How to Change a Tire in Salem, VA

March 24, 2023 · 4 min read

When peacefully driving along in Salem, VA, have you suddenly heard the dreaded thump and flapping of a flat tire? If you've never changed a tire before, there's no need to panic. Here's how to change a tire in ten simple steps. And if you'd like to be shown how it's done in person, or learn more car maintenance tips, you can always ask at your local dealership.

Before you begin, you'll need certain tools: a jack, a lug wrench, a well-inflated spare tire, and your vehicle owner's manual. It might also help to have a small two-by-six-inch section of wood and wheel wedges. And not all flat tires occur on warm sunny days, so it's also advisable to carry a rain poncho, a flashlight, and gloves for help in potentially dark, wet, cold conditions.

To prepare for your tire change, make sure your car is safely away from the road on a flat patch of ground with the parking brake on. It's best to turn on your hazard lights to make sure that other drivers notice you. If you have wheel wedges, apply them as extra insurance to prevent your car from rolling. And then you're ready to begin.

1. Take Off the Hubcap

To access the lug nuts on the wheel that needs changing, you might need to remove the hubcap. You can usually use your lug wrench to do this. If you need another tool, check the recommended method in your owner's manual.

2. Use the Wrench To Loosen the Lug Nuts

Using the wrench, move each lug nut through a single halfway turn. If they're a little stuck, this might require some force.

Don't take the lug nuts all the way off at this stage. Just make sure they're loose enough to easily remove later.

3. Use the Jack to Raise Your Car

Carefully place the jack under the area recommended in your owner's manual. Usually, this is under a sturdy steel section directly beside the wheel. Then use the jack to raise the car until the flat tire is about six inches above the ground.

For additional safety, you can first put the small section of wood under the jack to help it keep its balance throughout the procedure. Also, never allow any part of your body to go under the car in case the jack slips out of position.

4. Remove the Loosened Lug Nuts

Now take off the lug nuts. As they're already loosened, this should be easy enough. Keep the lug nuts somewhere close to your hand where you won't lose them.

5. Take Off the Flat Tire

Grip the tire firmly, and carefully pull it towards you. When it's completely free of the lug bolts, place it safely on the ground nearby.

6. Install the Spare Tire

Line the new tire up with the lug bolts, and slide it into place. Make sure the lug bolts are showing through.

7. Partially Tighten the Lug Nuts

Begin to tighten the lug nuts using your hand alone. Don't tighten them fully at this stage as this might misalign the wheel.

8. Lower the Car and Further Tighten the Lug Nuts

Gently lower the car until the wheel is only just touching the ground but not all the way. Then tighten the lug nuts in an incremental way, giving each nut one turn of the wrench before moving on to the next one.

This method helps to keep the wheel even. Keep going until they're almost fully tightened.

9. Fully Lower the Car

Lower the car fully to the ground and stow the jack. You can now use the wrench to complete tightening the lug nuts.

10. Put the Hubcap Back On

Replace the hubcap. Remove the wheel wedges if you used them, and your new wheel should now be good to go.

Ask Your Local Technician for More Car Maintenance Tips

As with many emergency procedures, it's best to learn how to carry out a tire change before the need arises. If you would like to learn this essential skill, nothing beats an in-person demonstration. You can always ask at your local GMC dealership.

Visit Hart Motors GMC today to ask about changing tires or anything else related to cars. We're a local full-service dealership with an excellent range of vehicles and helpful, knowledgeable staff.

