What should you do if you need to change your tires?
When driving in and around the Festus, Missouri area, or anywhere, you want to make sure the tires on your vehicle are safe, especially when traveling long distances. Unfortunately, no matter how many preventive measures you take, like checking the air pressure and tread on your tires, you may find yourself needing an unexpected tire change.
Can you change your tires?
Absolutely – there isn’t any special degree or training that’s required when it comes to doing a tire change. However, it isn’t as easy and simple as you may expect, which is why many people turn to professionals when they find themselves in need of new tires on their cars.
What does a tire change require?
If you should experience a flat tire, pull your car to a safe place and confirm there is a spare that is aired up and ready, follow these steps for a proper tire change:
- Engage the emergency brake.
- Gather the spare and tools needed for your tire change.
- Stabilize the car with wheel chocks or boards positioned behind the good tires.
- Remove the hubcap.
- Undo the lug nuts.
- Position the jack according to the owner’s manual instructions for the safest spot. This is typically under the car frame near where the tire change is needed.
- Lift the car with the jack-up six inches to maintain stability.
- Remove the wheel with the flat tire.
- Place the spare tire change on the wheel spokes and push it into place.
- Place the lug nuts in place and tighten them by hand.
- Let the car down slowly.
- Remove the jack and wheel blocks.
- Finish lowering the car until the full weight of the car is on all 4 wheels.
- Replace the hub cap if it fits – if not, place it in the trunk with the flat tire.
- Check the air pressure in all four tires.
Any time you do an emergency tire change, it is important to make sure the tire is completely and firmly placed in position on the wheel and the lug nuts are installed. Once you have completed your tire change, drive directly to a mechanic shop to have the recent tire change inspected so that it is on securely, check that all 4 wheels are balanced, as well as make sure there is proper air pressure in all four tires.
How much will a professional tire change cost?
This will vary between areas and mechanic shops or tire shops. A professional tire change could mean the mechanic checking the flat tire for leaks and making any repairs needed so that you’re not driving on the spare tire.
Can you drive on the spare tire?
In the past, the spare tire was the same size as the tires used for your car. However, with compact cars, this has changed and the spare tire, often referred to as “the donut,” isn’t designed to drive over 45 to 50 mph and is typically only used for a short time. This spare tire change is not meant as a permanent tire placement.
Does the original tire need to be replaced with a new tire?
This is another reason to take your car to a mechanic or tire store, whether you do your tire change or you have a roadside service change the flat. An experienced mechanic or tire technician can advise you if the tire needs to be replaced with a new tire.
Will you need to replace all four tires?
Again, your mechanic or tire technician will check the other three tires and advise if you need a full set of new tires. If the flat tire was due to a stand-alone issue, like running over a nail, and the tread is at the proper level on all four tires, you should have to have a complete 4-set tire change done.
If, however, you do have to replace one tire change, if it is of a different brand, size, and type of tire, it would be in your best interest to change all four tires. A matching set of tires is important for the safety aspect and the longevity.
Keep On Rolling
When you experience a flat tire while driving, it is important to get the car off the roadway to a safe area. Turn on the emergency flashers and call for roadside assistance or begin the process for your tire change process. Taking all the precautions to remain safe while waiting on service or doing the job yourself, should be your number one priority.
If you notice a tire is slowly going flat, take the same precautions to get pulled over to a safe place. Do not drive the car with a slow leak or flat tire for any long distance. By driving on a tire in this condition, you’re putting yourself and your passengers at risk as well as causing extensive damage to the wheels, and possibly to other parts of the car. And remember, if you need a tire change in Festus, Missouri our team can be there to help.