Garages - Tire Precautions

What is important to know when removing wheels?

Ensure that you are trained before working on a tire/rim assembly. Know, understand, and follow the proper safety procedures. If proper precautions are not followed, serious or fatal injuries can result.
Loosen wheel nuts before lifting the vehicle off the ground.
When operating on a freewheel or frame-contact lift, raise the vehicle only a few centimetres (one inch) from the floor.
Block a vehicle securely when it is on a lift or jack to prevent rolling.
Remove or replace the wheel from a squatting position. Avoid bending forward to minimize back strain. If available, use a mechanical lift.
Do not place hands or wrists under the wheel well while the vehicle is suspended.
Do not service split rim-type tires unless specifically trained in their repair and hazards.

Look for damage, such as embedded stones, glass or other objects.
Clean the rims, rim gutters, bead seating surfaces, and bead areas of the tires to ensure that all dirt and rust are removed from the lock ring and gutter.
Check all parts. Discard any damaged, bent, worn or corroded components.

Before inflating, make sure the tire and rim are the correct size.
When inflating a tire, stand to the side or away from the trajectory of the tire, rim, or wheel components.
Put the cap on the valve when finished to keep the valve clean.
Inflate the tire to the pressure recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer. This information is usually available on the edge of the driver's door, door post, glove box, or in the owner's manual. The maximum pressure indicated on the tire may not be the pressure recommended for the vehicle.
Confirm the inflation pressure with a tire gauge when the tires are "cold" (the vehicle has been stationary for at least three hours, or has not been driven more than 2 km).
Remember to check tire pressure regularly. Tires lose pressure when the air temperature is colder (about 7 kPa or 1 psi for every 5°C drop in temperature) and over time (about 14 kPa or 2 psi per month).
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires do not make correct contact with the road, leading to a poor ride, handling issues, and increased wear on the tires and suspension.
Do not inflate a tire that is in poor condition, as a blowout could occur.

Refer to the vehicle's owner manual for any special instructions or precautions.
Make sure the tire is the correct size for the rim.
Mount the tire fully before inflating.
Make sure all rim components are properly in place and secured before inflating.
Support the tire securely with lifting equipment before attempting to attach the tire to the hub.
Use the manufacturer's recommended rim size for the tire.
Ensure that the trunk lid stays up before checking for a spare tire.
Check tire pressure to prevent over-inflation or under-inflation with a tire pressure gauge.
Guide the air hose back by hand on air pumps with an automatic or weighted hose rewind. Do not let the hose fly back because the metal chuck or gauge may whip and cause injury or damage. If the hose does not retract automatically, re-coil it and return the hose to the hanger.
Follow ventilation instructions for patching compounds and liquids.
Do not hammer on rims or components with a steel hammer to correct the seating of the flanges and to lock the ring. Use rubber, lead, plastic or brass-faced mallets and make sure the tire is uninflated.
Do not weld on an inflated tire rim. Carry out welding repairs to rims with the tire removed from the rim and only if specially trained for such work.
Do not attempt to repair tires larger than your equipment can handle.