HOW TO: Change a Tire on Your Jeep
In the event that you suffer the inevitable punctured tire, you must be ready to change it. It will be a bit of work, but it is more cost effective that waiting for an auto service to come to the rescue. Depending on your rig’s setup and build, you will have to know the type of jack you are going to need and have it ready when it is needed. If you need more information on jacks and which is the right one for your Jeep, click here to view our document on Choosing the Right Jack for Your Jeep.
Use Tire Chocks
(a) Tire Chock
Once you have found the safest location to hoist your Jeep, it is best recommended to have a jack stand and tire chock available. Depending on the location of the flat tire, the tire chock (a) will be placed in a position where the Jeep do not have a chance to roll. If the tire that needs to be changed is one of the rear tires, then the tire chock will be placed in front of one of the front tires. If the tire that needs to be replaced is one of the front tires, then the tire chock will be placed behind one of the rear tires. In case you do not have a tire chock you can use a decent size rock (about the size of a small bowling ball) to chock the tires.
Loosen Lug Nuts
(b) 4-way Lug Wrench (top), folded 4-way Lug Wrench (bottom)
From this point you will loosen the lug nuts. Your Jeep is equipped with a folding lug wrench (b). There are other tools to choose from besides the lug wrench. You may have a 4-way lug wrench (b), or a battery powered impact wrench (c). These are your choices. Just make sure you have the correct socket that fits your lug nuts. It may be a ¾” (19mm) or a 13/16” (21mm) socket. Now that the lug nuts are loosened it is time to lift the Jeep.
(d) Jack Stands
Use a Jack Stand
Once the corner of the vehicle that has the flat tire has been lifted, secure the location with a jack stand (d). Do not depend on the jack to support the Jeep when it has been lifted. There is always the possible chance that the hydraulic mechanism can fail. By placing the jack stand under the Jeep next to the hoisting point, an added presence of safety is in position to protect you should the Jeep happen to fall (e).
(e) Jack at Hoisting Point
Replace the Tire
(c) Battery Powered Impact Wrench
With the tire off the ground, it is now time to remove the lug nuts. Use your tool of choice to remove the lug nuts and put them to a side. Remove the damaged tire from the Jeep and replace it with the spare tire. Put the lug nuts back on and tighten to a snug fit. You are now ready to remove the jack stand from under the Jeep and lower the jack.
Once the tire is on the ground tighten the lug nuts to the manufacturers specified amount (100lbs ft). tightening the lugs to manufacturers specs requires the use of a torque wrench. If one is not available just tighten to a tight snug fit. You can check this when you get back in town or the repair facility will check this for you when the tire is taken to the shop to get repaired.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Do not forget make sure your tires are kept at the suggested pounds per square in (PSI). For factory size tires the most common PSI is 35. Check your vehicle maintenance sticker to make sure the correct PSI is suggested for your Jeep. With the spare tire mounted and the damaged tire secured, you are now ready to hit the road and get to your destination.
Check out this video from Mopar on how to change a tire on a 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Jacking and Tire Changing - How to change a tire on 2018 Jeep Wrangler
by: Mopar
Desert Wranglers is not affiliated with or is sponsored by MOPAR. This video is for instructional purposes only.