Changing tyres made easy: Here's how
If there's no tyre changing service nearby, you can simply do the job yourself. From winter to summer tyres or for quick breakdown assistance: we'll show you how to change your car tyres.
Autoreifen wechseln: Das benötigst du
Wohl niemand hat eine professionelle Reifenwechsel-Maschine zuhause. Dennoch solltest du checken, ob du professionelles KFZ-Werkzeug besitzt. Denn beim Reifenwechsel gibt es keine Fehlertoleranz, schließlich willst du sicher unterwegs sein. Neben dem Reifensatz benötigst du:
- Radkreuz
- Wagenheber
- Drehmomentschlüssel
- Drahtbürste zum Reinigen
Top tip: Regularly rotate your tyres, moving 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 tread depths differ, the tyres with the deeper tread should always be on the rear axle.
Changing Your Tyres: A 3-Step Guide
With a little experience, changing a tyre is easy. 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 for the wheel nuts, the right tyre pressure, and more. Your vehicle is a complex machine, and safety is the top priority, which is why 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 enough or you don't have the right tools, it's best to book a tyre change service near you.
Step 1: PreparationPrüfe 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 tyresEntferne 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 tyresReifen 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 changing your tyres, it's a good opportunity to clean the wheel arches. This removes dirt and build-up that can lead to rust. It's also a great time to clean your brakes. Use a special cleaner for this and remove any rust with a wire brush. If you notice any defects or significant wear, a professional should be consulted.
After the change: Storing your tyres correctly
To ensure you can continue to rely on your winter or summer tyres for the next change, it's important to store them correctly. This prevents damage and dirt. Here's what you need to know:
- 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 place, protected from light. If you're using a garage, for example, make sure they are not exposed to frost.
- If you are storing tyres without rims, they must be stood upright and rotated every few weeks. This helps them maintain their shape. Alternatively, you can stack them – but no more than four high due to the pressure on the bottom tyres.
