If you already know how to change a flat tire, feel free to pat yourself on the back. If you don’t know how to change a flat tire, you should learn now. Safe driving will become impossible when a puncture occurs on one of your tires. You will feel more confident driving when you know how to change a flat tire.
Be safe first: How to change a flat tire
Now we can start our course in changing a flat tire. If you notice the flat while you are on the road, driving, put on your vehicle’s hazard blinkers and slowly work your way toward the outer shoulder of the road. Get off the road safely away from cars. If you aren’t actually on an expressway, just pull off the road, whether it’s into a parking lot or on a wide shoulder. If you do happen to be on an expressway, try to either exit as soon as you can safely do so or find a stretch with a wide shoulder. It is very important to park on ground that is paved and as flat as possible so the vehicle won’t be prone to shift radically during the procedure. Once you’re reasonably certain you aren’t in physical danger of being struck by another vehicle, move on to “changing a tire” process outlined below.
Gathering the proper tools
You should have a good car emergency kit already right? You will probably need:
1. A jack that works
2. You’re going to need a full sized spare tire that has good air pressure and is mounted on a wheel that isn’t flat
3. A tire iron
4. Have a can of WD-40
5. Wooden blocks that are optional to secure tires
6. A towel to kneel on (if you’re headed for work and don’t want to mess up your nice pants)
7. Some hand cleaner if you’re anal about those nasty germ critters
Find your spare tire first. It may be in the trunk, mounted on the tailgate or actually under the car (forget about keeping your clothes clean in that case). You will probably need your tire iron wrench just to get the spare out. Next, use your tire iron to pry off your tire’s hubcap if it doesn’t have its own locking and unlocking mechanism. You can crack the hubcap if you aren’t patient here. Until it is off, work around the hubcap prying just a little bit at a time.
NEXT, let’s deal with the nuts and bolts! And, just in case, you can click here for an auto loan.
