A flat tire is the least expected situation in such cases. Nonetheless, changing the tire takes relatively little time, provided that the driver knows how to do it. After some time spent learning how to change a flat tire, one will be able to spend no more than a couple of hours changing tires with the help of spare tires and necessary tools.
Based on our observations, we see that the most efficient people who know how to deal with their tires are usually calm, concerned about their own safety, and capable of logical thinking. To learn how to do it, read the following tips.
What To Do When You Notice a Flat Tire
When you hear that odd little sound, or your car starts kind of sliding sideways, and then that low tire warning icon lights up on the dash, ease off the speed bit by bit, don’t do it all at once. Try not to brake in some sudden way, just use your turn signal so other drivers know you’re about to swap the tire as soon as it’s safe. Get it fully parked first, then choose a decent spot, kind of out of the way, to change that flat tire, not someplace tight, or awkward where you have to squeeze around.
Tools You’ll Need
Virtually all modern cars have all the necessary tools that enable people to change their tires on their own. Now, what you may see in your trunk or cargo floor is usually this stuff: a spare tire, often the donut style, a jack, and a lug wrench. Depending on your car’s brand and model, you could also have wheel lock keys in the vehicle too. This is the kind of quick checklist you want:
- Inflated spare tire, jack, lug wrench, wheel lock key (if needed)
- Flashlight, gloves, reflective triangles, tire pressure gauge
Step-By-Step: Changing a Flat Tire
- Secure Your Vehicle
Engage the handbrake, put the vehicle into Park (if it’s automatic) or completely into gear (if it’s manual). If you have wheel chocks, set them under the wheels. If you don’t, find something heavy and solid like a rock or thick piece of wood to steady the wheel that is opposite the flat one, so it won’t roll while you’re working. - Find the Jack Point
Find the jack point. Check where the correct jack point is on your car, or check the owner’s manual if you can’t spot it right away. It matters a lot not to lift the car at the wrong place, because it can lead to extra damage, even if it seems minor at first. - Loosen Lug Nuts (Before Jacking Up)
Using the lug wrench, turn each nut clockwise to loosen them by around half. In case they feel exceptionally tight, you may slightly put some pressure from your body weight onto the wrench; however, be careful to avoid slipping and falling. - Lift the Vehicle
Place your jack under the jack point determined earlier and lift the vehicle until there is sufficient clearance to access the flat tire. - Remove Lug Nuts and Take Off Flat Tire
Remove the remaining lug nuts. Detach the flat tire from the wheel; it is likely to be tightly bound with rust and other foreign particles. Kick the tire lightly to loosen it if necessary. - Install Spare Tire
Align the spare tire with wheel studs, place it onto the hub, and secure each lug nut firmly. - Lower Vehicle & Tighten Lug Nuts
Lower your car until its weight rests on the new tire but isn’t fully on the ground yet—then tighten lug nuts securely with your wrench in a star pattern. Fully lower it and retighten as needed.
Once You’re Driving Again
Donuts are temporary tire solutions only. Once you replace your regular tire with a donut, drive cautiously and go to a tire store as soon as you get a chance. In case a spare is a full-size tire, there should be no problem driving around.
In case your donut seems underinflated or your steering wheel shakes, stop and examine your tires again. The problem may be that you have got a leak or that your valve is broken.
When To Seek Professional Assistance
However, if you do not have sufficient equipment, feel unsafe due to the current weather and road conditions (a lot of cars nearby), or see that the damage looks really severe, we advise you to hire professional mechanics.
Need Reliable Tire Assistance? Contact Us
Changing a tire can require specific skills. We at Choice Auto Repair will be happy to provide assistance for you when you need help with changing a flat tire. Call us at (984) 363-4876.