Changing tyres yourself: Everything you need to know

This puts the start of the summer tyre season at Easter. Temperatures start to become milder at this time of year. We recommend fitting your summer tyres when the temperature is steadily above seven degrees Celsius. From October, as soon as winter conditions such as frost and black ice set in, it's time: off with the summer tyres and on with the winter tyres.

In the high season, garages have very long waiting lists. However, if you book an appointment in good time, you will benefit from the expertise professionals have to offer. In general, the following applies: If you are unsure about how tyres are fitted properly, get advice from a garage. Anyone who is well-versed on how to do it can also change the tyres on their own, as we will explain in our step-by-step instructions.

Tyre changing: You will need these tools

From torque wrenches to impact wrenches, these tools make it easier to change tyres in your home garage: 

Car jack

Your basic equipment for changing tyres must include a car jack. They come in different sizes, with different load-bearing capacities and different features.

A car jack with a load capacity of at least two tonnes is usually sufficient for changing tyres at home. The maximum lifting height also plays a role here. It describes the distance from the ground when the jack is fully extended. Why is this so important for tyre changing? If you use a jack lifting height that is too low for your car, it might not be enough to jack the car up. The result: The tyres cannot be removed. You can find the correct lifting height for your car in the vehicle manual before you buy a car jack.

The cross wrench

Another important tool to have when changing tyres is the cross wrench (also known as a 4-way wheel brace). Use the cross wrench to loosen the wheel nuts and to tighten them up again after changing the tyres. As a rule, the spanner widths on a cross wrench for cars are matched to the most common wheel nut sizes. However, you should check that the cross wrench fits the size of your wheel nuts before buying.

The torque wrench

A torque wrench is indispensable when changing tyres. With it, you can ensure that the wheel bolts (or wheel nuts) are tightened correctly. This is extremely important for the seating and the wheel grip. There is a stipulated torque value for each type of car. This is usually between 110 N⋅m and 120 N⋅m (Newton metres) as it depends on the vehicle model, rim size, design (steel or aluminium rims) and number of bolts. You can find which value is right for your wheels in the vehicle manual.

The torque wrench is only for tightening wheel bolts, not loosening them. If you use it incorrectly, the mechanism might be damaged.

Wire brush

You can use the wire brush to remove loose rust and dirt from the wheel hub, the wheel connecting piece and the axle.

Grease pencil

Use the grease pencil to mark the original positions of your tyres. This is important when you store your winter or summer tyres. It's best to use these abbreviations:

FL = Front Left

FR = Front Right

RL = Rear Left

RR = Rear Right

Gloves

Always wear gloves when changing tyres. Not only will they give you a better grip on the tools, they will also stop stubborn brake dust from getting on your hands and under your nails.

Step 4: Use the cross wrench to remove all of the wheel bolts. Take the wheel off the hub and mark it with your grease pencil.

Step 5: Use the wire brush to remove any rust and dirt from the wheel hub. Now put on the new wheel.

Step 6: Refit the wheel bolts. Use the cross wrench to tighten them lightly at this stage.

Step 7: Lower your car using the car jack until the tyre makes contact with the ground. It shouldn't be able to turn any more.

Step 8: Use the torque wrench to tighten up the wheel bolts to the stipulated torque. Always tighten the wheel bolts in a criss-cross pattern. This ensures that the wheel is seated correctly and snugly. 

Step 9: Lower your car the rest of the way and then remove the car jack. Repeat these steps for all of the other wheels.

Changing tyres with tyre pressure sensors

In some cases, it is advisable to have the tyre swap done professionally in a garage. For example, if your car has a direct Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). In this case, sensitive sensors are built into your tyres which measure the actual air pressure and transmit the values directly to the control unit. If the air pressure is too low, the system will tell you that the pressure needs adjusting. If you have a direct TPMS on board, then you should only have your tyres changed by a professional. They will check the sensors in the tyres and ensure that the wheels are changed correctly.

If you drive with an indirect tyre pressure monitoring system – that is, without sensors – then you can change tyres with a TPMS system yourself. In this case, you only have to abide by the instructions given in the operating manual. You can change your tyres by yourself without any problems if you follow our instructions.

However, because tyres cannot be balanced in a home garage, it is a good idea to have a professional do this. In addition, you should note whether your tyres are directional or asymmetric, because this affects how they must be fitted. When in doubt, it is best to get advice from a professional garage.