9 steps to changing a spare tire

Simple steps allow car owners to proactively change a tire in situations where roadside assistance is unavailable.

1. Cake Point

Besides the spare tire, the tools you need to bring are a jack, a wrench, and a spanner. Before starting, remember to park on a level surface in a safe area. If parking on a highway, place warning signs to alert other vehicles. Use wheel chocks or engage the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling freely.

2. Remove the rim cover.

Remove the mud blanket.

If this cover has screws in the middle, remove them before pulling it off forcefully by hand. If the cover is tightly secured, you can use the pointed end of a screwdriver to gently pry it open.

3. Loosen the screws.

The loosening process, without jacking up the wheel, utilizes the friction torque between the wheel and the road, balancing the torque required to tighten the bolts. A 21mm socket wrench is typically used for loosening the wheel nuts. Loosen the nuts by turning them counterclockwise. Tight nuts may require a torque wrench.

To utilize your full body weight, position the wrench on the left. Torque will be greater when the screw force is perpendicular to the lever arm. Be cautious, as this position can be dangerous if the nut suddenly loosens. Loosen the nut sequentially in an "X" or star pattern.

Typically, you only need to loosen the bolts by half or two-thirds of a turn. Be careful not to remove all the bolts immediately to keep the wheel upright, avoiding scratching the rim or overloading some of the bolts.

4. Lift the wheel

Wheel size

Manufacturers design jacks to lift the vehicle from under the chassis, usually on the inside, near the two wheels. Ensure the jack is sturdy enough to lift the weight of the vehicle when changing a wheel. In areas with weak ground, use a protective layer such as wood, brick, or stone to reduce pressure. Adjust the jack so that it touches the jack's opening, and continue jacking until the wheel is lifted off the ground.

5. Remove the wheel.

Loosening the bolts beforehand makes it easier to remove each one. Rest your hand on the wheel to keep it upright until you remove the last bolt. Use both hands to lift and pull the wheel off the bolts. If your vehicle has alloy wheels, be careful to avoid scratching the surface.

6. Place the wheels under the chassis.

Placing the wheel under the chassis is the best option. It will act as a stabilizer in case the jack collapses, and it will also prevent the vehicle from rolling into the area where other vehicles are driving.

7. Install the spare tire.

Install the spare wheel onto the hub. Tighten the nuts firmly and evenly in a star or "X" pattern.

8. Tighten the screws.

Remove the recently detached wheel from the chassis and store it in the car. Lower the jack slowly until the lug is disengaged. Continue tightening the lug nuts evenly. Remove the jack and store it neatly in the car.

9. Install the shield.

The final step is to install the blanket and the nuts that hold it in place.

According to VnExpress