Changing Tyres Made Easy: Here’s How

If there's no tyre changing service nearby, you can easily do the job yourself. From winter to summer tyres or for a quick fix on the road: we'll show you how to change your car tyres.

Contents

Changing car tyres: What you need
Changing your tyres: A 3-step guide
After the change: Storing your tyres correctly

Woman using a red hydraulic jack to lift a white car, with a spare tire nearby.

Changing car tyres: What you'll need

Most people don't have a professional tyre-changing machine at home. However, you should check that you have the right professional automotive tools. There's no room for error when changing tyres – after all, you want to be safe on the road. Besides a new set of tyres, you will need:

A wheel brace
A car jack
A torque wrench
A wire brush for cleaning

Top tip: Regularly rotate your tyres to new positions when changing them – from back to front, front to back, or diagonally. This ensures they wear down evenly. Simply mark the tyre's previous position with chalk. If your tyres have different tread depths, the ones with the deeper tread should always be fitted to the rear axle.

Changing your tyres: A 3-step guide

Changing your tyres is easy with a bit of experience. Even so, you should always have your vehicle's owner's manual to hand. It will tell you where to safely place the jack, the correct torque for the wheel nuts, the right tyre pressure, and more. Your vehicle is a complex machine, and safety is the top priority, so you should always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

With a little skill and precision, the change can be done quickly. However, if you don't feel confident enough for the task or you lack the right tools, it's best to book a professional tyre-fitting service near you.

Step 1: Preparation
Prüfe die neuen Reifen auf Beschädigungen und achte auf die Profiltiefe – mindestens 1,6 mm, bei Winterreifen mindestens 4 mm. Stelle dein Fahrzeug sicher auf. Ziehe die Handbremse an und lege den ersten Gang ein (Automatik auf Position P).
Step 2: Remove the tyres
Entferne die Radabdeckungen und lockere die Radbolzen kreuzweise mit dem Radkreuz. Mache nicht mehr als eine 1/4-Umdrehung. Setze den Wagenheber an und hebe das Auto so weit an, dass sich das Rad leicht bewegt. Drehe die Radbolzen heraus und ziehe das Rad ab.
Step 3: Fit the tyres
Reifen auf Radnabe setzen, Felgenlöcher ausrichten und über Kreuz fixieren. Wagen ablassen, Schrauben per Drehmomentschlüssel festziehen. Luftdruck prüfen (Kompressor/Tankstelle). Direktes RDKS muss beim Reifenwechsel vom Profi neu angelernt werden.

Pro Tip: When you change your tyres, it's a good time to clean the wheel arches too. This removes dirt and build-up that can lead to rust. It's also a great opportunity to clean your brakes. Use a special cleaner for this and remove any rust with a wire brush. If you spot any defects or major wear, a professional should be consulted.

After the change: How to store your tyres correctly

To ensure you can rely on your winter or summer tyres for the next changeover, it's important to store them correctly. This prevents damage and dirt. Here’s what you need to do:

Inflate the tyres to about 0.5 bar above the manufacturer's recommendation. This way, it won't matter if the tyres lose some air during storage.
Keep them in a dry, dark place. If you're using a garage, make sure they are protected from frost.
If you are storing tyres without rims, they must be stood upright and rotated every few weeks. This helps them keep their shape. Alternatively, you can stack them – but no more than four high due to the pressure on the bottom tyres.