How to Change a Flat Tire

Most drivers get a flat tire sometime or another in their life. The first time you have to change a tire can be frightening, but it really is not that difficult. Once you know what you are doing it should only take around 15 minutes, or less if you are really good.

Turn on your flashers and slowly pull off the road. Find a spot that is visible but also a safe distance from traffic. Put the hood up to indicate to other motorists that you have a mechanical problem, or set a few flares on the road around the vehicle.

Apply the hand brake and put the car into park in gear so that it will not roll.

Locate the spare tire. leverage pipe, jack, lug-nut wrench and a flashlight (if needed).

Brace the other tires with a large rock or a log to prevent the car from rolling.

Remove the hubcap (if necessary). Most newer cars do not require the hubcaps to be removed to access the lug nuts.

Use the lug-nut wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire, but do not remove them. Remember: left-loosey, right-tightey. If it does not come off easily, place the leverage pipe over the end of the lug-nut wrench and pull up rather than push down. If one lug nut looks differently than the rest and you can not loosen it, then you have locking lug nuts. These are installed on cars to prevent tire theft. You need a special key to get that lug nut off.

When all the lug nuts are loose, jack up the car and make sure the jack is vertical and well planted on the stable surface. Most cars have a small slot near each tire to allow for the jack. Jack up the car slightly more than needed to remove the tire. The spare will have more air in it and needs more room.

Remove the lug nuts. Do not loose them. Put them in a safe place such as your pocket.

Take the flat tire off and put it in your trunk.

Put the spare tire on. The air pressure valve needs to face out.

Tighten the lug nuts by turning them clockwise. Use a crisscross pattern so that the wheel won't be lopsided.

Lower the car and remove the jack.

Tighten the lug nuts again using the leverage pipe. Make sure they are as tight as you can get them.

Replace the hubcap if needed.

Put everything back in the vehicle where you originally had it.