If you don’t know how to change your flat tire, don’t be ashamed. Instead, take a few minutes to read this short guide, and you can feel confident anytime, even when you hear that dreaded thump-thump-thump.
Why Knowing How to Change a Tire is Essential
Knowing how to change a flat tire will help you out in case of unexpected situations on the road. A flat tire can happen without warning at any time and it can occur both on rural highways and busy streets. Being prepared will help you stay calm and address the situation straight away, especially if you are in a remote area where help may take hours to arrive.
Being self-reliant in these situations will save you time and money. You should be able to change a tire in less than 30 minutes, allowing you to get on with your day.
Tools You Need to Change a Tire
You must always have the tools you may need to change a tire ready in the trunk of your car. You will need:
- Spare tire
- Jack and the lug wrench
- Wheel wedges
- Flashlight (if changing at night)
- Gloves and a reflective vest for safety
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing a Flat Tire
Step 1 – Find a Safe Location
Firstly, make sure you are in a safe area. Then, ensure that your car is on a flat and stable surface to help you change your tire.
Next, turn on your hazard lights. This signals to other drivers that you may be stopped for a while. It increases your visibility so it should be safer for you to change the tire.
You should then apply the parking brake. Do this before exiting your car so that it doesn’t roll while you’re changing the tire.
Step 2 – Prepare for the Tire Change
Make sure you have all the tools you’ll need and arrange them so that they are easy to access while you’re changing the tire. You will need the spare tire, jack, lug wrench, wheel wedges and gloves.
Next, place the wheel wedges. This prevents the car from rolling, making it safer for you to work on the tire. You should add these in front or behind the opposite tire you are working on, so the one that won’t be lifted.
Step 3 – Loosen the Lug Nuts
Use the lug wrench to turn the nuts counterclockwise. This will loosen them, but you may need to use significant force to move them. You shouldn’t remove the lug nuts completely at this stage as you’ll need the tire to be stable when applying pressure with the jack. Moving the nuts fully at this stage could cause the tire to shift and become harder to work with.
Step 4 – Lift the Car with the Jack
It’s important to position the jack correctly before lifting the car. Your car’s owner manual should point out the exact location for where the jack should be placed, which is usually located near the tire you’re changing.
You should raise the car just enough to remove the flat tire. If you raise it too high, it could become unstable. The wheel should be just slightly above the ground so it is easier to remove the lug nuts and the flat tire.
Step 5 – Remove the Flat Tire and Install the Spare
You can now remove the loosened lug nuts. Make sure to place them in a safe spot so you don’t lose them and can easily put them back on when installing the spare tire. You can then pull off the flat tire carefully from the wheel hub. You might need to maneuver it a little if it’s difficult to remove.
Next, align and place the spare tire with the wheel hub. You should ensure that the holes in the tire match up with the lug nut posts and slide it onto the hub until it’s in place.
Step 6 – Secure the New Tire
You can now hand-tighten the lug nuts onto the posts, tightening them enough so they stay in place while you lower the car.
You can then lower the car so that the spare tire is lightly resting on the ground but not fully touching. Now you can use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts as much as you can so the tire is as secure as possible.
Step 7 – Check and Adjust
Ensure that the lug nuts are properly tightened, checking each one individually. You should also double-check the tire pressure to make sure it’s at its recommended level. Both overinflated and underinflated tires can affect your safety and driving.
Once you’ve finished changing your tire, you can store your tools away and place the flat tire in the trunk.
Safety Tips When Changing a Tire
It’s important to be mindful of your safety when changing a tire. Avoid changing a tire in dangerous locations. If you’re on a highway or a busy road, try to get to a parking lot or exit ramp if possible. If you really can’t get off the road, try to get as far off the shoulder as possible.
You should also be cautious of passing traffic and wear a reflective vest or jacket if changing a tire at night. This will help you be more visible to other drivers.
Preventative Maintenance to Avoid Flat Tires
There are a number of preventative measures you can take to minimize your risk of getting a flat tire:
- Regular tire inspections: Look for signs of wear or damage such as cracks, bulges or objects lodged in the tread. Checking your tires monthly can help you catch problems early.
- Proper tire inflation: Both under and over-inflated tires can increase the risk of a flat tire so it’s recommended to ensure your tires are always inflated to the car manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Check the pressure regularly as temperature shifts can affect tire pressure.
- Checking for punctures or wear: Address these issues quickly before they manifest into something else. Tire shops can patch small punctures to extend the tire’s lifespan. You should also be wary of wear as this can also affect balance, suspension and alignment.
Alternatives to Changing a Tire Yourself
If you still don’t feel up to changing your flat tire yourself, there are a number of alternatives you can choose from.
Roadside assistance services are often offered by insurance companies and car manufacturers as part of their coverage. You can call for help and a professional will come to where you are and change your tire for you. However, you may have to wait a while for them to arrive and fees may be incurred depending on your plan.
Alternatively, if your tire only has a minor puncture, you can use a temporary tire repair fix so that you can get back on the road. These kits usually include a tire plug or sealant that temporarily seals the puncture, allowing you to drive until you can get the tire properly repaired or replaced. This can be helpful in urgent situations to get you to a safer location. That said, not all punctures can be fixed with these kits, especially if the damage is large.