English Project

Changing a wheel can seem like a daunting task, one that many may leave up to a
mechanic. But with the right kit and a little know-how, just about anyone can
change a wheel themselves. Follow these eight steps and you'll be on the move
again in no time.

What you'll need:

 Spare wheel with an inflated tyre

 Jack
 Screwdriver
 Locking wheel nuts
 Wheel wedges/ chocks
 Your vehicle's handbook
 Warning triangle
 Vehicle safety kit, including a hi vis jacket, gloves, torch and mobile
phone

How to change a tyre

1. Stop the car safely. Firstly, you'll need to make sure your car is parked
safely, out of the way of any traffic. If you can, choose a long, flat stretch
of road to prevent your car from rolling, and apply the hand brake. Put
your hazard lights on soother road users know to give you space.
2. Apply the chock. Use your chock or wheel wedge on the wheel opposite
the one you're changing. Place it as far as you can under the wheel. This
will further secure the vehicle while the jack is in place.
3. Prepare your spare wheel. Locate your spare wheel and remove it from
the vehicle - many cars have a wheel stored under the boot. Place it in a
convenient spot ready to be changed.
4. Remove the alloy wheel. Remove the wheel cover of the tyre you're
changing. Alloy wheels will likely be locked in place - you'll need your
locking wheel nuts to safely remove it.
5. Apply the jack. Place the jack in the lifting point closest to the flat tyre.
You can find details of lifting point locations in your vehicle's handbook.
Extend the jack to lift the wheel just off the ground.
6. Remove the wheel nuts. You'll need to loosen wheel nuts with a wrench
first, then carefully remove them by hand, keeping the wheel steady with
your knee.
7. Fit the spare. Secure the new wheel in place by refitting the wheel nuts
by hand. Lower the jack carefully until the wheel touches the ground, and
then further tighten the wheel nuts with a wrench to ensure they're
securely in place (you can find details of how to tighten wheel nuts
specific to your vehicle in your vehicle handbook). Place the damaged
wheel in the boot.
8. Check the spare. Many modern vehicles come equipped with space
saver tyres, designed for temporary use. These space saver tyres are
skinnier than regular tyres and don't perform anywhere near as well,
especially in adverse weather conditions or at speed. We recommend
travelling to your nearest garage to get a regular tyre fitted as soon as
possible.