I will be buying winter tires shortly - most likely with wheels, too (probably from TireRack). I've only put a spare tire on a car once or twice ever, so I am wanting to know if I will be fine swapping the tires myself one at a time using the jack in the trunk. Or is it more advisable to lug the wheels to a shop and have someone put them on? Is hand-tightening sufficient?

 

To do it easily...you need a floor jack and at least a 1/2" torque wrench and 21mm socket if using stock lug nuts.

If you ask...you can probably get the place you bought your tires from to swap them back and forth for free...or at least for a minimal amount.

Using the "jack" in the trunk will drive you crazy....it really isn't designed to be useful unless you have no choice........and with no spare tire.....what the hell were you thinking Mazda

 

You know, I haven't thought of that. The jack just adds weight and is completely useless. It just might find a new home in my basement.

 

A floor jack doesnt seem all that expensive, along with a torque wrench (maybe $60 in all from the local wal-mart?). My only problem is where to store the junk; Living in an apartment does have its annoying disadvantages. BTW, are the torque specifications in the manual? I just don't want to freeze going out to the car to fetch it.

 

They say 108 ft/lbs for the stock lugs. I have 2 PC lugs and light alum wheels.....90 is lots.

Buy an aluminum jack...costs a bit more...but light enough you don't mind lugging it around....

 

diy,

and check out harborfrieght.com for an alu jack.. they have one for 79 bucks. the guy that rebuilt my foor jack said was pretty good, and a great for the money..

and dont forget the jackstands..

if you do this you become in control of oil changes / tire rotation.. so it is a win win thing.

beers

 

swoop that site is just an advertiser "search" engine

 

you should learn how to spell and not copy and paste my stuff.

it is a well known fact that spelling is not my strong suit. sarcasim is.... btw, it is swoope

http://harborfreight.com/

beers

 

Dude if your asking me to check spelling you're asking the blind to lead the deff... um no wait... uh nevermind

 

Here is what I found

Jacks

$80 - 3 ton Alu Jack (24.2 lbs) max height 14 3/4" (is this high enough?)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91039

$130 - 3 ton Alu rapid pump (35.40 lbs) max height 17 1/2"
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40105

$70 - 3 ton Steel (80 lbs) max height 20"
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94629

----
Stands

$19 per pair- 3 ton Steel Jack stands (17 lbs per 2)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38846

$40 per pair - 3 ton Alu Jack stands (9 lbs per 2))
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91760

 

the first one is the correct bang for the buck...

jack stands you can get at walmart or any where.. they do the job..

i have a heavy floor jack.. 24 lbs sounds great... and yes it is high enough...

beers

 

Sears has the 2.5 ton craftsman floor jack and a pair of jack stands for 27 bucks right now. I'd go snag that as well as a torque wrench somewhere. It's a cheap investment and comes in handy to work on the car.

 

^^ I picked me up one of those a few weeks ago... damn good deal. Discount Auto Parts also had jack stands on sale for $14.99 each last time I was in there.

 

Jack stands & floor jacks isn't a good thing to go cheap on. Definitely something worth going 'brand name' for... safety is key, saving money is second. Don't compromise numero uno!!

 

I had a friend who crushed his pelvic bone changing a tire on his truck....nice guy

 

if u do not get wheels and take your own tires off - be careful about your sensors - they are attatched to the inside of the wheel - easy to break if u do not stay aware of them....

 

that sucks... I have a fractured pelvis at the moment, but I did mine just running... no contact, no fall... I'm just special!