Changing tires is a routine, but extremely important moment in the life of every driver. Often underestimated, the procedure hides a number of pitfalls that can lead to serious damage to the car or, even worse, compromise your safety on the road. To turn the seasonal change into a flawless process, automotive experts reveal eight fundamental rules that every mechanic (or vehicle owner) must follow without compromise.
Start with a correct lift
The first and most critical step is to lift the car. Never improvise with the jacking points! The body of modern cars is precisely designed. Using the wrong support points can lead to irreversible deformations of the sills, floor or even twisting of the frame. Look for the clearly marked points recommended by the manufacturer – it's your insurance against expensive repairs.
Beware of the "invisible" components
If your car is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, know that modern tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) - those little electronic heroes - are extremely sensitive. Improper handling of the tire when removing it can damage or destroy these expensive sensors, requiring an additional visit to the workshop.
Preparing the contact patch
Almost all tires today are tubeless. This means that a good seal between the tire bead and the rim is vital. If the contact patch is not thoroughly cleaned and prepared, air will find a way to escape. Unwanted pressure loss is a sure sign of a missed important step.
Forget the old weights
One of the pillars of quality installation is balancing. For the procedure to be successful and precise, be sure to remove any old weights and clean the rim to a shine from dirt, mud and dust. Only a perfectly clean rim can guarantee that the new balancing weights will be installed and will work effectively, eliminating annoying vibrations in the steering wheel.
Observe the direction
Not all tires are the same. Some models have a specific direction of rotation or an asymmetric tread. This is critical for water drainage and traction. If your tires are directional, you should keep in mind that two of them are designed for installation on the right, and the other two - on the left. Reverse mounting drastically degrades the tire's performance, especially on wet surfaces.
Clean the hub and rim
Before mounting the wheel, make sure that the contact area between the hub and the rim is spotlessly clean. Rust and dirt, even in small amounts, can create play or prevent the wheel from sitting evenly. This small detail is a guarantee of correct centering and minimizes the risk of loosening the bolts.
Check the pressure carefully
Once the tire is mounted, the easiest but often overlooked step is to check the correct pressure. It must comply with the manufacturer's specifications, which are usually written on a sticker on the driver's door pillar or on the inside of the fuel tank cap. No more, no less – perfect pressure ensures optimal fuel consumption, tire life and, above all, excellent traction.
Use a torque wrench for final tightening
Last but not least: tightening the wheels. Forget about "by eye" and excessive force. The wheels must be tightened with a precisely defined torque, specified in the instructions. Using a torque wrench is not recommended, but mandatory. Undertightening leads to loosening, and overtightening - to damage to the studs, bolts or deformation of the rim.