How To Change Rims On A Car – 4 Steps (Guide)

Authored By Automobile Engineer

Changing your car’s rims can be an excellent way to change the look of your vehicle, and it’s quite easy to do!

Source: YouTube
4 Step guide how to change rims on a car
In case you have some basic tools in your car kit, you can change your rims at home or on the road easily if you follow the simple instructions.
Step 1: Remove The Lug Nuts
You will need to remove the wheel covers on your car before you can access the lug nuts. Once the wheel covers have been removed, locate the lug nuts. They will be located at the center of each wheel and should be removed. Guide To Remove Lug Nuts
Step 2: Lift Up Your Car With A Jack
Lifting your car safely with a jack is essential if you are planning on doing any work on it. For Doin this, the undercarriage of your vehicle will be easier to access, and if something happens wrong, it will help you avoid injuries. 4 Reasons why you should lift your car up.
Step 3: Remove The Old Rim
You will need to use a wrench to remove the old rim from the car. Once the old rim is removed, you can then fit the new rim onto the car. Make sure to tight the new rim so that it is secure. Guide to Remove Old Rim.
Step 4: Install New Rim
You can now install the new rim by simply replacing the old one at the posting, but make sure that all the lug nuts are properly tightened. Here’s how to install properly?

To avoid damaging your car or the rims themselves, it’s important to be prepared before you get started.

Changing the rims on your car can give it a whole new look, but the rims are more than just an aesthetic addition.

If they are old and damaged, they may actually be damaging your car’s tires and making them more prone to blowouts and accidents, which could cost you time and money.

That’s why it’s important to change your rims on time, and here are some helpful steps on how to change rims on a car.

Tools That You Should Need To Remove Rims

How to prepare your new rim for your car rims

Tools you will need:

  • A torque wrench
  • A socket set
  • A lug nut remover (optional)
  • A floor jack (optional)
  • Jack stands (optional)

You need to purchase new rims for your car. Try to get the right size and style that you want. Once you have the new rims, it’s time to prepare them for installation.

The next step is to clean the new rims with soap and water. This will remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated during shipping.

1

How to Remove The Lug Nuts Of Your Car?

There are a few different ways that you can loosen the lug nuts on your car.

You can use a wrench, a ratchet, or even an impact gun. However, the best way to do it is with an air compressor.

An air compressor will quickly and easily loosen the lug nuts on your car.

All you need to do is connect the compressor to the power source and turn it on.

Then, simply hold the nozzle up to the lug nut and let the air do its work.

The great thing about using an air compressor is that you don’t have to worry about damaging the threads.

This is because the air compressors are designed to not put too much pressure on the lug nuts.

So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to remove the wheels from your car, then loosening the lug nuts with an air compressor is the best way to do it.

2

Why You Should Lift Up Your Car?

Why you should lift up your car with jack

Here are four reasons why you should always use a jack to lift up your car:

It’s safer than using a bottle jack.

Bottle jacks are often used to lift cars, but they can be unstable and dangerous. If the jack slips or falls over, it could crush whoever is underneath it.

A floor jack, on the other hand, is much more stable and is less likely to cause injury if it falls over.

You’ll have more room to work.

Lifting your car with a jack will give you more space to work underneath it. This is important if you’re doing something like changing a tire or working on the suspension.

It’s easier to align your car.

If you’re lifting your car in order to work on the alignment, it will be much easier to do so if the car is already lifted up off the ground.

Trying to make small adjustments while the car is still on the ground can be difficult and time-consuming.

You can avoid damaging your car.

If you try to lift your car without using a jack, you could end up damaging it.

For example, if you use a screwdriver to pry up the car, you could scratch the paint or dent the metal. A jack, on the other hand, will not damage your car.

So, next time you need to lift up your car, be sure to use a jack. It will make the job easier and safer.

3

How To Remove Your Old Rim From Your Car?

source: YouTube

Removing old tires from your car can be a daunting task, but it is necessary in order to install new ones.

There are a few different ways that you can go about removing tires, but the most common and effective method is by using a tire iron.

Park your car on a level surface and put on the parking brake. You will also want to make sure that your car is in gear so that it does not roll while you are working on it.
Loosen the lug nuts on your tires using the tire iron. You will want to do this before you jack up the car so that you do not have to fight with them while the car is off the ground.
Jack up the car and place jack stands under the frame to support it. You will only need to do this for one side of the car at a time.
Remove the lug nuts and then the tire from the wheel. You may need to use some muscle to get the tire off, but it should eventually come loose.
Repeat steps 1-4 for the other three tires on your car.

Once all four tires have been removed, you can then proceed with installing new ones. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully so that you do not damage your car or injure yourself in the process.

4

How To Place New Rim In The Tire Of Your Car?

If you are planning on placing new rims on your car, there are a few things that you need to take into consideration in order to ensure that the process goes smoothly.

