How to Change a Flat Tire

Knowing how to change a tire is a necessary skill for all drivers. We can not rely on a phone call would do it on anywhere anytime, Flat tires can happen anywhere.

Thankfully, changing a tire isn’t all that hard! Just adhere to the following guidelines to be prepared in case you have a flat.

Tools will be needed:

• Lifting Jack
• Lug wrench
• Fully inflated spare tire
• Vehicle owner’s manual

 

Steps to Change a Car Tire:

1. Safe Parking: 

•  Park your vehicle on a level and firm surface away from traffic if possible.
•   Turn on your hazard lights and engage the parking brake.

2. Gather Tools:

•   Retrieve your jack, lug wrench (for loosening bolts), spare tire, and potentially a wheel chock or plastic stick (to prevent the wheel from rotating while removing bolts).

3. Remove Hubcap:

• If your wheel has a hubcap, remove it to expose the lug nuts.

4. Loosen Lug Nuts:

•  Using the lug wrench, turn the lug nuts counterclockwise (lefty loosey) just enough to break their initial tightness; don't remove them entirely yet.

5. Jack Up the Vehicle:

• Position the jack at the manufacturer-specified jacking point beneath the car, which is usually marked or reinforced.
• Slowly raise the jack until the flat tire is about an inch off the ground, ensuring the vehicle remains stable and not fully lifted.

6. Remove the Flat Tire:

• Fully unscrew the lug nuts and carefully remove the flat tire from the wheel hub.

7. Install the Spare Tire:

•  Align the spare tire onto the wheel hub's center hole and gently push the tire onto the hub until it seats securely.
•  Tighten the lug nuts by hand initially to secure the spare tire to the hub.

8. Lower the Vehicle and Tighten Lug Nuts:

•  Lower the vehicle slowly using the jack until the spare tire touches the ground but still bears some weight on the jack.
•  Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts firmly in a star pattern or across from each other for even distribution. Be sure to torque them to the manufacturer's recommended specifications using a torque wrench if available.

9. Check and Finish:

•  Completely remove the jack once the vehicle's full weight is back on the wheels.
• Re-tighten the lug nuts again with the wrench, ensuring they're as tight as possible without over-torquing.
• Replace the hubcap (if applicable).
• Check the air pressure of the new tire and inflate it to the recommended PSI if needed.

10. Final Step – Safe Driving:

•  After replacing the tire, visit the nearest service station as soon as possible to inspect and repair the damaged tire and consider switching back to a regular tire since spare tires are not meant for long-term use.

Always follow these steps carefully to ensure safe operation and regularly check that your vehicle's tools are in good working condition. Avoid changing tires during severe weather or poor road conditions whenever possible.