Replacing a Flat Tire

The experience of getting a flat tire seemingly happens to people at the worst possible time and place. While inconvenient, replacing a flat tire is one of the simplest responsibilities related to vehicle care. In fact, the need to change a tire is so common that all of the required equipment is conveniently included when you purchase a vehicle. Since most people experience a flat tire sometime in their driving career, the ability to change a tire is a valuable skill.

If a tire goes flat while you are driving, pull over immediately and park the car on level ground. Always engage the parking brake, and put the car into gear if it is a manual transmission. If you are close to moving traffic, turn on your vehicle’s hazard lights to warn other drivers to be cautious. If you have wheel chocks, which are wedges intended to keep a car from rolling, place them behind or in front of the tires (depending on the direction of incline where the car is parked). Rocks are a good alternative to use if you do not have wedges.

Next, locate the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. All three of these items are secured in the trunks of most vehicles. Remove the hubcap on the flat tire if it has one. Before jacking the car, you should loosen each lug nut holding the wheel in place. To loosen the lug nuts, place one end of the lug wrench over a nut and turn counterclockwise a little. It is recommended to follow a star pattern when loosening lug nuts, always loosening the lug nut across from the previous one. Continue until all lug nuts are loosened slightly.

Now it is time to elevate the vehicle. Refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for the recommended location on the vehicle to apply the jack. Since the entire weight of the vehicle will be resting on a small mechanism, it is extremely important to use caution and to place the jack in the appropriate place. Raise the car slightly higher than required to remove the flat tire, leaving space for the full spare tire to be attached.

Once the vehicle is securely lifted, remove the lug nuts completely using the lug wrench. Make sure to set the lug nuts aside in a safe location where they will not roll or otherwise get lost. Remove the flat tire by it pulling straight out, and replace with the spare tire, ensuring that the valve is facing outward.

Finally, tighten the lug nuts using the same star pattern as you used to remove them, concentrating on the nut opposite the last. The technique here is not tightening two neighboring lug nuts all the way consecutively. Carefully lower the jack and return it to the trunk. Replace the hubcap if you can, and do not forget to remove the wheel chock or rock before driving away.
Spare tires typically have limitations on speed and distance, so be sure to check and adhere to these requirements. Have the original tire checked by a tire specialist, who can determine whether it can be repaired or requires replacement.

About the Author: Greg Chapman, of Greg Chapman Motors, is a leading provider of used cars Austin can depend on. For more information please visit Chapman Motors.