Knowing How To Change A Tire is a crucial skill for every driver. While relying on your cell phone for roadside assistance might seem convenient, what happens if your battery is dead, you’re out of service range, or you’ve simply left it at home? Flat tires can occur unexpectedly, and being able to change one yourself is a much more reliable solution than solely depending on technology.
Fortunately, changing a tire isn’t as daunting as it may seem. By following these guidelines, you can be well-prepared to handle a flat tire situation confidently and safely.
ITEMS YOU’LL NEED TO FIX A FLAT TIRE
These essential items are typically provided with your vehicle and are vital for changing a flat tire:
- Jack
- Lug wrench
- Fully inflated spare tire
- Vehicle owner’s manual
It’s important to verify that you have all of these items in your vehicle and that they are in good working order. If any are missing, especially in a used vehicle, you should purchase replacements immediately. Regularly check the inflation of your spare tire to the pressure recommended by your vehicle manufacturer (PSI). A good practice is to check the spare tire pressure every month and before embarking on long trips or when carrying extra weight.
In addition to the standard equipment, consider keeping these helpful items in your trunk or glove box for added convenience and safety when changing a tire:
- Flashlight with working batteries: Essential for visibility, especially at night or in low-light conditions.
- Rain poncho: Protects you from getting wet in case of rain or inclement weather.
- Small piece of 2″x6” wood: Provides a stable base for the jack, particularly on soft or uneven surfaces.
- Gloves: Keep your hands clean and protected during the tire changing process.
- Wheel wedges (or chocks): Added safety measure to prevent the vehicle from rolling, especially on inclines.
HOW TO CHANGE TIRES
1. FIND A SAFE LOCATION
As soon as you realize you have a flat tire, it’s crucial to react calmly and safely. Avoid sudden braking or sharp turns. Gradually decrease your speed and carefully scan your surroundings for a level, straight section of road with a wide shoulder. An empty parking lot would be an ideal spot. Level ground is important to prevent your vehicle from rolling, and a straight road improves visibility for oncoming traffic, making it safer for you.
Never attempt to change a tire on a narrow shoulder adjacent to fast-moving traffic. Continue driving slowly until you find a safer location. While driving on a flat tire can potentially damage your wheel rim, replacing a rim is a far better outcome than risking being struck by a distracted driver.
Always refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for specific instructions and recommendations on changing a flat tire for your particular vehicle model.
2. TURN ON YOUR HAZARD LIGHTS
Your hazard lights, also known as “flashers,” are essential for alerting other drivers to your presence on the side of the road. To minimize the risk of accidents, activate them immediately as soon as you realize you need to pull over due to a flat tire.
3. APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE
Once you have safely stopped your vehicle, always engage the parking brake before you begin preparing to change the flat tire. This crucial step significantly reduces the possibility of your vehicle rolling while you are working.
4. APPLY WHEEL WEDGES
Wheel wedges, or wheel chocks, provide an extra layer of security to ensure your vehicle remains stationary while you change the tire. Place them in front of or behind the tires that are diagonally opposite to the flat tire. For example, if you are changing a rear tire, position the wedges in front of the front tires. Conversely, if the flat tire is on the front, place the wedges behind the rear tires.
If you don’t have purpose-made wheel wedges, you can use substantial substitutes like bricks or large stones. Ensure they are large and robust enough to effectively prevent the car from rolling.
5. REMOVE THE HUBCAP OR WHEEL COVER
If your vehicle has a hubcap or wheel cover concealing the lug nuts, it’s generally easier to remove it before using the jack to lift the vehicle. If your lug nuts are already exposed, you can proceed directly to Step 6.
Use the flat, wedge-shaped end of your lug wrench to carefully pry off the hubcap. This method works for most vehicles, but some hubcaps may require a different tool or removal technique. Consult your owner’s manual for the correct procedure for removing your specific hubcap or wheel cover.
6. LOOSEN THE LUG NUTS
Using the lug wrench, turn each lug nut counterclockwise to loosen them. You will likely need to apply significant force to break their initial tightness, and this is normal. If necessary, use your foot or your full body weight to gain leverage on the wrench.
Loosen each lug nut by about ¼ to ½ of a turn. It’s important to loosen them at this stage, but do not remove them completely yet. You will fully remove them once the tire is raised off the ground.
7. PLACE THE JACK UNDER THE VEHICLE
The correct jacking point is usually located on the vehicle frame, near the flat tire. Many vehicle frames have reinforced areas, sometimes marked with molded plastic on the bottom that has a cleared section of exposed metal specifically designed for jack placement. To safely lift your vehicle and avoid causing damage, always refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for the precise jack placement points for your car model.
8. RAISE THE VEHICLE WITH THE JACK
To prevent the jack from sinking into the ground or becoming unstable under the vehicle’s weight, especially on soft surfaces like asphalt, place a small piece of 2×6” wood under the jack before you begin to raise the vehicle. This provides a more solid and stable base.
With the jack correctly positioned and, if needed, placed on a piece of wood, begin to raise the vehicle. Lift it until the flat tire is approximately six inches off the ground. This provides enough clearance to remove the flat tire and install the inflated spare.
Crucially, never place any part of your body underneath the vehicle at any time during or after raising it with the jack.
