Driving can often be unpredictable, and you never know when you may find yourself stranded with a flat tire. Being able to change your own tire can really save you time and trouble in a tough situation. Here are the steps on how to change your own tire as well as a list of items you should always carry in your car in order to be perpared to change a flat.
Things you will need to keep in your vehicle:
How to change a flat tire:
- If you are on the side of the road, be sure to move your vehicle (if possible) as far away from traffic as possible and put on your hazards. If you're at home, try to change your tire on a flat, level surface.
- Put on your emergency brake.
- If you can, place a heavy object on either side of the tire you are removing.
- Place the jack under the frame near the tire that will be changed. Raise the jack until it is just supporting your vehicle, not lifting it off of the ground.
- Remove the hubcap on the wheel and loosen (but don't yet remove) the lugnuts using the wrench.
- Pump the jack to lift the tire off of the ground.
- Remove the lug nuts.
- Remove the tire.
- Place the spare tire on the wheel hub.
- Put the lug nuts back on.
- Use the wrench to tighten the lug nuts.
- Lower the car and take out the jack.
- Place your original tire and hub cap into your trunk safely.
- Bring your vehicle into Don's Auto Repair for assistance.
Now that you understand how to change your car's tire, you'll all set for any tire issue that you may run into on the road. After you put on your spare, be sure to bring your vehicle into Don's Auto Repair for assistance with getting a new tire. Try to minimize how long you drive on your spare as much as possible. It really is only used to drive either home or to the auto repair shop. Give us a call if you have any questions!