How To Change A Flat Tire On Your Own

On a road trip with a flat? Changing a flat tire is an important skill to have as a driver. Here are the steps to follow to change a flat tire. —Vita Daily

1. Find a safe place to change the tire: If you’re on a busy road, try to pull over to a safe location as far away from traffic as possible. Turn on your hazard lights and use a warning triangle or cones to alert other drivers.
2. Gather your tools: You’ll need a jack, lug wrench, spare tire, and possibly a wheel chock or blocks to keep the car from rolling.
3. Loosen the lug nuts: Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire, but don’t remove them yet.
4. Position the jack: Consult your car’s owner’s manual to find the correct jacking points. Place the jack under the car and raise it until the tire is about 6 inches off the ground.
5. Remove the lug nuts: Use the lug wrench to completely remove the lug nuts from the flat tire.
6. Remove the flat tire: Carefully pull the flat tire off the hub and set it aside.
7. Install the spare tire: Line up the spare tire with the hub and gently push it onto the wheel studs. Hand-tighten the lug nuts.
8. Tighten the lug nuts: Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern, starting with one lug nut and moving diagonally to the one opposite it.
9. Lower the car: Use the jack to lower the car until the spare tire is resting on the ground.
10. Tighten the lug nuts again: Use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts again, this time as tightly as possible.
11. Put away your tools and check the tire pressure: Put the flat tire and tools back in your trunk. Check the tire pressure on the spare tire and adjust if necessary.
12. Get your flat tire repaired or replaced: A spare tire is not designed for long-term use, so be sure to get your flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.