Navigating the Unexpected – Change A Flat Tire
Flat tires can happen to anyone, anywhere, turning an ordinary drive into a stressful situation, especially if you're not familiar with how to handle it.
But fear not – changing a tire is a skill that's easy to learn and invaluable to know.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the simple steps to change a flat tire, ensuring you're prepared for this common roadside challenge.
Step 1: Safety First
Before you begin, make sure you’re in a safe location. Pull over to a flat, stable surface away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers, and if you have safety cones or triangles, place them around your vehicle.
Step 2: Preparing Your Car
Engage your parking brake to prevent your car from rolling. If you have wheel wedges, place them in front of or behind the tires (depending on whether you're on a hill) for extra security.
Step 3: Locate Your Tools
The necessary tools are usually found in your trunk: a spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench. Familiarize yourself with these tools – your car’s manual can be a great resource here.
Step 4: Loosen the Lug Nuts
Using the lug wrench, turn the lug nuts counterclockwise just enough to break their resistance. Don’t remove them completely yet – just loosen them.
Step 5: Lift Your Car
Place the jack under the vehicle, near the flat tire, using the specific location recommended in your owner's manual (this is crucial to avoid damage). Slowly raise the car until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground.
Step 6: Remove the Flat Tire
Now, completely remove the loosened lug nuts and then the tire. Keep the lug nuts in a safe spot – you'll need them again soon.
Step 7: Mount the Spare Tire
Lift the spare tire and line it up with the wheel bolts. Then, place it on the wheel base. Screw the lug nuts back on by hand as tightly as you can.
Step 8: Lower Your Car and Tighten the Lug Nuts
Use the jack to lower your car so that the spare tire is in contact with the ground but the full weight of the car isn't on the tire. Tighten the lug nuts with the wrench, turning clockwise, as much as you can.
Step 9: Lower the Car Completely
Bring your car all the way down and remove the jack. Give the lug nuts another pull with the wrench to ensure they're as tight as possible.
Step 10: Clean Up
Put your tools and the flat tire back in your trunk. If your spare is a temporary “donut,” remember it’s not meant for long distances or high speeds, so plan to visit a tire shop soon.
Conclusion: Empowered and Prepared
Congratulations! You’ve just navigated through changing a flat tire. This essential skill not only gets you back on the road but also adds to your confidence as a car owner. Remember, regular tire checks can help prevent flats, but when the unexpected happens, you're now prepared to handle it.
Contact Us:
To schedule an inspection or learn more about our services, visit our website mjnautomotive.com.au or call us at 02 4421 6090