How To Change A Flat Tire
Knowing how to change a tire is a necessary skill for all drivers. You can not rely on a cell phone to save you in a roadside emergency. Flat tires can happen anywhere and at any time so it is important to know how to change a tire on your own.
Step 1: Notice that you have a flat tire. Once you notice you have a flat tire, find a safe place to stop the car, as far away from traffic as possible and as flat as possible. Do this in a calm manner for it might be scary. Park the car, turn on your hazards, and engage the parking brake.
Step 2: Safely locate the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench usually in the trunk or cargo area of your vehicle.
Step 3: Remove the hubcaps from the wheel. Then, slightly loosen the lug nuts. They should be on there pretty tight so it is important to have all four wheels on the ground when initially loosening them. Do not loosen them all the way, but loosen them slightly.
Step 4: Jack up the car. The correct place for the jack is usually beneath the vehicle’s frame alongside the tire that is flat. To safely lift and avoid damage to the vehicle, follow the instructions for jack placement in your vehicle owner’s manual. It is a smart idea to place pieces of wood or other devices to make sure that the car does not roll at this time. Once the car is jacked up do not put any body part under the car.
Step 5: Finish loosening the lug nuts and remove the flat tire. After the flat tire is off, put the spare tire on. The valve stem where you put air into the tire should be on the outside.
Step 6: Tighten the lug nuts. It is important not to go in a directly circular manner, but rather a star pattern or skipping around to different holes to ensure the tire goes on straight and flush. Tighten the bolts well but not incredibly tight. You do not want to make the car fall off the jack.
Step 7: Lower and remove the jack. Finish tightening the lug nuts. They should be tight, but there is no need to excessively over tighten them. If they are tight they will not go anywhere.
Step 8: Replace the hub cap if it fits and store all of your equipment back safely in your car. Do a visual inspection to make everything looks safe to drive then drive on your way. Spare tires are not designed to be used for long periods of time or at high speeds so be cautious while driving and look to replace the tire with the proper tire in a timely manner.
This process does not take a lot of time and is not too complicated, but it is important to know where your equipment is and how to safely do it. This process can be easily practiced in your driveway at home so it is encouraged to practice it like any other aspect of driving.