DIY Tyre Change: Here's how it's done

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

Contents

Changing your car tyres: What you need
How to change 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

Not everyone has a professional tyre changing machine at home. However, you should still check that you have the right professional tools for the job. When it comes to changing tyres, there's no room for error – after all, you want to be safe on the road. In addition to your set of tyres, you will need:

A lug wrench
A car jack
A torque wrench
A wire brush for cleaning

Extra tip: Rotate your tyres regularly to new positions – from back to front, front to back, and diagonally. This ensures that they wear down evenly. Simply mark with chalk where the tyre was previously located. If you have different tread depths, the tyres with the deeper tread should always be on 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. This will tell you where to safely place the jack, the correct torque settings 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 the right skill and precision, the job can be done quickly. However, if you don't feel confident or you don't have the right tools, it's best to hire 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 also a good time to clean the wheel arches. This will remove dirt and build-up that can lead to rust. It's also the perfect opportunity to clean your brakes. Use a specialist cleaner for this and remove any rust with a wire brush. If you notice any defects or major wear and tear, you should consult a professional.

After the change: Storing your tyres correctly

To ensure you can rely on your winter or summer tyres for the next changeover, it's important to store them properly. 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 allows for any minor air loss during storage.
Keep them in a dry, dark place. If you're using a garage, for example, make sure they are protected from frost.
If you're storing tyres without rims, they must be stood upright and rotated every few weeks to maintain their shape. Alternatively, you can stack them – but no more than four high, due to the pressure on the bottom tyres.