Have you ever had a flat tire? If so, you know what a hassle it can be to change it. Harsh weather or a weak sidewall can bring your ride to a screeching halt, and unless you’re prepared, changing the tire can take forever. That’s why it’s important to have an emergency kit on hand at all times. A flat tire can cause your car to rock back and forth from side to side as the inner tube tries to keep the air in place. This rocking motion can make it hard for you to pull out the jack, lube, and new inner tube from your trunk or storage area. Luckily, we’ve got some tips that will make changing a flat tire much easier for you.
Watch out for warning signs
If your car seems to rock while you’re changing a tire, then that’s a warning sign that the sidewall is weak. The best way to prevent this is to only replace a flat tire when it is flat. Another sign that it’s about to go flat is when your car pulls to one side. If you already have one tire low, you want to be extra careful not to damage the other tire.
Lift the car with a block or jack
If you’re trying to change a tire that’s on the ground, you may have a harder time than you realize. A block or jack is designed specifically to lift cars, not just to make minor adjustments. If you have a block, you can safely use it to jack up your car while you change the tire. If you don’t have a block, then you can use a sturdy stool or couch. Make sure you’re not standing too close to the edge of the pavement when you’re changing the tire.
Replace with a spare wheel
If the damage to the tire is minimal and you do not have a spare, then you will still be able to drive. Even if it’s a little weird, you don’t want to risk getting fined. Once you are sure that the tire is flat, proceed to replace it with the spare wheel installed. Here are some tips that will make this process easier for you.
- First, you want to put the spare tire in the trunk or storage space so that it is available when you need it.
- Secondly, you want to make sure that the spare wheel is ready to work. This means that it has the necessary air pressure, lubrication and tire repair tools.
- Thirdly, you want to make sure that you have the necessary tools at hand to replace the tire. This includes a spare wheel wrench as well as a tire repair kit.
Inflate the wheel with air using a pump
If you have a spare wheel, you need to have the correct air pressure to make it work in place of the missing tire. In order to do this, you need to inflate the spare wheel with air using a tire pump. Make sure that the pump has the correct air pressure settings for the vehicle it’s being used on. The tire is the first to go flat, and you need to have it inflated with the correct air pressure. This will make it easier to change the tire on the other side of the car.
Check the tire pressure again
After you’ve put air into the spare wheel and the car’s original tire, you need to make sure that the pressure’s correct. This will make it easier to change the tire on the other side of the car. The best way to do this is to drive around for a few miles and make sure the tire stays even with the road. If it does, then the pressure’s good. If it sinks to one side, then the tire is low.
FAQs
The best way to change a flat tire is with a block. This will help you lift the car and safely get out of the car. It will also make it easier to change the flat tire on the other side of the car.
You’ll need a jack, a block, and a spare tire wrench. With these items, you should be able to safely change a tire as long as you’re careful.
If you can’t drive to a street with a clear spot, then you can use your car’s emergency kit to change a flat tire. This can work in the driveway, on a sidewalk, or on an alley. When it comes to changing a flat tire, know your car’s maintenance schedule. Typically, you’ll want to change the tire at least once every six months. At a minimum, you’ll want to change the tire if it’s been on the road for less than 30 minutes. With these tips, you should be able to change a tire quickly and without any damage to your car.