Stuck on the side of the road due to a damaged or punctured tyre? The following are easy steps to follow so you can change your tire. Changing a tyre is a crucial skill for every driver. It can happen at any time, so knowing how to do it can save you from being stranded on the road. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you change a tire safely and effectively:
Tools and Materials Needed:
- Spare tire
- Jack
- Lug wrench (also known as a tire iron)
- Wheel chocks or bricks
- Flashlight (optional, but helpful in low light situations)
- Gloves (to protect your hands)
- Towel or mat (to kneel on, if necessary)
Step 1: Find a Safe Location – Ensure your vehicle is parked on a flat, level surface away from traffic. If possible, pull over to the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights, and engage the parking brake.
Step 2: Prepare Your Vehicle – Retrieve the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench from your car’s trunk. If you’re unsure where they are, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Lay out a towel or mat to kneel on and put on your gloves.
Step 3: Secure the Vehicle – Place wheel chocks or bricks behind the tires to prevent the car from rolling. If you don’t have chocks, large rocks or blocks of wood can also work.
Step 4: Loosen the Lug Nuts – Using the lug wrench, turn each lug nut counterclockwise. Don’t fully remove them, just break the resistance. Loosening them while the vehicle is still on the ground provides leverage since the wheels can’t spin.
Step 5: Position the Jack – Locate the recommended jack points for your vehicle. These are often marked in your owner’s manual. Place the jack beneath the proper jack point nearest to the flat tire. Make sure the jack is resting on a sturdy part of the car’s frame.
Step 6: Lift the Vehicle – With the jack in position, pump the handle to lift the vehicle off the ground. Lift the car high enough so that the flat tire is entirely off the ground but still has some contact with the surface for stability.
Step 7: Remove the Lug Nuts – Finish removing the loosened lug nuts by hand. Keep them in a safe place, as you don’t want to lose them.
Step 8: Remove the Flat Tire – Carefully pull the flat tire straight toward you until it is completely free from the wheelbase. Set the flat tire aside, and try to keep it away from the road to prevent accidents.
Step 9: Install the Spare Tire – Position the spare tire on the wheelbase, aligning the lug nut holes with the studs. Push the spare tire onto the wheelbase until it is flush with the car.
Step 10: Hand-Tighten the Lug Nuts – Start threading the lug nuts back onto the wheel studs by hand. Ensure they are snug but not fully tightened at this point.
Step 11: Lower the Vehicle – Carefully lower the vehicle using the jack by turning the handle counterclockwise. Lower it enough so that the spare tire has some contact with the ground.
Step 12: Tighten the Lug Nuts – Using the lug wrench, tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. This ensures even pressure on the wheel. Tighten them as much as you can.
Step 13: Lower the Vehicle Completely – Finish lowering the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack handle counterclockwise until the car is fully supported by its own weight.
Step 14: Double-Check the Lug Nuts – Go around and double-check each lug nut to ensure they are all tightened securely.
Step 15: Stow the Equipment – Return the flat tyre, jack, and lug wrench to your vehicle’s trunk.
Step 16: Get Your Flat Tire Repaired or Replaced – Remember that the spare tire is only meant to be temporary. Don’t drive on it for an extended period or at high speeds. Visit a tire shop to repair or replace your flat tire as soon as possible.
Remember to practice changing a tyre in a safe location before you have to do it in an emergency. This way, you’ll be more confident and efficient when the situation arises.