How To Change a Flat Tire Safely

Flat tires tend to show up unexpectedly and at the worst times. Whether you’re traveling a short commute to work or driving on a cross-country road trip, flat tires are no fun. 

With that being said, you don’t want to find yourself stranded if your tire were to suddenly go flat. That’s why it’s important to understand the basics when it comes to changing a flat tire safely. Follow these 9 simple steps to change a flat tire safely and make it to your destination.

1. Find A Safe Area To Pull Over

Once you realize you have a flat tire, slow down and search for a safe place to pull over. Look for a wide shoulder, empty parking lot, or somewhere else that keeps you out of oncoming traffic. Be sure to turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see that you’re stopped.

If possible, avoid stopping on a narrow shoulder or where there is a bend in the road. Your safety is a priority, so try to find somewhere that is out of harm’s way.

2. Locate Your Material

Once you’ve found a safe place, find the materials you need to make the change. You’ll need a wrench, a car jack, and your spare tire. These can often be found underneath your vehicle or under a panel in the trunk of your car. If you’re not sure where to locate these items, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Once you locate your spare tire, check the tire pressure with a pressure gauge. Most spare tires require a pressure of 60 psi to drive safely. If your spare needs air, you can still change the tire, but drive slowly and carefully to a gas station or service station to inflate the tire completely.

3. Loosen The Lug Nuts

If your vehicle has a hubcap covering the lug nuts use the flat end of the wrench to remove the hubcap. Then, using the wrench, loosen the lug nuts until the resistance is broken. 

This typically only takes ¼ to ½ of a turn. Don’t remove them completely yet, just loosen them enough to break the resistance.

4. Raise Your Vehicle With The Jack

Retrieve your car’s jack. Then, place it under the vehicle beside the flat tire and under the frame. Most vehicle frames have plastic underneath with an area of exposed metal specifically for the jack. Be sure to position the jack under this part of the frame to avoid further damage to your vehicle.

Then, use the jack to carefully raise your vehicle off the ground. Continue to raise it until your flat tire is about 6 inches off the ground.

5. Remove The Flat Tire

Now that the tire is off the ground, completely unscrew the lug nuts from the flat tire. This can mostly be done by hand since they’ve been loosened. Then, slowly remove the tire from the hub.

6. Mount The Spare Tire

Take the spare tire and mount it on the hub where your flat tire was previously. Then, put the lug nuts on the new tire and tighten them as much as you can by hand.

7. Lower Your Vehicle To The Ground

Use the jack to carefully lower your vehicle so your tire is just resting on the ground. Don’t put the entire pressure of the car on the vehicle yet.

Next, use the wrench to tighten the lug nuts all the way. If needed, use your entire body weight to get the lug nuts as tight as possible.

Then, lower your vehicle completely to the ground and remove the jack from underneath your car. Do a final check with the wrench to ensure your lug nuts are screwed in all the way. If your tire has one, place your hubcap on the spare tire if it fits. If it doesn’t fit, store it away with the other materials in your car.

8. Store Your Materials

Make sure you collect all your materials including your flat tire, wrench, jack, and possibly the hub cap. Be sure to put the materials in your car before you drive away.

9. Get Your Car To Boggs

Spare tires aren’t meant to last forever. They’re designed to travel short distances at slower speeds. Drive carefully until you can see your nearest tire technician to repair or replace your tire.

At Boggs, our professional staff is trained to know whether your tire can be repaired or if it’s time for a new one. Either way, we are here to help with all your tire needs. Visit us ASAP if your tire goes flat so we can help you get back on the road.

You Can Trust Boggs With Your Tire Repairs

Whether you have a flat or leaking tire, you’re in the market for new tires, or you just need your tires rotated or balanced, our experts at Boggs are here to help. 

We have two local locations in Warsaw that feature full car repair and maintenance services. We want your service to be as easy and convenient as possible. To schedule an appointment today, click below.