How to Change a Tire

Changing a car tire may be an intimidating task, but it’s something that every driver can master. Whether swapping out your winter tires or changing a flat, knowing how to change a tire can really come in handy in New Bedford. Dive into the basics of tire maintenance with Alden Mazda, and learn more service tips with our experts today.

Changing Your Mazda Tires

Before you get started changing a car tire, you’ll need to gather the proper supplies. Gather a jack, lug wrench, spare or new tire, and your owner’s manual. We recommend looking through your owner’s manual to make sure you are following the manufacturer’s recommendations. But, regardless of your make and model, learning how to change a tire is a straightforward process which you can see below:

1. Park in a safe spot if possible and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Put on the parking brake and secure the wheels with wheel wedges or rocks.
3. Pop off the wheel cover or hubcap from the tire and loosen the lug nuts.
4. Use the jack to raise the car and remove the lug nuts completely.
5. Remove the current tire and mount the new or spare tire.
6. Tighten the lug nuts, then lower your vehicle back to the ground.

How Often Should You Change Car Tires?

How often to change your car tires will depend on a number of factors. If you stick with your tire rotations and alignments as scheduled, you’ll probably get the full lifespan out of your tires. But if you notice that the tread is worn or there are signs of damage on the rubber, you’ll need to get a replacement set. Feel free to schedule an inspection with our technicians to see if your tires are in good condition.

How to Put Air in Your Tires

If you want to maximize your tire performance and safety, maintaining proper air pressure is a must. When your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) or tire gauge says that your tires are underinflated, here are the steps that you can take:

• Head to a gas station around Fall River or if you have one, use your own air pump.
• Park your vehicle by the air dispenser and make sure that the hose can reach each tire.
• Remove the cap on the tire valve of the first tire.
• Check the air pressure in the tire with a tire gauge. Keep in mind that tires can heat up when you drive as the air expands, so let your tires cool slightly.
• Use the air hose to add small amounts of air in short bursts while checking the tire gauge each time.

How Many Miles Can You Go on a Spare Tire?

We mentioned how often to change car tires on a standard set, but what if you’re driving on a spare? Spare tires are not designed for high speed or high mileage. Usually, you can get up to 50 miles out of your tire going no more than 50 mph. Double-check the limitations of your spare, and stop by our tire center for a full replacement as soon as you can.

Visit the Alden Mazda Service Center

Want more advice on changing a car tire? Need to pick up a new spare? No matter your tire service needs, feel free to drop by Alden Mazda. Our team is here to help you with all of your maintenance needs, and you can contact us with any questions.