If you have access to a tire mounting machine, you can save some money.You can mount your own tires at home by using a pry bar and a lot of effort.After your wheels and tires have been mounted, it is recommended that you have them balanced at an auto repair facility.
Step 1: Make sure the bead and rim edge are clean.
To make it easier to seat a tire on the rim to be inflated, spray the tire lubricant liberally onto the inner lip and bead.If your lubricant came in a jar, apply it to the same edges using a cloth or wooden spoon.Do not use dish soap or automotive grease.Grease can be difficult to clean off of the wheel because the dish soap does not offer enough lubrication.At your local auto parts store, you can purchase tire lubricant.
Step 2: Attach the valve stem.
If you don't have a valve stem on the wheel, you need to inflate the tire with one.There is a hole in the rim that goes all the way through to the outside.The valve stem should be inserted from the inside of the rim to poke out the hole on the outside.Pull the stem through with a pair of pliers.Adding a little tire lubricant to the valve stem will help get it through.All you need to do is pull the valve through the hole and make sure it's seated securely.
Step 3: Put the rim on the tire machine.
The machine accepts the rim facing up.Press the pedal on the machine to engage the press that secures the rim in place from beneath.The tire machines have two pedals, one to engage the press and the other to rotation the rim.Refer to the tire machine owner's manual for guidance if you don't know which pedal to use.
Step 4: The tire should be moved over the rim.
The tire should be positioned lower than the top edge of the rim on one side so that it sits at a 45 degree angle.The tire should be able to sit on its own.It is important to start with one bead beneath the rim's edge and enough space for the mounting arm to be slid into the gap created by the angle.
Step 5: The mounting arm must be swung down onto the rim.
If you want to get past the tire, position the mounting arm so it makes contact with the rim's outer edge.Re-adjusting the tire will give you room to squeeze the mounting arm in.The tire needs to make it past the lip of the rim in order for the mounting arm to start.
Step 6: The mounting arm can be seen if the lower bead is aimed at it.
With the mounting arm in place, you may need to adjust the tire slightly so that it comes into contact with the arm as the wheel and tire rotates.In most cases, this won't require an adjustment at this point, but look over to ensure the proper angle.The arm should press the lip down past the rim's edge if the tire is positioned correctly.The way the tire sits on the rim allows for the mounting arm to be positioned at the right angle.The tire's angle isn't right if it falls off the rim.
Step 7: Press the pedal to change the tire's position.
The bottom bead of the tire will be pushed over the rim's top edge by the mounting arm.When they complete one full circle, the tire's bottom bead is completely past the top lip of the rim.Most of the tire is on the rim, making it look like it's halfway mounted.The top bead of the tire stops it from setting all the way onto the wheel.
Step 8: The tire's upper lip should be on the rim.
Press one side of the tire down with your hands, then lower the mounting arm onto the rim's edge in the space you've created by hand.If you want to press the tire's top bead down over the lip of the rim, you'll need a pry bar.Once the mounting arm is lowered, the tire will sit at an angle.
Step 9: The tire and rim should be adjusted again by pressing the pedal.
The mounting arm will force the tire's bead down over the lip of the rim as the wheel rotates.The upper and lower beads of the tire will pass the rim's upper lip once you complete one full circle.The tire is on the rim and needs to be inflated.
Step 10: Remove the tire with an air compressor.
You need to connect the air compressor hose to the end of the valve stem if you want to turn the compressor on.The tire will inflate quickly if you start the flow of air.As the tire expands under inflation, any piece of your body or clothing caught in the space between the bead and rim's edge will get pinched.The tire is mounted after it is inflated.
Step 11: The valve stem needs to be inserted if there is no one present.
Lubricate the valve stem with a bit of tire lubricant, then press it into the hole on the inner portion of the rim where the tire will later cover.Pull the valve stem out of the hole with a pair of pliers.Pull the stem until it's snug in the rim.
Step 12: Make sure the tire bead and rim are clean.
It's important to use tire lubricant when mounting tires with a machine.Grease the interior bead of the tire and the rim.Either spray it on or apply it by hand.Make sure the top and bottom beads on the tire are well lubricated and that the edge of the rim is also.
Step 13: Place the tire on top of the rim.
If the ground you're working on is blacktop or concrete, place a piece of cardboard beneath the wheel to avoid scratching it.Make sure the surface you work on is stable.The bottom bead of the tire will meet the rim's upper lip.Try to make sure the tire sits on the rim.
Step 14: The lower lip should be pressed onto the rim if you step on the tire with both feet.
As you step up onto the tire on one side, ask a friend to lend a hand.Put your other foot in the air and apply pressure to the other side of the tire.To push the tire bead over the lip, you may need to hop a bit.If you don't have a friend to help with balance, you may fall.
Step 15: The upper bead on the tire needs to be added with more lubricant.
Getting the upper bead to follow the lower one will be the real challenge.It's easier to force the rubber down over the metal if you apply more lubricant.The bead won't need any more lubricating.
Step 16: Press the upper lip of the tire onto the rim on the other side.
The upper bead should be below the rim's edge if you angle the tire.If it doesn't make it past the lip on its own, press down on the lower part of the tire.To slide a pry bar into the gap, you'll need enough space between the upper bead of the tire and the rim.The pry bar can be used to create the gap.Once you're done, keep it in place.
Step 17: The tire's lip should be pushed over the rest of the rim with a pry bar.
You can pry the bead off the upper lip of the rim by pressing down on the tire with your hands.It will take a fair amount of work, but should be done by the time you make it all the way around the wheel.Press the pry bar into the bottom of the rim's upper lip to prevent it from scratching the metal.The upper and lower beads of the tire should be past the rim's lip when you make it all the way around the wheel.
Step 18: The tire should be inflated with an air compressor.
You can inflate the tire by attaching an air compressor to the valve stem once the beads are past the rim's lip.As the tire inflates, be sure to keep your fingers and clothing clear of the bead.You can move on to the next tire once it is inflated.