Have you ever been driving down the road and heard a sudden loud pop and felt your vehicle veer to one side rapidly? It could possibly be that you have a blown tire that needs changing quickly.
To change a flat tire on the side of a busy road is no easy feat and can be daunting. Did you know that approximately 11,000 vehicle crashes are a direct result of tire failure?
Never fear, with a few simple steps, the process can seem like a walk in the park and we’ve got you covered.
Keep Calm, Don’t Panic
The first thing is first when you feel the sudden jolt and your car veer to one side, is to not panic. Remove your foot from the accelerator and do not brake hard. Braking hard in this situation could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and roll.
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Once you feel your vehicle slowing down, try your best to come to a standstill on the side of the road. On the side of the road turn on your emergency lights and assess the damage. Check your distance from the road and be sure there is enough to maneuver around.
How to Change a Flat Tire
Now that you’ve come to a complete stop and you are sure you are out of harm’s way, here is what you are going to need:
- A car jack
- A tire spanner
- Yellow reflective vest
- A spare tire
Have you got what you need? It’s always wise to keep these items in your car by your spare tire.
Step One: Jacking Up the Car
Before you start to jack up the car, be sure to check that the jack is operational. A quick turn, clockwise of the handle will assure you that it is working. A yellow reflective vest is advised to be worn so any vehicle passing by can easily see you.
Start by loosening the lug nuts on the tire and position the jack correctly under the vehicle next to the tire. Turn the handle of the jack clockwise and raise the vehicle to a height where the tire can be removed.
Step Two: Replacing the Damaged Tire
After the tire can be removed, replace it with a spare on hand. It can be tricky to line up the holes for the lug nuts but be patient. Once you are happy with the alignment of the holes, begin to tighten the lug nuts, until the tire rotates but do not try and tighten fully.
Step Three: Lowering the Vehicle
Slowly lower the vehicle, by rotating the handle of the jack anti-clockwise, until the tire hits the ground. Remove the jack and don’t forget to tighten the lug nuts until they are tight.
If you are struggling your best bet is to call an auto repair service, who would come out, and change the tire for you.
Changing a Tire Like a Pro
Change a flat tire like a pro doesn’t have to be tricky and by following these simple steps, you can have the confidence to change them every time successfully.
It’s one of those things that once you have the know-how, you will always be able to do it.
If you need more maintenance advice, head on over to our online auto repair page.
