Let’s say you are out on the road and the sickening sound and feel of a tire going flat happens. What do you do? The natural inclination would be to reach for the cell phone and call someone for help. If, however, your cell phone is out of range or you forgot to charge it, you could be in a bad spot. That’s why it’s important to know how to change a flat tire on your own.
What follows is an easy guide to help you know what to do when you find yourself in this situation with some tips taken from the good folks at Bridgestonetire.com.
Gather The Necessary Materials
Changing a flat tire isn’t particularly difficult, but like with any project, you need to make sure you have the right “tools” on hand. In this case, you’ll need the following items:
- Jack
- Lug Wrench
- Spare or temporary tire
- Vehicle Owner’s Manual
The first three items can be found in the rear trunk area of your vehicle. Be aware that these items may be located below the floor in your trunk area and out of immediate eyesight. Your vehicle owner’s manual, typically located in your glovebox or center console, can help you identify the exact location of these items and also offers step by step instructions for changing the tire.
Find a Flat Surface & Engage The Parking Brake
Once you have pulled the car over to a preferably flat surface, engage the parking brake and turn your hazard lights on for safety. The next step is to remove the hubcap or wheel cover. Instructions for doing this can be found in your vehicle owner’s manual. Next, loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire with the lug wrench. Once this is complete, it’s time to place the jack under the vehicle to lift it up.
Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for the proper way to activate the jack and any additional safety precautions that may be needed. Raise the vehicle approximately six inches above the ground making sure there is clear space between the bottom of the tire and the ground. Now, remove the lug nuts completely and remove the flat tire from the vehicle.
Put The Spare or Temporary Tire on Your Vehicle
Place the spare or temporary tire on the lug bolts and push gently until the lug bolts come through the holes. At this point, it’s time to lower the jack so that the tire touches the ground, but not with the full weight of the vehicle on the ground yet. Then, tighten all the lug nuts to secure the tire firmly. Finally, release the jack to the lowest point possible and remove it from under the vehicle. Stow all your tools away and now you are ready to get back on the road!
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Lee Nissan Ft. Walton Beach
If your vehicle is equipped with a temporary tire, then you’ll definitely want to head straight to a dealership like Lee Nissan Ft. Walton Beach to get a replacement tire after getting back on the road. We carry all the name brand tires you know and trust and offer them all at incredible values at our dealership located at 235 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
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