Abstract: Apparatus and methods for facilitating replacement of a vehicle wheel and eliminating the frustrations associated with the alignment of lug bolts with holes in the replacement wheel. The invention may be included in new vehicles or retrofitted by the owners of older vehicles. The apparatus comprises an elongated support member extending from a hub of a vehicle adjacent to lug bolts also extending from the hub or hub holes in the hub. The hub is rotated so that the support member is in the topmost position, and the replacement wheel is hung on the support member. Gravity insures that the holes in the wheel are aligned with the lug bolts so that it is easy to push laterally on the wheel to engage the lug bolts in the holes. The support member may include one lug bolt which is longer than the others or a dedicated guide pin attached to the hub.

Abstract: An improved method for changing automotive tires wherein a single lug bolt on each wheel is extended about 3/8 inch longer than all remaining lug bolts so that, when the extended lug bolt is aligned topmost on the wheel, the replacement wheel need only to be hung on the extended lug bolt so that all other wheel holes will hang in alignment with their respective lug bolts for subsequent securing.