9. UNSCREW THE LUG NUTS
Now that the vehicle is safely raised and the wheel is off the ground, it’s time to fully remove the lug nuts. Since you have already loosened them in Step 6, you should now be able to unscrew them the rest of the way, mostly by hand. Remove all the lug nuts completely and keep them together in a safe place where they won’t roll away, such as the hubcap or your pocket.
10. REMOVE THE FLAT TIRE
Grip the flat tire firmly by the tire tread. Gently pull the tire straight towards you, away from the vehicle, until it is completely detached from the wheel hub behind it. Set the flat tire on its side to prevent it from rolling away and to keep it out of your immediate work area.
11. MOUNT THE SPARE TIRE ON THE LUG BOLTS
Carefully lift the spare tire and position it onto the wheel hub. Align the wheel rim with the lug bolts, ensuring the bolts pass through the mounting holes on the spare tire rim. Push the spare tire gently inward until the lug bolts are visible through all the bolt holes in the rim.
12. TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS BY HAND
Take the lug nuts you removed earlier and put them back onto the lug bolts. Tighten each lug nut by hand, turning them clockwise, as much as you can. Once all the lug nuts are in place and hand-tightened, go around and check each one again, ensuring they are all tightened as firmly as possible by hand. You will use the lug wrench to fully tighten them after lowering the vehicle partially to the ground.
13. LOWER THE VEHICLE AND TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS AGAIN
Carefully use the jack to slowly lower the vehicle until the spare tire is resting on the ground, but the full weight of the vehicle is not yet entirely on the tire. At this stage, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts fully. Turn each lug nut clockwise as tightly as you can. Apply your full body weight to the lug wrench to ensure they are securely fastened. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern (opposite nuts) to ensure even pressure distribution.
14. LOWER THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY
Continue to use the jack to lower the vehicle all the way to the ground. Once the vehicle is fully on the ground, and the jack is no longer supporting any weight, remove the jack from under the vehicle. Give each lug nut one final, firm tightening pull with the lug wrench to make absolutely sure they are as tight as possible.
15. REPLACE THE HUBCAP
If the hubcap or wheel cover you removed from the flat tire will fit onto your spare tire, you can replace it now. Align it correctly and push it firmly into place, using the same method for removal in reverse. If the hubcap does not fit the spare tire, stow it away with the flat tire and other equipment when you pack up.
16. STOW ALL EQUIPMENT
Before you drive away, make absolutely sure that you collect and properly stow all of your equipment. This includes the jack, lug wrench, wheel wedges (or substitutes), the flat tire, and the hubcap (if removed). Place them back in their designated storage locations in your vehicle to ensure they are readily available for future use and are not loose in the vehicle.
17. CHECK THE PRESSURE IN THE SPARE TIRE
It’s essential to check the tire pressure of your spare tire to ensure it is properly inflated and safe to drive on. Temporary spare tires, often called “mini-spares” or “T-Type” spares, typically require a higher inflation pressure, often 60 psi (420 kPa). This information should be indicated on the sidewall of the spare tire. If the spare tire requires inflation, drive cautiously and slowly to the nearest service station or gas station immediately to inflate it to the correct pressure.
18. TAKE YOUR FLAT TIRE TO A TECHNICIAN
Remember that temporary spare tires are designed for limited use. They are not intended for driving long distances or at high speeds. Drive cautiously and at moderate speeds until you can visit a qualified tire technician. A professional can assess the flat tire to determine if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. They can also properly inspect your spare tire and ensure it is in good condition for future use.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIX A FLAT TIRE?
From start to finish, changing a tire using these steps should typically take between 15 to 30 minutes. However, it’s important to take your time, prioritize safety, and avoid rushing any step.
Practicing changing a tire in a safe and familiar environment like your garage or driveway beforehand can be incredibly beneficial. This practice will help you become more comfortable with the process, familiarize yourself with your equipment, and build confidence in your ability to handle a flat tire situation if it ever occurs.
A FEW MORE TIPS ON CHANGING TIRES
While knowing how to change a flat tire is invaluable, proactive tire maintenance is even more important in preventing flats and ensuring your safety on the road. In addition to regularly reviewing this guide, remember to:
- Keep your tires properly inflated: Regularly check and maintain the correct tire pressure as recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Proper inflation reduces tire stress, improves fuel efficiency, and minimizes the risk of flats.
- Rotate your tires according to the manufacturer’s guidelines: Regular tire rotation helps ensure even tread wear, extending the life of your tires and promoting balanced handling and braking.
- Monitor for tread wear: Regularly inspect your tire tread depth. Worn tires are more susceptible to punctures and flats, and they also reduce traction, especially in wet conditions. Replace tires when the tread depth is low.
Taking these preventative measures will not only extend the lifespan of your tires but also significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing a flat tire in the first place. While flats can still happen unexpectedly, proper tire care greatly improves your vehicle’s performance and ensures your tires last as long as possible, keeping you safer on the road.
CONTINUE YOUR JOURNEY
Flat tires are always inconvenient, but being prepared and knowing how to handle them can minimize disruption and keep you safe. For added peace of mind, consider tires like Bridgestone DriveGuard, engineered to continue driving for up to 50 miles at speeds up to 50 MPH even after a puncture.
