How to Change a Tire on a Car

Flat tires happen to every San Diego driver at some point. Knowing how to change a tire is a valuable skill for anyone to have. Even if you have roadside assistance, it can be faster and more convenient to change the tire yourself. Our service department wants you to stay safe, so we’ve put together this guide on changing tires, which also covers how often to change car tires.

How to Change a Tire Step-by-Step

A lot of our San Diego customers have learned how to change a tire on their own. It’s a simple task anyone can do. Just follow the steps below.

How to Change a Tire

1. Find a safe place to pull over. This should be a level surface away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights and set the parking brake.
2. Get the necessary tools and equipment. This includes your spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. These items should be located in your trunk.
3. Loosen the lug nuts before the car is jacked up. Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts that hold the flat tire in place. Don’t remove them completely yet.
4. Jack up the car. Place the jack underneath the car at the designated jacking point. Consult your owner’s manual for the exact location of the jacking point. Once the jack is in place, crank it until the flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground.
5. Remove the lug nuts and take off the flat tire. Once the tire is raised off the ground, you can remove the lug nuts completely and take off the flat tire.
6. Put on the spare tire. Line up the holes in the spare tire with the lug studs on the car. Then, screw on the lug nuts by hand until they are snug.
7. Lower the car and tighten the lug nuts. Use the jack to lower the car back to the ground. Then, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
8. Don’t forget to put away your tools and equipment so that they are not lost or left behind.

If you have a full-size spare tire, you can drive on it for up to 50 miles at a reduced speed. However, if you have a temporary spare tire, you should only drive on it for a short distance to the nearest tire shop.

How Often to Change Car Tires

It’s also important to be aware of how often to change car tires. Why? Tires that are very worn are more likely to go flat. As a general rule of thumb, you should inspect your tires every 6 months or 6,000 miles, and change them when they reach a tread depth of 3/32 of an inch or less. You may need to change your tires more often if you drive in harsh conditions, such as San Diego city traffic. In general, you should expect to change your tires every 25,000 to 50,000 miles.

Let the Tire Experts at San Diego Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Help

If you’re due for a new set of tires, visit our service center today. We have a wide selection of tires to choose from, and our experienced technicians can help you find the right tires for your car and driving needs. And, if you found this guide to be helpful, check out our guide on how to rotate tires, as well as our other automotive service tips. Remember, we’re just down the road, so drop by or contact us today.