How to Put Tires on Rims at Home (No Special Equipment Required)

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Plus, learn how mechanics fit tires with a tire mounting machine
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If you’re a DIYer looking to save some money on tire installation, we have good news: you can mount your own tires at home using just a pry bar, some tire lubricant, and some elbow grease! We’ll show you how to do just that in this article with expert insight from automotive tire and repair specialist Howard Fleischmann. Plus, we’ll walk you through how mechanics use a tire mounting machine. Read on to learn more!

Fitting a Tire to a Rim by Hand: Quick Steps

  1. Install a valve stem in the rim if there isn’t already one.
  2. Lubricate the rim and the tire beads (the inner lips of the tire).
  3. Lay the rim on a flat surface with the tire sitting on top.
  4. Angle part of the lower bead under the rim and step on the tire to pop the bead into place.
  5. Add more lubricant and angle part of the upper bead under the rim.
  6. Use a pry bar to leverage the rest of the bead underneath the rim.
  7. Inflate the tire and have the wheel balanced by a mechanic.

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Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Mounting Tires on Rims by Hand

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  1. You'll need a valve stem to inflate the tire once it's mounted. There will be one hole on the interior of the rim that passes all the way through to the outside.To install the valve stem , 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. Next, take a pair of pliers and pull the valve stem outward from the hole. [1]
    • Pull the stem until it's snugly seated in its hole in the rim.
    • The design of the valve stem won't allow it to pass all the way through or pop out in any direction other than backward, so all you need to do is ensure it's pulled through the hole and is seated tightly.
  2. Fleischmann puts it simply: “Use lots of lubricant.” [2] Apply tire lubricant to the inner lip of the tire (referred to as the bead) and the outer edge of the rim with a tire lubricant brush —just saturate the brush and then swipe it along the bead and rim. Or, you can spray the lubricant on. [3]
    • Make sure the entire top and bottom beads on the tire and the entire edge on the rim are both well lubricated. Reapply more lubricant as necessary.
    • If you don’t have tire lubricant, some DIYers recommend spraying a mix of water and dish soap (or just plain dish soap) or Windex. However, professional-quality tire lubricant is the safest for your tires. Soapy water can cause corrosion over time.
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  3. 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 flat, even, and stable. [4]
    • The tire will sit on top of the rim, with its bottom bead meeting the rim's upper lip.
  4. Slide part of the bottom bead under the rim with your hands, then step on top of the tire. Apply pressure to all sides and force the bottom bead of the tire down over the top lip of the rim. [5]
    • You may need to hop a bit to apply enough downward force to push the tire bead over the lip.
    • Ask a friend to lend a hand for balance as you step up onto the tire on one side, if needed.
    • Alternatively, slide the lower bead of the tire onto the rim at an angle with your hands. You might be able to slip the entire bead on this way, or you may still have to step on the tire to get the full bead in place.
  5. With the lower bead seated, the real challenge will be getting the upper one to follow suit. Apply more lubricant to help force the rubber down over the metal to make it a bit easier. [6]
    • The bottom bead won't need any more lubricant.
  6. Angle the tire so that one part of the upper bead is down below the rim's edge. Press down on the lower portion of the tire if it doesn't quite make it past the lip on its own. [7]
    • You'll need to create enough space between the upper bead of the tire and upper lip of the rim to slide a pry bar into the gap.
    • You may even need to use the pry bar to create the gap. If so, keep it in place once you're done.
  7. Use a pry bar to force the tire's lip over the rest of the rim. Move around the wheel, pressing down onto the tire with your hands and prying the bead over the upper lip of the rim. This will take a fair amount of work, but should be done by the time you make it all the way around the wheel once. [8]
    • Press the pry bar into the bottom side of the rim's upper lip, so it is not scratching any visible metal on the rim.
    • When you make it all the way around the wheel, both the tire's upper and lower beads should be completely past the rim's lip.
    • No pry bar? Lay the tire flat and walk on top of it to force the bead underneath the rim of the wheel. However, Fleischmann warns that “if you don't have the right tools, you're going to destroy the bead on the tire…and create another very unsafe condition. But, if you've got the right tools, you can get the bead over the rim.” [9]
  8. Inflate the tire with an air compressor to secure the rim-to-bead seal. Once both beads of the tire are past the rim's lip, attach an air compressor hose to the valve stem and inflate the tire . Keep your fingers and clothing clear of the tire bead as the tire inflates. [10]
    • You may hear 1 or 2 popping noises as the tire inflates. This is the sound of the bead sealing against the rim and is a good thing.
    • Once the tire is inflated, you can move on to the next one.
  9. Once the tire is on and inflated, visit a mechanic to get your wheel assembly balanced. During tire balancing, a mechanic will add wheel weights so that the rim and tire’s center of gravity matches that of the entire wheel assembly. This reduces vibrations from the wheels while you drive. [11]
    • Tip: It's best if you don't drive on the wheel before it's balanced, but you can drive a short distance to a mechanic for balancing if you need to (just maintain a moderate speed). Driving more than 2 months with unbalanced wheels can damage your suspension system and cause vibrations that make controlling the vehicle difficult. [12]
    • It’s recommended that most drivers have their tires balanced about every 6,000 miles (9,656 km).
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Mounting Tires on Rims with a Mounting Machine

