitting centres, garages, and dealerships.

Blackcircles.com works with over 2,000 fitting centres throughout the UK. So there is always a local fitting centre nearby that should be able to fit your tyres. : How much to fit tyres?

Is it OK to change just one tyre?

Wear and replacing single tyres – Let’s say you’ve sourced a replacement tyre that matches the others. Now can you get away with replacing just one? The answer is ‘it depends.’ One of the factors that greatly affects tyre performance is wear. What you definitely don’t want is one tyre that is worn very differently to the others.

1. That includes fitting a new tyre if the others have substantial wear.
2. A brand new replacement tyre with 8mm of tread depth may perform very differently to ones with, say, 4mm of tread.
3. These differences are likely to be most evident just when you want the tyres to perform similarly – for example, in the wet, or during emergency braking.

For this reason, if your tyres have any significant wear, it’s always better to replace the entire set. However a dose of common sense can help. If you damage one tyre two weeks after buying a brand new set, there’s going to be little point in replacing more than one.

Should I just change my own tires?

Is It Always Faster to Bring My Vehicle to a Professional? – No. In fact, it’s almost never faster to bring your vehicle to a professional – once you know how to change your own tires, going the DIY route is almost always the fastest, least expensive approach.

We’d only advise you to go to the professionals if you’re really uncomfortable changing tires on your own. It is because before you can actually get your tires changed by professionals at shops, you might have to wait for a certain period of time. Wait times can vary depending on shops. For example, a shop selling custom wheels in Edmonton is going to have different wait times than a shop selling standard tires in Chicago.

But it’s almost always faster to change your tires on your own – once you know how to.