Tires wear down over time and often flat tires occur especially after flooding, rain or wind storms because debris often washes onto the roads and puncture our tires. For those who have never had the chance to change a tire before it may be an unnerving experience, especially when you have the misfortune of have getting a flat tire on a busy street or highway. For those looking for some direction, Citywide Towing will walk you through the steps on how to change a tire.
Change Tire on Flat, Level Ground
First, to avoid any accidents or injury, there are a few rules when it comes to changing tires. One, never attempt to change a tire on a hill whether you’re on an incline or decline. If possible, look for the flattest area even if it means driving on a flat tire for a short distance. Additionally, before changing the tire, engage your emergency brake and put a wedge behind and in front of the opposite end of the flat tire, even if the wedge is a large rock or block of wood.
Prepare Tools, Jack, Spare & Other Equipment for Tire Change
Second, remove the wheel cover. Most are held one with screws. If this is the case, only loosen the nuts of the tire but don’t fully remove them just yet. If your wheel cover is a snap on, then use a screw driver to pry it off. When the nuts are loosened you will then want to jack it up. Most cars come with an emergency jack, and of course, a spare tire. If you’re using the emergency jack it is most likely a scissor jack that uses a long bolt like mechanism to lift the vehicle. Note: depending on your vehicle and where the tire is stored you many need to remove the spare tire first. For example, pick up trucks often store the spare underneath the trunk bed. Therefore, it is easier to remove the tire before you begin jacking the vehicle up. Consult your owner’s manual for details.
Where to Put the Jack When Changing a Tire
Third, the placement of the jack will also vary. Consult your manual for those details. However, it is usually placed on the metal framing near the tire but it is always on the inside. Make sure to jack the car higher than your inflated tire. Make sure you have plenty of room to put the spare tire on the wheel.
Remove the Flat & Mount the Spare Tire
Fourth, once the vehicle is properly jacked up, you may fully remove the nuts holding the tire on the wheel. Make sure not to lose the nuts. Pick up and pull the flat tire off of the wheel. After the flat tire is removed, place the spare tire on the wheel, replace and tighten the nuts. You may need to put the cover on before tightening the bolts. After the tire and the nuts are on, lower the jack. Once the jack is removed and the tire is firmly on the ground, once again tighten the nuts. Make them as tight as you can. Put the jack and flat tire away and you’re ready to go.
Towing & Roadside Services in Addison, Balch Springs, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, Combine, Coppell, DeSoto, Farmers Branch, Ferris, Garland, Glenn Heights, Grapevine, Highland Park, Hutchins, Lancaster, Lewisville, Ovilla, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Sunnyvale, University Park, Wilmer, Wylie, Duncanville, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Irving, Mesquite & Greater Dallas, Texas
We understand there are certain circumstances where you may not be able to change the tire yourself, either due to a physical problem, you’re missing your tools and jack, or maybe you’re dressed in fancy attire and you want to avoid getting black tire marks on your clothing. If so, contact Citywide Towing. We perform many roadside assistance services and we can help come and change your tire for you. Contact Citywide Towing for all of your roadside assistance and towing needs.
