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The Do’s and Don’ts of Changing Car Tires

The Do’s and Don’ts of Changing Car Tires article image by HP Automotive

Ignoring a shredded or punctured tire may lead to an accident. A major problem with these types of accidents is that they can cause serious injuries, including those involving your family members as well other drivers and pedestrians.

The good news is that the process of changing a tire is not as difficult or dangerous if you do it correctly. However, there are some things that can go wrong, and cause injury so here are the dos and don’ts when changing tires.

Dos 

  1. Make sure you know how to change a tire. This might seem like an obvious one, but you would be surprised how many people don’t know how to properly change a tire. If you’re not sure, ask a friend or family member who does know how or look up a tutorial online.
  2. Pull over to a safe location. Once you realise that you have a flat tire, it is important to pull over to a safe location. This means getting off of the road as much as possible and away from traffic. If you can, try to pull into a gas station or parking lot.
  3.  Make sure you have the proper tools. In order to change a tire, you will need a few things including a jack, a wrench, and a spare tire. Most cars come with these items, but it is always good to double check before you get started.
  4.  Loosen the lug nuts before you jack up the car. This step is important because it will make it easier to remove the lug nuts once the car is off the ground. Use your wrench to loosen the lug nuts but do not remove them completely.
  5.  Jack up the car and place the jack under the car in a safe location. Once the car is off the ground, you will be able to remove the tire and replace it with the spare.
  6.  Remove the lug nuts and then the tire. Once the tire is off, you can place the spare tire on and then put the lug nuts back on.
  7.  Lower the car down and tighten the lug nuts. Once the tire is back on, you can lower the car down and then use your wrench to tighten the lug nuts.
  8.  Put your tools back in the trunk. Once you have finished changing the tire, be sure to put all of your tools back in the trunk. This includes the jack, the wrench, and the spare tire.

Don’ts

  1. Do not change your tire on the side of the road. This is extremely dangerous and puts you at risk of getting hit by a car.
  2.  Do not try to change your tire in the dark. It is much more difficult to see what you are doing, and you are more likely to make a mistake. Wait until there is adequate light before changing your tire.
  3.  Do not try to change your tire without the proper tools. This will make the process much more difficult and could even be dangerous.
  4.  Do not try to remove the lug nuts without first loosening them. This will make it very difficult to remove the lug nuts and could damage your wrench.
  5.  Do not place the jack in an unsafe location. This could cause the car to fall off the jack and injure you.
  6.  Do not try to put the spare tire on without first removing the lug nuts. This will make it very difficult to put the tire on and could damage the rim of the tire.
  7.  Do not try to drive the car without first tightening the lug nuts. This could cause the tire to come off while you are driving and lead to an accident.
  8.  Do not leave your tools on the side of the road. This could lead to someone getting injured or your tools getting stolen.

Changing a tire can be a simple and easy process if you follow these dos and don’ts. By taking the time to do it right, you can avoid any accidents or injuries. If you do not have the time to change tires yourself or if you are unsure of how to do this procedure, it is best to seek the expertise of professional auto mechanics in Sydney. A skilled mechanic can complete a tire change quickly and ensure your safety on the road. 

If you live in Sydney and are looking for a reputable car mechanic in Sydney, look no further than HP Automotive. We have many years of experience in car maintenance and repair services. Our team of highly skilled mechanics can help you with any car problems you may have, big or small. Contact our direct line on +61 2 9979 8372 today to schedule a consultation or request a quote for a tire change today.