top of page

Helpful tips and information on....
TIRE REPAIRS

SEASONAL TIRE SWAPS 
SPARE TIRE INSTALLATION

Image (4).jpg

 

SEASONAL TIRE SWAP ON RIMS

 

Below is a quick guide to provide to you the expectations of each seasonal tire swap. 

 

On arrival talk to the Client to make sure there are no problems.

Check if you will need a puzzle lock, or an alternate set of lugnuts or lug bolts, and make sure they are present before getting started.

Ensure the member’s vehicle is parked on level ground away from traffic – not on a busy road or busy parking lot.

Remove the client’s tires from their bags (if applicable) and Inspect them:

  • Check that the tires and rims are in good condition,

  • Ensure they are properly inflated, inflate them if they are not inflated.

  • Use a leak-check spray to check that they are not leaking.

  • Use a wire brush to clean any dirt, rust, or corrosion from the mating surface of the rims to be installed.

  • Place the tires around the vehicle near the place they will be installed.

 

Don’t place them face down, as this could damage the rim. If the tires are directional tires (will have arrows on the tires) make sure you are placing them in the correct position.

Some higher end vehicles have wider rear tires, it is imperative that those tires remain on the back of the vehicle.

Keep an eye out for hub centric ring placements (some aftermarket rims will need a hub centric ring to be installed or uninstalled depending on the rim) This is because aftermarket wheels are typically designed to fit as many cars as possible unless they are custom-made.

Swap one tire at a time:

  • Chock the tire that is diagonally opposite from the tire you are changing.

  • Place the jack in an appropriate position.

  • Raise it until it takes some of the weight off the tire, but the tire is still touching the ground.

  • Loosen the lugnuts with a breaker bar.

  • Raise the vehicle until the tire is not touching the ground.

  • Fully remove the lugnuts with an impact wrench.

  • Remove the seasonal tire – set it off to the side. Using a chalk marker, mark the location that the tire came off.

  • Use a wire brush to clean the mating surface of the hub. Make sure it is free of any debris, dirt, rust or corrosion.

  • Check the hub for any damage before installing the tire.

  • Install the tire. Keeping an eye for hub centric rings (may need to be removed and not reinstalled or need to be installed)

  • Install the lugnuts and thread them by hand for 3 - 5 full turns, check that they are not cross threaded.

  • Lower the jack until the tire touches the ground but is not carrying the weight of the vehicle.

  • Snug the lugnuts in a star pattern until the tire is properly seated and all studs are equally tightened.

  • Lower the jack completely and remove it.

  • Torque the lugs in a star pattern to the manufacturer’s specs. (see attached torque sheet)

REPEAT FOR EACH TIRE.

Bag tires for client with provided tire bags.

Provide client with tire hanger for re-torque, record client’s odometer reading.

  • Verbally explain to the member the importance of having tires retorqued within specified time.

  • Have the client sign the torque tag take a picture for your records.

PROPER TIRE INFLATION

TIRE WEAR.png
TIRES2.png

Avoid driving on underinflated or overinflated tires. Both scenarios can reduce the performance of your tires and cause them to wear more quickly.

Under Inflation: causes poor handling, fuel inefficiency, Hydroplaning and an increased risk of tire failure. Drivers need to be aware that routine stresses, environmental factors and impacts from driving conditions can reduce tire air pressure:

Over Inflation: causes tires to suffer adverse effects, including a harsh ride, poor handling, and irregular wear. Overinflation occurs when tires are inflated with pressure exceeding the recommended psi.

Some drivers accidentally over-inflate their tires after misreading the numbers on their tire’s sidewall. They mistake the maximum pressure for the recommended psi range. Remember to always check the owner’s manual or tire placard for your vehicle’s correct tire pressure.

 

!  It's a hazardous event when a layer of water builds between the wheels and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction that prevents the vehicle from responding to control.

