Fix A Flat Fast

It can feel scary when you have a flat tire while driving. However, it is not as difficult as you might think it is. Many cars have a spare tire, and most have a full-size spare, which is ideal. If you do not have a spare tire, you should consider getting one. If you do have a spare tire, below are instructions on how to fix a flat in less than 15 minutes.

1. Make Sure You Are in a Safe Place

As soon as you realize you have a flat, you want to begin reducing your speed slowly and find a safe place to park. Preferably, you want a straight road with a wide shoulder and level ground. Next, turn on your emergency flashers to alert other drivers. You should turn them on as soon as you know you have to pull over. Then, be sure to apply the emergency brake. 

2. Gather All the Necessary Tools

You will need the spare tire and determine if it is a full-size spare or a small spare, or a donut. If your vehicle has a full-size spare, you can replace any flat tire with it. If you have a donut, it matters where you put the tire. If you have rear-wheel drive, you cannot replace a rear tire with a donut. You will have to take a front tire and replace the flat back tire with it. Then, you put the donut on the front tire. 

You need a carjack, lug wrench, car manual, a flashlight is recommended if it is dark. You should also have tire chocks, jack stands, and a screwdriver. 

3. Put the Tire Chocks in Place

Tire chocks are also called wheel wedges. They prevent your wheels from rolling while you are changing the tire. You put these on the opposite end of where the tire is flat. For example, if you have a front flat tire, you put the chocks on the back tires. If you do not have chocks, a large rock or brick can also work. 

4. Remove Hubcap

If you have a wheel cover over your lug nuts, you will have to remove that first. Some wheel covers have lug nuts, and you will need to use the lug wrench to remove them. Others do not have them, and you can use a screwdriver to remove them. Once you remove the wheel cover, you can loosen the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Turn the lug nuts counterclockwise to remove them. You may have to use some force to loosen them. No need to remove the lug nuts; just loosen them so you can easily take them off once the car is lifted. 

5. Use the Jack

Place the jack under the vehicle in a place where the metal is exposed. Typically the frame is molded plastic, but there is an area where the metal is exposed to allow you to place the jack there. This is called a jack point. Your owner's manual should state where you should put the jack. Once it is in place, slowly raise your vehicle, being careful not to tilt the jack. The base should stay flush on the ground. Your tire should be about six inches off the ground. 

6. Remove Flat Tire

Once the tire is off the ground, remove the lug nuts and take off the tire. Place it in a secure place. Then, put the spare tire on the axle by lining up the rim with the studs. Once you replace the lug nuts, you then tighten them by hand but do not tighten them all the way. 

7. Begin to Lower the Vehicle

Lower the vehicle a little bit to allow some of the weight of the car to rest on the spare. Once it is lowered, you should tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Tighten one and then tighten the one directly across from it, continuing this pattern until they are all tight. Then completely lower the vehicle to the ground. Check the lug nuts one more time to make sure they are tight. Remove the jack and clean up the area. 

8. Visit Glockner of Ironton Dealership

Once you have changed the spare, you may want to have a professional at Glockner of Ironton Dealership check your work to ensure the tire was correctly installed. They will inspect the tire to make sure it is safe. The dealership can provide more information about the proper way to change a flat tire in case you need more detailed instructions.