How to change a flat tire yourself
A puncture always spoils your day. Changing floors is something that one does not want to do on the road, as it is an unpleasant and dangerous task. Investigations have found that tire blowouts cause tens of thousands of accidents, including many deaths. Fortunately, most punctures do not cause accidents. The best way to prevent a puncture 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 flat surface Make sure your vehicle is on a flat surface, or lifting it may damage it. Turn on the hazard lights.
2. Remove the hubcap and loosen the nuts. First remove the hubcaps, if any, and loosen all lug nuts, 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 you don’t end up damaging yourself or the vehicle.
4. Raise 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. Do not lose them, as you need them to fit the spare tire.
6. Remove the flat tire Hold the tire and pull it towards you by lifting it slightly. Tires can weigh 20-30 pounds or more depending on the vehicle, so be careful when lifting.
7. Move your spare Mount the refill on the hub, fit the nuts and tighten them by hand only, without using a wrench.
8. Lower the jack- 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 with your hands. Tighten one nut first, then the opposite nut. Repeat this pattern, always moving to tighten the next most opposite nut. Once all the nuts are tight to a certain point, tighten them more securely one by one.
10. Repair the floor (or replace it) as soon as possible. You may not know when you will need a spare tire again.
Aspects to consider when changing the flat tire
1. Wait until you have a floor before checking your part. Make sure you have the proper tools (jack, wrench, and spare tire) before you travel.
2. Change of floor in an unsafe place- Try to get the vehicle off the road, away from traffic hazards, before attempting to change a tire.
3. Ignoring visible security measures. Be sure to turn on the hazard lights. Also try to keep the doors open, to provide a buffer to keep other vehicles away.
4. Forgetting to lock the tire- Vehicles with jacks can move if the other tires are not locked. Block the other wheels with a brick or stone and apply the emergency brakes before jacking up the vehicle.
5. Lift without loosening the nuts. Trying to loosen the nuts when the car is lifted ends up turning the steering wheel, since a lot of brute force has to be applied. It is best to loosen them before lifting, as the ground prevents the wheel from turning.
6. Raise the car without removing the spare. Remove the spare tire from the vehicle before lifting it onto the jack. Interacting with a vehicle that is on a jack can be dangerous, and you can lean or pull the vehicle while trying to remove a spare tire from the trunk.
7. Take 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 puncture
Before your next puncture, familiarize yourself with the vehicle manual on the proper procedure for changing a tire. Practice operating the jack and key. If they are rusty, lubricate them so they are easy to use. Store a couple of bark blocks, tire inflator, flashlight, tire sealant, reflective road markers, etc., in your car to be prepared for emergencies. Regularly check your tires to make sure they are in good condition, including the spare. Spare parts are usually the ones that are neglected as they will be out of sight.