As much as we may not want to ever have to change a tire, it’s a really important life skill, much like learning how to swim or even ride a bike. Imagine getting a flat tire on a secluded strand of highway with no other motorists in sight and no way to get a signal on your phone. Yikes! No good.
Make sure you have:
- A spare tire and check its viability on occasion
- A jack
- Gloves
- Lug wrench
- Flashlight with extra batteries
Okay…. Now you’re ready to get started:
- Expose lug nuts.. You may have to remove the hubcap or wheel cover first.
- Do NOT take off the lug nuts, but use the lug wrench to loosen them.
- Put the jack under the car (your owner’s manual will show you where and how to use your jack) and expand it until your vehicle is about 6 inches off the ground. Make sure that YOU are NEVER under the car!
- NOW is the time to finish unscrewing the lug nuts and get them off there!
- Gently but firmly pull it toward you and set it aside.
- Align the spare with the exposed lug bolts and push it into place.
- Tighten the lug nuts with your hands first before lowering the jack.
- Once the vehicle is firmly back on the ground, use the wrench to get those lug nuts as tight as possible. Move in a star pattern so that you’re not going in order.
- Put the hubcap or wheel cover back on if you had one to take off in the first place.
- Get to a place you can check the tire pressure asap.
Now it’s time to practice. You never want to step out onto the stage without a rehearsal… too much pressure. Especially before heading out on a road trip, take the time to put this into action so are confident you can handle it if you ever find yourself with a flat and no one to help. Stop by Robert’s Collision & Repair if you’d like for us to inspect your tires before heading out on the road to minimize the risk. We are here for you!