Changing a flat tyre at home can save you time and money. You won’t have to deal with the hassle of taking your car to a garage for repairs, and you’ll be equipped to change a tyre on the side of a road in an emergency. Usually, tyres last around 20,000 to 30,000 miles: once your tyre has reached this age you should check for signs of damage. By conducting the penny test, you can work out if the tread has worn out. Below, we explain how to change a flat or worn-out tyre at home.
Tools you need
To be able to change a tyre at home, there are certain tools and equipment that you’ll need. For a start, you’ll need to buy new tyres online: this will give you the spares you need to make a quick change when the time comes. On top of this, you’ll need a wrench that is able to remove the nuts and bolts from your tyre. After this, you’ll need a jack to help you lift your vehicle to allow you to easily remove the tyre. Finally, depending on your car, you might need other specialist tools. A wheel lock, extension bars and alignment studs can all come in handy. These tools are usually universal therefore should be perfect for your Mercedes.
Preparing your car
There are some steps to take to prepare your car before changing the tyre. If the tyre has blown out while you’re driving, you should find a safe place to park first. From there, you need to apply the handbrake and remove all passengers from the car to prepare.
Changing the tyre
You should begin by loosening the wheel nuts while the car is still on the ground, but don’t remove them completely. Next, you should jack the car up and raise it from the ground. At this point, you can remove the flat tyre and mount the new wheel. After this, you should lower the car to the ground once more, before tightening the nuts.
How to check you’ve fitted the tyre correctly
Once you’ve changed the tyre, you should check to see if it’s fitted correctly. You can do this by checking the air pressure immediately. After this, you should remain wary and check the air pressure once a fortnight while also remaining aware of any steering changes. If you’re experiencing any vibration – particularly at high speeds – then it could mean that the tyres aren’t balanced and that you’ll have to make adjustments.
Changing a tyre is a useful skill to learn. And by following the advice above – from swapping the tyre out to checking its fit – you can enjoy the benefits of quick and easy tyre changes.
