How to Change a Tire

If you run into the dreaded flat tire while driving around Camden, or if your tires have worn out and you’d like to replace them yourself, you should know the basics of how to change a tire. While it’s not particularly difficult to change a tire, you’ll want to follow the instructions to the letter so you don’t run into any trouble. The service team at Carolina Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram has all the details on how to change a tire and how often to change your car tires in the guide below – check it out!

How to Change Your Tires: Step-By-Step

When changing a tire, the first thing you need to do is gather the necessary materials. You’ll need a jack, a lug wrench, a spare or new tire, and your car’s owner’s manual. Then, just follow these steps:

1. If you’ve run into trouble on the Columbia roads, navigate your car to a safe place on the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Apply the parking brake and put wheel wedges under the other tires.
3. Remove the wheel cover or hubcap from the tire you want to replace, then loosen the lug nuts.
4. Raise your vehicle up using the jack, and remove the lug nuts.
5. Remove the old tire and mount the spare or new tire.
6. Tighten the lug nuts and use the jack to lower your vehicle back to the ground. You’re all set!

How Often To Change Car Tires

There’s no one answer to the question of how often you should change your tires, since it all depends on how often they get rotated and how well they’re made. Be sure to regularly check up on your tire pressure and tire tread to make sure your tires aren’t wearing out faster than normal. Be sure to get your tires rotated regularly, such as when you get your oil changed at a service appointment.

How to Put Air in Your Tires

If it isn’t time to change your tires yet, you might still be interested in learning how to put air in them. You can usually put air in your tires one of two ways – at home, using an air pump, or at a gas station. No matter what, here are the steps you should follow:

1. Park your vehicle next to the air dispenser, making sure that the hose can reach each tire.
2. Remove the cap of the tire valve on the first tire.
3. Check the tire’s air pressure using your tire gauge. If you’re refilling your tire at a gas station, you should check the air pressure at home before you leave, since tires heat up and expand while driving. Checking the tire pressure after you’ve been driving could give you an inaccurate number.
4. Using the air hose, add small amounts of air in short bursts while checking the tire gauge each time, until the tire is filled back up to capacity. Be sure not to over-fill the tire, as this can cause its own set of problems.

How Many Miles Can You Go on a Spare Tire?

If you do get a flat tire and have to replace it with a spare, you should try to get a new tire put on as soon as possible. Spare tires are meant to be just that – spare. They’re not meant to be a full replacement for a flat tire, and they rarely last for more than 50 miles. You should also never drive a spare tire at high speeds – most recommend below 50 mph.

Get Your Tires Serviced at Carolina Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

If you’d prefer to leave the process of changing a tire to the professionals, just schedule a service appointment with Carolina Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and we’ll get you back on the Lexington roads in no time! You can also contact our service center with any questions about what we’ve discussed above, or for more information about the services we offer!.