Flat tire can happen anywhere and it is a necessary skill for all drivers to know how to change the flat tire. Changing the tire is not a hard job.
Things needed to fix a flat tire
Some of the items come with car on purchasing it:
- Jack
- Lug wrench
- Fully inflated spare tire
- Vehicle owner’s manual
Items that don’t come with the vehicle but should be kept in the car for emergency use are:
- Flashlight with working batteries
- Rain poncho
- Small cut of 2″x6” wood to secure the jack
- Gloves
- Wheel wedges
Method to change the tires:
- When you realize that there is a flat tire, slow down the speed and stop the vehicle at the right spot. Make sure to go through the owner’s manual and check if there are any specific steps on how to change a flat tire for vehicle.
- Turn on the hazard lights or flashers. This is important to avoid an accident.
- Apply the parking brake when preparing to replace a flat tire. This will reduce the possibility of vehicle from rolling.
- Wheel wedges can be kept in the front or behind the tires to further ensure that the vehicle does not roll while fixing the flat tire. And if the rear tire is being changed, place the wedges in front of the front tires. If the flat tire is at the front, put the wheel wedges behind the rear tires. Bricks, stones, wooden pieces will work well as real wheel wedges. Ensure that it is large enough to stop the car from rolling.
- Before lifting the vehicle with jack, remove the hubcap or wheel cover.
- Using the lug wrench, turn the lug nuts counter clockwise till the resistance is broken.
- Place the jack under the vehicle frame alongside the tire which is flat. And raise the vehicle with the jack.
- Remove the flat tire by gripping the tire by the treads pulling it gently to completely free from the hub behind it.
- Mount the spare tire on the lug bolts and tighten the lug nuts by hand first.
- Lower the vehicle using the jack so that the spare tire rest on the ground but the entire weight is not on tire and tighten the lugs nuts again.
- Replace the hubcap and stow all equipments back in the vehicle.
- Check the pressure in the spare tire to make sure it is safe to drive.
The entire process of changing the flat tire will not take more than 15 to 30 minutes. Regular tire maintenance is very important. Remember the following points to extend the life of the tires and reduce the chances of getting a flat tire.
- Maintain the tires properly inflated
- Rotate the tires according to the manufacturer’s guidelines
- Monitor for any tread wear
Proper care can improve the performance and ensure that the tires last for a longer period of time.