If you change your wheels yourself, you can save a lot of money. And it is easier than you think. We show what you should pay attention to.
It has to be done again twice a year: changing the wheels. However, that is still quite a pricey joke, a tire dealer charges an amount between € 30 and € 80 for this. However, people who are somewhat handy can easily do this themselves and keep their money in their pocket.
However, there are a number of things to take into account – and that starts with choosing where to perform the switch. Choose a place that is not directly next to the street, with a level surface, preferably concrete or asphalt. Then plan enough time for a tire change, rush can lead to dangerous situations. When changing, follow the instructions in the instruction booklet, it also states with which torque you should tighten the bolts. For most models this is 120 Nm. In the Mercedes-Benz C-class that we used for this test, that is 130 Nm. When switching from steel wheels to alloy wheels, you need to keep an eye on the length of the bolts. These are often longer on alloy wheels. If you screw in the bolts of the steel wheels here, they only tighten in part of the wheel hub, with all the risks that entails.
After the change, make a somewhat longer test drive that also includes a piece of provincial road. If vibrations occur in the steering wheel or when braking, it is imperative to go to the garage or tire center. Often times such vibrations are the result of balancing weights falling off a wheel, but they can also have other causes. Then it is important to have the wheels checked on the alignment machine. Important: after driving 50 kilometers, check that the bolts are still tight with a torque wrench.
Costs you save: € 30-80
Time required: 30 minutes
Suitable for: do-it-yourselfers
With the right tools, changing is a piece of cake. Follow the instructions in the instruction booklet.
1. Tools
To change the wheels you need a cross key, a jack and a torque wrench.
2. Parking brake
Put the car on the handbrake (or, as in this Mercedes, on the parking brake) to prevent it from rolling away. The substrate must be smooth and solid.
3. Bolts
Have the bolts been overtightened or have they not been loosened for a long time? Then you can often only get them loose with a firm kick against the cross key.
4. Jack
If you do not have the car’s original jack, it is important to find a stable surface for the jack.
5. Detach the wheel
Now unscrew the bolts completely. Note, the wheel may fall towards you when loosening.
6. Screw tight
First partially screw in the bolts with the cross wrench and then with the specified torque with a torque wrench.
You have to pay attention to this
Tire check
When the wheel has been removed, you can check the inner flanks and the tread for any damage. The recess represents the legally prescribed minimum profile depth of 1.6 millimeters. However, for summer tires it is advisable for your own safety to maintain a minimum depth of 3 millimeters.
The age of the band
This tire was produced in the 16th week of 2016. After eight to ten years at the latest, it is important to have the tires replaced.
Suspension and brakes
Is the brake hose in the holder? Has the shock absorber dried out? In this case, the brake pads have a thickness of five millimeters. As a rule of thumb for replacement, a thickness of three millimeters applies.