A rough and ready attitude is not without risk
Surveys show that about one in four car owners mount the tires themselves. DEKRA tire expert Christian Koch explains. “It is important that people who want to change their tires themselves have the right equipment, a suitable location and the necessary know-how. A simple tire change is often not enough.”
Before mounting, it is essential to inspect the tires for abnormalities. Is the wear even? Are there cuts in the tread? Were the sidewalls or tread damaged last winter? Do bulges indicate cracks or foreign objects?
Take a closer look so as not to miss anything. In time these faults might well lead to a complete failure of the tire or induce an accident. Koch warns that “a rough and ready attitude is not without risk.
Tire abnormalities, such as, for example, uneven wear can also indicate that there is something wrong on the vehicle itself. Everybody should honestly admit whether they can assess these things correctly by themselves. If in doubt, play safe and consult an expert even if it means you have to fork out some cash,“ says the expert. Also, whether a tire with an embedded nail can be repaired is generally best judged by a tire expert.
Koch also advises against reducing the quality of equipment used during the fitting process. "It is of the utmost importance that the vehicle owner employs a stable car jack when changing tires. Strong blocks and wedges should be used to secure the vehicle against rolling away or slipping. An unstable vehicle can quickly become a danger to the individual changing the tires," adds Koch.
It is essential to clean the contact surfaces of the hubs when changing tires and to remove any rust from the wheel bolts. It is also important to ensure that the wheel bolts are tightened to the manufacturer's recommended torque and to conduct a check after 50 to 70 kilometers. Please note that tires lose pressure during storage. Therefore, the tire pressure must be adjusted in accordance with the instructions set forth in the owner's manual.