No matter how good your tires are, there will be times when you get a flat tire. That can happen for some reasons and at any time, so it’s always wise to be prepared and make sure your car’s trunk has a spare tire, and most importantly, the right tool for changing tires.
A flat tire is always a terrible inconvenience, but if you have breakdown cover either via your insurance policy or with an independent provider, it’s not quite so bad. You can make a call and wait for them to turn up and replace the tire for you.
However, if you don’t have breakdown cover and you get a flat tire, you either have to pay out to get someone to come and change the tire for you, or you do it yourself. It can seem a bit daunting, but all cars come with a spare tire and the equipment needed to change the tire, so it can be done. The only problem is how do you do it?
Replace The Problem Tires Immediately
Firstly, as soon as you know you have a problem with a tire you need to take your foot off the gas pedal. Then you need to coast as best as possible to a suitable place to stop. The longer you travel on a flat tire, the more damage you are doing to the metal rim and replacing it can be excessively expensive. Always do your best to stop on a stable flat surface, as you need to jack up the car.
Remove the hub cover if you have one, you can pull it out with a screwdriver. Loosen a little nut that holds the wheel in place. You need to do this before jacking up the car. Now put the jack under the car; the position you need varies, so see your manual. Roll the jack until the wheels are slightly above the ground and you can turn them freely.
Remove the nuts and lift the wheel away from the car. Put the replacement wheel onto the bolts. Replace the nuts and do them up finger tight. Now lower the jack and then remove it from under the car. Use a wrench and tighten the nuts as much as possible. You are now able to continue your journey.
Immediately Go To The Nearest Tire Repair Shop
You must get to a garage or tire store as soon as you can following the change of tire. Firstly, you need to get the flat tire replaced or repaired and secondly, you need to get someone to check the torque on the wheel nuts. Wheel nuts must be fastened to a certain torque and you need a torque wrench or similar device to do this properly.
When in a garage or tire shop, it’s always good to have someone check all your tires. Tires must always be in perfect condition and it’s not easy to say this just by walking around your car. Better check it than having to replace another tire.
