How to Change a Tire

Tires are a vital part of your vehicle’s operation. You might get a flat tire at some point during your new vehicle ownership in Herriman, and you’ll have to take care of it right away.

Learn how to change a tire properly with our team, one of the ways the team at Mark Miller Subaru South Towne shows love to everyone we meet.

How to Change a Tire With Our Step-by-Step Guide

You’ll need a few tools to change a tire, so make sure you have these items on hand first. You’ll need a jack, lug wrench, spare tire or new tire(s), and your owner’s manual.

1. Do not drive on a flat tire. You could damage your vehicle’s wheel or axle, both of which are expensive repairs.
2. If you’re on the side of the road near South Jordan or Midvale, pull over to a safe place as soon as you are able.
3. Turn on your hazard lights.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Get out of your vehicle carefully if you’re on the side of a busy road or highway.
6. Place wheel wedges, if you have them, under the other tires.
7. Remove the wheel cover or hubcap from the flat tire.
8. Loosen the lug nuts. Your owner’s manual will tell you in what order to loosen the lug nuts.
9. Use the jack to raise your vehicle. You’ll need to place the jack in the right position, which you’ll see in your owner’s manual.
10. Remove the lug nuts fully. Set them aside in a safe place where they won’t get lost, like in the driver’s seat or next to you on the ground in a pile.
11. Remove the flat tire. Set the tire aside on the ground.
12. Mount the new or spare tire. Make sure the lug nut stems align properly with the wheel.
13. Tighten the lug nuts, also in the prescribed order, as shown in your owner’s manual.
14. Lower your vehicle back to the ground. Put the jack back in your trunk or cargo area.
15. Put the flat tire in your trunk or cargo area.
16. Drive to your chosen tire center to get a new tire installed!

How Often to Change Car Tires

In general, tires are rated to last around 50,000 miles. However, changing or replacing car tires depends on driving habits and driving conditions. If you rotate tires every 7,500 miles, your tires will last longer, and they won’t wear out as quickly.

How Often to Check Tire Pressure

We recommend checking your tire pressure at least once a week. Your car’s tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) will tell you if any of your tires have the wrong air pressure in them. You’ll see a warning light on your dashboard when the TPMS thinks something is amiss.

Check the tire tread once a month. Look for uneven wear or tread that’s disappearing. These could be signs of larger problems.

How to Put Air in Your Tires

Here’s how to put air in your tires.

1. Park your vehicle by the air compressor. Make sure the hose can reach each tire.
2. Remove the cap on the tire valve of the first tire.
3. Put the air valve cover in your pocket.
4. Check the air pressure in the tire by using your tire gauge. It’s helpful to do this at home because tires can heat up when you drive and cause the air inside to expand. Warm tires can provide a false reading.
5. Use the air hose to add small amounts of air in short bursts while checking the tire gauge each time.
6. Inflate the tire to the correct air pressure as stated in your owner’s manual.
7. Move to the next tire.

The tire pressure gauge will indicate what the air pressure is. Your owner’s manual will tell you what the ideal air pressure is for your tires.

How Many Miles Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

Spare tires are not made for driving on for very long, usually around 50 miles. Never drive on a spare tire at high speeds, and always drive less than 50 mph when you have a spare tire installed. Get a new tire as soon as possible!

Buy New Tires With Us in Sandy

If you don’t feel comfortable changing tires yourself or you’re not sure what kind of new tires to purchase, we’re happy to help! Contact us or call %phone_service%%. We’ll assist you with any car maintenance or repairs for your new or used vehicle.