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Auto Tips
How to change a flat tire:
Determining that a flat tire has occurred need not be a scary event. By adhering to the following instructions, changing a tire can be relatively easy and painless.
Equipment Needed
Spare tire (located in trunk or hatchback of car)
Lug wrench (located as part of the spare tire assembly or in the same vicinity)
Jack (can also be part of the spare tire assembly, or attached to underbody of car, or elsewhere in the rear of the vehicle)
Note: Reference the car's owner's manual for exact locations of needed equipment.
Preliminary Steps
Park car on a hard, level surface.
Set the emergency brake.
Turn hazard lights on.
Gather necessary equipment (listed above).
- Place jack under jacking point closest to the tire that is flat.
Note: Be aware of any special warning labels or instructions that are
listed in the jack itself.
- Remove the hubcap (if the car is so equipped).
- Raise the jack into the lift point position and continue raising
approximately 2 inches (the tire should still be touching the ground).
- Loosen the lug nuts with the lug wrench using a counter-clockwise
rotation. ( 2-3 turns should be sufficient to loosen the nuts)
- Raise the vehicle 3-4 inches above the ground, accommodating for a
fully inflated spare tire.
- Remove the lug nuts completely, placing in a safe location (i.e.
inside the hubcap). Helpful Hint: In the
event that the lug nuts do become lost, one lug nut may be "borrowed"
from each of the remaining 3 wheels to replace those that were lost.
- Remove the flat tire from the vehicle.
- Replace with the spare tire. Note: The valve stem must be facing away
from the car, ensuring proper installation of the spare.
- Replace the lug nuts using an "every other bolt" pattern
until all nuts are in place.
- Tighten the nuts with the lug wrench using the same "every other"
pattern until all the nuts are tight. Note: Using the "every other"
pattern allows for a uniform tightening of the nuts and ensures proper
installation.
- Recheck all nuts to be sure that none were missed.
- Lower the vehicle slowly onto the ground.
- Remove the jack from under the vehicle.
- Return jack and lug wrench to their proper locations.
- Load the flat tire into the vehicle.
- Check to be sure there are no parts left lying in the work area.
- Return to the vehicle.
- Drive cautiously to the nearest tire repair shop to have the flat
tire repaired. Note: There are instructions included with each vehicle
that pertain to the recommended speed and travel distance that are the
maximum limits for the spare!!
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