Changing a tire is one of the first vehicle-related tasks most of us learn, and this usually happens before we’ve gotten our license.
However, as easy as changing pickup truck tires can be, making even a simple mistake can put your life at risk. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are around 11,000 tire-related accidents every year, of which more than 600 are fatal.
Expensive repairs and potentially life-changing or life-threatening injuries are not worth the risk. Here are common tire repair mistakes and how to avoid them.
NOT PARKING IN A FLAT OR SAFE AREA
Some drivers make the mistake of parking their pickup truck on a sloping surface when changing a tire. It’s rarely intentional; you might simply stop as soon as you notice a puncture or flat. However, doing so puts both you and your vehicle at risk. The truck could roll unexpectedly, the jack could bend or slip under the weight, and you may struggle to remove the damaged tire or align the spare properly.
It’s also important to remember that not every flat surface is safe. You might park on a curve or in a spot where other drivers can’t see you clearly, increasing the risk of a collision with serious consequences. If you’re injured because your truck rolled or another driver hit you while you were pulled over, a car accident lawyer can help you navigate the insurance process and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
POSITIONING THE JACK INCORRECTLY
Every pickup truck has jacking points located along the steel frame on the underside of the vehicle, usually behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels. These points are usually reinforced and are designed to support the vehicle’s weight when it’s lifted with a jack.
One of the most dangerous mistakes you can make when repairing or changing a tire is not to place the jack beneath the appropriate jacking point.
If you position the jack incorrectly, there’s a chance it could damage your truck. There’s also the possibility of your vehicle slipping off the jack and injuring you. If you’re not sure where your truck’s jacking points are, check the owner’s manual.
OVER- OR UNDER-TIGHTENING THE LUG NUTS
Two other common tire repair mistakes involve the lug nuts. One of these is to over-tighten the lug nuts, which can make it much more difficult to remove them. Over-tightening them also damages brake or wheel components and contributes to them wearing unevenly.
Not tightening the lug nuts fully after replacing a damaged tire with a new or spare tire also puts drivers at risk, as the wheel could come loose while driving. When replacing a tire, you need to ensure the lug nuts are tightened to the manufacturer’s recommended torque specification. It’s difficult to do this using your hands alone, so while you can screw the nuts partly back on, you’ll need to tighten them with a lug wrench.
USING THE WRONG SIZE SPARE TIRE
Whether too large or too small, using a spare tire that’s the incorrect size for a pickup truck can cause a range of problems. In addition to negatively affecting the durability of the other tires, using the wrong size spare can cause issues with performance and handling, and it can also damage your truck.
To avoid this, always check the vehicle owner’s manual to find the correct size when buying or fitting a spare tire. Alternatively, check the sticker on the door on the driver’s side of the vehicle for tire size information.
NOT CHECKING AND RESTORING WHEEL BALANCE
It’s essential that you check and rebalance your wheels after making tire repairs. Not only does this make them safer, it also increases their longevity.
Unbalanced tires lead to greater wear and tear, particularly to the tread. This affects your grip and handling, increasing the likelihood of the pickup truck slipping or skidding in wet conditions. Worn treads also make it more difficult to change gears, and unbalanced tires can negatively impact the vehicle’s suspension and drivetrain.
You should use a wheel gauge with the correct type of balancing weighing to test wheel balance after tire repairs. If you spot any imbalances, they should be corrected immediately.
NOT CHECKING SPARE TIRE PRESSURE BEFORE DRIVING OFF
You might be tempted to drive off as soon as you’ve fitted a spare tire, but this mistake could put you at risk. Whether your spare tire’s pressure is too low or too high, it can negatively affect grip, lead to uneven wear, and potentially cause a blowout, which could lead to a collision.
You should keep a tire pressure gauge with your tools used for changing tires, using it to check the spare tire pressure after lowering the pickup truck off the jack. If the tire has at least three-quarters of the recommended pressure, you can drive slowly to the nearest gas station and top it up using the air pump. If possible, travel with a portable tire inflator to ensure your tires are always inflated to the correct pressure.
NOT CHANGING TIRES REGULARLY
Lastly, some pickup truck drivers make the mistake of ignoring the manufacturer’s recommendations for regular tire changes. Instead, they drive around on them indefinitely without rotating them. This puts them at greater risk of punctures and blowouts. Not changing tires regularly can also affect traction and braking intervals.
Don’t make this mistake. Rather, change your tires when the tread depth is less than 4/32 of an inch of thickness or if they’re showing any other severe signs of wear and tear.
AVOID TIRE REPAIR MISTAKES FOR SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE
The condition of your pickup truck’s tires has potentially far-reaching effects, from driver safety to vehicle performance, handling, and fuel economy. While important, it’s not enough to simply ensure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure.
To ensure the best performance and lifespan from your tires while protecting your own safety and that of other road users, it’s vital that you avoid the common mistakes described above. Taking a few precautions can make a life-saving difference.
Meta Title: Common Pickup Truck Tire Repair Mistakes | Pickup Truck Talk
Meta Description: A few tire repair mistakes can affect your pickup truck’s performance and put you at risk of accidents. Find out what they are and how to avoid them.
