How Do You Change a Car Tire?

Notice your tire’s treads have worn down too far or have a flat tire? It’s time to change your vehicle’s tires. Knowing how to change a tire is an important skill to have. So, how do you change a car tire? Our technicians at the Texan GMC Buick service center can help you learn the proper way to change your tires for a safer commute.

Changing Your Vehicle’s Tires

Before you get started changing tires on your vehicle, you’ll need to make sure you have the right tools. Make sure you have a jack, lug wrench, spare tire or new tire, and your owner’s manual.Replacing your tire on your car, truck, or SUV is a fairly simple and straightforward process. Here are the steps you need to take:

1. If you’re on the side of the road, move to a safe place and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Wherever you are, apply the parking brake and wheel wedges under the other tires.
3. Remove the wheel cover or hubcap from the tire, then loosen the lug nuts.
4. Use the jack to raise your vehicle and remove the lug nuts.
5. Remove the current tire and mount the new or spare tire.
6. Tighten the lug nuts, then lower your vehicle back to the ground.

How Often Should You Change Car Tires?

This depends on how often you rotate tires and how well your tires are made. If you keep to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule when it comes to rotating your tires regularly, you should be able to get the full mileage promised, but it’s still a good idea to check your tire pressure and check the tread regularly. If the tread wear is too significant, you’ll need new tires. To ensure that your tires last for as long as possible, it’s a good idea to schedule a tire rotation when you get your oil changed.

How to Put Air in Your Tires

It’s also important to learn how to put air in your tires. If you don’t own a pump or you’re on the road, you can stop at a local gas station and use the air pump there. Here’s how to put air in your tires:

• Park your vehicle by the air dispenser and ensure that the hose can reach each tire.
• Remove the cap on the tire valve of the first tire.
• Check the air pressure in the tire by using your tire gauge. It’s helpful to do this at home, even if you head to the gas station to fill your tires, because tires can heat up when you drive and cause the air inside to expand. This can provide a false reading.
• Use the air hose to add small amounts of air in short bursts while checking the tire gauge each time.

You’ll want to remember to keep checking the tire gauge until you hit the recommended tire pressure.

Our Service Center Helps with Your Tire Needs

When the time comes to change your tire, if you’re not quite comfortable doing it yourself, contact our service center. We’re more than happy to help you keep your vehicle in top shape. If you’re interested in learning more car-care tips, such as about the benefits of OEM parts,  how often to change your oil, or to learn how often to rotate your tires, check out our online guides or contact us!