Life happens. There are times where your tire is disinflated
and your stuck on the side of the road. Sure you can call the tow truck, but
here is how you can change your tire.
1. Find a safe place to park – Turn your hazard lights on.
Pull out of traffic, and find a firm, safe and stable surface to change your
tire. Avoid hills to prevent your car from rolling.
2. Secure your vehicle – Before you change a flat, turn off
your engine and engage the emergency or parking brake. Keep your car from
rolling by placing a wheel chock or heavy rock behind the wheels opposite side
of the car that’s being raised.
3. Get your Jack, Spare Tire and Tools – If you’ve never
used your jack, spare tire and tools before, use your owner’s manual to check
where it is located.
After you’ve found these essentials, we recommend you try
them out and get familiar with how to use them, so you’re comfortable
performing the next few steps in a crunch.
4. Loosen the Lug Nuts slightly–before jacking up your car –
-If your car has a wheel cover (hubcap), remove it first by
using a screwdriver or the flat end of the jack handle or lug wrench. Note: On
some cars, the wheel cover is held in place by the lug nuts. Leave this style
cover on the flat wheel.
-Use the lug wrench to loosen the lugs nuts by turning the
wrench counter clockwise. Hold the wrench firmly and push down. Never pull up
on the wrench. If the nuts are too tight, use penetrating oil to loosen them or
use your foot to push down on lug wrench.
-Loosen the lug nuts only one turn. Do not remove the lug
nuts at this time.
5. Jack up your car – Consult with your owners manual for
the best place to secure you jack. Follow these directions carefully! Crank
your up to at least 6 inches, or however much is need to remove the flat tire.
If you notice instability, lower your car to reposition your jack.
6. Remove the Lug Nuts and Wheel – Use the lug wrench to
remove the nuts. Place the lug nuts where you won’t lose them like on the
inside of your car door. Pull the wheel off and set it aside.
7. Remove the Flat – Remove the flat tire with both hands.
Pull the tire towards you and place it under the car, just in case your jack is
unstable and drops your car. If you have difficulty removing the tire due to
rust, hit it with a rubber hammer or use a liquid penetrate to loosen the
joints.
8. Put on the spare – Place your spare tire in front of the
wheel well, align it with the wheel bolts, and then add your lug nuts. Turn the
lug nuts clockwise by hand as tightly as possible. Then take your wrench and
turn the bolt tight enough to secure the tire before lower it to the ground. Do
not completely tighten.
9. Tighten Lug Nuts – Use the wrench to tighten the nuts
following the sequence directed by your owner’s manual. If you do not have an
owner’s manual put on the lug nuts in a shape of a star.
10. Lower your Car – Slowly lower your vehicle to the
ground. Remove the jack and block. Tighten the nuts as much as possible, in
proper sequence.