1. When you get a puncture.You should not drive with a puncture, it is not safe and the tyre could become damaged further.
2. When your tyre is damagedCheck your tyres after driving over a pothole, kerb or sharp object.
3. When you can see abnormal patterns of wearAbnormal wear can be caused by under- and over-inflation of the tyre or by wheel misalignment. It may also occur after emergency braking or an impact.

A weekly check of your tyres will keep you driving safely and at maximum efficiency.

Standard Jacks

This is one of the most common items found around the garage. These jacks can be placed underneath a portion of the vehicle to access the tyres and the undercarriage. As they are lightweight and (generally) very portable, they are the perfect option for smaller jobs. As should be expected, these jacks are available in a number of different weight ratings and sizes. Some are designed for compact cars while others will be able to support the weight of massive lorries.

Car Movers

There are times when a hand-operated jack will not provide enough lift or mobility. Furthermore, a normal jack will need to me moved from place to place as you change the tyres of different vehicles. Such levels of frustration can be mitigated with the use of hefty car movers. These flexible tools can support a great deal of weight and as they lift the entire car off of the ground, all four tyres can be changed quickly.

Air-Powered Ratchets

If you are quite busy, you will not have the time to loosen and tighten lug nuts by hand. In other words, a standard tyre iron will simply not do the trick. Air ratchets are a powerful alternative. Using one of these modern devices will allow even the most complicated of jobs to be completed within a fraction of the time that would normally be required.Changing tyres is both an art form and a science. If you find that you are in the position where a great many need to be maintained or replaced, these three suggestions are excellent options to keep in mind.

Preliminary Concerns

Before you EVER attempt to repair a flat, you will need to address a few important issues. These can be:

• Are you parked away from oncoming traffic?
• Are your hazard lights on?
• Is the ground flat and stable?
• Is your jack able to support the weight of your car?

If any of these variables are questionable, it is best to reassess the situation before continuing. Once you feel confident, we can begin the process.

Using Tyre Foam

The most common way to quickly repair a leak is to use what is known as tyre foam. Please note that this foam should only be chosen if you notice that the condition is caused by an external leak. If the entire unit is flat, it will need to be replaced.First, insert the hose from the spray can into the air nozzle of the tyre. Spray the foam until the entire contents are emptied. Cap the air inlet. You will then need to fill the tyre with air (to the pressure that is recommended by the manufacturer). Finally, drive the car on suburban roads; preferably away from traffic. The centrifugal force of the foam will coat the inside walls of the tyre. In theory, this will fill any leaks which may be present. If you still notice that the tyre is losing pressure, it will likely need to be completely changed.This is the safest way to repair a flat tyre. If you ever have any doubts, remember that it is always best to seek the help of a professional.

Preliminary Steps

You will first need to be concerned with where you are planning to change the tyre. The ground must be as flat as possible. There should be no dirt or debris (of course, such conditions may not always be present if you are on the side of the motorway). Make certain that you have a jack that is rated for the weight of the vehicle and that it is in good working condition. Finally, the correct tyres which are designed for the car should be used; others can actually hinder your driving capabilities.

The Physical Process

Every online resource will first note that the jack should be placed near the tyre in question. The lifting strut needs to make contact with a firm portion of the vehicle that can support a massive amount of weight. Should this not occur, the car may fall down once it is lifted up.After it is raised, the lug nuts need to be loosened one at a time. Once they are removed, place the new tyre on and tighten the nuts once again. If you are using a manual tyre iron, it is a good idea to step on the handle after you can no longer tighten the bolts using your upper body. This ensures that they will remain firmly in place. Repeat this process when necessary and NEVER place your arms or torso below the vehicle.These are the most basic steps to change a car tyre. Above all, safety should always be your utmost concern.

Why is Pressure Important?

The ability of tyre to negotiate different terrains is affected by its pressure. For instance, driving in sand dictates that a lower pressure be used than that required for surface streets. The same can be said when within snowy conditions. This arises from the fact that a lower pressure will enable more of the tyre to contact the surface. In turn, this offers greater traction and spreads the weight of the vehicle out over a larger area.

Determining the Correct Pressure

You can easily find the correct tyre pressure in one of three ways. This will normally be listed in the driver’s manual of your vehicle. However, a great tip is to check the side of the tyre itself. Normally, you will note raised lettering with the correct figures. Rarely, it could even be written inside the fuel cap.

Driving Conditions

You have likely heard that different tyres are suited for specific driving conditions. Some of the common variants include all-weather models, snow tyres and those which are designed to be used on extremely wet roads. You could still find that you are suddenly driving over a great deal of snow or ice. As opposed to changing the tyres completely, it is possible to manually release air from the valves themselves. In turn, this will lower the internal pressure and provide higher levels of traction. So, it is clear to see that pressure makes a massive difference in terms of safety and performance.This topic can be a bit tricky to understand and it is never recommended to lower or increase tyre pressures without first consulting the owner’s manual or speaking with a trained professional.

Summer tyres

Summer tyres are the tyre of choice for most people in the UK. Throughout most of the country, the winter weather is not harsh enough to necessitate the hassle and expense of changing to a different tyre when winter comes along. The tread pattern and compound is designed in such a way that they offer good grip on both wet and dry road surfaces, however they can struggle when it gets icy.

Winter tyres

The tread pattern and compound of winter tyres are designed to make the tyres stick to the road in snowy and icy conditions, where summer tyres would just see the car sliding around. Once the temperature gets below 7°C, winter tyres are also offer better braking in wet conditions.

Run flat tyres

Run flat tyres are becoming increasingly popular as they allow a car to continue, even after one tyre receives a puncture. Reinforced tyre sidewalls, rubber rim clips and a special rubber compound allow the tyre to support the cars weight, even with no air pressure in the tyre. It is necessary to travel at a reduced speed, but for many, this is still more convenient than having to stop half way through a journey and put on the spare.Within these types of tyres there will be many subcategories, each with their own features. Eco tyres are designed to keep fuel consumption at a minimum and are a good choice for high mileage drivers. Low noise or high comfort tyres are popular amongst people who do a lot of motorway driving. Economy tyres may not have any special features, but come at a lower price point and are usually more than good enough for those who drive a low mileage, mostly around town.