How to Change a Flat Tire

With all the publicity about improperly inflated tires leading to blowouts, you're probably aware of the necessity of checking your tire pressure and tread condition regularly. Assuming you're one of those attentive drivers, the biggest cause of a flat tire will be road debris.


When you hear that distinctive thump and feel your car veer to one side (if it's a front flat), first hit your turn signal and then gently tap the brakes (as opposed to slamming them) before steering to the side of the road. All your reactions should be slow and steady—which may run counter to what you feel you should do—but overcorrecting and quick, jerky steering is the last thing you need right now.


You can continue to drive slowly on a flat tire for a short distance. After a bit, though, driving on a flat will damage the wheel, so park your lamed vehicle on a hard, level surface as soon as possible, and far enough away from traffic to safely change the flat. (However, if you believe at any time that your personal safety could be jeopardized, drive to wherever is best for you—a wheel can always be replaced.)

Spare Change
Put the transmission in Park for an automatic, or reverse on a manual, and then turn off the engine and apply the parking brake. Pull the spare, jack and jack tool kit out of your vehicle. Position the jack in the appropriate location and raise it just enough to put pressure on, but not raise, the vehicle.


Use wheel chocks (if supplied in your vehicle), or whatever is available, such as rocks, bricks or boards, to block the wheel diagonally, opposite the one you're changing, to further prevent any vehicle movement. If your vehicle has hubcaps that cover the lug nuts, remove the cap and loosen (but don't fully remove) the nuts with the lug wrench tool. This is probably the hardest part of this procedure, especially if a pneumatic impact wrench was used to tighten the wheel nuts. Be patient and apply steady pressure, while keeping in mind where the lug wrench will end up if it suddenly breaks free. If you have even moderate upper body strength, the nuts will eventually loosen.