Do You Remember How to Change a Flat Tire?
At some point, almost everyone will get a flat tire. You may be driving along with your mind on an important meeting agenda or hustling to get to work on time when your car begins to pull to one side and you hear the dreaded “flap” of a flat tire thumping along the road. Many drivers think they can rely entirely on roadside assistance services like AAA to get them out of such a predicament. However, it’s wise to know how to change a flat yourself as AAA and other services may not be available in every location.
You will need a way to reach a nearby tire center to get a full-size replacement installed at the very least. It is also wise to know when changing a tire yourself is unsafe, and when it is appropriate to call for back-up from a company like Bauer Built. Chad Smith of Bauer Built advises back-up should be called when poor road, weather, or passenger safety conditions are an issue, or when you are missing the proper equipment to safely change the tire yourself.
There are a few tire-changing essentials that should always be stored in your vehicle. These include a spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, a flashlight and batteries, flares and reflective triangles, gloves and wheel wedges. If your tire goes flat while you are driving on the road, put on your hazard lights and find a safe, flat place to change your tire, such as a parking lot or the shoulder of an off ramp. When your car is in a safe area and your parking brake is engaged, take out your tools and place flares or reflective triangles behind your vehicle for safety. Tools can often be stored in unusual places such as under the hood or inside hidden compartments. Use wheel wedges to secure tires on the opposite side of the flat.
Next, position the jack under the load point of the vehicle. Most vehicles will have a small notch or indicator where to install the jack. Then remove the hub cap and loosen the lug nuts of the tire using the lug wrench while the car is still on the ground. Use the jack to lift the flat tire roughly six inches off the ground and then fully remove the lug nuts working in a star pattern to keep the tire level and balanced for easier removal. It’s especially important to keep your feet away from the vehicle for safety reasons. Finally, remove the flat tire, place the spare in alignment with the exposed lug bolts, and replace and tighten the lug bolts by hand. After lowering and removing the jack, tighten lug nuts using a wrench in a star pattern, then replace the hubcap or wheel cover. Ensure the spare has appropriate pressure. Always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations found in the manuals.
Of course, even if you have all tools necessary to change a flat tire, it may be unsafe to do so under some circumstances. Keep road conditions, equipment conditions, and passenger safety in mind when deciding whether to call for help. An underinflated spare or rusty jack could mean it is best to call a tow truck. Remember to maintain proper air pressure of your spare tire.
A flat tire rarely happens at a convenient time. If you ever need assistance with a flat, or memory fails you when it’s time to change a tire, Bauer Built offers commercial and agricultural roadside tire service to get you back on the road.
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For more tips on tire maintenance, inclement weather preparedness and vehicle safety, visit Bauer Built today.
Categories: Bauer Built Blog, Tire Care Tips
