Tire repairers and changers fix and replace tires on motor vehicles.
Saying, "I'm late because I had a flat tire" is about the same as saying, "The dog ate my homework." It's been given as an excuse for so long that people don't believe it. While dogs typically chew on bones instead of trigonometry assignments, flat tires are actually extremely common. In fact, some studies estimate that 7,000,000 drivers called for roadside help in 2004.
Tire repairers locate holes and tears in tires and make repairs. Tire changers rotate tires and replace worn-out tires with new ones. Many tire workers both replace and repair tires.
Tire repairers and changers drive cars onto lifts so that they can reach tires more easily. In addition, the weight of the vehicles is not resting on the tires, which makes them easier to work with. Repairers and changers loosen the lug nuts that hold the tires onto vehicles. Next, workers remove the wheels and take off the tires. If the tires are being replaced, tire changers carry or roll the tires to where the other used tires are stored. If the tires are being repaired, workers examine them for damage. Workers may put tires in water and watch for air bubbles that indicate where holes may be. They seal punctures by inserting rubber plugs and gluing them into place. They may fix larger holes by gluing on patches. Repairers then put the tires back on the wheels. Next, tire repairers place wheels on balancing machines. These machines determine whether wheels need counterweights to balance them. If so, repairers attach the counterweights to the wheel rims. Finally, tire repairers and changers remount wheels onto vehicles.