How to Change a Tire

Making sure to maintain your vehicle and pay attention to the overall health of your tires is important when you’re driving around Provo and West Valley City. The best way to keep you and your passengers safe on your travels is to make sure you’re paying attention to your tire pressure, tread, age, and mileage. But if you ever have the need to change your tire, follow this quick guide and you’ll be back out on the road in no time.

Changing Your Tires

No matter what vehicle you have, you’ll need the right tools to change your tire safely and efficiently: a jack, lug wrench, spare tire or new tire(s), and your owner’s manual. Replacing your tire on your car, truck, or SUV is a fairly simple and straightforward process.

1. If you’re on the side of the road near West Jordan, 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?

It all depends on how often you rotate tires and how well your tires are made. Rotating your tires regularly will ensure you get the most out of your tires, but you should still check your tire pressure and check the tread regularly just to be safe. Especially because if your tire tread difference is too drastic, you’ll need to get a new set to bring out your vehicle’s best performance.

How Many Miles Can You Go on a Spare Tire?

If you put your spare tire on your vehicle, you’ll want to get a new, permanent tire put on as soon as possible. Spares are meant to get you to a service center but it isn’t meant for long-term use These tires are not made for driving on for very long — rarely more than 50 miles — and you should never drive on them at high speeds. Be sure to consult your tire center for your spare’s specific limits.

The Prestman Auto Service Center Helps with Your Tire Needs

If you don’t feel comfortable changing tires yourself in Salt Lake City, or you’re not sure what kind of tires to purchase, we’re happy to help. Contact us with any tire-related questions, or come on down to our Prestman Auto service center for maintenance, even if it isn’t tire-related. You can also take a look at our service and parts tips for how best to take care of your vehicle!