How to Change a Tire: A Step-by-Step Guide - Essay Sample

Abstract

In this essay, I aim to demonstrate to my audience how they can change a tire. I will take you through all the steps that you will have to go through to change a car tire.

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Most drivers have ever experienced a flat tire. It is a common problem to have a flat tire while driving. Having a flat tire is, at times, a very disappointing experience. Everyone needs to know how to change a tire, and this is why i want to demonstrate how to do it without any trouble. The knowledge of changing a tire will help everyone to save money that they would spend paying the mechanic. Additionally, people who know how to change a tire have the advantage of saving time as they do not have to wait for the mechanic.

Introduction

Having a flat tire is a big problem for a driver. Once the car gets a flat tire, there is a need to replace it to avoid further damage. Changing a tire is a simple practice, but some people avoid it thinking it is a strenuous exercise. After seeing the hard time people have waiting for their mechanic, I have decided to teach you how to do it yourself. Learning how to fix the tire will also make you save on the cost of hiring a mechanic for the job.

We are going to discuss how to change the tire at home or on the road. Changing a tire is a simple task as long as you can apply a little force. The job is easy as it only involves removing the flat tire and replacing it with the new tire. However, you need to ensure that you do the work correctly to avoid causing damages and losses.

The Process of Tire Changing

We first start by ensuring that you have all the necessary tools. The first essential thing that you need to do to be able to change a tire has a well-equipped tool kit. Make sure that your toolbox has the required tools every time you are on the road. The tools that must be available for the tire replacement to be successful include wrenches and sockets that you will use to undo the lug nuts. You would also need to have a jack. There are jacks of different types that you would use to lift the vehicle for secure handling. Note that each type of jack is necessary for performing the task. However, the most suitable jack for the purpose is the screw jack.

You will also need to have a torque wrench that you will need while you re-install the tire. For some vehicles, you will need a tie rod puller to separate the wheel hub from the wheel control arm. It is always wise to move with a spare tire in the trunk of your vehicle. Always ensure that the spare tire you carry is in e good condition every time you drive.

You may also require some additional tools to make the operation easier. A Breaker Bar might be useful that you could use to enhance turning effort on the lug wrench. You could also require a Jack Stand, which might help ensure safety if, by chance, the jack falls. A Lock Tight could also be useful, a gel that you can use to seal the nuts. Using all tools at hand and your wheel is flat, it is time you go ahead and fix the tire. Make sure you note the purpose of each tool to avoid confusion while handling the tire.

You must find a safe place to park your car before you can start working on your tire. Finding a safe parking point eliminate the security threat while you are dealing with your tire. Imagine undoing the tire with fear of being attacked, and this is not an experience you would like to have. Try to drive while slowing gradually until when you find a place that is safe for you. Apply the parking gear after braking to a stop. However, you mustn't park on the road to avoid being hit by an oncoming vehicle (Account et al., 2020).

Once you park your car safely, get your toolbox out, and start working on the tire. Confirm that you have all the necessary tools before you begin undoing the tire. Make sure you support the vehicle with hard and dense material such as rock-blocks to ensure that the car is stable. Now that you are satisfied with the tools, its safe to start the process of replacing your tire. Identify the tire that you need to undo and the one that you will need to install.

The next step that you should take is to inspect the tire you need to remove. Check the face of the tire that you are interested in to know the situation of the tire. Examine the four or five nuts in the tire that you would have to change. If the car tires have a plastic cover over the rim, you would have first to remove the covering before proceeding. Before you proceed to the next step, ensure that the tires stand on hard ground. Now that you have checked that condition of the nuts, we now go ahead and work on the tire.

In the next step, carefully open up the tire's rim from the side to start working on it. Once you put enough effort to pry the edge, it should be open enough to allow you access to the tire. Use a jack to lift the vehicle slightly. I would advise you use the scissor shaped stud for it is easy to use. All you need is to rotate the screw located on the jack side.

When using the jack, you should always ensure that it is in contact with the metal part of the car to avoid damages on the vehicle body. Some vehicle has their bodies which with a notch mark indicating where you should mount the jack. You should also ensure that the jack holds the car firmly to reduce the vehicle's accidental fall.

