How to Change a Tire: An Essential Guide for Alberta Drivers
How to Change a Tire: An Essential Guide for Alberta Drivers
Posted on May 28, 2025
Getting a flat tire is never convenient, especially when you're navigating Alberta's diverse driving conditions. Whether you're commuting through Edmonton's busy streets or exploring our beautiful province’s scenery, knowing how to safely change a tire is an essential skill every driver should master. At West Edmonton Mall Toyota, we service all makes and models, and we believe that informed drivers are safer drivers.
Read: How To Do Alberta Winter Tires On A Budget
Before You Begin: Safety First
When you discover a flat tire, your first priority is finding a safe location to perform the change. Pull over to a flat, stable surface away from traffic – parking lots, wide shoulders, or side streets work best. Turn on your hazard lights immediately to alert other drivers, and if you have them, place reflective triangles or flares behind your vehicle according to Transport Canada's safety guidelines.
Alberta's weather can be unpredictable, so keep a warm jacket, gloves, and flashlight in your emergency kit. During winter months, ensure you have adequate traction under your feet and consider keeping sand or kitty litter in your trunk for extra grip.
Essential Tools You'll Need
Before attempting to change your tire, gather these essential tools from your vehicle:
- Spare tire (properly inflated)
- Jack
- Lug wrench
- Vehicle owner's manual
- Wheel wedges or blocks
Most vehicles come equipped with these items, typically stored in the trunk or under the rear cargo area. Familiarize yourself with their location before you need them in an emergency situation.
Now let's learn how to change a tire!
Don’t have an emergency kit? Swing by our Parts Department to shop Genuine Toyota accessories like this Custom Emergency Roadside Kit.
How To Change A Tire: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Secure Your Vehicle
Engage your parking brake and turn on hazard lights. Place wheel wedges behind the tires (opposite end of the car from the flat) to prevent rolling.
Step 2: Remove the Hubcap and Loosen Lug Nuts
Remove the hubcap or wheel cover if necessary. Using your lug wrench, loosen the lug nuts by turning counterclockwise, but don't remove them completely yet. The tire's weight on the ground provides resistance, making this step easier before lifting the vehicle.
Step 3: Position and Raise the Jack
Consult your owner's manual to locate the proper jack point for your specific vehicle. Place the jack securely and raise the vehicle until the flat tire is approximately six inches off the ground.
Step 4: Remove the Flat Tire
Now, fully remove the loosened lug nuts and keep them in a safe place where they won't roll away. Pull the tire straight toward you to remove it from the wheel bolts.
Step 5: Mount the Spare Tire
Align the spare tire with the wheel bolts and push it onto the wheel hub. Replace the lug nuts and tighten them by hand initially.
Step 6: Lower the Vehicle and Tighten
Lower the jack until the spare tire touches the ground, but still supports some weight. Tighten the lug nuts with the wrench in a star or crisscross pattern to ensure even pressure. Lower the vehicle completely and remove the jack.
Step 7: Final Tightening
Give the lug nuts a final check to ensure they're as tight as possible, maintaining the star pattern for even distribution.
Understanding Tire Tread and Its Importance
Tire tread plays a crucial role in your vehicle's safety and performance, particularly important for Alberta drivers who face varying road conditions throughout the year. Adequate tread depth ensures proper traction on wet, snowy, and icy surfaces that are common in our province.
The legal minimum tread depth in Canada is 1.6 millimetres, but safety experts recommend replacing tires when tread depth reaches 4 millimetres for summer tires and 6 millimetres for winter tires. You can check your tread depth using the Canadian quarter test – insert a quarter into the tread groove with the caribou facing down. If you can see the caribou's nose, it's time for new tires.
Uneven tread wear patterns can indicate alignment issues, improper inflation, or suspension problems. Regular tread inspections help identify these issues early, potentially saving you money on more extensive repairs while keeping you safe on Alberta's roads.
Read: How to check your tire tread depth
Choosing the Right Tires for Your Vehicle
Selecting appropriate tires for your vehicle and driving conditions is essential for optimal safety and performance. In Alberta, where temperature fluctuations can be extreme, having the right tires for each season is particularly important.
All-Season vs. Winter Tires
While all-season tires offer year-round convenience, they're not always the best choice for Alberta's harsh winters. Winter tires, mandatory in some Canadian provinces and recommended in Alberta, provide superior traction in temperatures below 7°C. The rubber compounds in winter tires remain flexible in cold conditions, while the specialized tread patterns help evacuate snow and slush.
AMA has a helpful guide on tire types HERE.
Tire Size and Load Rating
Always replace tires with the same size and load rating as specified in your vehicle's owner's manual or tire placard. Using incorrect tire sizes can affect your vehicle's handling, fuel economy, and speedometer accuracy.
Browse tire types and sizes at our WEM Toyota Tire Centre. You can use this helpful tool to help you find the perfect tire for your vehicle.
Quality and Brand Considerations
Investing in quality tires from reputable manufacturers ensures better performance, longevity, and safety. While premium tires may cost more initially, they often provide better value through improved fuel efficiency, longer tread life, and enhanced safety features.
Want to know more about how to choose the right tires for your car? Learn about different tire types, sizes, load ratings, and brands HERE.
Maintenance Tips for Tire Longevity
Regular tire maintenance extends tire life and improves safety. Check tire pressure monthly using a quality gauge, as properly inflated tires improve fuel economy and prevent premature wear. Rotate your tires according to your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, typically every 8,000 to 12,000 kilometres.
Keep an eye on your vehicle's alignment and suspension components, as problems in these areas can cause irregular tire wear. Address any vibrations, pulling, or unusual wear patterns promptly to prevent more extensive damage.
When to Seek Professional Help
While changing a tire is a valuable skill, some situations require professional assistance. If you're uncomfortable performing the change, lack the proper tools, or encounter complications, don't hesitate to call for help. Additionally, if your spare tire is a temporary "donut" tire, remember it's designed for limited use – typically no more than 80 kilometres per hour and 100 kilometres distance.
Need Expert Tire Service in Edmonton?
At West Edmonton Mall Toyota's Service Department, our certified technicians are ready to help with all your tire needs.
From emergency tire changes and professional patching to helping you select the perfect tires for Alberta's driving conditions, we service all makes and models with the expertise you can trust.
Our Service Department offers express service, longer operating hours AND is open on weekends! We pride ourselves on being the most convenient car service in Edmonton.
Not only that, but you can experience true convenience with West Edmonton Mall at your fingertips. Enjoy world-class attractions, restaurants, and businesses while you wait.
Schedule your tire inspection, rotation, or replacement HERE. Let us help keep you safe on Alberta's roads, no matter what you drive.
Visit us at West Edmonton Mall Toyota or contact our Service Department to book your appointment today.