Two questions about changing tires

[BENZ BOY15]

Some people have told me that when you loosen the lugnuts initially, you do one and then do the opposite. That's what I do. However, I've been told that you can just do it in a circle fashion. ?

I've also wondered this: If you're on a slope and there is no flat area anywhere, what do you do? I thought about this last spring when I was up visiting a friend way up in the hills above San Jose where the roads are VERY steep.

I know you should put a rock or some other object to prevent the car from moving. But on roads such as those near my friend's house...this doesn't strike me as very sufficient.

[MX793]

For tightening the lugs, you should always tighten opposites.  For loosening/removing lugs, it really doesn't matter.  You can just work your way around the lugs in a circle.

[Byteme]

Some people have told me that when you loosen the lugnuts initially, you do one and then do the opposite. That's what I do. However, I've been told that you can just do it in a circle fashion. ?

I've also wondered this: If you're on a slope and there is no flat area anywhere, what do you do? I thought about this last spring when I was up visiting a friend way up in the hills above San Jose where the roads are VERY steep.

I know you should put a rock or some other object to prevent the car from moving. But on roads such as those near my friend's house...this doesn't strike me as very sufficient.

The lug question has been answered

For the other, go to Walmart and buy some wheel chocks.  I've seen packs of two plastic chocks in the automobile section for about $5-6.

[BENZ BOY15]

Why is that exactly?

[68_427]

If you use anything more than a hammer... you're doing it wrong.

[MX793]

Why is that exactly?

You tighten opposites to ensure that torque (and therefore preload) on all of the lugs is equal.  If you snug them in a circle, the preload on the lugs won't be equal and bad things can happen (warped brake rotors being one).

[BENZ BOY15]

Thanks!

[AutobahnSHO]

big rock or brick should work fine. Put the transmission in gear or P, use the parking brake.

ALSO
I'm a lightweight guy and one time I jacked the car up to change the tire and couldn't get the lugnuts loose. I'd turn the tire before they loosened. (front tire on a RWD car.)  So LOOSEN THEM BEFORE you lift the car. (just a half turn.)

And TIGHTEN THEM AGAIN AFTER the car is on the ground.

[BimmerM3]

big rock or brick should work fine. Put the transmission in gear or P, use the parking brake.

ALSO
I'm a lightweight guy and one time I jacked the car up to change the tire and couldn't get the lugnuts loose. I'd turn the tire before they loosened. (front tire on a RWD car.)  So LOOSEN THEM BEFORE you lift the car. (just a half turn.)

And TIGHTEN THEM AGAIN AFTER the car is on the ground.

Definitely a good point. I forgot to tighten them once after I changed my oil and rotated tires, and the car felt really weird. I quickly pulled over and grabbed the lug wrench from the trunk.

[SVT_Power]

Definitely a good point. I forgot to tighten them once after I changed my oil and rotated tires, and the car felt really weird. I quickly pulled over and grabbed the lug wrench from the trunk.

Oldie but a goodie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyMDNzhfwn0

[hotrodalex]

You tighten opposites to ensure that torque (and therefore preload) on all of the lugs is equal.  If you snug them in a circle, the preload on the lugs won't be equal and bad things can happen (warped brake rotors being one).

I just always go opposite, even when taking them off. That way it's just automatic and I don't have to worry about forgetting to do it when I put them on.

[r0tor]

I use a welder to put the wheels back on... Weight reduction from no lugnuts and you don't have to worry about getting your spinners jacked in da hood since most of those theif types don't carry around angle grinders

[AutobahnSHO]

I use a welder to put the wheels back on... Weight reduction from no lugnuts and you don't have to worry about getting your spinners jacked in da hood since most of those theif types don't carry around angle grinders

That's a lot of equipment to carry in the trunk with the spare