A flat tyre, it can happen to you just like that. When you have a Car hired When it's necessary, you naturally don't have to solve it yourself and the tyres will be changed for you. But how do you handle it if your own car suddenly gets a flat tyre and you've never changed a tyre before? Don't worry, changing car tyres isn't very difficult. We'll explain how to change the wheel in a few simple steps, so you can get back on the road straight away.
Follow these steps to change a car tyre
Whether you're changing your car's tyres at home or if you've broken down on the roadside – with the following tips and steps, the job can be done safely and quickly:
Step 1: Stop the car in a safe place
When you notice you have a flat tyre, the first thing to do is stop in a safe place. It's not a good idea to keep driving for miles on end, but you also don't want to be stuck somewhere where you could easily be blown off your feet while changing tyres. Therefore, look for the first quiet spot you can find, such as a petrol station, car park, or hard shoulder.
Park the car, if possible, on a hard, level surface. If this isn't feasible, that's not a significant issue. You might then require a sturdy plank or tile, more on this later. Stop the car and engage the handbrake to prevent it from rolling away while changing the car tyre(s).
Step 2: Check you have the necessary tools
Once your car is safely stopped, you need to check if you have everything to change the wheels. You will need the following tools:
- Creek
- Spare wheel
- Adjustable spanner
You should still have these items in your car. You'll find the exact location in your car's manual. Take the tools and the spare tyre out of the car now.
Step 3: Loosen the wheel nuts partially
Next, the task is to slightly loosen the wheel nuts. This is much easier now that the car is not yet jacked up because you can apply much more force. However, check if you have a wheel cover over your rim, as you will need to remove this first. You do this by carefully prying the wheel cover off the rim with a screwdriver.
Step 4: Jack up the car
Now it's time to jack up the car. Read the instruction manual to find out how to use the jack.
Where should I place the jack?
The place where the jack should support the car is usually to the left or right of the wheel. There is a small mark (a triangle) where you need to place the jack; otherwise, check the car's owner's manual.
Ensure the jack is placed directly underneath the car. This will prevent it from slipping. On a hard surface, you can place the jack directly on the ground. If the car is on sand or a soft verge, the jack could sink. In this case, place a tile or a plank of wood under the jack.
How does jacking up a car work?
Once the jack is correctly positioned, turn the handle to slowly lift the car. Keep checking that the jack is straight and cannot slip out from under the car. Jack the car up until the wheel is off the ground and you can put the spare wheel on. Now unscrew all the wheel bolts completely from the wheel. Remove the wheel once you have removed all the bolts. Be careful that the jack is still securely in place.
Step 5: Remove the flat tyre
Once you've removed all the wheel nuts, you can lift the flat tyre off the hub. As a precaution, place the spare wheel next to the jack, under the car. Just in case the car does slip off the jack, it will land on the flat tyre and not on your foot.
Step 6: Fit the new tyre
You can now fit the spare wheel. Once the wheel is properly in place, the nuts need to go back on. Hand-tighten all nuts back onto the bolts. Once they are hand-tight, you need to move the wheel to check if it sits flush against the back. After this, you can use the wheel brace to tighten the bolts. Just make them snug, fully tightening comes later.
Step 7: Tighten the wheel bolts and lower the jack
Remove the flat tyre from under the car and carefully lower your car using the jack. Once the tyre touches the ground, you can tighten the wheel nuts further. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly, but not excessively, to ensure the wheel is straight. After this, lower the car completely and remove the jack.
Important tips for when you're changing a car tyre
Finally, a few important tips/points to consider when changing your car tyres:
- Don't forget to place a tile or plank under the jack on soft ground (always keep a small plank in the car);
- Do not jack up the car with the doors open;
- Ensure you have the key or code for removing the anti-theft wheel nuts (available from the garage or wheel supplier) and keep it safe.;
- Bear in mind that a replacement tyre can cause the car to become unbalanced and vibrate. If the car is no longer balanced properly, the tyres and suspension will wear out much faster. Therefore, it is best to go to a mechanic/garage to have all four wheels rebalanced and realigned.
Have you followed all the steps and tips? Congratulations, you've now safely changed your car tyres. You also now know for the future where to place the jack and how to change tyres.
Should you through Adrem a rented a car in Roermond, a hired a minibus in Roermond Or if you've hired a car elsewhere in Limburg and you notice a tyre is flat? Then call us immediately, we'll get you back on the road!
When was the last time you changed a wheel? Or do you call breakdown assistance straight away? Car hire in the Brunssum region, broken down on the way? Feel free to give us a call!
