How to Use a Breaker Bar to Change a Flat Tire

Knowing how to change a flat tire in any situation is a vital skill to have. It will save you time, money and the danger of walking to find help. This is an essential skill especially for women and teenagers to learn, so they will not have to rely on a stranger for assistance. Using a breaker bar to change a flat should be in your arsenal of skills.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Slow you speed by taking your foot off the pedal and pulling over to the side of the road before applying your brakes. You don't want to immediately slam on the brakes when the tire goes flat because it could cause it to rupture and cause an accident.

2. Get out of the car and inspect the damage. If the tire is merely flat and you have a pump, try adding a little air to see if there is a leak or other damage. If the tire appears to be irreparable (you see a whole or large piece of road debris stuck in the tire), you will need to change it.

3. Locate the spare tire. Often this is located in the truck underneath the carpeting. It is a good idea to always make sure you have a spare tire on hand and that it is in good condition. Find the breaker bar, which should also be in the trunk. The breaker bar is a long bar with a socket attachment on one end. The length of the bar allows a higher level of leverage to break loose the lug nuts.

4. Fit the end of the breaker bar on the lug nuts and push on the other end. The lug nut should pop loose. Remove all the lug nuts and take the tire off. Replace the tire with the spare and put the lug nuts back in and tighten them down. Place the flat tire in the trunk to take in for repair.

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