Imagine that you are driving alone in your car, going about your normal business, and suddenly you feel that the car is acting strangely, perhaps even hearing a popping sound from under the tires. You get out of the car and discover a flat tire. Don’t panic, it’s not the end of the world. You can contact the WEBER-AUTO car service center for tire fitting or roll up your sleeves and change a flat tire yourself)

List of tools for changing a wheel

Make sure you always have a basic set of tools at hand. To cope with the task quickly and, most importantly, safely and correctly, you will need:

• flat blade screwdriver
• jack complete with drive handle
• correct size socket wrench
• several wheel shoes
• reflective triangle
• and, of course, a spare tire in good condition.

In addition, you may need an all-purpose lubricant, such as WD40. Also useful would be a luminous vest, a flashlight if you have to work in the dark, a pair of gloves and an old rug so as not to get your hands and knees dirty.

How to replace a car wheel – step-by-step instructions

Now that you’re properly prepared, check out our step-by-step instructions for replacing a flat or damaged tire.

Stand on the side of the road. If a tire gets flat while driving, turn on your hazard lights and reduce your speed to 8 km/h. Choose the nearest convenient and safe place on the side of the road, away from heavy traffic. If this is not possible, at least find a place where your car will be clearly visible.

Remember: never try to change a tire on the emergency lane of the road, it is extremely dangerous! Park on a level surface. After you park, make sure the car is parked on a flat surface. Do not attempt to change a tire on uneven surfaces.

Put the car on the handbrake, engage first gear, or put it in “parking” mode, depending on the type of gearbox. Place wheel chocks under the wheels, in front and behind the wheel located diagonally from the one being repaired. For example, if the passenger’s side front tire is flat, place chocks around the driver’s side rear tire.

After this, install a reflective triangle at a distance of 20 meters behind the car. The location of the sign depends on what road you are on. If the road is winding, for example, place it where it can be seen by approaching drivers.

For the same purpose, you can open the hood, so other drivers will see that you are repairing something.
Remove the wheel cover. Make sure the spare tire is ready and in working order and that all necessary tools are available. Using tools, remove the wheel cover, if present.

Then loosen the nuts by turning them counterclockwise. It is easier and easier to do this before you lift the car with a jack. Don’t remove the nuts, just loosen them until you can tighten them by hand. If necessary, apply lubricating oil to each nut. If you have secret nuts, you will also need a wrench for them.

Jack installation

Determine where to install the jack on the car. Check your owner’s manual if in doubt, accuracy is essential. If you install the jack incorrectly, it can damage the underbody of the car when you start to lift it.

Raise the vehicle high enough to install the spare tire.

REMEMBER: You should never lie under a jacked car!

Installing a new wheel

Now remove the nuts completely and put them in a safe place so they don’t get lost. Remove the flat tire and place it on the ground. Install the new wheel and do not tighten the nuts all the way, just to prevent the new wheel from falling off. Secure the wheel. Lower the car and only after it is on the ground, remove the jack.

Now tighten the nuts using a wrench by turning it clockwise. Tighten the nuts in pairs diagonally – for example, if you tighten the nut at 10 o’clock, tighten the next one at 4 o’clock and so on until they are tightened sufficiently.

Completion

Reinstall the wheel rim and remove the tools. You won’t get a medal for speed, so don’t rush, drive slowly. The old wheel will need to be repaired as soon as possible.

If you discover more serious car malfunctions while replacing a flat tire, contact our WEBER-AUTO tire service center for professional assistance in wheel repair.