Source: YouTube

Here is a complete guide on how to place new rims on your car:

Choose the right size rims for your car. It is important to choose rims that are the correct size for your car in order to avoid any potential problems. You can find out what size rims you need by checking your car’s owner manual or contacting a local automotive specialist.
Make sure that the rims you choose are compatible with your car’s tire size. Once again, this is something that you can check in your car’s owner manual or by contacting a local automotive specialist.
Buy the right amount of rims. You will need four rims in total in order to replace all of the existing rims on your car.
Place the new rims on your car. This is a fairly straightforward process, but it is always best to consult your car’s owner manual or a professional mechanic just to be safe.
Tighten the lug nuts that hold the rims in place. Be sure to use a torque wrench to properly tighten the lug nuts so that they are not too loose or too tight.
Enjoy your new rims!
5

Why Air Pressure is important when changing rims on the car?

If you have ever changed a tire, then you know how important it is to get the right air pressure. If not, then let us fill you in that how much air is important to make your car wheels the best.

How to change rims on a car

The recommended psi (pounds per square inch) differs depending on the car’s make and model.

You can usually find this information in the owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s doorframe or near the steering wheel.

 In order to remove the old rim and install the new one easily, you will have to release all the air pressure in the tire.

Under-inflated tires are more susceptible to flats and blowouts, which no one wants.

On the other hand, over-inflated tires wear down faster in the center of the tread and could cause a blowout.

Either way, it is best practice to check your tire pressure and air pressure before changing the rims of your car.

Conclusion

Changing the rims on your car is a great way to improve its appearance and performance. It’s also a project that you can do yourself with a few simple tools and some knowledge of how it’s done.

Changing the rims can be a fun and easy way to change the look of your vehicle. It’s also a great way to show off your personality and style.

If you’re thinking about changing the rims on your car, there are a few things you need to know before getting started.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to change your car’s rims in no time and have it looking and running better than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my rims myself?

This is a question we get asked a lot, and the answer is that it depends! If you’re comfortable working on your car and have all the necessary tools, then sure, changing your rims is a relatively easy job. But if you’re not confident in your abilities or don’t have the right tools, then we recommend leaving it to the professionals. After all, your safety is our top priority!

How much does it cost to change the wheels on a car?

It all depends on the car you drive and the type of wheels you want to change to. For example, if you have a standard sedan, you can usually find a set of replacement wheels for under $500. But if you have a luxury car, the price tag can be much higher.

Are wheels and rims the same thing?

The answer is no, they are not. Wheels are the round metal discs that attach to your car’s axles, while rims are the outer edge of the wheel that holds the tire. They are both important parts of your car but serve different purposes. Wheels support the weight of your car and provide the necessary traction, while rims protect the tires and give your car a stylish look.

How long does it take to install new rims?

If you’re planning on installing new rims yourself, the process can take anywhere from a few hours to an entire afternoon. You’ll need to factor in the time it takes to remove your old rims, as the time it takes to put on your new rims.

Can you put any rims on any car?

It is debatable. The terms “wheels” and “tires” are not interchangeable. The wheel arrangement includes tires.
For example, your vehicle’s rims have a specific size, but you can purchase different tire sizes to match those rims as long as the middle of the tires is the correct size.

How do you remove and install rims on a car?

They say that practice makes perfect and that couldn’t be more true when it comes to wheel rims.
If you’ve ever removed and installed wheel rims before, then you know how difficult and time-consuming it can be.
Even if you have the right tools, it’s still a tricky process. But don’t worry, we’re here to walk you through the entire process step-by-step so that you can master this essential skill.

How do I know if a rim will fit my car?

There are a few things you’ll need to consider when determining if a specific rim will fit your car.
You’ll need to know the bolt pattern of your car. The bolt pattern is the diameter of an imaginary circle formed by the lug bolts or studs on your car.
Once you know the bolt pattern, you can start shopping for rims that have that same bolt pattern.

How do I find the right rims for my car?

There are a few things you need to consider when choosing the right rims for your car. You’ll want to think about the size of the rim, the style of the rim, and whether or not the rim is compatible with your vehicle.
To start, you’ll need to know the size of your tire. most tires have a size designation that looks something like this: P235/55R18.

What tools are needed to remove wheels?

A torque hammer or lug wrench. The nuts that hold the wheel to the rotor are removed with this wrench. Wedge for the wheels. These are also known as wheel chocks and are used to disable a vehicle by placing them against the wheels.

Don Sutton
Don Sutton has had a long and varied career in engineering, spanning four different countries. He began his apprenticeship in New Zealand at Paeroa Motors in 1965 before moving to the United States where he studied at Paeroa College before accepting a job as an engineer with Bendix/Kirby/TRW/Tristar. His work involved designing components for the automotive industry for over thirty years, including brake pads, power steering pumps, and fuel injectors. In 2005 Don left automotive design to pursue other interests but maintains an interest in all things related to automobiles. He is currently retired from engineering but continues to consult on issues relating to vehicle testing and manufacture when needed!