How to change a flat tire yourself
A flat tire always spoils your day. Changing the floor is something that one does not want to do on the road, since it is an unpleasant task and also dangerous. Research has found that tire punctures cause tens of thousands of accidents, including many fatalities. Fortunately, most punctures do not cause accidents. The best way to prevent a flat tire is to have your tires inspected regularly by a qualified tire specialist.
Tools needed: a spare tire, a jack in good condition, and a lug wrench.
Steps to change a flat tire
1. Place your vehicle on a level surface. Make sure your vehicle is on a level surface, or lifting it could damage it. Turn on the emergency lights.
2. Remove the hubcap and loosen the nuts. First remove the hubcaps, if any, and loosen all the lug nuts on the tire, but do not remove them. It is best to use a non-slip wrench as it will give you a firm grip to loosen the nuts.
3. Place the jack under your car. Using your owner’s manual, place the jack in the proper location so it doesn’t end up damaging you or the vehicle.
4. lift- Raise the vehicle by turning the jack handle. Raise the vehicle until you can easily remove the tire.
5. Remove the nuts- Now remove the loose nuts and store them safely. Don’t lose them as you need them to fit the spare wheel.
6. Remove the flat tire Grasp the tire and pull it towards you by lifting it up slightly. Tires can weigh 20 to 30 pounds or more depending on the vehicle, so be careful when lifting.
7. Move your spare- Mount the replacement on the hub, install the nuts and tighten them by hand only, without using a wrench.
8. Put the jack down- Lower the car until it is in contact with the ground and remove the jack.
9. Tighten the nuts- Now tighten the nuts that you previously tightened by hand. First tighten one nut, then the most opposite nut. Repeat this pattern, always moving to tighten the next most opposite nut. Once all the nuts are tightened to a certain point, tighten them more firmly one by one.
10. Repair the puncture (or replace it) as soon as possible- You may not know when you will need a spare tire again.
Things to keep in mind when changing a flat tire
1. Wait until you have a flat tire before checking your part. Make sure you have the right tools (jack, lug wrench, and spare tire) before you travel.
2. Changing floors in an unsafe place- Try to move the vehicle off the road, away from traffic hazards, before attempting to change a tire.
3. Ignoring visible security measures- Don’t forget to turn on the emergency lights. Also try to keep the doors open, to provide a buffer to keep other vehicles out.
4. Forgetting to block the tire. Lifted vehicles can move if the other wheels are not blocked. Chock the other wheels with a brick or rock and apply the emergency brakes before raising the vehicle.
5. Lift without loosening nuts- Trying to loosen the lug nuts when the car is jacked up ends up spinning the wheel, since you have to apply a lot of brute force. It is better to loosen them before lifting, as the ground prevents the wheel from turning.
6. Raise the car without removing the spare part. Remove the spare tire from the vehicle before jacking it up. Interacting with a vehicle that is on a jack can be dangerous, and you may tip or pull the vehicle while trying to remove a spare tire from the trunk.
7. Taking a cat for granted- Be careful when handling a car jack. They can cause serious injury or death, as the weight of a car can be very dangerous.
Before your next flat tire
Before your next flat tire, familiarize yourself with the vehicle manual on the proper procedure for changing a tire. Practice the operation of the jack and the wrench. If they are rusty, lubricate them so they are easy to use. Keep a couple of bark blocks, tire inflator, flashlight, tire sealant, reflective road markers, etc., in your car to be prepared for emergencies. Periodically check your tires to make sure they are in good condition, including the spare. Spare parts are usually the ones that get neglected as they will be out of sight.