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Guidance
Changing a tire is never a fun task. You have options. Call road side assist. Or fix it yourself. It’s what suits your comfort and skill level.
It is recommended to know what type of tires your vehicle uses.
This determines whether you have to stop, or can continue for a short distance at a restricted speed.T
How to change a tire
1. Find a safe location to park
As soon as you realize you have a flat tire, do not abruptly brake or turn.
Reduce speed.
Look for a level, straight stretch of road with a wide shoulder. Try an empty parking lot.
Make sure you are seen by traffic.
Driving on a flat risks ruining your wheel, however replacing a rim is better than being hit by an inattentive driver.
Consult your vehicle owner’s manual for specific steps on how to change a flat tire for that make/model.
2. Turn on your hazard lights
Turn on vehicle hazard lights or “flashers” once you realize you have a flat tire, to warn other driver’s of your impairment.
Consider leaving your vehicle headlights on while you change a tire. Do not leave your headlights on for extended period of time, to prevent you battery going flat.
3. Apply the parking brake and deploy safety triangle
Once stopped, apply the parking brake when preparing to replace a flat tire.
This will reduce the risk of your vehicle rolling.
Deploy your high visibility safety triangle , situation and space dependent, back ~100ft towards oncoming traffic, so drivers are aware of the incident.
4. Apply wheel wedges to tires
Wheel wedges go in front of or behind the tires to further ensure the vehicle doesn’t roll while you fix the flat tire.
If you’re changing a rear tire, place these in front of the front tires. If your flat tire is at the front, put the wheel wedges behind the rear tires.
If no wedges, use wooden blocks, large stones. Ensure they are large enough to stop the vehicle from rolling.
5. Loosen the wheel nuts
Using the lug wrench, turn the lug nuts counterclockwise until you break their resistance. You may have to use force, and that’s ok. Use your foot or all of your body weight if necessary.
Loosen the lug nuts about ¼ to ½ of a turn. Do Not remove them completely yet.
Save that for when it’s time to remove your tire/wheel from the vehicle.
6. Place the jack under the vehicle
To safely lift and avoid damage to the vehicle, follow the instructions for jack placement in your vehicle owner’s manual.
The usual place for the jack is usually beneath the vehicle frame alongside the tire that’s flat.
Many vehicle frames have molded plastic on the bottom with a cleared area of exposed metal specifically for the jack.
7. Raise the vehicle with the jack
To prevent the jack from settling under the weight of your vehicle and coming off balance, place a small cut of wood underneath it, before attempting to raise your vehicle.
Use the jack to lift the vehicle off the ground. Raise it enough so that the flat tire is fully off the ground but still allowing some clearance for the replacement tire.
Never put any part of your body under the vehicle during or after raising the vehicle with the jack.
8. Unscrew the wheel nuts
Now it’s time to remove the lug nuts all the way. Since you’ve already loosened them, you should be able to unscrew them mostly by hand.
9. Remove the flat tire
Gripping the tire by the treads, pull it gently toward you until it’s completely free from the hub behind it.
Set it on its side, so that it doesn’t roll away.
For large vehicle, you can also place it underneath the vehicle, as additional protection if the vehicle slips off the jack.
10. Mount the spare tire onto the wheel hub
Now place the spare on the hub by lining up the rim with the lug bolts.
Push gently until the lug bolts show through the rim.
Ensure the wheel is pushed up against the wheel hub.
11. Tighten the wheel lugs by hand
Put the wheel nuts back on the lug bolts and tighten them all the way by hand.
Once they are all on, check each one again, tightening as much as possible.
You will tighten them with the wrench after lowering the vehicle to the ground.
12. Lower the vehicle and tighten wheel lugs again
Use the jack to lower the vehicle so that the spare tire is resting on the ground but the full weight of the vehicle isn’t fully on the tire.
At this point, you should tighten the wheel lugs with the wrench, turning clockwise. Follow a star or crisscross pattern to ensure even tightening. This seats the wheel lugs properly on the vehicle
Push down on the wheel wrench with the full weight of your body.
13. Lower the vehicle to the ground
Bring the vehicle all the way to the ground and remove the jack.
Give the lug nuts another pull with the wrench to ensure they’re as tight as possible.
14. Return all equipment back into the vehicle
Check your equipment used to change the tire.
Ensure it is all placed back in the vehicle, before you drive away.
Check the spare tire. Remember that spare tires are usually not intended for extended use or high speeds. Verify that it’s properly inflated, and consult your vehicle’s manual for any specific instructions or limitations.
It’s a good idea to have the damaged tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible to ensure your safety and the proper functioning of your vehicle.