How to Change A Tire
It always happens at the worst times! You need to know how to
change a tire even if you have an auto club membership.
Depending on where you get a flat, there may not be a phone
nearby to call a tow truck. Let’s take is step by step and
always remember to read your owners manual, there will be
detailed instructions relating to your car there. I should
mention also a few tips for getting to the side of the road
safely if you have a blowout on the road. Stay calm, do not
panic Slowly take your foot off of the gas and let the vehicle
coast to a stop. Do not make any sudden braking or steering
actions. Put your flashers on to alert other drivers. Now that
you are safely off of the road. Step 1: Make sure you are on
firm level ground and away from traffic. If you are not, then
try to drive to a better spot, but only if you can do it safely.
Avoid going back onto the road and into traffic. Step 2: Set
your emergency brake and put the car in Park or 1st gear if you
have a manual transmission. Make sure the engine is turned off.
Step 3: Locate the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. These are
usually located in the trunk underneath the carpet on cars.
Trucks usually have the jack and lug wrench behind the seat or
under the hood, with the spare tire under the bed. Step 4:
Typically there are instructions printed on the jack or
somewhere near the storage compartment. Read these instructions,
they will tell you where to jack the vehicle and any special
steps you will need to take. Step 5: First remove the hubcap or
wheel cover. The lug wrench often has a flat end, which you can
use to pry off the cover. If not, a screwdriver will work just
fine. Step 6: Before you jack the car up you will want to break
loose the lug nuts. The weight of the car will keep the wheel
from spinning and allow you to apply more force to the nuts. You
do not want to completely remove the lug nuts yet…. just break
them loose. Once the lug nut begins to move, STOP and move onto
the next one. I often carry a small pipe, which will fit over
the lug wrench. This pipe can provide additional leverage and
allow you to get those stubborn lug nuts off. Always remember
righty tighty, lefty loosy. Turn the lug nuts left or counter
clockwise to loosen. Step 7: Now it’s time to jack up the car.
Make sure you know where the manufacturer has placed jacking
points by reading the owners manual or the instructions near or
on the jack. Most cars will have a reinforced lip where the jack
can be placed. If you can not locate this, look for a solid
portion of the frame to jack on. Make sure the jack is on firm
level ground and start jacking. Take it slowly and only go as
far as you need to get the wheel off. Step 8: The wheel is off
the ground and it’s time to remove the lug nuts. Use the wrench
or your fingers to remove the nuts. Slowly take the wheel off
and set it to the side. Step 9: Get the new wheel and put it on
the car. Tighten the lug nuts as tight as you can without the
wheel spinning. Don’t worry about getting the nuts super tight,
as you will do the final tightening when the car is off of the
jack. Step 10: Let the car down off of the jack and get your lug
wrench. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern if there are five
nuts. Start with one lug nut and skip the next one until they
are all tight. If you have 4 nuts, just tighten the opposite nut
from where you started and then the remaining two in any order.
Step 11: Replace your wheel cover or hubcap and clean up the
jack, lug wrench and blown tire. If your spare tire had air in
it, you should be able to continue your journey. Finally:
Remember if you have a temporary spare tire (AKA doughnut) you
can only drive a few miles to a service station and usually not
over 50 MPH.