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Feb 07, 2025 in Car Maintenance Tips

Understanding GMC's ProGrade Trailering System

Image via GMC GMC pickup trucks and SUVs are known for their incredible hauling capability, which goes beyond their impressive engine power. With the available GMC ProGrade Trailering System, you'll have access to integrated tools that can simplify the hitching and towing process. Learn more to see why you should consider adding this feature to your new eligible GMC vehicle. more Understanding the GMC ProGrade Trailering System How Does It Work? While specific features vary depending on the model, the trailering system mainly uses cameras, an In-Vehicle Trailering app integrated with the infotainment system, and an integrated trailer brake controller to make your towing experience a breeze. Pre-Departure Checklists When it comes to connecting your trailer to your vehicle, the infotainment screen can display a step-by-step pre-departure checklist of each required task. If you're new to trailering, you'll have the option to expand the steps to see illustrated examples of the connections you'll need to make. Custom Trailer Profiles Once your trailer is connected, you can save it to a custom profile within the app based on its name and type to help keep track of its mileage, maintenance interval reminders, trailer brake controller gain settings, and more. Trailer Light Test The trailer light test feature lets you press a button on the screen to run through a specific lighting sequence, including applying brake lights and turn signals, so you won't need a second person to confirm that everything is connected and working properly. Camera Views The system also provides access to up to 15 available camera views to help you navigate with confidence. The available industry-first transparent trailer view lets you virtually see through your trailer as if it were invisible. This is made possible by rear-mounted cameras that enable the system to piece together views of the area behind your vehicle. myGMC Mobile App For ultimate convenience, you can download the myGMC mobile app, which lets you access select trailering features and trailer profiles directly from your smartphone. Within the app's virtual Trailer Garage, you can create, edit, remove, and delete profiles, share the profiles with other users, and sync your information with the In-Vehicle Trailering app. The Tools menu within the app includes similar light test and pre-departure checklist features as the in-vehicle app, plus a load calculator where you can input the weights of your vehicle, trailer, and load to help ensure safe hauling. You can also view videos to learn more about trailering process details and features, and access a glossary of trailering terms. Whether you need a highly capable vehicle for work or play, a GMC pickup or SUV is a great choice for your hauling needs. Contact or visit us at Hart Motors GMC in Salem, VA to learn more about the latest models and state-of-the-art towing features.

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GMC Winter Prep: Ensuring Your Vehicle Is Ready for the Cold

Cold winters put additional demands on various systems, but these can be reduced by preparing for them. As your GMC dealer, we want to advise you on a few types of GMC maintenance that will help your vehicle perform easier and more efficiently in the cold days ahead. more From Your GMC Dealer: GMC Maintenance To Prepare You for Winter Battery Check The battery is one of your vehicle's most important systems, as without it, you could be stuck looking for a jump-start. The battery provides the electrical charge that powers the crank, allowing the combustion process to start. They have a working life of three to five years on average, but as a battery ages, its electricity storage capacity drops causing, it to weaken and eventually fail. Low temperatures cause the battery's electrolyte solution to partially solidify. This reduces its power by 20% or more, which can cause an old battery to fail. We'll test your battery by hooking it up to our computerized battery tester. This machine gives a clear indication of the battery's remaining strength. If your battery is weak, we can quickly install a new one to ensure your engine starts easily. Oil Change Engine oil is the lifeblood of your engine. It's pumped through your engine by the oil pump and lubricates countless components. This lubrication protects them against friction damage, reducing wear and tear on your engine. It contains various additives that break down deposits to keep your engine clean and prevent rust from forming. Oil accumulates dirt and other debris as it moves through the engine, causing older oil to move more slowly. This reduces its efficiency, leading to an increase in worn components. Low temperatures worsen this situation as they cause the oil to thicken even further. Our technicians will fix this problem by draining your oil, replacing the oil filter to improve oil flow, and then refilling your engine with fresh oil. Tire Checks Your tires experience wear and tear daily as minute pieces of rubber break off due to surface friction. As the tread wears down, it grips the surface less securely, increasing the stopping distance when you hit the brakes. The rubber in older tires gradually loses its flexibility, and this can cause racks to form on the surface. As time passes, these cracks reach deeper into the tire and can cause a leak. Low tread makes gripping snowy or icy surfaces more difficult and your car could slide. We'll examine your tires and replace them if they're worn. New tires will provide a more secure grip on the surface and ensure you can drive safely. Book your winter maintenance by contacting our service department today at Hart Motors GMC in Salem, VA.

Sep 27, 2024 in Car Maintenance Tips

The GMC Towing Guide: How to Harness Your Vehicle's Full Potential

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