Basic Automotive Repairs: Changing a Tire
Changing a tire is the most basic automotive repair task, but one all too many people either don’t want to, or don’t know how to do. Rather than sitting by the side of the road and waiting for your partner or a tow truck for a flat tire, why not learn how to change it yourself?
The benefits of changing your own tire far outweigh the costs. Sure you’re going to get a bit dirty, but you could be on your way again in as little as 15 minutes. Even if you belong to an auto club, learn to change it yourself and you can feel satisfaction in a job well done, and leave the club to attend real issues.
Firstly, let’s prepare the car. Do it now, before anything happens, so when it does you’re well prepared. Get some cheap rubber gloves and put them in the car. Alternatively, put a small jar of Vaseline and a small towel in there instead. Then check the position and condition of the spare wheel. Find the jack, and ensure you have a tire iron to go with it. If you have locking wheel nuts, check you have the key.
With those preparations done, when the worst happens, at least you’re prepared. Changing a tire is the most basic of automotive repairs, but it’s a job made much easier when you’re ready for it.
If you get a flat tire, coast safely to a stop away from traffic. Try to get to level ground and out of the way of passing vehicles wherever possible. Once stationary, put the car in park or first gear and apply the emergency brake.
As long as you’re not going to get hit by passing traffic you can begin work. Either put the gloves on, or rub a thin layer of Vaseline onto your hands first. Break out the wheel wrench, jack and spare wheel and put them by the flat.
Prise off the hubcap if you have one with the thin end of the wheel wrench. Undo each lug nut slightly so they are just loose. Then use the jack on a jacking point under the car. Your manual will have a list of jacking points and a diagram to show you where they are.
Jack the car up until the tire is just off the ground. Undo each lug nut and remove the wheel. Do each nut in opposites, so one at two o’clock should be followed by the one at 8 o’clock and so on.
Replace it with the spare and do up each lug nut until it’s finger tight. Again, using the opposites method to ensure the wheel is flush with the hub. Once they are finger tight, slowly lower the jack until the car is back on the ground once more. Now tighten each lug nut, at opposites, until they are tight. A good rule of thumb is to tighten it as far as you can, then give a final push.
Remove the jack, replace the hubcap and put everything away. You can remove the gloves now or wipe your hands on the towel. Your hands should now be fairly clean and show few signs of having just done an emergency auto repair on the roadside.
You can now continue on your way, remembering to have the flat tire repaired or replaced as soon as you can.