Every carowner runs the risk of getting a flat tire at one point in their life. A flat tire can come without warning, and it is important that you know exactly what to do if it happens to you. Changing a tire is very easy, and this guide will show you how to get right back on the road.
Step 1: Preperation
Before you hit the road, always make sure you have a few things in your car in case you get a flat. The things you will need are as follows:
-A car jack
-A spare tire
-A tire iron or lug wrench
Step 2: Be Safe
Make sure that you are in a safe location to change your tire. If you are on the road, pull over and put on your hazards. If you are at home, set up in your driveway or find a flat spot on your street.
When you are ready to begin, find a heavy object like a rock or brick and stick it under the back of the wheel opposite the one you are changing. For example if you are changing the front-right tire, put the object under the back-left tire. Now it’s time to change that flat!
Step 3: Remove the Hubcap
Some wheels have hubcaps, a plastic cover for the rim of the wheel. If your wheel has a hubcap, simply remove it by prying it off with your hands. If your hubcap has nuts holding it in place, loosen these before removing the hubcap.
Step 4: Loosen the Lugnuts
Before you jack-up the car make sure to loosen the lugnuts using your tire iron. It is much easier to do so before jacking up the car because the weight of the vehicle will help you out. Do not remove the lugnuts yet, just loosen them a bit to make it easier on yourself when the car is jacked up. Spin the lugnut in a counterclockwise motion to loosen it. Remember, lefty-loosey, righty-tighty!
Step 5: Jack up the Car
The car jack is used to lift up the car which allows you to work on the tire. However, you cannot just put the jack anywhere. Make sure to place the jack under a strong part of the car’s frame, and not under anything important. Check your owners manual for the optimal location to place the jack. Once you have a spot, jack up the car and grab your tire iron.
Step 6: Remove the Tire
Use your tire iron to completely remove the lugnuts from the wheel. This should be pretty easy to do since we loosened the lugnuts before. Keep the lugnuts nearby and do not lose them! With the lugnuts off you can remove the tire.
Step 7: Stick on the Spare
Line up the holes in your spare tire with the wheel studs and place it on. Then grab your lugnuts and use them to fasten the spare to the vehicle.
Step 8: Lower the car
Using the jack, SLOWLY lower the car back to the ground. When the bottom of the tire hits the ground, tighten the lugnuts. Then lower the car completely and make sure they are all tight. When using the jack do not lower the car too fast, this can result in serious injury!
Step 9: Put the Hubcaps Back On
Simply press the hubcap back into place and tighten it if applicable.
Step 10: Clean Up
Make sure to put everything back to where you found it in case you ever need to use it again. Don’t forget to remove your heavy object from behinfd the wheel! Now you are ready to get back on the road. Drive safe!
