Changing a Flat Tire

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Changing A Flat

Portable sealants are useful for repairing a small tire-puncture in a pinch, but for larger damage, such as that occurs in a blowout (figure A), you'll have to change the tire. You'll need a fully inflated spare tire (figure B). It's a good idea to check the pressure in your car's spare each time you check the pressure on your regular tires. Here are the basic steps for changing a tire.

Figure A

Figure B

Steps:

Important: Set your parking brake to prevent the car from rolling. For added safety, place wheel chocks in front of and behind a tire that's on the opposite of the vehicle from the flat (figure C).

Important: The jack will need to contact the vehicle at the manufacturer's specified jack-points. You can find the proper location to place the jack in your owner's manual (figure D). Your manual should also contain specific instructions for changing your tire.

Figure C

Figure D

With the jack properly placed, jack the car far enough to raise the weight off of the flat tire (figure E).
Loosen the lug nuts part-way using the lug wrench.

Auto Primer Tip: If the lug nuts on your tire are too tight, or if they are difficult to loosen because of corrosion, try using a length of pipe as an extender on the handle lug wrench as shown (figure F). This will provide extra torque on the wrench handle and make it easier to break the lug-nuts loose .

Figure E

Figure F

Once you've loosened all the lug-nuts, jack up the car up further (figure G) so that the flat tire is off the ground.
Figure G

Auto Primer Tip: Many a lug nut has been lost in the grass or gravel at the side of the road! And if you lose your wheel's lug-nuts while changing a flat, it won't be possible to install the spare. When you set the lug nuts aside, be certain to put them in a safe place where they won't get lost. One good place is nside the removed hubcap .
Remove the flat tire and replace it with spare tire .

Replace the lug nuts and hand-tighten .
Important: If your car has beveled lug nuts , be sure to place the beveled side in -- i.e., toward the wheel.

Important: Some older cars have reverse threads on the lug bolts. If that's the case with your car, the lug bolts will be stamped with an "L." Turn the nuts in the opposite direction for reverse threads.
Snug the lug-nuts firmly using the lug wrench (figure N), but don't tighten them down all the way just yet
Lower the car lowering the jack until the car is resting on the ground (figure O).

Now you can tighten down the lug-nuts fully using the lug wrench. Tighten them following a "star" pattern -- skipping every other lug nut, then going back and tightening the remaining ones until all have been tightened.
Remove the jack.
Check the tire to see if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.
Important: If the tire is damaged on the sidewall or "shoulder" between the sidewall and treads, it will need to be replaced. The same is true if the treads have a puncture larger than 1/4-inch. If it is only a minor puncture in the treads, there's a good chance it can be patched. Consult with your tire dealer to see which option is best.
Important: Most factory spare-tires are not designed for driving on for long distances. Many are rated for only about 50 miles of driving. Traveling on a spare for distances further than their rating is not safe. You'll need to have the spare replaced with a new tire as soon as possible.

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