No matter what you do or where you go, if you are a driver you are bound to get a flat tire, eventually. This can be a very stressful event depending on the situation, but once you know what to do, and practice a few times, it really isn’t that bad at all. Although many tire companies are making tires that are less susceptive to nails, glass, potholes, and blowouts, there is still a chance they can happen.
Step 1: The first thing you should do is check and be familiar with your owner’s manual and the information it provides about changing a tire. A tool check will also ensure that you have every tool needed to change a tire when the time comes, if you are in need of specific tools for your year and model of car we have a great selection here at Moss Bros Auto Parts. These can easily be stored in a duffle bag or container in the trunk of your vehicle. Most likely the things you will need if you want to put one together on your own include reflective safety triangles, a jack, lug wrench, handle for the jack, and of course the spare tire. Please be aware of the limitations of your spare tire, each has specific speed and mileage limits that should be taken very seriously. It is also a good idea to check the tire pressure of the spare when you get the pressure of the other tires checked.
Step 2: When a flat occurs immediately turn on your hazard lights and find a safe place to pull your vehicle over. Once there, retrieve your (pre packed) bag from the trunk and remove your tools. After you ensure that both the car is in park and the emergency brake is on you can start to loosen the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Do not attempt to try this after the car is lifted off the ground because the weight of the car on the tire makes it a bit easier to loosen the bolts. Also, do not fully remove the lug nuts, just simply loosening them to the point you can turn them with your bare hand. This will prevent the tire from falling off of the bolts and injuring you after the car is jacked up.
Step 3: Next you will need to use the jack that you have stored in your trunk to raise the car off the ground. Again the owner’s manual will have details as to where the designated “lifting points” are under the vehicle. Some jacks are different and may need to be used a few times to understand how to raise and lower them, this is where the practicing at home becomes a good idea. When raising the car make sure you raise the car high enough to not only remove the flat tire, but to install the spare (this may take raising the car a few inches higher than you think). Once raised to the proper height, you can turn the lug nuts with your hand and remove the wheel.
Step 4: Place the spare on the bolts now and tighten the lug nuts as tight as you can with your fingers. It’s extremely important to make sure the wheel sits squarely against the hub, and tightening the nuts in a star pattern helps ensure the wheel is flush against the hub. Finally, you can now lower the car so that the spare now comes in contact with the ground. Now that the weight of the car is placed on the spare you can use the lug wrench and tighten the lug nuts in the same star pattern as you did with your hand. After that you are good to go. Pack up the tools used in your bag and have your flat tire repaired/replaced as soon as possible.