Car Insurance

Changing a tire can be made easy, and completed in a matter of minutes. While some folks get nervous and call a road hazard service for help, all that you need to do is follow a few steps like these.

First, when the car starts driving unevenly and you hear a bumpy sound from the tires, if it is possible, try to move the vehicle onto level ground. That will make the work of changing the tire much easier, when you don’t have to fight gravity.

Next, try to get as far off the main road as you can. Try not to drive on a flat tire; the further you drive, the more damage you will do to the tire and the rim, and it could damage the bottom of your car as well.

Every car should have a parking brake; make sure this is on. If you have automatic transmission, put the car in park, but if you have a manual transaxle, put it in first gear. Don’t forget to turn on your flashers. If you are on a road where the speed limit is thirty-five miles per hour or more, many people use emergency flags or safety cones. If it is night, you might want to use flares. If for some reason you are on a hill, you should do something to block the opposite tire that you are working on. For example, if you are changing one of the front tires, you would block the back ones.

Now start changing the tire. First remove the hubcap. Check the trunk for tools you will need. You can usually apply a lug wrench by using the end that is shaped like a flat tip screwdriver. Go around the outside of the hubcap and slowly pry it away from the tire. Some cars have just three screws to loosen. Next, work on the lug nuts. Engage your lug wrench and turn it counter clock-wise. Remember, you just want to ease them loose. To make this easier, spray them with WD 40 or another lubricant.

There are two front jacking locations on each side of the body, and rear jacking locations

located on the trailing arm bracket under the triangular cut-out symbol. Make sure that the jack is lined up with the car. Do not raise the vehicle until the jack is secure. Now raise the car until the tire is no longer touching the ground surface. Do not raise the vehicle any higher than needed.

Remove the lug nuts and pull off the wheel. Then take out the spare tire from the trunk and push it on to the axle. Apply pressure to the tire and start tightening the nuts with the wrench. After you have hand-tightened each one, use the jack to slowly lower the car. Now take your lug wrench and tighten the lugs nuts. Alternate nuts until each nut has been tightened twice. The torque on each nut should be around 100 pounds. Replace the hub cap. Secure the bad tire jack and blocks, if used, in your trunk. On some cars you might have to get down to find where to place the jack.

All together, it should only take about ten or fifteen minutes to change your tire. In addition to saving money, you will exercise key skills that can help you or another person in the future. Give it a try at home before attempting this on the road, and bon voyage!