Changing tires with an impact wrench
Whether you have summer or winter tires, changing your tires is a must every year, either in October or April at the latest. If you want to change your car tires yourself in good DIY fashion, there are a few things to keep in mind. We'll show you how to do this job with an impact wrench.
Step-by-step instructions
1. Park the vehicle safely
Park the car on a stable, level surface. Apply the handbrake and engage first gear. If you have an automatic vehicle, place the gearshift lever in "P." This will prevent the vehicle from rolling away.
2. Loosen wheel nuts with impact wrench
While the car is still firmly on the ground, loosen the wheel nuts slightly using a wheel wrench or impact wrench. Once the vehicle is raised on the jack and the wheels are hanging freely, it's significantly more difficult to loosen the nuts – the wheel could then spin.
3. Raise the vehicle with a jack
Once the nuts on the first wheel are loose, slide the jack under the car and raise it. The tires should be about a hand's width above the ground.
Caution : Every vehicle has a special jacking point underneath it. Refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for the exact location. This will help prevent damage to the underbody.
4. Remove the wheel
Once the vehicle is raised and the desired wheel is hanging freely, completely unscrew the wheel nuts. Make sure to loosen the lower wheel nuts first and the upper ones last.
Once the wheel is removed, use the steel brush to remove dirt and rust from the wheel hub. Optionally, you can blow away any remaining dust with a compressor. Then, apply some copper paste to make it easier to remove the tire next time.
WALTER Note : It is best to carry out a quick visual inspection – are the brake system, shock absorbers, brake pads and brake lines still in good condition?
5. Screw on new wheel
Put the new wheel on and check the correct tire rotation direction first ! Tighten the wheel nuts crosswise to ensure the wheel is evenly secured. While the wheel is still hanging, tighten the nuts only by hand.
6. Tighten wheel nuts with a torque wrench
Lower the vehicle again before finally tightening the wheel nuts with the torque wrench. Different vehicle specifications vary – your owner's manual will help you with this. Tire portals also offer support, such as the torque table on reifen24.de .
Tighten screws & check tire pressure
- Important when tightening the screws with the torque wrench:
Always tighten the nuts crosswise (e.g., top left » bottom right » top right » bottom left). If you hear a cracking sound after a quarter turn, the wheel bolt has been tightened to the correct torque.
- Important for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS):
Check the air pressure in all tires. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual for instructions on how to adjust your tire pressure monitoring system for the new tires. This process varies by manufacturer.
Tool for changing tires
To ensure that your tire change is successful and your car shines again, you should have the following tools ready:
Stable car jack
At WALTER, you'll find either a trolley jack or a compact car jack. The WALTER 2-piece 3-ton axle support set is ideal for supporting the vehicle. Be sure to check the maximum load capacity of the jack and axle supports. This will raise the car during tire changes, allowing the wheels to hang freely and be removed more easily.
impact wrench
The wheel nuts can be loosened quickly and easily with an impact wrench. If you don't have an impact wrench in your toolbox, you can also use a wheel wrench. If the wheel nuts are too tight, we recommend using an extension to reduce the effort required.
torque wrench
The torque wrench is used to properly tighten the wheel nuts after replacing them. This prevents them from becoming loose due to vibration. Overtightening the bolts can cause them to break off and cause serious damage.
compressor
With the help of a compressor, you can inflate your car tires. With the right accessories, you can also check the tire pressure. Additionally, you can use the various sized nozzles to easily blow away dirt residue such as leaves, rubbed-off rust (see steel brush), and the like.
Practical tools
- Workshop trolley
The WALTER 2-in-1 rolling workshop chair can also be used as a workshop seat by unfolding it. This allows for easy transitions and offers comfortable working thanks to the padded seat and a more back-friendly working height.
- Aluminum sack truck 90 kg
The WALTER aluminum sack truck can transport objects weighing up to 90 kg on its 240 x 390 mm platform. A major advantage of the sack truck is that it can be retracted to a minimum height of 710 mm and the loading area is foldable, making it very narrow and easy to store. Thanks to the use of square aluminum tubing, it is not only very stable but also particularly lightweight, making it ideal for mobile use. The sack truck weighs just 4.6 kg.
- chalk
The chalk is useful for marking the wheels before storage. It's recommended to label the tires with their current position (e.g., LV - left front) to avoid confusion the next time you change wheels.
- rim tree
The high-quality WALTER rim tree can store rims and their mounted tires in a very space-saving manner. It is made of high-quality aluminum. The rim tree can accommodate a maximum of four rims with a maximum individual weight of 25 kg each. The largest possible diameter is 17 inches and a width of 225 mm.
>> Note: When storing, the tire pressure should not be higher than 3.5 bar.
After changing tires: Cleaning
What do you need to clean car tires?
- steel brush
An important tool is a steel brush. This is used to clean the wheel hub of dirt and rust to extend the lifespan of the individual parts.
To ensure you can enjoy the beautiful shine of your rims for as long as possible, it's essential to clean them before winter storage. Especially in spring, when winter tires are put away, you should thoroughly remove any salt beforehand. To make this task easier, we recommend using a pressure washer.
Four tips for completing the tire change
- Organization: Mark the wheels with chalk. This will give you an overview of which tire belongs to which axle.
- Check: After 50 km, you should check the wheel nuts for torque. This ensures that the bolts don't come loose.
- Wheel washing : Don't just store your old wheels; clean them first. This will extend their lifespan.
- Storage: Complete wheels—that is, tires with rims—should always be stored horizontally. Tires without rims should be stored upright.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do if wheel nuts or bolts cannot be loosened?
The right tool for stuck wheel nuts or bolts is a wheel wrench, which can be extended with a tube if necessary. Three short, firm blows on the wheel nut or bolt will help loosen it. Tapping the wheel wrench with a rubber mallet in the direction of rotation is also helpful.
How does tire changing work with RDKS or TPMS?
TPMS stands for Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and is a built-in monitoring system for tire pressure in motor vehicles. If a tire pressure monitoring system is installed, the tires should only be changed by a professional. Due to the complex technology of the monitoring system, changing the tires yourself is not feasible. To properly change tires with a built-in TPMS, a professional workshop with the appropriate service is required.
How do you store your bikes correctly?
If you're storing your tires yourself, the first step should be to clean them thoroughly and inspect them carefully for damage. You should also check the remaining tread. Complete wheels should be stacked horizontally on top of each other, and tires without rims should be stored upright in a dry, light-protected room.
What should I consider regarding tire tread depth?
If the tread depth is too low (summer tires min. 3 mm, winter tires min. 4 mm) or if the tires are damaged, it is not worth storing them and they can be disposed of properly.
Is it possible to change a tire without a jack?
A car jack is usually the simplest tool for raising a car for a wheel change or repair. If a car jack isn't available, a car lift can also be used.