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Changing a flat is easier than you’d think. The next time you hear that tell-tale thwump, follow these six steps to get your car back in working order.
1. Put Safety First
Make sure you pull over in a bright, well-lit area with plenty of traffic going to and fro. If you aren’t near such a place, keep driving until you are. The flat will hold until you can find somewhere safe.
2. Raid Your Trunk
You’ll need a spare tire, of course, but you should also store a tire iron and car jack under the floorboard of your trunk. These are the three essentials of single-handedly changing a flat.
3. Lift Your Car
Use the jack to lift the side of your vehicle almost completely off the ground. Some models will have a manual lever that you’ll need to turn; others will require the tire iron as the turning mechanism. Just slot it into place and start moving it in a clockwise direction.
4. Loosen the Lug Nuts
Remove the hubcap to gain access to the lug nuts. Use your tire iron to gently loosen them so the flat tire can be removed. The nuts will be quite tight, so it’s okay to use your body weight as leverage, but remember that tenderness is key. You don’t want to take their tread off.
5. Replace the Tire
Once you’ve removed the lug nuts, line up your new wheel so its holes match the bolts on your vehicle. Maneuver the tire into place; put the lug nuts back on. You might need to attach them by hand before you can use the tire iron again.
6. Check Your Handiwork
Did you replace the hubcap? Are the lug nuts nice and tight? Have you returned all your tools to the trunk? If your car passes inspection, then hop back inside and return to the road. You’ve just successfully changed your first flat tire!
You don’t have to call AAA for something that this page can teach you. If you’re tired of waiting on the side of the road for help, follow these tips and fix your car by yourself.
I bought a 4 way tire wrench and keep it in the back of my car. It is so much easier to remove a tire with this tool. Also, you can check out auto policy to see if you have road side assistance.