One of the vehicle repairs that many people struggle with is changing the tyre on a car. It can be a frustrating and stressful repair for a driver with limited knowledge about their vehicle, but it doesn’t have to be complicated!

Many people assume that it must be completed by a specialist car technician. However, you can replace an old tyre by following these seven simple steps and you’ll be set to safely drive again in a matter of minutes:

When does my tyre need changing?

If your tyre is not showing any obvious signs of punctures or splits, you may assume that it is perfectly safe for driving. This is completely untrue and if your existing tyres don’t conform to the official standards, you could be penalised and receive 3 points along with a £2,500 fine.

The law states that all vehicle tyres should have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre’s circumference. You can check the quality of your current tyres by rolling a 20p around the tyre depth. If the coin’s outer-rim is visible, it’ll soon be time to replace them.

Dangers of driving on flat tyres

It is extremely unsafe to be driving on flat tyres. Not only do they run the risk of causing accidents due to their inability to brake safely, but they also pose the risk of damaging other areas of your car.

The brake lines, suspension and wheels can become severely damaged if you’re repeatedly driving with a tyre that isn’t up to scratch. This can result in a costly repair bill but thankfully, it can be avoided by replacing tyres when required.

Things you will need

Before you begin changing the tyre, you will need to ensure that you have the necessary equipment. This includes:

• A good quality spare tyre
• A jack
• A lug-wrench to remove bolts
• Your vehicle manual

How to replace the tyre

You should start by finding a safe location to change your tyre. The ground should be sturdy and not soft or uneven, and nobody should be inside the vehicle at any point during the process. This will cause the car to be heavier; something that the jack may not be able to hold.

Do not attempt to replace tyre on the motorway as this can be extremely dangerous. If this happens, call a breakdown company who can tow you to a safer place.

Once you’ve found a safe location, follow the steps below:

1. Remove any wheel cover or trims that are covering the tyre
2. Use the lug-wrench to loosen the bolts, then use the jack to lift the car off the floor
3. Completely loosen the nuts and be careful not to misplace them!
4. Remove the old tyre and replace it with the spare
5. Re-apply the bolts and lightly screw them back onto the wheel
6. Slowly lower the jack and remove once the vehicle is completely on the floor
7. Tighten the bolts as much as possible, using the lug wrench if necessary

Once you’ve used the spare tyre, put the old one back into your vehicle and responsibly dispose of it by recycling them. You’ll then need to purchase a new spare tyre to replace the one that is currently being used to avoid the chances of getting a flat tyre without a replacement.