For your safety :
A guide to changing a flat tire
Any number of issues can affect drivers while on the road . Few issues may prove more disruptive than a flat tire . Flat tires can delay road trips and adversely affect commutes , all the while posing a significant safety hazard . Changing a flat tire is a valuable skill that all drivers should have in their repertoire , and this simple guide can help motorists hone their tire-changing skills .
• Take stock of your tire-changing tools . Vehicles typically come with the tools drivers need to change a flat tire , especially if the car or truck was purchased from a dealership . In addition to a spare tire , the tools drivers will need include a jack and a lug wrench . Tire wedges are not absolutely necessary , but when placed in front of or behind the tires , they can prevent rolling while changing the tire . A small flashlight kept in the glove compartment or center console storage also can be helpful , but drivers also can download a flashlight app on their smartphones to provide some extra illumination when changing a flat at night .
• Turn on your hazard lights and find a safe place to pull over . The moment drivers recognize a tire is flat , they should turn on their hazard lights and find a safe place to pull over . Avoid changing tires on narrow shoulders , as that leaves you and your passengers vulnerable to oncoming traffic . If you must , drive on the rim until you can find a safe place to pull over and change the tire . If possible , pull into an empty parking lot . Flat ground is ideal , as it can prevent the car from rolling while the tire is being changed .
• Apply the parking brake upon stopping . The parking brake can reduce the risk of the vehicle rolling while the tire is being changed , so always apply it before getting out of the
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car .
• Place the wheel wedges in the appropriate place . If you have wheel wedges , place them in front of the front tires when changing a rear tire and behind the rear tires when changing a front tire .
• Remove the hubcap . Some vehicles are equipped with hubcaps that
cover the lug nuts . If that ’ s the case , then remove the hubcap before lifting the vehicle with the jack . If that ’ s not the case , simply loosen the lug nuts , which may require a little extra effort since lug nuts tend to be on very tight . At this point , it ’ s easier to loosen the lug nuts than remove them entirely , which can be done once you ’ re ready to remove the tire .
• Put the jack to work . Now it ’ s time to place the jack and ultimately lift the vehicle . The experts at Bridgestone Tire note that many modern vehicles now have areas of exposed metal on the bottom designed specifically for jack placement . Consult your owner ’ s manual to find this spot , and then raise the vehicle until the tire is about six inches from the ground .
• Remove the lug nuts . Once the tire is off the ground , remove the already loosened lug nuts , ideally placing them in a small receptacle or bag so they won ’ t roll away .
• Remove the flat tire . Using both hands , grip the tire by the treads and gently pull it off . Bridgestone recommends placing the tire on its side so it does not roll away .
• Mount the spare . When mounting the spare , gently push the tire on until the lug bolts can be seen through the rim .
• Tighten the lug nuts . One by one , place the lug nuts back on the bolts and tighten then by hand . Tighten them as much as possible so they ’ re able to hold the spare on as effectively as they held the original tire in place .
• Lower the vehicle . Patiently lower the vehicle using the jack until the spare tire is resting on the ground but not with the full weight of the vehicle on it . At this point , Bridgestone recommends drivers use their full body weight to tighten the lug nuts once more before fully lowering the vehicle . Once the vehicle has been lowered , some drivers may notice the hubcap does not fit over their spare . That ’ s alright , as it ’ s safe to drive without a hubcap covering the spare . In such instances , place the hubcap in the trunk when you ’ re putting back the jack , wrench and flat tire . But if the hubcap does fit over the spare , put it back on .
• Check the pressure on the spare tire . A portable inflator can indicate the tire pressure in the spare and inflate it if need be . Drivers who cannot determine the pressure in the spare should drive slowly to the nearest service station and have the pressure checked or even the spare changed to a new tire , if possible .
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