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  1. Spray the tire lubricant liberally onto the inner lip of the tire (referred to as the bead) as well as the outer edge of the rim to make it easier to seat the tire on the rim to be inflated. If your lubricant came in a jar rather than a spray bottle, apply the lubricant to the same edges using a cloth or wooden dowel. [13]
    • Don't use dish soap or automotive grease instead of lubricant. The dish soap does not offer enough lubrication and grease can be extremely difficult to clean off of the wheel.
    • You can purchase tire lubricant at your local auto parts store.
  2. Insert the valve stem from the inside of the rim so it pokes out through the hole on the outside. Then use a pair of pliers to pull the stem through until it stays firmly in place. [14]
    • Add a little tire lubricant to the valve stem to help get it through.
    • Did you know? “Most tire companies will replace valve stems when they replace the tire,” says Fleischmann. “They don't even charge for it anymore because they're doing it for safety.” [15]
  3. The tire machine is designed to accept the rim facing up. Set it on the machine and engage the hydraulic press that secures the rim in place from beneath by pressing the corresponding pedal. [16]
    • Most tire machines have two pedals: one to engage the press and another to rotate the rim.
    • If you're unsure which pedal is which (or if there is no pedal on your particular machine), refer to the tire machine owner's manual or the manufacturer's website for guidance.
  4. Position the bottom edge of the tire lower than the top edge of the rim on one side, with the tire sitting at about a 45-degree angle. The tire should be able to sit on its own without falling off the rim. [17]
    • It's 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.
  5. Position the mounting arm so it makes contact with the rim's outer edge in the same spot you've already angled the tire to get past. If you can't squeeze the mounting arm in at that spot, re-adjust the tire to give yourself room to get the mounting arm in. [18]
    • Use the adjustment knob to position the arm just barely off of the rim so they’re not touching. This reduces the risk of damaging the rim while you use the machine.
    • The mounting arm serves as a sort of pry bar to force the rest of the tire over the lip of the rim, so it needs to start in a place where the tire has already made it past that lip.
  6. 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 rotate. In most cases, this won't require an adjustment at this point, but look things over to ensure the proper angle. Make sure the tire is positioned so that the arm presses the lip down past the rim's edge as it rotates. [19]
    • Often, the way the tire sits on the rim to allow for the mounting arm is already at the right angle.
    • If the tire falls off the rim, it's not angled properly.
  7. As the two rotate, the mounting arm will force the bottom bead of the tire over the rim's top edge. Continue to rotate the two until they complete one full circle and the tire's bottom bead is entirely past the top lip of the rim. [20]
    • The tire will look like it's halfway mounted when you're done, with most of the tire on the rim.
    • The tire's top bead will be all that stops it from settling all the way onto the wheel.
  8. Just like before, press one side of the tire down with your hands until it dips beneath the upper lip of the rim, then lower the mounting arm down onto the rim's edge in the space you've created by hand. [21]
    • You may need to use a pry bar to press the tire's top bead down over the lip of the rim in that spot.
    • The tire will once again sit at an angle once the mounting arm is lowered into place.
  9. As the wheel and tire rotate, the mounting arm will now force the tire's upper bead down over the lip of the rim. Once you complete one full circle, both the tire's upper and lower beads will be passed the rim's upper lip. [22]
    • If needed, use your knuckles (not your fingers) to press the tire down as it rotates to make sure the bead stays under the rim.
    • The tire is now effectively on the rim and just needs to be inflated.
  10. Inflate the tire by using an air compressor . Connect the air compressor hose to the end of the valve stem you installed earlier, but make sure you get your hands and clothing completely clear of the tire before you turn the compressor on. Once you start the flow of air, the tire will rapidly inflate. [23]