Hydroplaning occurs when the pressure of the tire pushing on the ground is equal to the water pushing back up on that tire. The size of the contact patch, given the force or the weight of the tire, is the same, directly affects the average pressure the tire's putting down on the road. The larger the contact patch (by deflating the tires), the less pressure it puts on that same area. So, there's a causal relationship between your tire pressure and the possibility of a hydroplaning.

Insufficient tread depth can also cause hydroplaning: Tires have grooves that prevent hydroplaning (also known as aquaplaning) by moving water out from under the tires. When the tread is worn down, these grooves no longer perform as effectively.

Weather: Tire pressure reduces and increases by 1 psi for every 10 degree  in temperature.

 

Permeation: Tires also naturally lose pressure over time through permeation, where air escapes from the solid rubber sidewall at a rate of roughly 1-2 psi per month.

Altitude: Seasonal or altitude changes can also cause a drop in air pressure.

 

You can also see in the diagram above that the tire tread will weary differently depending on whether your tires are over or under inflated.

In addition to increasing your savings and safety, proper tire pressure also helps the environment. Most drivers will reduce their tire tread life due to underinflation, some as much as 50%. 

 

When a vehicle is rolling on underinflated tires, the engine has to burn more fuel to power it appropriately. Keeping your tires properly inflated extends their lifespan, keeping more tires out of landfills, Maintaining the recommended tire pressure decreases fuel. Consumption, preserving natural resources and keeping the environment cleaner.

!CHECK AIR PRESSURE REGULARLY

It’s best to get into a routine when it comes to vehicle maintenance, and checking your air pressure is on top of that list. We suggest that you get in the habit of checking your tires, including your spare, every other time you fill your gas tank. Keep in mind that some vehicles require different air pressures on the front and back axles.

Don’t put off tire pressure maintenance; it could lead to a flat tire, blowout or even tread completely coming off the tire.

Since modern vehicles are now typically equipped with a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), many drivers feel they can simply wait until their vehicle alerts them to unacceptable tire pressure readings. However, TPMS should not be relied on for routine tire maintenance. Unfortunately, these alerts don't activate until the tires are 25% below their proper air pressure, though the negative effects of driving on underinflated tires can begin with as little as 5% underinflation.

You may have also heard about substituting nitrogen instead of air. We recommend sticking with air, but every driver has their preferences.

IMPORTANT TIPS

  • Invest in an accurate air gauge and keep it in your vehicle. Service station air meters are often inaccurate due to abuse or environmental exposure. Don’t assume you can just look at your tires and guess the tire pressure.

  • Fill your tires slowly and evenly to avoid overinflation. Slow down when you get close to the psi level you want.

  • Always replace your valve stem caps after refilling your tires. Despite their small size, these caps perform an important function. They keep your valve stems safe and clean, preventing air leakage as you drive.

  • Check your tire pressure after any sharp increase or decrease in temperature. Temperature will raise or lower tire pressure 1 psi per 10 degrees.

  • Develop and stick to a routine for checking your air pressure. Remember to also check your spare tire so you're not caught with an unusable or unsafe spare in an emergency.

  • For most vehicles, you can find the ideal tire pressure on the sticker/card inside the driver’s door. If there’s no sticker, you can usually find the info in the owner’s manual.

  • Best time to check you tire pressure is in the early morning when they are cold.

  • Tire maintenance is essential for the overall performance of your vehicle, and we highly recommend that you check your tire pressure with each change of temperature, 10°F (5.6 °C) and every 30 days.

  • Also take in consideration the max pressure located on the sidewall of the tire itself, this is a max pressure, and should not exceed. A rule of thumb max tire pressure -30% will place within perimeter of sticker on the inside of the driver’s door and giving optimum weight load.

 

TPMS AND TIRE PRESSURE

tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) uses either a direct sensor inside your valve stem or a combination of both software and other existing sensors in your vehicle to let you know when your tire pressure is outside of a safe range of pressures. If the pressure falls below the legally specified limit (25% of recommended pressure) an indicator light shaped like the letter U with an exclamation point inside, it (representing the cross-section of a tire) will light up on the dashboard. When you see this TPMS light on you should immediately check your tire pressure and make any necessary adjustments.

bottom of page