Everything You Need to Know About Changing Car Tyres

On this page, we provide the ultimate guide to changing car tyres. You can learn more about when it’s time to get started, and you can also find a list of all the tools you will need for the task. And. of course, we have also prepared a step-by-step guide on how to change tyres properly.

When is it time to change your car tyres?

Changing the tyres on your car is not just a practical necessity. It’s also important for your safety and the safety of your fellow road users. It is crucial that your tyres are always in good condition and suitable for the prevailing driving conditions. In fact, there are several situations in which a tyre change is required:

• Change of season: One of the most common reasons for changing tyres is the approach of a new season. When we go from summer to winter or vice versa, it is important that you switch to four new tyres. This helps ensure that the tyres on your wheels are suitable for the seasonal driving conditions. See how to change to summer tyres here, and learn more about how to prepare your car for winter here.
  
  
• Worn tires: In addition to the change of season, you should also change the wheels of your car when the tyres start getting worn. The tread of the tyres is crucial for the car’s grip and braking performance, and if the tread is worn, it can affect the car’s ability to brake.
  
  
• Old tyres: You should also think about the age of the tyres. The rules and guidelines for tyre age are the same for winter tyres, summer tyres, or all-season tyres. And if you’re not sure how old your tyres are, you can check the sidewall of your tyre. Vehicle manufacturers may recommend different time intervals, and it’s important to adhere to this recommendation. If you have any questions about your tyres in general, please contact your local tyre specialist/workshop.
  
  
• Punctured tyre: One of the most acute situations when it is necessary to change a car tyre is when you get a puncture. Here, repairing or patching the tyre is rarely an option, and the punctured tyre must be replaced as soon as possible – both for your safety and the safety of others. Therefore, always remember to keep a spare wheel in the car, so you are prepared in an emergency.

There are several situations where it is necessary to change your car tyres, such as when you prepare your car for a brand new season or have worn, punctured or old tyres.

Preparations for tyre changing

Before you get serious about changing your car tyres, you must be well prepared, because after all, safety comes first. Here we provide our top tips for what you need to know before starting the job:

1. Make sure you gave the right tools: When changing car tyres, it’s important that you have the right tools on hand. For example, a jack, a tyre iron, and a torque spanner. We have compiled an overview of all the necessary equipment below.
2. Find the lifting points for the jack: Before you start the job, you should determine where the car’s lifting points are for the jack. If you are in doubt about where they are, you will find them in your car’s owner manual. It is important that you follow the instructions carefully.
3. Check that the condition of the new tyres: It’s important that you check if the wheels and tyres are in good condition. This applies to tyre pressure, tread depth, and tyre age.

Changing car tyres is not something you do carelessly. Therefore, you must prepare thoroughly before starting.

Tools for changing car tyres

If you have decided to change your car tyres at home, you must have the right equipment. We have compiled an overview of items to have on hand:

• Knee pads or work mat: When you need to change tyres, you spend a lot of time on your knees. Knee pads can therefore help make the work a bit more comfortable for you. See all our knee pads here. A work mat is another good option.
• Work light: It’s also a good idea to get a work light – especially of you need to change the tyres in a poorly lit area.
• Jack: A jack is an important tool when changing car tyres. The jack’s job is to help you lift the car so you can easily get the wheel on and off.
• Wheel brace: You also need a so-called wheel brace to loosen the bolts that hold the wheel in place. If your car has a spare wheel lying in the boot, then in some cases you will also find a jack and a wheel brace in the compartment. Otherwise, you can find all our wheel tools here.
• Torque spanner: When you need to tighten the bolts again, it’s important that you use a torque spanner to ensure that the bolts are tightened correctly. The spanner is never included when purchasing a car, and you are therefore responsible for getting one.
• Tyre pressure gauge: After changing your tyres, you may want to check your tyre pressure. And you can do that with a tyre pressure gauge. You can also check your tyre pressure at a filling station.
• Tread depth gauge: If you’re not sure if your tyres are too worn, you can use a tread depth gauge to check.

As you can see, there are several tools you need to have when you change your car tyres at home. With the right tools, you should be able to change the tyres yourself. Find all the necessary equipment for tyre changing here.

Also remember one important detail – the right compressor, if you change wheels using compressed air.

How to change car tyres in nine simple steps

Whatever the reason for your car needing a tyre change, it is something you can do at home. We have compiled a step-by-step guide to make it easy for you to get started.

