How to Change a Flat Tire
One DIY task that every driver should learn is how to change a flat tire. Follow the steps below to learn.
Supplies
- Car jack
- Lug wrench
- Flares/reflective triangles
- Wheel block
- Owner’s manual
- Something to kneel on (like a floor mat)
Steps
- Pull over in a location that is as safe, flat, and solid as you can and turn on your emergency flashers. Set up flares or reflective triangles behind your car.
- Set your parking brake and put a wheel block behind the wheel diagonally opposite to the flat tire. Put your floor mat by the flat tire for you to kneel on.
- Open your owner’s manual and read through for any specific instructions for your particular vehicle.
- Remove the hub cab, if you have one.
- Use the lug wrench to loosen, but not remove, all the lug nuts on the wheel.
- Position the jack just behind or in front of the flat tire. There will typically be a particular area along the car’s frame, sometimes indicated by an arrow, where the jack can safely lift.
- Slowly raise the vehicle until the tire is just a few inches off the ground.
- Finish loosening the lug nuts, remove them, and slowly pull off the tire.
- Get your spare tire, which should be located in your trunk or possibly on the underbody (for trucks and SUVs).
- Line up the spare tire with the studs, slide it on, and finger-tighten the lug nuts.
- Lower the car slowly and remove the jack.
- Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts as tight as you can.
- Clean up your area.
If you need some new tires for your car, come visit us at Gossett VW Germantown.