How to Change a Flat Tire

How to Change a Flat Tire

Getting stranded on a highway due to a flat tire can be a harrowing experience, especially if you don’t know how to change a flat tire. Changing a flat tire is not rocket science and all the tools required for the job are already present in your car. Here we have offered you detailed instructions on how to change a flat tire. 

Things You Will Need

• Car owner’s manual
• Jack 
• Lug wrench
• Spare tire (inflated)

The above-mentioned things are essential to change a flat tire. There are few other things that can be good for increasing safety while changing a flat tire.

• Wheel wedges to secure the vehicle
• Flashlight 
• A small piece of wood to secure the jack

Pick Your Spot

You need to pick up a safe spot to change a flat tire. Always park your vehicle on flat, stable ground. Never park your car on grass or slopes when changing a flat tire. If you are attempting to change a flat tire on a highway, find a straight stretch of the road and park your car on the roadside. Make sure you switch on the hazard lights. 

Engage Parking Brake

Put the car in “park” and engage the parking brake. If you have wheel wedges, place them to block wheel movement. You should place the wheel wedges in the front and back of the wheels at the opposite end of the car. For example, if a front tire is flat, the wheel wedges should be placed at the front and back of the rear wheels. 

Remove the Hub Cap and Loosen the Lug Nuts

To access the lug nuts, remove the hub cap. Take the lug wrench and use it to loosen the lug nuts. Turn the lug wrench in an anti-clockwise direction to loosen lug nuts. If the lug nuts are tight, use your body weight to turn the lug wrench. Don’t remove the lug nuts completely. 

Jack up Your Vehicle

Place the jack in the right jack slot and raise the flat tire up to six inches. You need to ensure the flat tire is not touching the ground. Now remove the lug nuts and keep aside. Consult your car owner’s manual to locate the jack slots.

Swap the Tires 

Remove the flat tire and mount the inflated tire on lug bolts. Push the tire inwards so that lug bolts protrude outside through the rim holes. Put the lug nuts on and tighten them by hand. 

Lower the Car Jack 

Lower the car jack to lower the car and the replaced tire. Make sure the newly installed tire is touching the ground properly. Remove the jack and tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. You need to turn the lug wrench in a clockwise direction to tighten the lug nuts.

Put all the Equipment Away

After the lug nuts are tightened, put all the equipment back inside the car, including the flat tire. 

Now that you know how to change a flat tire, you will save a lot of time and money when you face the problem of a flat tire. Make sure you learn the process in detail so that you can change the flat tire of your car with confidence.