If you drive regularly or are just a car owner, knowing how to change a tire is a useful skill to have. It can save you from being stranded and from unnecessary towing services, which can simply be avoided. Here are a few steps you can follow to ensure an easy and simple tire change, no matter where you are:
1. Find a Safe Location
If you have a flat tire, try to find a safe, flat location to change it. Avoid hills or busy roads, and turn on your hazard lights. The safest place is a well-lit parking lot. But if you can't find one, safely park at the side of the road.
2. Gather the Necessary Tools
You will need a spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench. Especially make sure that the spare tire is in the trunk if the car has been owned before because a lot of drivers tend to leave it at home.
3. Loosen the Lug Nuts
Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire, but do not remove them yet. Just loosen them enough so they can be removed by hand later on.
4. Jack Up the Car
Place the jack under the car's designated jacking point. There are usually a couple of them all across the bottom of the car, so if you are not sure where they are, consider reading the owner's manual.
5. Remove the Lug Nuts
Use the lug wrench or your hands to remove the lug nuts from the flat tire once the car is completely in the air.
6. Remove the Flat Tire
Carefully remove the flat tire from the car. You can put it under the car for added safety in case it falls.
7. Put On the Spare Tire
Carefully place the spare tire on the wheel studs and tighten the lug nuts by hand - just secure them in place because they will be fully tightened later.
8. Lower the Car
Use the jack to lower the car back onto the ground carefully and remove the jack.
9. Tighten the Lug Nuts
Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. The star pattern will ensure the wheel is evenly tightened.
Tire Services And Alignment At Edmonds Import Auto!
If you are looking for a new set of wheels or need an alignment or rotation service, Edmonds Import Auto is the shop you can trust. We have a wide array of brands to choose from and a team ready to take on any problem that is bothering you!