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DIY: HOW TO CHANGE A FLAT CAR TYRE

Knowing how to change a tyre is a skill that is necessary skill for all drivers to have . If you rely on a cell phone (google or siri) to save you in a roadside emergency, there’s always that off probability you will forget to charge it, be out of range, or leave it at home. Flat tyres can happen anytime and anywhere, and a cell phone is no substitute for knowing how to change a flat tyre.

 

Changing a flat tyre isn't all that difficult, thankfully! Just simply stick to the following guidelines, and you'll be a pro in no time;

 

The following items listed below, would be needed in this process and could be found in your car;
  1. Jack
  2. Lug wrench
  3. Fully inflated spare tyre
  4. Vehicle owner’s manual

On the other hand, if you have misplaced any of these items, or if your car did not come with them, you should purchase new ones right away from an auto spare part shop like IKOKUONLINE. And be sure you’re regularly inflating the spare tyre to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended PSI. You should check the spare’s air pressure every time you check your other tyres. Remember to check pressure every month and before long trips or carrying extra load.

 

HOW TO CHANGE CAR TYRES

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1. FIND A SAFE LOCATION

As soon as you realize you have a flat tyre, do not abruptly brake or turn.  Slowly reduce speed and scan your surroundings for a level, straight stretch of road with a wide shoulder. Level ground is good because it will prevent your vehicle from rolling. Also, straight stretches of road are better than curves because oncoming traffic is more likely to see you.

 

Never attempt to change your tyre on a narrow shoulder near oncoming traffic. Keep moving (slowly) until you find a safer spot. While driving on a flat risks ruining your rim, replacing a rim is better than being hit by an inattentive driver.

 

Make sure to consult your owner’s manual and review their specific steps on how to change a flat tyre for your vehicle

2. TURN ON YOUR HAZARD LIGHTS

Your hazard lights or “flashers” will help other drivers see you on the side of the road. To avoid an accident, turn them on as soon as you realize you need to pull over.

3. APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE

Once stopped, always use the parking brake when preparing to replace a flat tyre. This will minimize the possibility of your vehicle rolling.

4. APPLY WHEEL WEDGES

Wheel wedges go in front of or behind the tyres to further ensure the vehicle doesn’t roll while you fix the flat tyre. If you’re changing a rear tyre, place these in front of the front tyres. If your flat tyre is at the front, put the wheel wedges behind the rear tyres.

 

Bricks or large stones will work just as well as “real” wheel wedges. Just be sure they’re large enough to stop the car from rolling.

5. REMOVE THE HUBCAP OR WHEEL COVER

If your vehicle has a hubcap covering the lug nuts, it’s easier to remove the hubcap before lifting the vehicle with the jack. If your lug nuts are exposed, you can skip ahead to Step 6.

 

Use the flat end of your lug wrench to remove the hubcap. This will work for most vehicles, but some hubcaps need a different tool to come off. Consult your owner’s manual for proper hubcap or wheel cover removal procedures.

6. LOOSEN THE LUG NUTS

Using the lug wrench, turn the lug nuts counterclockwise until you break their resistance. You may have to use force, and that’s OK. Use your foot or all of your body weight if necessary.

 

Loosen the lug nuts about ¼ to ½ of a turn, but don’t remove them completely yet. Save that for when it’s time to remove your tyre/wheel from the vehicle.

7. PLACE THE JACK UNDER THE VEHICLE

The right place for the jack is usually beneath the vehicle frame alongside the tyre that’s flat. Many vehicle frames have molded plastic on the bottom with a cleared area of exposed metal specifically for the jack. To safely lift and avoid damage to the vehicle, follow the instructions for jack placement in your vehicle owner’s manual.

8. RAISE THE VEHICLE WITH THE JACK

To prevent the jack from settling under the weight of your vehicle and coming off balance, place a small cut of 2x6” wood beneath it before attempting to raise your vehicle. This tactic is especially helpful on asphalt.

 

With the jack properly positioned, raise the vehicle until the flat tyre is about six inches above the ground.

 

Never put any part of your body under the vehicle during or after raising the vehicle with the jack.

9. UNSCREW THE LUG NUTS

Now it’s time to remove the lug nuts all the way. Since you've already loosened them, you should be able to unscrew them mostly by hand.

10. REMOVE THE FLAT TYRE

Gripping the tyre by the treads, pull it gently toward you until it’s completely free from the hub behind it. Set it on its side so that it doesn’t roll away.

11. MOUNT THE SPARE TYRE ON THE LUG BOLTS

Now place the spare on the hub by lining up the rim with the lug bolts. Push gently until the lug bolts show through the rim.

12. TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS BY HAND

Put the lug nuts back on the lug bolts and tighten them all the way by hand. Once they are all on, check each one again, tightening as much as possible.  You will tighten them with the wrench after lowering the vehicle to the ground.

13. LOWER THE VEHICLE AND TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS AGAIN

Use the jack to lower the vehicle so that the spare tire is resting on the ground but the full weight of the vehicle isn’t fully on the tire. At this point, you should tighten the lug nuts with the wrench, turning clockwise, as much as you can.  Push down on the lug wrench with the full weight of your body.

14. LOWER THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY

Bring the vehicle all the way to the ground and remove the jack. Give the lug nuts another pull with the wrench to ensure they’re as tight as possible.

15. REPLACE THE HUBCAP

If the hubcap you took from the flat tire will fit your spare, put it in place the same way you removed it initially. If it doesn’t fit, stow it away with the tyre when you stow your equipment.

16. STOW ALL EQUIPMENT

You have before you a jack, a lug wrench, wheel wedges, your flat tyre, and possibly a hubcap. Don’t forget to put all of them in your vehicle before driving away.

17. CHECK THE PRESSURE IN THE SPARE TYRE 

You should check the tire pressure of the spare tyre to make sure that it is safe to drive on. “T-Type” temporary spares, also called “mini-spares,” require 60 psi (420 kPa).  If the tyre needs pressure, drive (slowly) to a service station immediately.

18. TAKE YOUR FLAT TYRE TO A TECHNICIAN

Temporary spare tyres aren’t made to drive long distances or at high speeds, so drive cautiously until you’re able to visit a tyre technician. A professional should be able to determine whether your tyre needs a repair or if it’s time to replace it.

CONCLUSION

Aside from taking your tyre to a professional, the above procedure shouldn’t take more than 15 to 30 minutes to change a tyre. Just be sure you don’t leave out any steps. Visit Ikokuonline for all your car needs.

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