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Tips On How To Change A Tire

by Jessica P

Oh no, you are driving to work, and now you have a flat tire. You discover that you have a flat tire and now that you are stranded. What do you do now? After reading this, you will know how to change a tire all by yourself.

You want to always make sure you have a spare with the tools to replace it with in your car. There should be a jack, lug nut wrench, and of course a spare tire. Be familiar with these tools and where they are located.

You will need to know how to use a jack, not all jacks are the same. Check your owners' manual on what type of jack you have and how it operates. You should familiarize yourself on the jacks to all your vehicles.

Check to see if any of your vehicles have wheel locks. If your vehicle does have "wheel locks", you will need the "key.," you can't use a regular lug nut wrench on these.

A can of "Fix a Flat" is another great tool to keep in your car. This is something that will fill your tire with enough air, and seal the hole, long enough to get you to a station.

Another great tool to have in your vehicle, is an orange vest so that passing traffic will see you. Now lets teach you how to change a tire.

Lower the car and then tighten all the lug nuts with your wrench. Now time to put all your tools away, including your flat. Now you know how to change a tire, good for you! Bit of advice, before you go anywhere else, best to go have your tire repaired. Travel safe!

Put the parking brake on and make sure the car is in park. If you have a 5 speed manual transmission, put it in gear. Put your emergency flashers on to warn oncoming traffic.

Take all of your tools out and lay them on the ground by the tire. Get your spare tire and roll it over to your work area. And don't worry about whether you get dirty or not, because you will. Pay attention to the next step, this is often done wrong the first time.

Before you start to jack the car, loosen each lug nut. If you do this after the tire is lifted off the ground, it will just spin. Use the "star" pattern as your loosen them, this will keep the weight properly distributed. This is going to take a lot of strength, so use your body weight to help you. You will need to use your body weight to give you strength needed to loosen the lug nuts.

Place the jack in a stable location for your car, you may want to recheck your manual. Jack up the car so that you have a couple of inches under the tire.Remove the lug nuts and then the tire. Now time to remove the lug nuts and the tire.

Lift your spare and place it on the bolts and making sure the valve is facing you. Replace the lug nuts using the same "star" pattern. Before lowering the car, give each lug nut a few turns.

Now you wont need to be worried if your tire blows out because you will know how to change a tire.

Discover the tricks of the trade to save hundreds of dollars every year by doing your own car maintenance at Car Care Tips.

Published October 3rd, 2007

Filed in Auto

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