How to Change a Tire

You are driving to that important meeting when suddenly your car begins to weave and bob like Cassius Clay. You guessed it, you just blew a tire! Never mind that you let the roadside service lapse. You can change it yourself! Just make sure these steps are handy and your car will be up and running in no time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spare tire
• Flashlight (for changing a tire at night)
• Car Jack
• Lug Wrench

1. Pull off as far from the road as possible in a safe area where you will have plenty of room to work. The spot should be level with solid ground. Sometimes this may not be possible. For example if you are on the highway, try to pull as far onto the shoulder as possible.
   
   

2. Deploy your emergency brake and turn on the hazards. Set out safety flares or cones if you have them. Then take out the spare jack and wrench from your trunk.
   
   

3. Take off your hub cap (if applicable) and loosen the lug nuts. Use your wrench to give the nuts half a turn counter clockwise. If this is too difficult try forcing the wrench down with a foot or hitting it with a rock. To avoid an accident, do not remove the nuts completely from your tire.

4. Place your jack under the car frame. If you are unsure of where the frame is, find your owners manual for instructions. The frame is usually located just in front of the back tires and behind the front ones.

5. Begin by raising the jack slowly until it is in contact with the frame. Then jack your car up until the wheel is approximately six inches off the ground.

6. Remove the lug nuts and put them in a place where they won't scatter or get lost. Then remove your tire, pulling it straight off the wheel base.

7. Place the spare onto your wheel base by aligning the holes on your spare with the lug nut posts. Make sure the air valve is facing outward and push your tire all the way onto the base until it stops.

8. Screw on your lug nuts. The nuts should be tight enough to keep your spare on. However, avoid tightening them completely until your car has been safely lowered.

9. Use the jack to lower your car until it rests on the ground then remove it from underneath the car.

10. Tighten the lug nuts with your wrench beginning with the first and then tightening the one across (or opposite) it. Continue tightening this way until all nuts are as tight as humanly possible.

11. Put all of your tools back into your trunk. Check twice to avoid leaving anything behind then go get that tire fixed!