Knowing how to change a flat tire is a basic skill that every car owner should have— but changing a tire for the first time can be a scary experience. In this article, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process for changing a tire if you find yourself with a flat:
First, Pull Over In A Safe Place
Typically when drivers get a flat tire, their first instinct is to stop the car as quickly as possible. But that can land you in a dangerous position, depending on the flow of traffic around you.
If possible, try to pull over in a safe place where you can assess the situation and change your tire. Turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see you from a distance, and give you plenty of space.
If you’re not in a safe place, turn on your hazard lights and call 911 right away. A police officer should be called to help alert other drivers and redirect traffic as needed.
Changing The Tire
Whether you’re swapping it out for a new tire or simply putting on the spare, here's how to change a flat tire:
Safety First
If you haven’t already, put on your hazard lights and set your parking brake. Remove your spare tire and jack tools from your trunk, and set them beside the damaged tire.
Loosen the Lug Nuts
Remove the hubcap from the flat tire, and loosen the lug nuts with a tire iron or impact wrench. It's important to loosen, or break, the lug nuts before you jack up the vehicle. This way, the weight of the car will sit on the wheels and prevent the wheels from spinning while you loosen the lugs. Be sure to loosen the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure the weight is balanced and all lug nuts can be easily removed.
Position the Jack
Once the lugs have been loosened, jack the car up. This should be done on level ground (or as close as you can get) so your jack doesn’t slip from underneath the vehicle while you’re working to remove the tire. You should always follow the instructions for jack placement in your vehicle owner’s manual. Many vehicle frames have molded plastic on the bottom with a cleared area of exposed metal specifically for the jack. You'll usually find this mold beneath the vehicle frame near the tire you're removing but your service manual may recommend other jacking points.
Raise the Jack
Once the jack is properly positioned, crank the jack and raise the vehicle until the flat tire is hovering a few inches off the ground. This will make it easier to take off. It’s important to note: you should never put any part of your body under the vehicle during or after raising the vehicle on the jack.
Remove the Flat Tire
Loosen the lug nuts the rest of the way, until they come completely off of the tire. Set them aside in a safe place like a pocket or your car’s cupholder so you can reattach them once the spare tire is on. Whatever you do, don't put them on the ground— that's a recipe for losing them.
Grip the tire by the treads and pull it toward you slowly until it’s completely removed from the hub behind it. Then, set it safely aside so it doesn’t roll away.
Putt On The Spare
Once the flat tire has been removed, you'll need to put the spare in its place.
Lift the spare tire onto the hub and line up the rim with the lug bolts, pushing them through the rim. Put the lug nuts back on the bolts and tighten them as much as possible by hand.
Tighten the Lug Nuts
Use the jack to lower the vehicle so that the spare tire is just touching the ground but the full weight of the car isn’t fully on the tire. Use the wrench to fasten them the rest of the way, turning clockwise until they are as tight as possible.
Lower the Jack
Once the lug nuts are completely tightened, lower the vehicle all the way to the ground and carefully remove the jack. Give the lug nuts another pull with the wrench to ensure they really are as tight as possible.
Don't Forget to Clean Up
If the hubcap you took from the flat tire fits your spare, put it in place the same way you removed it initially. If it doesn’t fit, stow it away with the tire when you pack up your equipment.
Put all of your equipment in your car before driving away. You should also check the tire pressure of the spare tire to ensure it's safe to drive on. If the tire does need pressure, drive (slowly) to the nearest service station immediately.
What Next?
After you swap your flat tire for the spare, take your car and the tire to a technician immediately. Spare tires are designed to be temporary and aren’t made to drive long distances or at high speeds. With that in mind, drive cautiously until you’re able to visit a professional. After a quick inspection, your mechanic should be able to determine if your tire can be repaired, or if it’s time to replace it.
Read More: Tire Safety Tips: Why a good set of tires is crucial to vehicle performance.
Learning How To Change A Flat Tire At V&F
Knowing how to change a flat tire is a great skill to have in a pinch. After you change your flat tire, you'll need to get a new tire right away. A good set of tires is crucial to a vehicle’s overall health and performance; checking them frequently should be part of your preventative maintenance schedule. Your car’s manual will tell you how often to get your tires rotated and balanced, and your alignment checked.
Treads should be visually inspected regularly and professionally checked about once a year. You or your mechanic should examine each tire for uneven or irregular wear, cuts or punctures, and other damage. You should also monitor your tire pressure every few weeks. Tires should be replaced as soon as possible when worn or damaged, to avoid a costly blowout.
At V&F we offer:
- Tire Sales
- Tire Installations
- Tire Rotation
- Tire Balancing
- Tire Replacement
- Wheel Alignment
- Tire Air Pressure Checks
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Repair & Service
If your car needs maintenance, repair, or tire replacement, call us today at (413)314-2280 or schedule an appointment online.
