How Do You Change a Car Tire?

Are your treads wearing thin? Is it time for your next tire rotation? Have you just run a flat on the roads near Rumson? Here at Jaguar Monmouth, we think that every driver can benefit by learning how to change a car tire at home or on the road.

How to Change a Car Tire: Step-by-Step

It doesn’t matter what kind of vehicle you drive. The answer to the question, “How do you change a car tire?” won’t change! As long as you have a jack and a lug wrench on hand, you’ll be able to get the job done quickly:

1. Make sure you’re in a safe place. If you got a flat tire while you were driving, pull over to the side of the road and give yourself plenty of room to move around. Call Jaguar Roadside Assistance, or another trusted provider, if you feel unsafe.
2. Park on level ground, apply your parking brake, and insert wheel wedges beneath the tires that you aren’t changing.
3. Remove the hubcap or wheel cover from your tire, and then loosen the lug nuts with your lug wrench. Don’t remove the bolts just yet.
4. Locate the jack point underneath the vehicle, and place the jack carefully. Raise the vehicle into the air until the tire is lifted off the ground.
5. Go ahead and remove the bolts and take the old tire off your vehicle. Mount the new tire, and start to screw the lug nuts by hand.
6. Lower your vehicle back to the ground, and tighten the lug nuts with your wrench. Work in a star pattern to ensure even tightening, which is necessary to prevent warped rotors.

If you’re rotating your tires, it helps to have a set of jack stands on hand. This way, you can get all four wheels up in the air. If changing all your tires at home seems like too big of a task, don’t worry! We’ve made it easy to schedule service.

How Often Should You Change Car Tires?

Car tires generally last between six and ten years, but how often should you change car tires, really? It all depends on how often you rotate your tires and how well you keep them inflated as you drive around Red Bank and Point Pleasant.

The best way to tell if you need to change a car tire is to check the tread depth using a ruler, a tread gauge, or a penny. New tires will have a depth of roughly ⅓ of an inch, and you should replace them when they reach 2/32 of an inch or less.

How Many Miles Can You Go on a Spare Tire?

Spare tires are not manufactured according to the same standards which distinguish the tires you normally use on your vehicle. Most will only last for around 50 miles, and going faster than 50 mph is not recommended when you’re running on a spare. Head straight to your local tire store, and pick up a new one as soon as you can.

Your spare may have its own unique limitations, so be sure to check the tire wall when you’re getting ready to put it on.

We’re Ready to Help with All of Your Tire Care Needs

Now that you’ve seen how to change a tire, you might be eager to learn more about DIY car care! Find out how to jump-start a car the easy way today. The Jaguar Monmouth service team is happy to pass along what we know!

If you need a new set of Jaguar tires or want to save on your next tire rotation, make sure to check out our parts coupons and service specials!