    • Any piece of your body or clothing caught in the space between the tire bead and rim's edge will get pinched as the tire expands under inflation.
    • Once inflated to the proper air pressure, the tire is mounted.
    • After the tire is on and inflated, balance the tire to make sure it’s working its best.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I put tires on rims by myself?
    Howard Fleischmann
    Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist
    Howard Fleischmann is an Automotive Tire and Repair Specialist and the CEO of Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair, with ten locations throughout Phoenix, Glendale, Yuma, and Casa Grande, Arizona. Howard specializes in full-service auto repair and tire replacement and care for domestic/imported vehicles and large trucks. Howard’s dedication to Community Tire Pros & Auto Repair has earned their team multiple awards and features including the 2021 Phoenix Magazine AZ State 48 “Best of the Best!”, the 2020 “Best of Phoenix” in Auto Repair, the 2013 Master SBD award, the 2013 National “Top Shop” award by Tire Review, the 2012 Diversity Champions Phx Business Journal, the 2009 BBB Ethics award, the 2008 Phx Chamber of Commerce Impact Award -” Small Business of the Year”, and the 2008 ASU Spirit of Enterprise award. Howard is often referred to as “The Car Guy” for local TV stations and is a regular on TV’s Channel 3 Sunday, Good Morning Arizona monthly.
    Howard Fleischmann
    Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist
    Expert Answer
    It can be difficult if you don't have the right tools, but you can manage it if you have a lot of lubricant.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/p-JhoaA6XF0?t=247
      2. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/ro14HjAR6vA?t=36s
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro14HjAR6vA&t=52s
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/ro14HjAR6vA?t=47
      6. ↑ https://www.thedrive.com/gear-up/3298/do-it-yourself-how-to-install-tires-correctly
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/Xam5KDs5X1c?t=44
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xam5KDs5X1c&t=60s
      9. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/Xam5KDs5X1c?t=106
      2. ↑ https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-balancing
      3. ↑ https://www.abcbalancingbeads.com/how-long-can-you-drive-on-unbalanced-tires/
      4. ↑ https://www.thedrive.com/gear-up/3298/do-it-yourself-how-to-install-tires-correctly
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/p-JhoaA6XF0?t=247
      6. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/TDEctdyNXZM?t=528
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/m303xb2CUjw?t=228
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/BsOUtR_lTeE?t=346
      10. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsOUtR_lTeE&t=416s
      11. ↑ https://youtu.be/BsOUtR_lTeE?t=409
      12. ↑ https://youtu.be/BsOUtR_lTeE?t=418
      13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m303xb2CUjw&t=251s
      14. ↑ https://www.thedrive.com/gear-up/3298/do-it-yourself-how-to-install-tires-correctly
      15. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.
      16. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To put a tire on a rim, first make sure the size marked on the tire matches the size marked on the rim. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to get a different tire or rim so the sizes match. Lay the rim on the ground front-side up. Then, lubricate the interior beads, or inner edges, of the tire with dish soap and lay it on the rim. Press down and stand on the tire to work the bottom bead onto the rim. Next, apply more dish soap to the top bead of the tire, and press the upper lip of the tire down onto the rim on one side. Insert a pry bar between the bead and the rim and pull back on it to slide the bead onto the rim. Repeat every 2-3 inches (5-7 ½ cm) around the tire. Finally, inflate the tire with an air compressor. Finally, use a pry bar to pull the tire’s lip over the rest of the rim. To learn how to inflate your tire, read on!

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