Changing of tyres in a vehicle is usually done twice a calendar year. The entire process involves squeezing out time to dig out the tools and loosen the nuts of each wheel to change tyres. In easier words the summer and winter tyres are to be fitted suitably considering the upcoming season. But everyone is not sure as to when one should have the tyres changed. So, this blog post is meant to mean a thing or two to those people along with few other relevant tips. If you too are one of them then just welcome on board and get your doubts cleared away.
The best way to remember the time when your car tyres needs to be changed is the “O to E” rule, where O to E stands for October to Easter. Yes, it is one of the most effective means to keep changing your car tyres at the right time every year to meet the respective climatic changes.
Now before we proceed any further here is an interesting fact most of us are unaware about. Although the overwhelming majority of people refer to is as ‘tyre changing’, literally speaking it is the wheel, or precisely the tyre and the rim, which is changed. Now, isn’t that funny?
Now, let us get back to the “O to E’ rule mentioned above. As per it the beginning to season for summer tyres is Easter. At this time of the year temperatures start becoming milder and as per experts at a reliable tyre replacement call out near me in London, you should have your summer tyres fitted once the temperature goes steadily above 7 degrees Celsius. Similarly from October onward the winter starts setting in and the temperature starts dwindling. As soon as black ice and frost start showing up you should switch to your winter tyres.
During high seasons you will find lengthy waiting lists in almost every garage. Considering this smarter folks book their garage appointments in good time and thus they benefit as the professionals can provide more time, greater personalized care and expert advices. Many people are not confident about fitting their car tyres properly. For these people contacting a garage is the best thing to do while for others who are adept in tyre changing for their cars can do it themselves.
Changing tyres of your car – the tools you need
In order to change your tyres smoothly you must have the following set of tools or equipments in your home garage.
- Car jack
- Cross wrench
- Torque wrench
- Wire brush
In addition to the ones mentioned above, you will also require a pair of gloves because the wheels will be dirty and soiled and a grease pencil.
- Car jack
This is basic equipment one needs to change the tyres of any car or vehicle. These jacks are available in various sizes and varieties of load bearing capacity. To be on the safer side you should choose a car jack that has a load bearing capacity of up to 2 tons. Other than load bearing capacity, the maximum lifting height is another crucial feature to look for while choosing jack for your car or vehicle. In other words it describes the distance the jack reaches from the ground when fully extended. In case the lifting height of the jack is too low for your car then it will be pretty much uncomfortable and even impossible to change the tyres. The right lifting height for your vehicle is mentioned in the manual provided by the automobile maker.
- Cross wrench
The cross wrench is also often called as a 4 way wheel brace and it is another crucial tool to have to run your home garage smoothly. It can both loosen up and tighten the wheel nuts as and when needed while changing a tyre. Trained and experienced professionals who deal with tyre replacement near me explain the spanner width on a cross wrench for cars is meant to match with the standard sizes of wheel nuts. But still it is better to check that the cross wrench comfortably fits the size of the nuts of your wheel they suggest.
- Torque wrench
Without a torque wrench it will not be possible to change your car tyres. This tool ensures the bolts on your wheel or wheel nuts are properly tightened. This aspect is important and practically indispensible for both the seating and wheel grip. Every variety of car has a predefined torque value which ranges from 110 N-m to 120 N-m, where N-m is Newton meter. The exact torque value for a car depends on various factors including the precise model of the vehicle, its rim size, the material of the rim (that is whether made of steel or aluminium and the total number of bolts present, etc. Your vehicle’s manual will tell you the exact value of it for your vehicle. It is important to note that the torque wrench is only meant to tightening the wheel bolts and not for loosening those. Professionals who deal with mobile tyre change near me warns if you use it incorrectly the mechanism of the equipment is likely to get damaged and the equipment itself will turn into scrap. Here is a piece of advice that is worth following – after changing a tyre tighten the wheel bolts for sure and after driving some 50 to 100 km you should tighten the bolts again to be on the safer side.
- Wire brush
A wire brush proves handy getting rid of loose rust, dirt and soil from the hub of a wheel as well as the axle and wheel connecting pieces.
- Grease pencil
A grease pencil enables you to mark the original positions of a tyre easily. This is important as well as helpful while storing both your summer and winter tyres. You can make use of the following abbreviations to make your life easier on seasonal tyre storing.
- FR = Front Right
- FL = Front Left
- RR = Rear Right
- RL = Rear Left
In addition to the tools and equipments mentioned above you also require a pair of gloves, opine experts working at Emergency tyre replacement services in London. This provides you with a better grip on the tools in one hand, while on the other it keeps your arms, palm and the nail safe from getting dirty, dusty and greasy. You can also call the bestfor such conditions 24hr mobile tyre fitting London on 7707717000 to come and help you out form this sudden time killing problem.
