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How to Fix a Flat Tire

For many people, their car’s maintenance is something that goes overlooked until a problem is directly encountered. Tires are the most important parts of your car and expertise isn’t needed to instantly assess some issues, for instance, a flat tire. It can seem daunting, but you don’t have to be a mechanic to change a tire. Below is a step-by-step guide that any moderately healthy adult can use to fix a flat tire.

Disclaimer: Prior to changing your tire, consult the owner’s manual for your vehicle.

Get to a Safe Place

Walking outside to a flat tire in the safety of your driveway is the best way to find out you have one, but flat tires typically happen on the road. This means it’s essential to know what to do if a sudden blowout happens. Don’t worry about the tire just yet, as getting your car safely off the road should be your main concern. You should never stay on the road after sustaining a flat tire, and if you must, drive a short distance to get somewhere the damage to your tire can be safely assessed.

Take Inventory

You don’t have to keep a full toolkit with you to change your tire, but there are a few key items you should have on hand in your car at all times. Additionally, there are some items that, while not absolutely necessary, make the process of fixing a flat tire a bit easier.

Minimum Items Needed

  • Jack
  • Lug wrench
  • Inflated-spare tire

Additional Items Worth Having

  • Gloves
  • Flashlight
  • Tire gauge
  • Wheel wedges
  • Reflective triangles
  • Vehicle owner’s manual

Time To Get To Work

After getting the tools needed and making sure again that you’re in a safe area, if you are changing your tire roadside, be sure to place your car in park and turn your hazard lights on.

Loosen Your Lug Nuts

Do not completely remove your lug nuts before your car is off the ground. They should be loosened to hand tightness. 

Raise Your Car Off the Ground

Next, place your jack under the metal frame of the car, which is normally right behind a front tire or to the front of a rear tire. Never place your jack in contact with the car frame. If available, consult your vehicle owner’s manual to locate the jack points.

Remove Your Lug Nuts

Once your tire is no longer touching the ground, completely remove your lug nuts, but be sure to keep them close at hand.

Remove Your Flat Tire and Mount Your Spare

Gripping your tire by the threads, pull it towards you and free it from the hub. Then place your spare tire on the hub, aligning the rim with the lug bolts. 

Hand Tighten the Lug Nuts

Ensure the spare is pressed flat against the hub and hand-tighten your lug nuts. Do not use your lug wrench while your car is on the jack.

Lower Your Car and Tighten the Lug Nuts

Next, bring your car just low enough for your spare tire to touch the ground. Using your lug wrench, begin to tighten your lug nuts by alternating between every other lug nut. Repeat this process by tightening the remaining alternate lug nuts you didn’t tighten on your initial pass. 

Completely Lower Your Car

After all of your lug nuts have been tightened, completely lower your car to the ground and remove the jack. Use your lug wrench to give each lug nut a quick turn to ensure they’re on tightly.

Pack up and Drive Safely to the Nearest Tire Repair Specialist

Be sure to stow your flat tire along with all of your tire repair tools and gear before returning to drive your car. Also be mindful that if your replacement tire isn’t full size, most spare tires are not designed for high speeds or long-term use. It’s important regardless to take your car to the nearest tire repair shop for an inspection from a professional and replace your tire if you’re driving on a spare. If the damage to your stowed flat tire isn’t too substantial, it could possibly be repaired.

To see a video of what we’ve covered above, watch this tutorial.


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