Step 7:
Tyre change & storage

Step 7:

Step by step from winter to summer wheel.

Here’s your memory hook for the annual change of tyres: “From O to E”. It’s best to ride winter tyres from October to Easter. Then, a change to summer tyres is due.
We have drawn up an easy step-by-step guide which everyone can try out at home. In this guide we are also offering a few life hacks on expert storage of winter tyres.

SHARE STEP!

How about some tips and tricks?

to life hack »

Tyre change

What you need:

  • Suitable car jack
  • Wheel wrench
  • Torque spanner
  • Chalk
  • Gloves
  • Wire brush
  • Centring rings

Rinse the winter tyres before changing the tyres and check their air pressure.
Tyre pressure measuring devices are available at most petrol stations free of cost
Not sure how that works? Check STEP 5.

When changing tyres, always carry out one complete wheel change at a time.

This means that you must repeat the following steps for each wheel.

1) Preparation

Place the car on a firm ground with a level surface.


Furthermore, pull the handbrake and put in a gear, just to be on the safe side (P for automatic). Never change tyres by the roadside, always use a body shop, garage or a courtyard.

2) Loosening nuts and positioning the car jack

Loosen the nuts of the wheel using the wheel wrench. Never unscrew!

Then, position the car jack in the designated area of the car’s underside which is located behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels.

The owner’s manual also states the exact jacking points for the car jack.

Before jacking up, check the car jack one more time. Not sure how that works? Check the next step.

3) Jacking up the car and undoing nuts

After positioning the car jack, raise the car slowly keeping an open eye for the wheel being about 1-2 cm off the ground. Now check the car jack: If it looks tilted or “wobbly”, you must re-position it and jack up the car once again.

Loosen the nuts using the wheel wrench one after another and then remove the wheel.



Use a wire brush to brush off the area on which the wheel was mounted. This way, you can remove rust. The new wheel will also have a more secure fit and will be easier to remove during the next tyre change.

Protect wheel nuts or bolts against lubricants. Also make sure that the brake system behind stays free of cleaning agents and lubricants. Else, there will be no guarantee that the brakes are fully functional.

4) Leaving a mark

Mark the wheel on the inner side of the tyre directly after removing it. It’s best to use white chalk.

For example: “FR” for “front right” or “RL” für “rear left”. This is a simple way to create your own little installation guide for the next year.

The chalk marks will disappear simply the next time you use the wheels.

5) Fitting a new wheel

Position the summer wheel in place and slightly tighten the nuts by hand to make sure the thread is lined up properly. This way, you can avoid a crossed thread. Also make sure to always use the right nuts. Depending on the rim and car model you must use nuts with a conical or spherical collar. If uncertain, ask an expert for advice.

If the wheel is not flush on the hub it can result in a tyre imbalance at high speed (see STEP 5). Therefore, make sure if centring rings are required as an installation aid. Centring rings compensate for the difference in hub diameter between rim and car.

Tighten all nuts cross-wise by hand using a wheel wrench. For example: Start with the lower left nut, continue with the upper right, then the upper left and lastly the lower right. 


Now it’s time to use the torque spanner:
Check the certification for the right torque and tighten the nuts accordingly.

After having fitted the wheels, check the air pressure of the tyres. Not sure how that works? Check out STEP 5.

Tighten nuts one more time roughly 50-100 km after the tyre change. This will help avoid nuts from loosening up and posing a risk to driving safety.

6) Storage

Store fitted units lying on top of each other (avoid direct contact; it’s best to place a sheet, a felt or similar material between the wheels) or simply suspend them. So-called rim trees are particularly useful for doing the job.

Always store tyres in dark, cool spaces. Direct sunlight promotes aging of tyre rubber. Follow our advice and the rubber material will remain nicely elastic and firm.

If there is not enough space in your garage to store tyres, qualified garages offer a special storage service.

Before storing your wheels, increase their air pressure by about 0.5 bar against the manufacturer’s specification. Even if they are not in use over the summer, tyres will steadily lose pressure during that time.

Alcar

Life Hack:

Tyre change from front to back

When changing tyres always start from back to front or vice versa on each side. Note: Never change from the right to the left side!

SHARE LIFEHACK!

Create your individual dream car.

Easily find your personal favourite in our 3D Configurator.

» Start 3D Configurator

SHARE #SPRINGMYRIDE MOMENT WITH US AND WIN

Winning is easy, simply:

  • post a picture on Instagram and use the hashtag #SPRINGMYRIDE
  • increase your winning chances and leave the podium as a winner
To raffle

WIN A SET OF RIMS OF YOUR CHOICE

PARTICIPATE NOW AND WIN BIG

Silver or black, matte or shiny, 18 or 20-inch? It doesn’t matter – if you win, you decide! Among all raffle participants we toss up a complete rim set by AEZ, DOTZ or DEZENT. The raffle entry deadline is on 23.5.2018.

What you need to do?

Simply fill in the form by clicking on below link, keep your fingers crossed, and win.

And with a little bit of Instagram you can increase your winning chances even more! Simply click a picture during your springtime check, mark it with our hashtag #SPRINGMYRIDE and post it publicly.

Good luck!

» Join the raffle
Impressum