As a driver, you are going to experience a flat tyre one day. It is an inevitable experience of owning a car. When it happens, it is important that you know what to do. There is a good chance that when your tyre needs changing, you'll be alone. If you don’t have roadside assistance, your phone is dead and no one is around to help you, what do you do?
How do I change a tyre?
- Secure your car.
- Remove the hubcap.
- Loosen the lug nuts.
- Jack the car up.
- Remove the tyre.
- Secure the spare tyre.
- Replace the lug nuts.
- Lower the car.
- Replace the hubcap.
Pull over to the side of the road and make sure you are on a flat surface. You should never change a tyre on a hill or slight incline. If you can, use something heavy, like bricks or wood, to block the wheels on the opposite side of your flat tyre.
You can do this with your hands, but if the hubcap is a bit tricky, use a screw driver to pop it off the wheel.
Use a wrench to loosen each lug nut. Do not remove them completely, just loosen them enough to remove them by hand later.
Take your jack and place it firmly and securely under your car. Lift your car about six inches off the ground.
Unscrew the loosened lug nuts by hand and store them somewhere safe. Take the tyre in both hands and pull it towards you until it is completely off the lug bolts.
Place your spare tyre onto the lug bolts and push it away from you until it is in place.
Screw the lug nuts back onto the lug bolts by hand. Do not fully tighten them.
Use your jack's reverse action to lower your car to the ground and then use your wrench to fully tighten the lug bolts.
Pop your hubcap back onto the wheel.
Before you attempt to change a flat tyre, you need to make sure you have what you need. It is a good idea to keep a spare tyre, a jack and a wrench in the boot of your car at all times. You never know when a flat tyre will happen, so it's important to be prepared. If you are still unsure of what to do in the event of a flat tyre, contact your local mechanic or tyre centre. If you're looking for a mechanic in Sydney, try Reliance Auto Centre.
