If you are a proud car owner knowing how to change a flat tyre on your own is essential. This is because you can get stranded in the middle of nowhere having to wait a long time before someone can assist you. This leaves you in an unsafe situation that can be avoided if you know how to quickly change a flat.
Ready to get into the nitty-gritty? Let’s do it:
Make sure that your spare tyre is pumped
When you stop at the gas station to get petrol or check your oil, water and tyres, asked the pump attendant to also check your spare tyre by making sure it is pumped up properly. If you are not sure what your tyre pressure should be take a look in your service book or check the inside of your fuel cap as this is indicated there in some cars.
Be sure to have the following items in your car at all times for when you need to change a flat tyre:
- Spare tyre, always ensure that it’s pumped up
- A vehicle jack that is rated for the weight of your specific vehicle, you know that the thing you use to prop up your car
- Lug wrench, you know, that thing that looks like an ‘L’ and is used to remove the lug nuts from your wheel
- Flashlight with working batteries, because you might get a flat at night
- Wheel wedges that are used to hold your other wheels in place so that you don’t go running after a runaway car
- Road triangle, it assists in warning other cars that you have pulled over, and
- Wet wipes, a folded towel, and an old t-shirt, just to ensure you can clean yourself up afterward.
It is also vital to know where your spare tyre is being kept, some spares may be located underneath your vehicle others may be in the trunk or attached to the back door.
Practicing how to change a tyre in the comfort of your driveway is a great way to make you feel more comfortable with the process and, more importantly so, to guarantee you have all the tools you need!
Most cars will come standard with a tyre changing kit, but some may not. That’s why you will need to do a little boot digging to find out what your set of wheels have and what you may need to find at your local hardware store or mechanic.
Now for the tyre changing part (this is it, ladies)
Okay, ladies, this is the moment you have all been waiting for — changing your tyre — can we get a drumroll, please?
If you think that you might have a flat tyre — don’t freak out — slowly pull over to a safe anf flat are on the side of the road or in the emergency lane. If you notice that you tyre is very flat don’t drive to far as this may damage your rims and wheel.
If possible try to have the flat tyre away from the side of the road that has traffic but only if you can. Ensure that the area is as flat as possible. If you have to risk a minor damage to the rim of the flat tyre by driving a couple of meters to a safer spot, it may just be worth it.
Now, time to change that tyre:
- Put your car in park or neutral, pull up your hand brake,, and switch on your hazards.
- Place the road triangle roughly 20m (20 big steps) behind your car.
- Place your wheel wedges behind the other tyres (not the flat ones) or make use of bricks,, or rocks on the side of the road to stop your car from rolling away.
- Grab your tools from the trunk (you may want to throw on your old spare clothes for this).
- Get your spare tyre, lug wrench,, and jack from your trunk.
- Place your spare tyre on the ground and not against your car, as this may set off the balance when you jack up the car.
- Now you are going to start loosening the lug nuts with the lug wrench – remember the rule here – righty tighty and lefty loosey (this means if you turn something to the right, it will get tighter or if you turn it to the left, and it will loosen).
- Place the end of the lug wrench on each of the nuts and loosen each one.
- You are not taking them off completely yet, just loosening them to remove them easily when the car is jacked up.
Side note: If you find some stubborn nuts, angle your lug wrench so that you can stand on it – yes, stand on it. Use your weight to loosen the nuts while holding onto your car. Please don’t fall, and be ready to lose your balance as the lug wrench will move out from underneath you. This method is not always needed nor recommended for safety reasons, but it does the trick! In all honesty, this step usually is the most challenging part.
The bit with the tyre changing part:
- You have loosened up the lug nuts — you go, girl! Now you need to jack up your car to remove the flat tyre. Look in your car manual for the best place to put your jack. It will need to be solid and sturdy enough to hold your car up, this isn’t a guessing game. Place your jack under this sweet spot of strength.
- Here comes the cool part — jacking up your car. You will need to know how to use your jack, as each vehicle may have a different one with different mechanisms and methods for jacking up the car. Do not place any part of your body under your vehicle when you start to jack it up — this is just a disaster waiting to happen.
- Now that your car is all jacked up, you will need to remove the nuts altogether (good thing they are already pretty loose) and put them in your pocket or on a clear area on the ground next to you to ensure that you don’t lose one.
- Alright, good job — now for the spare tyre placement! Place your hands behind the flat tyre; after removing the nuts, pull the tyre off towards you. This tyre may be heavy, so prepare for a little workout.
- Now you will place you spare tyre onto the wheel. This may require a little adjusting — but fret not; it will get on there.
- You are almost there! Now, take your lug nuts and screw them back onto the wheel with your fingers to get them in place. Do not tighten the nuts just yet. Now use your lug wrench and tighten them into place — you will do this again when the car is lowered. Try to go in a crisscross formation to ensure even torque (so tighten one, then tighten the one opposite it, like in a star formation, repeat this a few times).
- Now slowly start easing your car back onto the ground. Don’t lower your car too quickly; ensure you are not underneath the vehicle.
- Now that your car is back on solid ground, grab your lug wrench and tighten your bolts in a star or crisscross formation as tight as you can. Righty tighty – how great is that saying?
And you did it!
Put your tools and flat tyre back in the boot, grab your road triangle, turn off your hazards and slowly pull back onto the road ensure that drive slowly as most spare tyres can only go about 80km/h and for about 80km.
Head over to your closest fuel station (most gas stations can safely plug a tyre and replace your spare for you) or you may need to go to a mechanic depending on the severity and type of puncture you have. Just make sure you change your spare back to a regular tyre ASAP.
The final bit, you ask? Go ahead and BRAG! Brag to everyone and anyone and tell them that you, yes you, changed your very own tyre — it’s liberating!
Now that you know how simple it is to change a tyre, why not find out more about the simple way to insure your car?
Yours in uncomplicated car blogs and, of course, car insurance,
Oneplan