Flat tires are a possible thing, even if you have taken all the measures. It can be a surprise thing. Regretting over it, is not an option. Knowing how to change a tire is like a superpower for anyone who have a car.
In this guide, we list a step-by-step technique how to change a car tire in 10 minutes. You definitely need to know techniques and ways to cope any car breakdown.
It is a serious proactive manner to be prepared for those surprise breakdowns.
There are breakdown conditions in which you just don't need any assistance, you just have to be familiar with certain tools and techniques.
But there are conditions, where it is better to leave the matter to professionals. Or sometimes you may even need a professional towing services to get out of a major breakdown.
So, let’s change a car tire in 10 minutes:
- Tools Required to Change a Car Tire
Before starting you have to know the right tools to get the job done, major tools to change a car tire are:
- A Spare Tire
- A Jack
- A Lug Wrench
- Vehicle Manufacturer Manual
- Wheel Wedges
- Step-By-Step Technique to Change a Car Tire
- Find An Even Surface
However, The moment you notice you have a flat tire, the first thing you have to do is to not getting panic. Because if you get panic, you may make the running road difficult for you and others.
Additionally, Slow down your car gradually, and find an even flat surface. Avoid any hills or curves, where you may cause visibility issues for other drivers.
- Turn On Hazard Lights
The moment you stopped your car on a running road, turn on your car’s hazard lights. This Is crucial, because it will alert the passing drivers that are you are stopped there.
- Apply The Parking Brakes
Use your parking brakes to stable your car on a place. Here you can use wheel wedges to be more secure while stopping at a place on the road. Place your wheel wedges in front of or behind the tires.
In case, you don’t have wheel wedges available, you can use nearby bricks and stones there.
- Remove Your Wheel Cover
If your wheels have wheel covers, then remove the wheel cover of the flat tire. With will access you to the lug nuts.
Note, that removing technique of wheel covers vary from car to car, or because of wheel covers designs.
So, refer yourself to the owner’s manual if you need.
- Loosen The Lug Nuts
By using a lug wrench, simply turn the lug nuts of flat tire in a counterclockwise motion to loosen them.
However, At that moment, you have just required to loosen the lug nuts, don’t remove them completely from the tire. Keep them on their place while not causing any instability to the car.
- Raise Your Vehicle
Position your jack under your car frame, right next to the flat tire. Refer to your car manufacturer manual to know the right place for a jack to be place, which is specific for your car.
It is time to raise the jack until to a height where it can support the car being stable. Not raise too much, you just have to raise it a position where you replace the tire easily.
For measurement, raise it until the flat tire is around six to seven inches off the surface.
- Remove The Flat Tire
When the jack has been placing stably, it is now time to fully remove the lug nuts and don’t lose them. Because you need them for spare tire.
Remove the flat gently, don’t pull it too harsh off the car. Then set it aside.
- Mount The Spare Tire
Gently push the spare tire onto to the lug nuts hub, and make it stable there. Again, don’t push it too harshly.
- Start To Tighten the Lug Nuts by Hand
At first, use your hand and tighten up the lug nuts as much as possible. Don’t tighten them fully at this moment.
- Lower Your Vehicle
Lower your car until the spare tire is just touching the surface, and make sure that the jack is still supporting the vehicle.
Now it is time to fully tighten up the lug nuts. Try to tighten them up in a star pattern-this will ensure even tightening.
- Remove The Jack
Now it is time to fully lower the vehicle to the ground, double-check the tightness of lug nuts and then remove the jack.
- Place The Wheel Cover
In case, your spare tire has a wheel cover, put it onto it.
- Make Sure the Spare Tire Pressure
Ensure that your car’s spare tire is inflated to the right pressure. If not, then drive slowly to a nearby service station.
- You Are Ready to Go
Place your equipment, and flat tire back in your trunk, and you are now ready to move.
- When You Need a Professional Towing Service?
With a proper technique, you will never need a towing service to lead your car to a service station. But there are situations when it is better to call a professional towing service:
- Major Breakdowns: It is better to leave a major breakdown to a professional. You may make it worse with improper techniques.
- Difficult Roadsides: Sometimes, the road is just not in favor to make you change the tires. Sometimes, there are high-traffic or sometimes, there are uneven surfaces.
- Lack Of Tools: Changing a car tire is not a job to do with lack of right tools. Better call a towing service.
- Knowledge Limitations: It may make an easier condition worse, if you incorporate with limited knowledge.
- Physical Limitations: Not all people are physically fit to change a car tire. Is it better to call a towing company.
Bonus Tip: Try to call a local Tow Truck Company for a quick and convenient response. As for recommendation, Call AAA Brisbane Towing, for prompt towing experience in Brisbane City, near suburbs.
It is the Only Local Tow Truck Brisbane Company, you will ever need for any kind of professional towing.