Your Guide to Changing a Car Tire in 10 Easy Steps
No one plans for a flat tire, but it's one of those things that every driver should know how to handle. With this step-by-step guide, you'll master the art of changing a tire by yourself and save money on roadside assistance.
Here are the 10 steps to change a car tire:
1. Safety First
Park your car on a flat, stable surface. Make sure you turn on the hazard lights and apply the parking brake. If you have a safety triangle, set it up around 50 feet behind your vehicle.
2. Get Your Tools Ready
You will need a spare tire, a car jack, a lug wrench, and possibly a wheel chock. Most vehicles come with these items in the trunk.
3. Loosen the Lug Nuts
Use your lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Do not remove them completely yet.
4. Jack up the Vehicle
Place your jack in the proper location under your vehicle (check your vehicle's manual if you're unsure). Crank the jack until the flat tire is off the ground.
5. Remove the Lug Nuts and Flat Tire
Now you can completely remove the lug nuts and the flat tire. Keep the lug nuts in a safe place - you'll need them again shortly.
6. Mount the Spare Tire
Place the spare tire on the hub. Align the rim with the lug bolts and push the spare tire all the way onto the wheel base.
7. Hand-Tighten the Lug Nuts
Put the lug nuts back on by hand. Tighten them as much as you can.
8. Lower the Vehicle Slightly
Lower your vehicle so it's just touching the ground, but the full weight isn't on the tire. Then, using your wrench, tighten the lug nuts as much as possible.
9. Fully Lower the Vehicle
Lower the vehicle all the way to the ground and remove the jack. Give the lug nuts one more pull with the wrench to ensure they're as tight as possible.
10. Check Tire Pressure
Last but not least, make sure to check the tire pressure in the spare tire as soon as possible. Driving on a spare with too low or too high pressure can be dangerous.
Conclusion
Changing a tire might seem intimidating, but with these ten steps, you'll be back on the road in no time. Remember, practice makes perfect. It's a good idea to try this in your driveway a couple of times so you're prepared when a real flat tire situation occurs.
Stay safe and happy driving!