Step 1: Before you start changing your car tyres, it is important that the car is parked on a firm and level surface. This is where you need to place the jack, and it is therefore crucial that the ground is stable. Put the car in gear and apply the handbrake so that the car does not roll. 

Tip: Use a work mat or knee pads to start the next steps. It makes the work a bit more comfortable for your knees.

Step 2: The first thing you need to do before lifting up the car is to loosen all the bolts on the wheel you need to change. While still touching the ground, the wheel will not rotate. For this step, you should use a wheel brace.

Tip: If you use the telescopic handle it will give you more force, and it will be easier for you to loosen the bolts. 

Step 3: It’s time to use the jack. Start by placing it close to the tyre you are going to change. If in doubt, you can find out where exactly to place the jack in your car’s owner manual. Once you have found the right place, gently lift the car so that the bottom edge of the wheel is clear from the ground.

Step 4: As a precaution, we recommend that you place an adjustable trestle that can handle the weight of the car in case the jack cannot hold the weight. You need to place the trestle between the jack and the tyre. Then raise the trestle as close to the edge of the car as possible and secure the position with the locking bracket.

Step 5: Now it’s time to loosen the bolts using the wheel spanner. Remove the wheel after removing all the bolts. If the wheel is difficult to remove, it can help to knock on the tyre a little, which can loosen it.

Tip: To tighten and loosen bolts more effectively, you can invest in a wheel tightener. But keep in mind that you will also need a cable reel unless you have chosen a cordless impact spanner.

Step 6: The next step is to clean the wheel hub with a rim brush. Then you fit the new wheel. Make sure the bolt pattern is correctly aligned. Then screw in the bolts by hand or use the wheel tightener. Alternatively, you can use a torque spanner with a wheel tightening bit.

Step 7: Now that you’ve changed the first tyre, it’s time to lower the car back down. Start by raising the car jack and then remove the trestle. After that, gently lower the car down with the jack.

Step 8: When all four wheels of the car are on the ground again, you need to tighten the bolts at the right torque using a torque spanner with a wheel nut bit. Tighten each bolt with the impact spanner/wheel tightener and tighten the next bolt in the pattern of a star to get the best and safest result. Check the tightening torque with the car's owner's manual or the car manufacturer.

Tip: To make it easier at the next tyre change, we recommend that you use a tyre marking kit. It can mark the hub on which the removed wheel was fitted, and it helps to ensure that you fit it in the correct direction of rotation next time. Find it among our tyre care products here.

Step 9: If you just need to change one tyre, your work is done. But if you need to change the other tyres as well, now is the time to repeat the process. Remember that you must always retighten the bolts when your car has driven approximately 50 kilometres after the tyre change.

How to store tyres optimally

It’s always a good idea to keep a spare wheel in the boot in case you get a puncture on the road. When changing tyres between seasons, it’s also important to correctly store the tyres you’re not using.

Before storing the tyres, you should polish and clean them. Clean the tyres with rim cleaner and degreaser. It’s a good idea to finish with a rim wax and tyre gloss.

The tyres should be stored in a dry, cool, and dark area. Sunlight can cause the tyre rubber to age faster. You should also make sure that the tyres are not in contact with oil or petrol, as this can damage the rubber.

Avoid the five most common tyre changing mistakes

To avoid mistakes when you start changing tyres at home, we have provided an overview of the most common mistakes – along with a few tips on how to avoid them.

1. Incorrect jack position: One of the most common mistakes is positioning the jack incorrectly. In fact, it can damage the car body and, in the worst case, cause the car to drop. It is therefore important to make sure the jack is positioned at the car’s designed lifting points. You can find them in the owner manual.
2. Too low or too high tyre pressure: When the tyre pressure is incorrect, it can affect the car’s driving performance, and it is therefore important that you always check the tyre pressure after changing tyres.
3. Tightening the wheel bolts: Always remember to tighten the wheel bolts correctly – neither too little nor too much. If they are too loose, the wheel can fall off, whereas they can become damaged if too tight. And that’s where the torque spanner comes in.
4. Incorrect tyre fitting: Some tyres have a direction of rotation that must be adhered to. If you fit the tyre incorrectly, it can affect your car’s performance. Therefore, always check whether the tyre has indicated a direction of rotation.
5. Tyre condition: The last common mistake is that many forget to check the condition of the tyre before fitting. And driving with tyres that are too worn can be dangerous, so it’s important that you check.

Changing tyres can be a challenging task for many, but being aware of the five most common mistakes will make things easier.