How to Change a Car’s Tires
An inescapable part of driving a car is dealing with a flat tire when you least expect it. That’s exactly why knowing how to replace a tire is a necessary skill. It can be especially handy if you happen to get a flat tire when you are driving on the highway.
Here’s All You Need to Do to Change a Tire on Your Own
– Drive your car onto level ground. Do this even if it means you have to drive a little further on a flat tire.
– Loosen all the nuts on the tire using a tire iron (which should be there in the boot) and then jack up the car.
– Position the jack exactly under the part of the car specified for this purpose (as shown in the manual). Placing the jack in the wrong spot and raising the car can damage the vehicle and/or injure you, as the car may come down with a thud.
– Jack up the car to a height sufficient for you to be able to remove the flat tire easily, as well as to get the spare tire on.
– Remove all the nuts and pull off the flat.
– Place the spare tire properly and then tighten the nuts halfway.
– Jack down the car, and once the tire is on the ground, make sure that you tighten the nuts fully.
It’s now safe to restart your car! If you haven’t had a flat tire for a long time now, the nuts may be difficult to loosen. Use WD-40 spray on the nuts (we recommend you always carry this with you). Alternatively, you could try heating up the nuts a little, using a regular lighter. You should also remember to keep an emergency light or a torch in the car, just in case the flat happens after it gets dark!
Important Things to Remember
– Never attempt to replace a flat tire on a slope or when there is loose soil on the road.
– Do not loosen the nuts when the car is jacked up.
– Keep the parking brake engaged and parking lights on. Make sure the car is empty of passengers before starting to change the tire.
– If a nut gets stuck while you are getting it in, do not attempt to force it, as you will probably grind the thread. Remove it fully and then put it back on once more.
