How Do I Install A Tire & Wheel Package?

Why do we change our tires and wheels? Aside from necessity, most of us do it for performance, comfort and style. But to be sure our tires are performing properly and that we're rolling comfortably and in style, we'll need to correctly install our new tires and wheels. Here's a few tips from us on how to install your tire and wheel package.

Check Tire Positions

First, we recommend you match each tire and wheel to its final position on the vehicle before installation to avoid mistakes, just as race teams do for pit stops. This gives you a chance to ensure that each tire is in its correct position, and to get an up-close visual perspective of what the tires will look like installed.

A Directional tire will have an Arrow branded on the tire's outer sidewall, indicating the proper direction of travel. Asymmetric tires will be branded "Side Facing Outwards" or "Outside" on their outer sidewall, serving to indicate proper mounting orientation on the wheel. Should you be running a staggered setup, your vehicle will have different tire sizes on the rear than the front. If you have any questions regarding staggered tire installation, be sure to give us a call or alert your installer.

Note: When only one pair of tires are being replaced; the new, deeper treaded tires should always be installed on the rear axle, with the partially worn tires rotated to the front. Deeper treaded tires on the rear axle will help the driver better maintain control on wet roads and make the vehicle more resistant to hydroplaning.

"... match each tire and wheel to its final position on the vehicle before installation to avoid mistakes, just as race teams do for pit stops."

Tire lettering highlighted in yellow for illustrative purposes only.

Now that you've ensured the proper positioning of each tire, you're ready to install!

Begin Installation

Photo A

Photo B

Photo C

Photo D

Step 1: Carefully break the lug nuts or bolts loose before raising the vehicle. We recommend using hand tools exclusively (Photo A). A four-way wrench or a socket wrench on a breaker bar should be used. If using an impact wrench, exercise extreme care to remove wheel hardware. Power tools should not be used to torque the new wheel hardware.

Step 2: Raise the vehicle slightly with a jack (Photo B) and support the lifted vehicle with jack stands. Be sure to use your jack and jack stands only on a flat, level surface when working. Remove the old wheels and tires.

Step 3: Test fit each wheel in its final position. Check for proper fit as described below.

Note: If you only purchased wheels, it is important that test fitting is done prior to mounting the tires.

Before moving on to step 4, please note the following points:

• Wheels must fit flush against the hubs. To ensure this, check the condition of the vehicle's lug studs or wheel bolts as you loosen and tighten them. If you feel any resistance or see any damage to the stud threads after removing the wheels, correct this before reinstalling the wheels. Most automotive stores sell taps and thread repair kits. Rethread the stud if necessary.
• Remove any rust and dirt from the mounting surface of the brake rotors and drums.
• Check for and remove any temporary retaining devices, like stud clips, as they will keep the wheels from fitting flush against the hubs. Stud clips hold brake rotors and drums in place before factory wheel installation (Photo C).
• Remove any indicator or locator pins on the hub (Photo D). These pins are found on some Volvo, Nissan, and Infiniti models and aid wheel indexing on the assembly line. They do not perform any other function. Note: Hyundai uses large bolts to attach their rotors and hubs - these bolts should NOT be removed.
• If the vehicle had aftermarket wheels installed previously, be sure to remove the old centering rings from the hubs.
• If your vehicle has drum brakes and the drum's outer flange or balance weights protrude further than the center of the drum, check that the wheel seats on the hub are not against the drum's outer flange or balance weights. If you have any questions, contact Tire Rack's customer service department at 888-981-3953 your sales specialist or our customer service department at 877-371-8473.

Step 4: Test fit the wheel to the hub. Make sure that the bolt circle of the wheel matches that of the vehicle, and that the wheel makes full contact with the hub's mating surface. Some wheels require the use of a centering ring to create the proper fit onto the hub.

Step 5: Check lug nut fitment by hand - without the wheel, to ensure lugs match the thread pitch of the studs. Do not use a wrench. The lugs should finger tighten onto the studs. If you feel resistance, re-inspect the lug nut and stud (or hub and bolt) for thread damage. If the threads remain undamaged yet the lugs still do not thread, give us a call and we'll verify you've received the correct hardware.

Step 6: Next, temporarily install the wheel and verify that the lug nuts or bolts will engage the threads. Refer to the chart (at right) to determine the number of turns or the depth of engagement typical for your stud or bolt size. If the lugs properly engage the threads, snug down the lug nuts or bolts to verify disc brake caliper clearance. You should have at least 3-4mm of clearance between your wheels and the brakes on the vehicle.

Step 7: Put the vehicle's transmission into neutral and turn each wheel by hand. Make certain that the outer edge of the disc brake caliper doesn't touch the inside of the rim, and that the caliper doesn't come into contact with the backside of the wheel, or the wheel balancing weights.

The test fit is now complete and you're ready to move to step 8! But first, remove the wheel and apply a thin coating of anti-seize around the axle hubs to prevent rust and for easier removal when it's time for rotation. Never apply anti-seize compound to the lug hardware or studs.

Step 8: Tighten the lugs down with an accurate torque wrench. Use a crisscross sequence until they have reached their proper torque value as specified in the vehicle's owner manual. If you can't find the torque specification - STOP and contact Tire Rack's customer service department at 888-981-3953 your sales specialist or our customer service department at 877-371-8473 or call the dealer. Over-torquing a wheel can strip a lug nut, stretch, or break a wheel stud, or cause the wheel, brake rotor, and/or brake drum to distort.

Step 9: Before driving, review your invoice or the vehicle's placard for proper cold inflation pressure and any cold inflation pressure requirements. Then, set the cold inflation pressure to match your vehicle.

Important: Be sure to re-torque the lug hardware after the first 50 to 100 miles of driving. As the wheels are breaking in, they may compress slightly, allowing the lugs to lose torque. Simply repeat the same torque procedure listed above. For more information, read our Wheel Tech article, "Bolt Pattern."

Also, tire pressures should be checked once a week, early in the morning before the vehicle is driven. The heat of the day and/or driving for more than a few miles will cause an incorrect cold pressure reading.

Lastly, if your vehicle comes equipped with a spare, this would be a great time to check and reset its tire pressure.

Congratulations, you've just completed the installation of your new tire and wheel package! We hope you found the steps helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Tire Rack's customer service department at 888-981-3953 your sales specialist or our customer service department at 877-371-8473.