You are driving down the road, and suddenly, you notice you have a flat tire. First, don’t panic; while a flat tire can be very annoying, almost anyone can change a tire, even if they don’t have experience in automotive repairs. This article provides a step-by-step guide to changing a tire for a beginner.
Help, I Have a Flat Tire!
First, it’s essential to stay calm when your tire goes flat or has a blow-out while you’re driving, and as soon as it’s safe to do so, pull your vehicle off the road. Do not attempt to change a tire on the shoulder of a roadway. Instead, slowly drive your vehicle to a safer area such as a well-lit parking lot. Next, park your car on level ground and set the parking brake. Once this is done, locate your jack, lug wrench, and spare tire, and be sure to have these items handy before you begin changing your tire. You may need to consult your owner’s manual to find where these items are. Also, investing in a four-way lug wrench is a good idea as it will make changing your tire much more manageable.
Remove the Flat Tire
Your car may have a wheel cover installed over the wheel, in which case you will need to remove the cover by unscrewing the fasteners using the lug wrench. Next, position the jack in the position recommended by your owner’s manual for the tire you are changing. Once this is done, loosen the lug nuts one turn before jacking the wheel off the ground. Once you have done this, remove the lug nuts. Finally, pull off the flat tire.
Install the Spare Tire
Installing the spare tire is as simple as removing the old tire. Place the spare tire on the studs and replace the lug nuts by hand, tightening them first. Once the spare tire is securely in place, you can tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. It’s essential to tighten the lug nuts in a figure-eight pattern rather than clockwise or counterclockwise. Consult your owner’s manual to find the recommended pattern for tightening the lug nuts. Finally, lower and remove the jack, and make sure the lug nuts are snug.
Driving on a Spare Tire.
Many cars do not come with a full-sized spare tire but a smaller spare tire (aka a donut) designed to save space. If this is the case with your vehicle, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for a compact spare tire. Finally, get your tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Changing a tire is the first DIY car repair job that most car owners will attempt. But, with this step-by-step guide, you will be back on the road. If you don’t feel comfortable changing your tire, contact emergency roadside assistance or a tow truck for help.