How To Change a Flat Tire?

Have you ever been stuck on the roadside with a flat tire? 

A flat tire can typically show up unexpectedly to anyone at any time, and any place and emergency roadside assistance may not always be available. Whether a seasoned driver or a first-time car user, it is very important to learn to change a car tire without asking for help. One should note that the basic mechanics of changing a tire are the same for a car, van, truck, or SUV. 

Tools Required

- Jack

- Lug wrench

- Gloves

- Wheel wedges

- Emergency flares

- Tire-changing mat

- Fully inflated spare tire

- Rain jacket

- Tire blocks

- Heavy-duty wipes

- Lubricant to loosen tight nuts

- Tire pressure gauge

- Small cut of 2 "x6" wood to secure the jack

- Vehicle owner's manual

- Headlamp flashlight with working batteries

Steps to Changing a flat tire

Fortunately, changing a tire is a pretty easy task, provided you possess all the necessary tools and willing to put in that extra effort.

1. First, slowly steer the vehicle off of the road and park in a safe area

Ensure that this parking area is wide enough so that you are not hit by any other drivers while working around the vehicle.

2. Turn on the emergency flashers

So that other drivers who pass next to your vehicle will drive cautiously

You can also place a reflective warning sign a few feet away from your car for additional safety. 

3. Apply the parking brake

When preparing to replace a flat tire, always apply the parking brake to minimize the possibility of rolling your vehicle.

4. Apply wheel wedges

In front of the front tires or behind the rear tires

5. Remove the wheel cover

Use the flat end of your lug wrench to remove the wheel cover

6. Loosen the lug nuts

Using the wrench turn the lug nuts clockwise to loosen them.

Repeat this process with each lug nut 

7. Place the jack under the frame near the tire

Most of the cars have molded plastic along the bottom.

If you are unsure where to put the jack, follow the instructions for jack placement in your vehicle owner's manual.

8. Raise the vehicle with a jack

Raise the vehicle about six inches above the ground

Make sure that the jack stays perpendicular to the ground at all times.

9. Remove the wheel cap and unscrew the lug nuts by turning counterclockwise

Use the wrench that came with your car to unscrew the lug nuts

Place the lug nuts in a safe location, so they are not misplaced.

10. Remove the flat tire

 Grip your tire and pull it toward your body

11. Place the spare tire on the wheelbase

Push the spare tire far onto the wheelbase as possible.

12. Replace the lug nuts

Tighten the lug nuts in a way that keeps the tire even

13. Lower the vehicle without applying full weight on the tire

By using the jack, lower your car until the spare tire touches the ground

Tighten the lug nuts in a correct order

14. Lower the car to the ground fully and remove the jack

Bring the vehicle to the ground and remove the jack

Tighten your wheel's lug nuts one more time

Put wheel cap back on

If the wheel cap you removed fits the spare tire, then put it in the same way as you removed it initially

16. Check the pressure in the spare tire

Make sure that the spare tire is safe to drive on

The pressure may differ for a different vehicle

17. Take your flat tire to a mechanic

You have to fix or replace your flat tire as soon as possible.