How To Remove Tire Studs (5 Step Guide)

Tire studs are the life-saving inclusions that you can add to your car. Why? Well, it is pretty obvious that when you drive on a snowy or icy road, there is a sure short chance that your car may slip due to less friction.

However, the icy weather is not going to stay for long. When the summers come, the tire studs have to be removed.

To remove tire studs, start by removing the tire lubricating it to loosen the stud’s grip. Then, take a plier, a flathead screwdriver, or even a tire stud remover to reach the stud, hold it tight and pull it out. Lastly, check the tire, if there are any punctures or leaks. If it’s good to go, replace the tire.

Statistics suggest that 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy roads. Hence, it is necessary to prepare beforehand. To keep your ride smooth and safe on a slippery road, it is best to equip its tires with studs. These are small metal protrusions that look like screws. They can be inserted into the winter tires to improve road friction.

What You Need To Know About Removing Tire Studs

Well, if you are a newbie, it will be better if you consult a professional for removing tire studs. It will cost you around $30-$40. On the other hand, if you want to save these extra bucks and want to do the job yourself, keep these tips and tricks in mind!

Always remove the studs while the tire is removed from the car.
Lubricate the studs before you go on pulling out those bad boys.
Use the right set of tools to reduce physical effort and tire damage.
Avoid using greasy lubricants.
Inspect the tire properly after removing the studs.
Get the tires weekly maintained for 2-3 weeks to ensure there are no slow air leaks.

Is it safe to remove studs from tires?

Yes, if you are aware of the removal process, it is safe to remove the studs from the tires. However, you need to ensure that there is no damage to the tire after you are done removing them.

As these studs might be driven deep into the tires, there is a possibility of puncture. You can check it by immersing the tire in the water or by checking for air leakage. You can also spray some water on the tire and check for bubbles forming on it.

Supplies You’ll Need For Removing Tire Studs

If you are doing the job by yourself, it will be best if you gather up all the required supplies beforehand. It will be tough for you to get those studs out of the tires if you do not have the right supplies. Some of the most crucial things that you need are:

Pliers: Pliers are the most effective tools to remove the studs. If the studs have a tip to grab, use the pliers to grab it, twist, and pull it out.
Flathead screwdriver: This is also an effective tool if the studs have a round base.
Tire stud remover: If the tire studs are driven deep inside the tires and do not have a round base, it is best to have a tire stud remover. It will make the job easier.
Jack: This is the tool required to lift the car for removing the tire.

Lubricants

Lubricant is necessary to prepare the tire for removal. It loosens the stud to some extent, thus making it easy to remove.

Water spray and water bucket

This is the supply that you will need at the end when you are done removing the tire studs and have to check the tire for damage like punctures.

How To Remove Tire Studs

So, here we are on the most crucial section of the post. The procedure to remove tire studs is a cakewalk if you are professional, but if you are doing it for the first time, you need to be a bit careful. Follow these steps:

Step 1: First off, you need to lift the car up with the jack and uninstall the tire from it. This will give you ample room to operate on the tire.

Step 2: After removing the tire from the car, get some lubricant and apply it over the tire studs area. This is to make the tire studs easy to remove by loosening their grip from the tire.

You can use dish soap, water, or just soap. Try not to use greasy lubricants as they can cause problems for you while driving.

Step 3: Once the studs are lubricated, place the tire on the floor for support or between your legs. Ensure that it does not move.

Step 4: Choose the right tool. If the stud is driven deep, take the tire stud remover, place it on the tire and drive it down to the bottom of the stud. After this, pull the stud out, and you are done. Keep in mind that you drive the tool to a certain depth and with minimal force to prevent damage.

If the studs have a flat base, it is best to drive the tip of the screwdriver under the base of the stud and lift it to pop it out. The third tool that you can use to remove tire studs is pliers. If your tire studs still have a tip left on the top, use the pliers to grab that tip and pull out the stud.

Step 5: Check the tire for damage like a puncture. Immerse it in the water or spray some water on the stud area to see if bubbles are formed.

Are studded tires illegal?

The key thing that you need to consider while buying studded tires is if they are allowed in the area you live. As of now, 11 US states do not permit the use of studded tires, whereas 6 permit them without any legal boundings.

Some US states allow studded tires but only during a fixed time frame. You may have to pay hefty fines if you are using studded tires in a place where they are illegal.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Which US states allow the use of studded tires?

The US states that allow the use of studded tires includes Colorado, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Kentucky, Wyoming, Vermont.

Are there any other types of studs available?

Yes, apart from metal, rubber studs are also available for use. These are permitted by some of the US states like Alaska, Florida, Los Angeles, Rhode Island, and Texas.