Auto World Blog

Changing your vehicle’s tire

Tire Change

If you are driving and have a flat tire, you will need to know the procedure of changing your tire. If you do not have  a spare, you can call a local tow truck to bring your car to Auto World in Beltsville, MD and we can change it for you.

Changing a car tire is a relatively easy job that can be accomplished with only a few tools.

Things you’ll need to replace your tire:

• Spare tire
• Jack
• Tire iron

Step 1: Take out your equipment.

Vehicle manufacturers place the essential tools and a spare tire under the floor of the trunk. Lift up the flooring and you should see: a spare tire, a diamond jack and a tire iron. Use your hands to unscrew the bolt holding everything into place and take out the equipment.

Step 2: Loosen the lug nuts.

Before you start jacking up the car, place the tire iron on one of the lug nuts, then place your foot on the iron and use your body weight to loosen the nut. You may have to spring up and down a bit on the iron to get it to move at first.

When your loosening the nuts, be sure that you don’t “strip” them, which means rounding off the edges. If you strip the nuts, you won’t be able to get them off yourself and you’ll soon be riding in the front seat of a tow truck. Also, the righty-tighty, lefty-loosey rule applies to car wheels, so make sure you’re applying pressure in the correct direction.

Step 3: Jack up your vehicle.

One of the most important things to remember when jacking up your car is to place the jack at the correct location under the vehicle. It needs to push up on the frame of the vehicle in order to raise your car correctly. Most frames will have a slot cut into them next to each tire, where the top of the jack will fit. Place the jack directly under that notch and twist the lever to start opening the jack.

The car should start rising up. You’ll hear some creaking sounds, which are perfectly normal. Make sure to jack the car high enough to so that the tire being changed spins freely off of the ground.

Step 4: Replace your flat tire with the spare.

Since the lug nuts have already been loosened, simply use your hand to unscrew them the rest of the way. Pull the flat tire straight off. Take the new tire and match up the holes on the rim with the bolts on the car. Lift it up and place it on.

You’ll have to hold the tire in place as you hand-tighten the nuts. Once you’ve tightened them as tight as you can by hand, lower the car down with the jack slowly.

Step 5: Tighten the lug nuts.

Now that the car is back on the ground, you can finish tightening the nuts with the tire iron. The nuts should be tightened in a diagonal pattern, meaning that after you tighten the first nut, then tighten the nut diagonally across from the first nut.

This ensures that you are tightening the tire evenly onto the vehicle and helps prevent the tire from wobbling when you drive. Apply the diagonal pattern to all of the nuts until they are firmly secured.

Replacing your vehicle’s battery

Battery Installation

If you need to jump start your car in the morning, it might be time for a new battery. You can bring your car to Auto World in Beltsville, MD for a new battery or you can change it yourself.

Changing a car battery is a relatively easy job that can be accomplished with only a few tools. However, some vehicles’ batteries are located in tough-to-service areas. If this is the case, consider having it changed at Auto World.

Your battery supplies the electrical current necessary to start the engine. It also provides necessary power to the electrical components and accessories even when the vehicle’s engine isn’t running. The battery also acts as voltage stabilizer for the whole electrical system.

Things you’ll need to replace your battery:

• New battery
• Battery terminal cleaning brush
• Proper tools to remove the battery terminals and clamp

Step 1: Purchase a replacement battery for your car.

You must know the make and model of your car to make the correct purchase. Car batteries come in different sizes and ampere hour ratings. You want the replacement battery to match the original battery as closely as possible.

Step 2: Open the hood of your car.

Locate the car battery and identify the positive and negative terminals. Positive terminals are labeled with a “+” or color-coded red. Negative terminals are labeled with a “-” or color-coded black. Loosen the bolt that holds the negative terminal and remove the negative cable first. Next, remove the positive cable.

Step 3: Unscrew the battery hold down clamp.

Lift the battery and remove it from the car. Inspect the battery terminal clamps. Clean and replace them if necessary.

Step 4: Clean the battery tray.

Use plenty of fresh water or a mixture of baking soda and water. Wait for the terminal clamps and the battery tray to dry before installing the new battery.

Step 5: Clean all battery corrosion.

Corrosion can be cleaned off using a stiff brush and a baking soda/water solution. After removing the corrosion, rinse off the battery with water. Clean the battery tray by wiping it out with moist paper towels and mild detergent.

Step 6: Place the new battery into the battery tray.

Make sure the positive and negative terminals are on the correct sides, and then install the battery hold-down. Reattach and tighten the positive cable first before reattaching the negative cable.

Step 7: Start your vehicle.

Verify that the installation is complete and the cables are securely attached to the battery posts. Next, close the hood of your car securely.

Step 8: Dispose of the old battery.

Be sure that the old battery is disposed in a proper location.

About

Auto World was established in 2006 by owners dedicated to providing the public with honest high-quality service. Our aim has been to create a one-stop shop environment where customers can get all of their vehicle needs taken care of at one location. Any one who has visited our facility can state that our shop is set up similar to an automotive dealer, however with much lower prices for service.

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