If you already know how to change a flat tire, feel free to pat yourself on the back. If you don’t know how to change a flat tire, you should learn now. Safe driving will become impossible when a puncture occurs on one of your tires. You will feel more safe and comfortable on the road with the knowledge of how to change a flat tire.
Changing a flat tire: being safe first
Let’s start the course in learning how to change a flat. If you happen to notice the flat while driving, put on your vehicle’s hazard blinkers and slowly work your way toward the outer shoulder of the road. Get a safe distance off of the road. If you aren’t on an expressway, simply pull off the road, whether it’s into a parking lot or on a wide shoulder. If you do happen to be on an expressway, try to either exit as soon as you can safely do so or find a stretch with a wide shoulder. Make sure that you park on ground that is paved and as flat as possible so the vehicle won’t be prone to shift radically during the procedure. Once you’re reasonably certain you aren’t in physical danger of being struck by another vehicle, move on to “changing a tire” process outlined below.
Making sure you have the right tools
You’ve already assembled a good car emergency kit ahead of time, right? Hopefully so, because you’re going to need:
1. A jack that works
2. A tire that is full sized, mounted on a wheel that isn’t flat, and has good air pressure
3. Get a tire iron
4. A can of lubricant or WD-40
5. Wooden blocks to help secure the other tires (optional)
6. A towel to kneel on, so you don’t ruin those nice pants
7. Hand cleaner if you don’t want to be messy
You first need to find your spare tire. It may be in the trunk, mounted on the tailgate or actually under the car (forget about keeping your clothes clean in that case). You will probably need your tire iron wrench just to get the spare out. Next you will need to pry off the tire’s hubcap in most cases. Be patient here or you can crack the hubcap, particularly if it’s made of plastic and has sat in the sun for years. Work your way around the hubcap, prying a little at a time until it comes off.
NEXT, we will be working with nuts and bolts! And should you need it, you can click here for an auto loan.
