In this post, I’m going to discuss how to remove a tire and put it back on your car. Although this may seem simple, it’s a fundamental skill for fixing your car.
Often, you’ll need to remove the tire to access suspension components or brakes. Knowing how to do this safely and properly is crucial to avoid injury and ensure the vehicle is secure. I’ll be sharing tips and tricks to make the job easier and will tell you all the tools I use to make my life easier.
Lifting your car should be easy—if you dread it, you’ll hate working on your car. For me, it takes just a few seconds, so I don’t mind lifting my car when needed.
Removing the Lug Nuts
As an example, I’m going to show you how to take the tire off a hatchback car (see my video below), but the process is the same for MPV’s, SUV’s and trucks.
First, go to the back tire because we’re lifting the front. You need to make sure your vehicle doesn’t roll when you lift the front tires, so secure the emergency brake, put it in park, or first gear if it’s a stick shift.
Next, position two blocks of wood, one in front of and one behind the tire, to prevent the vehicle from moving when you lift the front. After securing the vehicle, loosen the lug nuts while the tire remains on the ground.
You can access the lug nuts directly from an exposed rim, just like mine. If yours have a covered plate, use a flat-head screwdriver to pry off the plate covering the lug nuts. Some vehicles have four, five, or six lug nuts, mine has four as it is a small car.
To remove the lug nuts, use a 3/4-inch lug wrench, a size that fits most American, Japanese and foreign vehicles. Place the lug wrench on the lug nut, hold one hand at the end and the other near the middle, and turn to loosen the lug nut.
[Check out Amazon for the best 3/4 lug wrench brands]
If the lug nuts are too tight because a mechanic over-torqued them with an impact gun, use a breaker bar for extra leverage. Attach a 3/4 socket and an extension to the breaker bar, and it will make loosening the lug nuts much easier. You may also use a power tool such as an impact wrench for this job.
Once all lug nuts are loose, we’re ready to lift the vehicle
Lifting the Vehicle
To change a tire, you need to lift your vehicle first. Here’s everything you’ll need to easily lift your vehicle.
I prefer using a quick pump floor jack because it makes the job faster. Ensure you have jack stands that can support the weight of your vehicle. But for my small car, I’ll just use a scissor-type jack.
[Check out Amazon for the best scissor-type jack brands]
To lift the vehicle, turn the jack handle counterclockwise to lower it and clockwise to raise it. Refer to your owner’s manual to find the proper jacking points.
In my case, I’ll place the scissor jack below the side rail which is often found in sedans. Floor jacks (also known as crocodile jacks) are suitable for trucks and SUV’s, and always use the engine cradle at the front, which lifts both front tires evenly and quickly.
[Check out Amazon for the best floor jack brands]
This method is efficient for jobs like front brake work since you only need to lift the car once.
Where to Jack Up
Locate the proper jacking points in your owner’s manual. Typically, you can safely jack up your vehicle from the differential (for SUV’s, trucks, etc). Be careful to avoid placing the floor jack on the oil pan, transmission oil pan, or catalytic converter, as these can be damaged.
If you have a nice car and want to protect the metal, place a piece of wood between the jack and the metal.
Jack Placement
Ensure the jack is centered to lift the vehicle evenly. If placed off-center, the car may lean, and one tire might not lift off the ground. On my hatchback and SUV, I know the exact placement for balanced lifting.
[Check out Amazon for the best jack stand brands]
Lowering the Vehicle to Jack Stands
Ensure everything is clear, then slowly lower the jack by turning the handle counterclockwise. Let the vehicle rest on the jack stands, then re-position the jack for extra safety without lifting the car. This provides triple protection: two jack stands and one jack, or four jack stands and one floor jack.
Take Advantage of Your Floor Jack
Using a scissor jack can be challenging, so opting for a floor jack might make lifting your vehicle easier and more manageable.
Watch how quickly the floor jack lifts my big SUV found on my Youtube videos. With both tires off the ground, you can position the jack stands.
Don’t slide your whole body under the car; extend your arm to place the jack stands.
Always consult your owner’s manual for the correct placement. Lift the jack stand to the desired height, and repeat on the other side.
Tire Removal
Before working under the car, give it a firm shake to ensure it’s stable. With the lug nuts already loosened, use the lug wrench to remove them completely, or use a power tool like an impact wrench for easier removal.
[Check out Amazon for the best impact wrench brands]
Be cautious with the last lug nut, as the tire can slip off. To remove the tire, grab it from behind with one hand and from the front with the other hand. Slide the tire underneath the vehicle as an extra safety measure in case the vehicle drops.
Putting the Tire Back On
Before putting the tire back on, align the top peg to help with positioning. Light tires are easy to lift, but for heavier tires, use your feet to rock the tire into place.
Position the rim onto the hub, and hand-tighten one lug nut to keep the tire in place. Ensure the lug nuts spin on easily to avoid cross-threading.
Tightening the Lug Nuts
With the tire still off the ground, snug the lug nuts using a lug wrench. Tighten them in a star pattern to evenly secure the wheel to the hub.
Once snug, lower the vehicle slightly to get more pressure on the tire, then tighten the lug nuts further. Finally, fully lower the car and remove the floor jack.
Using a Torque Wrench
To properly tighten the lug nuts, use a torque wrench set to the correct torque specification, usually around 80 foot-pounds for sedans and 100 foot-pounds max for bigger vehicles. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern, ensuring each one is properly torqued.
[Check out Amazon for the best torque wrench brands]
Re-check each lug nut as the rim may seat better on the hub after initial tightening. Finally, take out the wood blocks from behind the rear tires.
That’s it! You’ve successfully changed a tire.
Summary
Changing a tire is not only manageable but can also be a fun and educational experience. After driving some miles, you’ll likely need to use this skill to rotate all four tires.
Tire rotation is essential for ensuring even tread wear, which helps extend the lifespan of your tires.
I hope this post was helpful. If you have any suggestions or methods you use, share them in the comments below.
Also, make sure you share this post to all your social media profiles and don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube channel – Noah’s Garage.
