A flat tire typically happens unexpectedly. Maybe you haven’t brought it to your trusted car repair shop like GJ Driveline. Or you’re in a hurry to check tires before leaving. But what if you’re in the middle of nowhere and don’t know to change a flat tire?
Regardless of your situation, the basics of changing a car tire are still the same. Below are the ten steps on changing a flat tire for beginners.
1. Look for a safer place to park your car
To prevent your car from moving, the surface should be firm and level, not inclined or downhill. Pullover as far as possible if you’re on the side of the road. Stopping near road curves impairs visibility for you and other cars. If you’re in a dark or dangerous place, drive slowly to a safer location.
2. Use your hazard lights and parking brake
To boost your visibility on the road, use your hazard lights and parking brakes. In this way, you can also prevent road accidents that can harm you and your car. For beginners, you can go to repair shops like GJ Driveline to check your hazard lights and parking brakes before going on a long drive.
3. Check for materials
It would be best to have a jack, a wrench, and a spare tire in your car to prevent being stuck on a road asking for help. These three items should be kept in your vehicle in case of a flat tire.
A flashlight, gloves, tire gauge, and your vehicle’s owner’s handbook are all essentials that may make tire replacement a bit simpler.
It would be best to have these in your car as a car owner since not all places have nearby car repair shops like GJ Driveline.
4. Loosen the lug nuts
Pry off the wheel cover if your car has one. Then, clamp the wrench onto a lug nut and loosen it by turning it counterclockwise. Make sure each lug nut is loose enough to turn by hand as you repeat the process.
5. Lift your car off the ground
Underneath the metal component of your car’s frame, place the jack. Place the jack in a location where it will not come into touch with any plastic moulding. Depending on the vehicle, the ideal jack placement varies.
The most accessible approach to understanding appropriate jack placement is to consult your owner’s handbook. Use the jack to lift the tire you’re replacing off the ground once it’s been correctly installed. At all times, make sure the jack is parallel to the ground.
6. Remove the lug nuts and the tire
Turn the lug nuts in the other direction until they are all extremely loose. Then, remove them. You’ll need the lug nuts to secure the spare tire, so keep them all together in a safe place.
Nothing holds your tire to the car now that the lug nuts have been removed in its place. Grip your tire tightly and pull it straight toward your body.
7. Place the spare tire on the car
Place the spare on the wheelbase by aligning the holes in the tire with the lug nut posts. Place the spare it far from the wheelbase.
8. Replace the lug nuts
To keep the spare tire in place, use lug nuts. Don’t wholly tighten them yet. It’s critical to tighten your lug nuts so that the tire remains level.
9. Lower your car, then tighten the lug nuts
Slowly lower your car with the jack until your spare tire touches the ground. This will keep the tire in place. Tighten the lug nuts using a tool one at a time, alternating each nut.
10. Completely lower your vehicle and start fully tightening
Lower your car to the ground once the lug nuts feel tight. You could be able to tighten the lug nuts a little further once they’ve been grounded. Continue tightening in the same sequence until they are no longer movable.
Additionational tips for how to change a car tire
Put your old tire in the trunk and clean up any tools you used at the end. Your old tire can be recoverable depending on what’s wrong with it. Bring it to a reputable mechanic like GJ Driveline so that it may be tested and perhaps repaired.
Otherwise, you’ll need to get a new spare tire, which you should do right away after fixing your car. It’s never a bright idea to drive without a spare tire; double-check your spare tire and parts ahead of time to ensure they’re ready to use in an emergency.
Remember, accidents happen when you least expect it, so be ready with the tools needed in case of a flat tire, especially if you are a beginner. If you have a flat tire in Keyborough or a nearby area, GJ Driveline can help you out.
Author’s Bio: Gabby Chase, A freelance Writer in Melbourne Gabby has been a freelance writer for 6 years. She has been writing extensively for websites and for SEO campaigns to assist clients reach their desired communication goals.
She specialises in automotive websites as her father was a mechanic. She enjoys to learn new things everyday, and writing for Castle Jackson has helped her learn new things relating to all different kinds of sectors.