Car Care Tips: How to Change A Tire

If you accidentally roll over a sharp object or damage your tire during a sharp turn, you might find yourself on the side of the road with a flat. Knowing how to change a tire can help you minimize downtime and get back on the road safely during a roadside emergency. Read on for Performance Kings Honda’s guide to changing a tire. Click the link below to give us a call if you’re in need of tire replacement service in Cincinnati.

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How to Change a Tire

Follow these steps to change a tire while on the road:

1. Drive to Safety

Your top priority is safety, so leave the road first. Steer to the side to pull off the street, and try to find an area with a little space. It’s important that you remain far enough from traffic to avoid any collisions or interference.

Once you’ve parked, turn on your hazard lights to signal to other cars that you’re pulled over nearby. This may encourage vehicles to slow down and stay far from the side of the road, which is especially helpful if you’re on a busy street or a highway.

2. Prevent Rolling

To make sure you stay safe while changing the tire, take precautions to prevent your vehicle from rolling or moving. Activate your parking brake, which is usually a lever near your gearshift, a pedal near your brake, or a button on your center console. It can also help to wedge some items below your wheels to stop any movement. If you see any large rocks or sticks nearby, slide them in front or behind your wheels, depending on the incline of your environment.

3. Locate your equipment

Your car likely came with a spare tire and a car jack. In most Honda models, you can find your spare and jack underneath the floor of the trunk. Some models, like the Honda Odyssey, have it beneath the floor in the cabin. You can pull up the floor to reveal the spare tire and the tools that come with it. It might also help to grab your owner’s manual, as most have instructions about installing a spare.

4. Loosen the lug nuts

Next, you want to prepare by loosening the lug nuts on your wheel. If your lug nuts are beneath a hubcap, remove the cap using the lug wrench on your jack. Then, place your lug wrench around your lug nuts and twist slightly counterclockwise. Remember, you’re just loosening them, not removing them. About a quarter of a rotation should do it.

5. Raise your vehicle with the car jack

You can then attach the car jack to your car and push the lever clockwise to raise your car off the ground. This will allow you to remove and replace your tire. Different vehicles have different instructions for where to place the jack, so you can check your owner’s manual to learn the best spot for your car.

6. Remove the tire

Once your car is off the ground, you can fully remove the lug nuts using the lug wrench. You’ll have to put them back on once you replace the tire, so make sure you remember where you put them. Then, you can gently pull the damaged tire off the wheel. Lay it down on its side, so it doesn’t roll away.

7. Put the spare tire on

Align your spare with the wheel and place it with the lug nuts. You can tighten them by spinning them clockwise with your hands. They should be pretty tight before you lower your car onto the ground, but don’t tighten them entirely. You’ll finish the tightening once the car’s down.

8. Lower your car partially

Lower your car most of the way. The tire should touch the ground, but the jack should still hold the rest of the car in the air. Finish tightening the lug nuts using the lug wrench. It might help to tighten each nut a little at a time to ensure they’re even.

9. Finish lowering the vehicle

You can then bring the car entirely down. Take off the jack and put it away, along with the tire and the rest of your equipment. You can also double-check your lug nuts to ensure they’re completely fastened. You’re finished changing your tire and can safely return to the road.

10. Schedule tire service

Your spare tire can help you in an emergency, but it’s not a long-term solution. Depending on the type of spare your car has, you might be able to drive about 70 miles or more, but you’ll still need to replace it with a durable tire that works for your vehicle. Once you’re at your destination, schedule a service appointment with a reputable technician to get a new tire.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tire Changes

Below are the answers to some common questions about tire services and new tires:

How Long Do Tires Usually Last?

The average lifespan of tires is usually about 50,000 miles. On average, people drive about 15,000 miles per year, so your tires may last you a little over three years. Many factors can affect your tires’ lifespan, though, including:

• Type of tire: High-quality all-season tires from reliable manufacturers might last longer than other options.
• Drivetrain: Your drivetrain options, which can include front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive, each wear tires differently.
• Maintenance: Regularly maintaining your tires with rotations and alignments can help increase longevity.
• Driving habits: How frequently you drive, how smoothly you stop, and how few collisions you have could all contribute to a longer life for your tires.
• Weather: Your tires might wear faster if you frequently drive in rain, snow, ice, and sleet.

Where Do You Buy New Tires?

You can buy new tires from your local dealership specializing in your manufacturer. If you drive a Honda in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area, the Tire Center at Performance Kings Honda is your destination for high-quality tires from top manufacturers like Michelin and Bridgestone at competitive prices.

How Do You Determine the Best Tires for Your Car?

Bringing your car to a factory-trained technician can help you ensure you choose the right tires for you. Our experts can recommend the best genuine Honda-approved tires based on your budget, driving habits, and vehicle.

If it’s time for new tires in the Cincinnati area, head to Performance Kings Honda. If you’re unsure whether you’re due for a new set, we can inspect your tires and help you protect them with rotations and alignments, too. Schedule your appointment with one of our 20 knowledgeable technicians today.