Weekly Post 3: 9/27/2021 - 10/3/2021

Driving is a necessity that just about everyone will have to get accustomed to at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, vehicles can be complicated machines which require regular maintenance unless you fancy finding yourself stranded on the side of the road. However, despite regular maintenance, one may still find themselves in unexpected and troubling situation such as with a flat tire. Regardless of whether you’re reading this from the comfort of your own driveway or from the shoulder of a busy highway, this comprehensive guide will ensure that you know what to do, and how to do it.

Items you will need in this process:

• Spare tire

• Car jack

• Owner's Manual

• Lug Wrench

Spare Tire

Car Jack

Car's Manual

Lug Wrench

Step 1:

Make sure you are in a safe space. If you find yourself on a busy highway after a tire has blown out, you should make sure to safely pull over on a flat shoulder of the road where you have enough space to change your tire or call a tow truck. Make sure you are sufficiently away from the road to avoid any accidents. Be mindful of your surroundings and whether you’re in a safe enough place to change your tire, if not, calling a tow truck may be the safest option. If you’re in your driveway, it is still best to work in a well-illuminated area or during daylight.

Step 2:

Turn on your hazard lights in order to indicate to other drivers where you are so as not to hold up any traffic and so that you may improve your visibility to them.

Step 3:

Apply your parking brake to ensure that your vehicle is firmly planted and will not roll anywhere as you work. Wheel wedges should also be applied opposite to the flat tire. For example, if you have a flat tire in the front of the vehicle, wheel wedges should be placed rear two tires.

Step 4:

Remove any wheel or lug cap that may be obstructing access to the tire’s lug nuts. Lug caps can vary in their removal method, refer to your owner’s manual if necessary. If your vehicle already has the lug nuts exposed, you may skip this step.

Step 5:

Using your lug wrench, loosen the lug nuts from the wheel with the flat tire by turning them counterclockwise. Lug nuts are hexagonal cylinders in shape. (Do not jack up the vehicle prior to this step as it will cause the wheel to turn as you apply pressure to loosen the lug nuts.)

Step 6:

Grab your jack and place it below your vehicle. Be sure to position your jack so that it is below a sturdy metal portion of the car which preferably connects to the frame. This step is key in ensuring you do not damage the undercarriage of your vehicle.

Step 7:

Begin lifting your vehicle. Use the crank of your jack by turning it clockwise to raise your vehicle. Make note of the vehicle’s stability and do not hesitate to lower your vehicle and reposition the jack if necessary.

Step 8:

With the lug nuts completely removed, lift the tire slightly and pull it out from the studs. Pulling the tire without lifting it will cause more friction against the threading of the studs.

Step 9:

Lay the tires in a safe place or below your vehicle. Placing a tire below your vehicle may help prevent injury if the vehicle is to slip from the jack. However, this should not be a concern if steps 6 and 7 were followed correctly.

Step 10:

Get your spare tire and place it into the hub or studs firmly so that it is ready to be tightened with the lug nuts.

Step 11:

Begin tightening the lug nuts onto the wheel by hand in a star-shaped pattern so as to evenly distribute pressure. Then, using your lug wrench, finish tightening the lug nuts in a star-shaped pattern to finish with evenly distributed pressure. Be sure to tighten the lug nuts as much as you can unless you’re a bodybuilder.

Step 12:

Lower your car completely using your jack after making sure you’ve cleared all items, such as the spare tire, from below your vehicle.

Step 13:

Finally, pack all of your tools and the flat tire into your vehicle safely. Be sure to visit a mechanic so that they may replace your flat tire and swap it out with your spare tire. Spare tires are not built to last as long as regular tires, so it is best to take care of this as soon as possible.