How to Change a Tire

Whether you experience a flat tire or the treads have worn down too far you may eventually want to take it upon yourself to put on fresh tires. Knowing how to change a tire is an important skill, and can save you from waiting on the side of the road in Tampa or riding around on dangerous tires in St. Petersburg. Check out this guide from Subaru South Tampa to learn how to change a tire and how often you need to change car tires. Learn with us, and avoid the stress and hassle of being forced to wait by the roadside. 

Changing Your Subaru Tires

To change the tires on a Subaru, you’ll need the right tools, such as: 

• A jack 
• A lug wrench 
• A spare tire or new tire(s) 
• Wheel wedges
• Tire pressure gauge
• Your vehicle owner’s manual

Once you’ve gathered your tools and materials, replacing a tire on your car, truck, or SUV is a fairly simple procedure. Review the steps below, and reach out to us if you have questions:

1. If you’re on the side of the road near Wesley Chapel, move to a safe place and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Wherever you are, engage the parking brake and place wheel wedges behind/in front of the other tires to prevent rolling.
3. Remove the wheel cover or hubcap from the tire, then loosen the lug nuts. Don’t fully remove the lug nuts yet.
4. Use the jack to raise your vehicle and fully remove the lug nuts.
5. Remove the current tire and mount the new or spare tire.
6. Hand-tighten the lug nuts, then lower your vehicle so it sits just above the ground.
7. Use your lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts some more. At this point, the lug nuts should be firmly, but not fully, tightened. 
8. Fully lower your vehicle to the ground, and give the lug nuts a final tightening. 
9. Remove the jack, replace your hubcap, and check your tire pressure. 
10. If all looks good, you can be on your way! Just make sure you don’t forget your tools. 

If this was an emergency and you had to use your spare tire, make sure you replace it with a permanent one as soon as possible. Spare tires are not designed for extended use, and doing so can lead to a tire blowout and damage to your vehicle. Do not drive faster than 50 mph or further than 50-70 miles on a spare. Check the sidewall of your spare tire for speed and mileage restrictions. 

How Often Should You Change Car Tires?

How often you need to change car tires depends on how frequently you rotate your tires and how well your tires are made. If you rotate your tires regularly, you should be able to get the full mileage promised, but you should still check your tire pressure and check the tread regularly just to be safe. If the tread wear is too significant, you’ll need new tires. To ensure your tires last for as long as possible, it’s a good idea to schedule a tire rotation when you get your oil changed.

How to Put Air in Your Tires

Perhaps it’s not time to change your tire just yet and you are simply wondering how to put air in your tires. If you don’t own an air pump or are on the road, you can typically stop at a local gas station to use theirs. Here’s how to put air in your tires:

1. Park your vehicle by the air dispenser and ensure the hose can reach each tire.
2. Remove the cap on the tire valve of the first tire you want to fill.
3. Check the air pressure in the tire using your tire gauge. It’s helpful to do this at home even if you head to the gas station to fill your tires because tires heat up as you drive, causing the air inside to expand. This can provide a false reading. It is best to get a reading when your tires are cold.
4. Use the air hose to add air in short bursts while checking the tire gauge each time.

Remember, keep checking the tire gauge until you hit the right amount of pressure! It can be difficult to get it right on the first attempt, so take your time.

The Subaru South Tampa Service Center Helps with Your Tire Needs

If you don’t feel comfortable changing tires yourself or aren’t sure what kind of tires to purchase, we’re happy to help. Contact us with any tire-related questions, or bring your vehicle to our service department in Tampa, and we can change the tires or do a tire rotation for you.