Things You'll Need:
- Spare tire
- Lugnut wrench
- Car jack
- Emergency flares
- Flashlight
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Step 1
Be prepared. Make sure that your vehicle is equipped with the proper supplies to change a flat tire. This includes a spare tire, car jack, lugnut wrench, flashlight, and emergency flares that should be stored in the trunk.
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Step 2
Find an area on the side of the road that is safe from passing motorists. Put your car in park and to turn on your hazard lights to show other drivers that you are stoppped. it may also be necessary to set up emergency flares.
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Step 3
Retrieve your supplies from the trunk. Using the lugnut wrench, loosen the lugnuts that are holding the hubcap and tire in place with a 1/2 clockwise turn of the wrench. Remove the hubcap.
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Step 4
Jack the car off the ground using the car jack. Consult the owners manual of the vehicle prior to take off to determine the correct placement of the carjack under the car. Make sure to jack the care high enough so that a new fully inflated tire can be installed. Once the car is jacked to the appropriate height, remove the lugnuts, putting them in a safe place.
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Step 5
Remove the flat tire and put it off to the side so it is completely out of your way. Take the spare tire with the air valve facing towards you and align the holes with the wheel drum before placement. Place the tire on the wheel drum.
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Step 6
Retrieve your lugnuts from the side of the road and using your lugnut wrench, slightly tighten opposite lugnuts one at a time.
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Step 7
Slowly lower the car to the ground using your car jack. Once the car is securely on the ground finish tightening the lugnuts and reattach the hubcap.
Comments
omghow said
on 6/9/2009 Good advice. It not fun when you don't know how to change a tire. Thanks
durang77 said
on 6/9/2009 great article-- will have to save it
vikki9 said
on 6/9/2009 This might be an article to print and place in the glovebox.
CCrock said
on 6/9/2009 Great tips. A flat tire doesn't have to ruin a trip!