How to Change a Tire

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Your tires are vital to your vehicle’s safety and handling on Orland Park roads and beyond. Tires naturally wear down over time, lasting anywhere from 30,000 to 70,000 miles. However, you might need to know how to change a tire if you get a flat while you’re out and about in Mokena. 

Every driver should know how to change a tire, as you don’t want to be stranded without assistance. Even if you call roadside assistance, depending on how busy they are and your location, they may not get to you for several hours. 

Discover the details on changing a tire with our handy, step-by-step guide from the service technicians at Bettenhausen CDJR. We will also discuss how often to change car tires.

How to Change a Tire Step-by-Step

Ensure you have a few tools in your car that enable you to change a tire, including a jack, lug wrench, spare tire or new tire(s), and your owner’s manual. 

1. Do not drive on a flat tire. Your vehicle’s wheel or axle could be damaged, which are costly repairs.
2. If you experience a flat, move to a safe place as soon as possible, either to the side of the road in New Lenox or into a place off of the road entirely.
3. Turn on your hazard lights.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Get out of your vehicle carefully if you’re on the side of a busy road or highway.
6. If you have them, place wheel wedges under the other tires. This will keep your vehicle from rolling in case the parking brake fails (which it probably won’t).
7. Remove the wheel cover or hubcap from the flat tire.
8. Loosen the lug nuts. Your owner’s manual will tell you how to loosen the lug nuts. 
9. Use the jack to raise your vehicle. The correct position is listed in your owner’s manual. It’s typically at a strategic point where the jack will be stable.
10. Remove the lug nuts entirely. 
11. Set the lugnuts in a safe place where they won’t get lost, like in the driver’s seat or on the hubcap you just removed.
12. Remove the flat tire. It will be heavy! 
13. Set the tire aside on the ground so it won’t roll away.
14. Mount the new or spare tire. Make sure the lug nut stems align properly.
15. Tighten the lug nuts in the prescribed order, as shown in your owner’s manual.
16. Lower your vehicle back to the ground. 
17. Put the jack back in your trunk or cargo area.
18. Put the flat tire in your trunk or cargo area.
19. Drive to your chosen tire center to get a new tire installed!

How Often to Change Car Tires

In general, tires last around 50,000 miles. How often to change car tires depends on a few factors. If you are off-road, driving on dirt roads, or braking suddenly, your tires may only last for a while. If you rotate tires every 7,500 miles, your tires will last longer. Rotating tires evens the wear on the tires. 

How Often to Check Tire Pressure

We recommend checking your tire pressure at least once a week, like when you get gas. Your car has a TPMS system, but it’s important to visually inspect the tires once a week to ensure there isn’t a slow leak.

Check the tire tread once a month. Look for uneven wear or tread that’s disappearing. 

How to Put Air in Your Tires

Here’s how to put air in your tires using an air compressor:

1. Park your vehicle by the air compressor. Make sure the hose can reach each tire.
2. Remove the cap on the first tire valve. 
3. Put the air valve cover in your pocket.
4. Check the air pressure in the tire by using your tire gauge. It’s helpful to do this at home. Warm tires can provide a false reading.
5. Use the air hose to add small short bursts while checking the tire gauge each time.
6. Inflate the tire to the correct air pressure as your owner’s manual states.
7. Move to the next tire.

How Many Miles Can You Go on a Spare Tire?

Spare tires are rated to go around 50 miles. Never drive on a spare tire at speeds over 50 mph. The best thing to do is to go to a tire center and purchase a new regular tire as soon as possible.

Service Your Tires or Buy New Tires at Bettenhausen CDJR

Do you need new tires or tire service? Contact us or call 708-840-8252 to see if we have your chosen tires in stock. Schedule service with our team whenever you’re ready. Check our service coupons to see if you could save some cash on your maintenance.