Knowing how to change a tire is a skill that is certain to come in handy at some point in your life. While changing a tire is relatively simple, it is important to keep the tools needed for the job in your car. While it can be beneficial to carry a flashlight, gloves and tire blocks, only three tools are truly necessary.
Drivers have options for spare tires. The best option is to purchase an identical fifth tire to rotate along with the four on your car. This increases the lifespan of all tires. It is a larger initial investment than a temporary tire, but will save money in the long run. However, storing a full size tire is impossible in many vehicles and compact temporary tires are common. These small tires are designed specifically for your vehicle's make and model. Full-size temporary spares are an option as well if storage permits. They have less tread and a lighter weight construction so they are easier to install, but they can only be driven for a short while.
Jacks are used to lift the car so the flat tire can be removed and replaced. There are different kinds of automotive jacks available for various prices. The two most common jacks are floor jacks and scissor jacks. Scissor jacks use hand-cranked jack screws to slowly lift the car via a hinged, scissor-like mechanism. Floor jacks sit on the ground and have a foot-pump lifting mechanism. Some floor jacks use hydraulic power to lift the vehicle. Some jacks, called trolley jacks, have wheels that make it easy to move the tool around the car.
A lug wrench is the tool used to remove the lug nuts that hold the tire in place. These are also commonly referred to as tire irons. There are two common types of lug wrenches. One is an L-shaped rod with two ends. One end assists in removing the hubcap while the other end removes the lug nuts. The other is cross-shaped with different sized sockets at each of its four ends. This tool is referred to as a spider lug wrench. The spider is easier for some people to use because the cross shape allows for more leverage in turning the lug nuts.