While using the jack, you should always ensure that you fix it perpendicularly to the ground. This positioning helps to minimize the chances of vehicle toppling. It is also advisable that the jack just raises the vehicle and not lifting it. Ensure that you suspend the tire before you start screwing off the nuts. Now the car is high to have access to the tire. Get ready to take off the unwanted tire.

Now remove the hubcap and start undoing the nuts by turning them anticlockwise using your wrenches. Be keen to observe in case the vehicle nuts are supposed to open in the clockwise direction. This pattern is evident in old cars and trucks. In the first trials of turning, the bolts are usually hard. You will need to fit a breaker bar at the end of the wrench to make the locks start turning. Repeat the turning process until all the nuts have rotated. Now the wrench can help in rotating the nuts until you undo them completely.

After you have screwed out all the nuts, remove the tire and place it under the car to avoid being hurt in case the jack becomes faulty. If the jack happens to fail, the vehicle will fall on the flat tire. This measure takes care of your safety while you deal with the lifted car. If you realize that the tire is stuck, use a mullet made of rubber or the spare tire to hit it from inside. If you find it hard to remove the tire with your hands now, consider raising the car further. You are now through with the first half, and the flat tire is now out. Your next activity is to fix your spare tire.

To fit in the spare tire, you need to insert it in the hub where you have removed the other tire. While adding the spare tire, you should be keen to ensure you put it in the right way. You should ensure you have not placed the tire inside-out as this might make your tire not to fit well.

Now put the nuts to their position and turn them using your hands at first. The nuts should be easy to rotate with hands at first unless they have a problem. Use your hands until the hands cannot turn the nuts anymore. At this point, you need to use your wrenches. If you want to fix the nuts permanently, you will need to use the gel to stick the tire nuts.

The star-shaped wrench is the right one for tightening the nuts further. However, when tightening the nuts, you should not force the nuts when they are completely stuck. To ensure that you tighten the nuts uniformly, keep turning them each one turn from one nut to another until they are all fully fit. Avoid over-tightening the nuts when the jack is holding the vehicle as this might harm the jack. Instead, remove the jack after tightening to strengthen the nuts further when the car is not at the risk of falling ("How to Change a Tire," 2020).

Now lower the car using the jack and strengthen the nuts further. Make the nuts as tight as possible. Lower the jack to the ground level and remove it. Once you are sure that your tire is wholly bolted, return the hub cup to its position. Now put your flat tire in the trunk to carry it to your mechanic for mending. Far you have succeeded in replacing the casing without the need to have any technical training.

Note that if you do not tighten the nuts well, the tire might fall off from the car while driving. You can use the breaker bar to ensure that the nuts are strongly fitted. If your vehicle had plastic covers in the tire, remember to return it after fitting the nuts. You may need to fill more air into the newly installed casing to ensure it is in good condition.

Now that you have successfully replaced your tire, you are ready to go back to the road and drive. You have now acquired skills to repair your tire without needing to call your mechanic.

Conclusion

You have learned the process of replacing the tile by yourself. We can simplify the whole process can into simple steps that involve: driving the car slowly into a safe place and apply the parking gear. Once you park the vehicle, ensure that the car is standing on hard ground. You will need to use the jack to lift the car for easy removal and installation of the tire.

Unbolt the nuts to remove the flat tire using the wreck and breaker bar. Fix the new tire by inserting it into the hub. Once you have fixed the tire, return the bolts to their nuts and tighten them using the wreck. Now remove the jack slowly and tighten the nuts further. You are now able to continue with the journey once you are sure that the nuts are firmly fit.

I hope this demonstration will help you to be able to fix your tire if it gets flat. Please note that self-service only works for small and medium-sized vehicles. Trucks and other huge vehicles require specialized service. Self-service may not be safe for use. If you have any doubts about performing the activity, it is advisable to seek the services of vehicle specialists.

References

Account, M., APPOINTMENTS, M., Store, F., 456-9162, C., Tires, S., & VEHICLE, B. et al. (2020). How to Change a Flat Tire | Bridgestone Tires. Bridgestonetire.com. Retrieved 8 June 2020, from https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/drivers-ed/how-to-change-a-flat-tire.

How to Change a Tire. wikiHow. (2020). Retrieved 8 June 2020, from https://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Tire.