Having to change a tire is something everyone will have to do eventually. In the event that you're stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire follow these steps and you'll be back on the road in no time:
- Always keep a spare tire in the car with you. You'll also need a jack, wheel wedges, lug wrench, a flashlight with working batteries, and flares.
- Find a safe location. Empty parking lots and straight stretched of road are ideal. Don't forget to turn on your hazards.
- Once you've found a safe location remove all the things you'll need to change the tire and set up your flares.
- Apply the wheel wedges in front of or behind the tires so that the car doesn't roll while you're changing the tire.
- Next, remove the hubcap or wheel coverings then loosen the lug nuts using the lug wrench. Do not remove them.
- Put the jack underneath the car and expand it about 6" off the ground.
- Unscrew and remove the lug nuts.
- Remove the flat tire and replace with the spare.
- Replace the lug nuts and tighten by hand.
- Lower the jack until the spare touches the ground then remove the jack.
- Next you need to tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Make sure they are really tight.
- Put the hubcap back on and lastly check the pressure on the spare.