Have you ever had a flat tire? It's
one of the major inconveniences of driving. Even if you've been lucky enough to
avoid getting a flat so far, it's bound to happen to you at some point or other.
While you may be intimidated by what seems like a complicated process, changing
a flat tire is not as difficult as you may think. Since most people spend more
time on the road in summer, we thought now was a good time to provide a DIY
tutorial to help you through the tire changing process. Here are the steps you
need to take:
1. Pull Over in a Safe
Location
As soon as you believe or realize
that you may have a flat tire, pull over and park your vehicle in a safe
location away from traffic. If you have to pull over on the side of the road,
make sure to park as far away from traffic as possible and to put on your
hazards.
2. Get Your Jack,
Wrench, and Spare Tire
Next locate your spare tire, lug
wrench, and jack. If you're not sure where these are, your owner's manual will
tell you. Place the jack behind or in front of the flat tire. Ensure that the
jack is under the metal part of your vehicle and not the plastic molding.
3. Loosen the Lug Nuts
Remove your hub cap and begin
loosening the lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise with the lug wrench.
Make sure to use force to loosen the lug nuts. You may have to hit the wrench
arm with a rock or heavy object. Be sure to only loosen the nuts and not remove
them!
4. Lift Your Vehicle
off the Ground
Using the jack, raise your car off
the ground until the tire is elevated by just a few inches. Keep an eye on it
to make sure that the car is lifting straight up and the jack isn't tilting –
you don't want anything falling! Also, make sure that there is enough space for
you to put the spare tire on.
5. Remove the Lugs and
Tire
Next, remove the lug nuts
completely and put them in a safe area where you won't lose them, and pull the
tire off of the car. Make sure to pull it straight towards yourself.
6. Place Your Spare
Tire on the Car
Now place your spare tire on the
car and put the lug nuts on in their correct position. Use your wrench to
tighten them, turning them clockwise this time.
7. Lower Your Car to
the Ground
Lower your car carefully back to
the ground using the jack and then remove the jack from under your vehicle.
8. Check the Lug Nuts
Check your lug nuts one last time
to ensure that they are not loose. Also, be sure to put your tools and the flat
tire away in your trunk or inside your car.
After driving a few miles, you may
want to stop and ensure that the lug nuts are still tight. While you can drive
with your spare tire, remember that it's just that – a spare, and it's designed
to be driven for a certain period of time. Visit our website at Tires By Web to
conveniently
shop
for new tires, including multi-mile tires, Vogue tires, Vredestein tires
and more at discounted prices.
Labels: Multi Mile Tires