Changing wheels

Updated 05/15/2024

If you need to change a wheel, it's important to follow the recommended procedure.

Warning

Raising the car to change a wheel

Changing a wheel requires that you raise the wheel off the ground. Carefully follow the separate instructions for raising the car safely.

If you are changing the wheel in or close to traffic, make sure you and the car are clearly visible to others. Activate the hazard warning lights and put out a warning triangle in a visible but safe place.
Designate a safe space for passengers to wait, away from both the car and traffic.
You are responsible for safety around the car while it is raised. Do not allow people inside or close to the car.
Never get under the car, or let anyone reach under it with any part of their body, while it is raised with a jack.

Before removing the wheel

The wheels on your car are fastened with wheel bolts. For extra security, you can use lockable bolts.

Important

Make sure that the dimensions of the replacement wheel are approved for your car.1
Make sure you read through all the instructions before you start. Get all the tools you need before the car is raised.2
Use the towing eye as an extended handle for the wheel wrench. The towing eye must be screwed into the wrench as far as it will go.

Removing the wheel

Remove the wheel fastener cap.

While your car is still on the ground, use the wheel wrench to loosen the wheel fasteners approximately 0.5-1 turn. Press the wrench downwards while the wrench is extended to the left to avoid personal injury. The anticlockwise rotation loosens the fastener. If you have fasteners that are lockable bolts, start with them.

Follow the instructions on how to safely raise the car.

Raise the car high enough so that the wheel you want to remove is off the ground. Remove the fasteners and lift off the wheel.

Tip

When switching wheels between winter and summer, mark which side they were mounted on, for example L for left and R for right.

Mounting the wheel

Clean the surfaces between the wheel and hub.

Mount the wheel. Make sure you tighten the fasteners. However, the final tightening to the specified torque is done when the wheel is back on the ground and unable to rotate while you do it.

Warning

Make sure that you put the wheels on the correct axle. Incorrectly mounted wheels can affect the car's handling.
Never use lubricant on the threads of wheel fasteners. It could cause the wheel fasteners to loosen after tightening.

Lower the car back to the ground.

When on the ground, the wheel can't rotate, making final tightening easier.

Fasten the fasteners crosswise. If the car is equipped with lockable bolts, finish with those. It’s very important that the fasteners are properly secured. Tighten to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft). Check the tightening torque with a torque wrench. Overtightened or loosely tightened fasteners may damage the fastening threads or the wheel itself.

Wheel fasteners tightened crosswise. — Tighten the wheel fasteners crosswise.

Place the wheel fastener cover back over the fasteners, using the guide markers to position it correctly, then press it into place. Ensure that it's securely fastened.

Warning

Check the wheel fasteners

The wheel fasteners may need to be re-tightened a few days after the wheel has been changed. Temperature differences and vibrations may cause them to loosen.

Wheel properties after a wheel change

Be attentive to signs of incorrectly fitted wheels. This could affect the car's braking characteristics and the ability to deflect rain and slush.

When you have changed the type or size of the wheels, you should drive carefully at first. The dynamics and driving characteristics of the wheels may have changed.