Things You'll Need:
- Standard jack and spare that comes with the Impala
- Tire plug kit
- Rag
- Tool to remove offending item
- Mini air compressor that plugs into the lighter (optional)
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Step 1
Pull the car over to the side of the road as quickly as you can. Diving on a flat tire allows the rim to cut into the tire when the tire is low or flat. Park on a flat location, put the car in park, put on the parking brake and hazard flashers if you patch the tire of the Impala roadside.
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Step 2
Open the trunk and turn the nut counterclockwise on the spare tire holder. Remove the cover and the spare. Turn the nut on the jack counterclockwise and remove the jack and the wrench. Remove the cap and loosen the wheel nuts. Jack up the car. Put the temporary tire on after you remove the flat.
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Step 3
Attempt to plug the hole roadside if you have a mini air compressor to fill it once you patch the tire. In this case, don't tighten down the temporary tire bolts. Just leave it on for support. If you choose, simply throw the tire you removed in the trunk and take it to a safe place to patch it.
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Step 4
Purchase a tire plug kit if you don't have one. Locate the area of the hole and remove the offending object if it's still there. Mark the hole with chalk.
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Step 5
Use the rasp that comes with the kit and run it in and out of the hole several times to clean the area. Load the needle provided with one of the tarry worms and center the needle in the middle of the worm.
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Step 6
Insert the needle into the hole until only 1/2 inch of the tarry worm remains on the outside. Pull the needle straight out and leave the worm in the hole. Trim any excess beyond the tire treads. Pump up the tire. If you are roadside, use the compressor that plugs into the lighter.
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Step 7
Put the tire back on the car after you're sure it holds air properly. When you patch a hole in the tire of an Impala, make sure the patch holds before you take off.
