There are some things that driving lessons do not teach you. For example, How do you change a flat tire?
Changing a tire can seem intimidating if you've never done it before, but it's a valuable skill to have and it's not as difficult as you might think. With a little bit of knowledge and the right tools, you can change a tire on your own and be back on the road in no time. Here's No Yelling's 9 steps - how to guide:
- Find a safe place to change your tire. Look for a flat, stable surface away from traffic. If it's dark or there isn't good lighting, turn on your hazard lights or use a flashlight to see.
- Gather your tools. You'll need a spare tire, a lug wrench, a car jack, and a wheel chock or block of wood. Make sure you have all of these before you start.
- Locate the jack points on your car. These are the points where the jack should be placed to lift the car off the ground. Consult your owner's manual if you're not sure where they are.
- Loosen the lug nuts. Use the lug wrench to loosen, but not remove, the lug nuts on the flat tire. It's important to do this before jacking up the car because it will be easier to turn the lug nuts when the weight of the car is on the ground.
- Jack up the car. Place the jack in the designated jack point and carefully lift the car off the ground until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground.
- Remove the flat tire. Finish removing the lug nuts and take the flat tire off the car. Be careful not to strain your back or drop the tire.
- Put on the spare tire. Line up the holes in the spare tire with the bolts on the car and secure it with the lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts as much as you can by hand, then use the lug wrench to fully tighten them.
- Lower the car. Carefully lower the car back to the ground by turning the jack handle in the opposite direction.
- Check the tire pressure. Use a tire pressure gauge to make sure the spare tire is inflated to the proper level. Consult your owner's manual or the tire sidewall for the recommended pressure.
That's it! With a little bit of practice, changing a tire can be a quick and easy process. Just remember to always be safe and use caution when working with a car jack and heavy objects.
