How to Change a Flat Tire on a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Sedan

Whether you have a blowout while driving down the highway or catch a nail and experience a slow leak, there are few events as frustrating and inconvenient as having a flat tire. Fortunately, although it does require the physical ability to lift the weight of the wheel and tire, it is possible to safely change a flat tire on a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Sedan without having to call for help.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Compact spare tire
• Jack
• Lug wrench

1. Drive the Lumina to a level place. Shift the transmission into park and firmly set the parking brake. Turn the ignition switch to the off position.

2. Unlock and lift the trunk to its fully opened position. Pull the carpeting from the floor of the trunk to reveal the compact spare tire compartment.

3. Turn the nut securing the compact spare tire compartment counter-clockwise until it is free. Remove the nut and set it aside. Remove the compartment cover and set it aside.

4. Turn the wing nut securing the compact spare tire counter-clockwise until it is free. Remove the wing nut and set it aside. Lift the compact spare tire from the trunk.

5. Turn the nut securing the jack and lug wrench counter-clockwise until it is free. Remove the nut and sit it aside. Lift the jack and lug wrench from the trunk.

6. Loosen the nut caps on the wheel cover of the tire that is flat with the lug wrench by turning them counter-clockwise. The nut caps will not come off. Pry the wheel cover off using the flat end of the lug wrench. Set the wheel cover aside.

7. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel of the tire that is flat with the lug wrench by turning them counter-clockwise. Do not remove the lug nuts at this time.

8. Raise the jack lift head a few inches by turning the jack handle clockwise. Locate the lift notches in the Lumina’s frame nearest the tire you are changing. The notches are located approximately 5 inches in front of the rear wheel well and 8 inches behind the front wheel well. Position the jack under the Lumina and turn the handle clockwise until the lift head fits firmly into the notch.

9. Raise the Lumina by turning the jack handle clockwise until the tire no longer touches the ground. Remove all lug nuts by turning them counter-clockwise. Set them aside.

10. Remove the flat tire from the hub. Lift the compact spare tire onto the hub, fitting the holes in the wheel over the lugs.

11. Twist the lug nuts back onto the lugs by hand until the wheel is tight against the hub, insuring the rounded side of the nuts face toward the wheel. Lower the Lumina completely by turning the Jack handle counter-clockwise.

12. Tighten the lug nuts securely using a crisscross pattern by skipping every other nut until all are firmly tightened. Place the flat tire, the jack, the lug wrench and the wheel cover in spare tire compartment and secure them in the reverse order they were removed. Close the trunk.

Tips & Warnings

• To make the Lumina more secure, place blocks behind the front and rear tires on the opposite side of the tire being changed.
• Do not try to put the wheel cover on the compact spare tire. It will not fit.
• Never crawl under a vehicle that is only supported by a jack.
• The compact spare tire is only designed to operate for 3000 miles. Replace it with a full sized tire as soon as possible.
• In the event of a blow out or excessively worn tires there may be steel fibers showing that can cut you. Be sure to look carefully where you put your hands.