If your car was struck with a flat tire today, would you know how to fix it? While you can call AAA if you run into any trouble, a flat tire is actually pretty simple to replace, assuming you have a spare handy. Today, we will go over a few easy steps to changing your own flat tire.
What you’ll need: To begin, you’ll want to make sure that you have these tools in your trunk at all times. A spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, and a flashlight. There are additional helpful items, such as cones, flares, gloves, and wheel wedges, but you can work without those if needed.
If you’re driving and you’ve realized your tire has gone flat, turn on your hazards and make your way to the side of the road. If you can safely exit a busy road, do so, but if not, get as far onto the shoulder as you possibly can. This way you can keep yourself, and other drivers safe.
Do You Know How To Change A Flat Tire?
Loosen The Lug Nuts: Locate the flat tire, and loosen the lug nuts holding it in place. For now, only loosen them, don’t remove them. (Remember that right is tight and left is loose!)
Raise The Vehicle: Now, use your owner’s manual to determine the proper placement for your jack. Then, use the jack to raise your vehicle about 6 inches off of the ground.
Remove The Tire: Now you can finish removing the lug nuts, and pull the tire off of the vehicle. Be careful not to lose any of your lug nuts! The simplest way to remove the tire is to pull it toward you.
Install The Spare Tire: Next, push the spare tire in place, and put the lug nuts back on just enough to keep the tire in place.
Lower The Vehicle: Now you may lower your vehicle back to the ground, and put your jack back in the trunk.
Secure The Lug Nuts: Now you may tighten the lug nuts as needed, return your tools to your trunk, and head over to the tire shop!
For all of your car repair needs, you can count on the experts at J1 Auto Repair. Give us a call today at (630) 932-4427 to get started!