Chances are, you'll experience a flat tire at least once over the course of driving a car. Do you know what to do if that happens? The car repair technicians at Stillwater Auto Clinic, which serves the East St. Paul and Maplewood areas of Minnesota, offer these tips for changing a tire safely. After all, not everyone has a roadside assistance plan.

• Pull Over: Find a well-lit, flat spot away from traffic to park your car as soon as possible. Avoid parking on curves, hills, or other areas that could block you from the view of other drivers. Before you get out, set the parking brake and turn on the hazard lights.
• Get to Work: If no help is coming, grab your tools and get busy. You'll find the jack, wrench, and spare tire in the trunk of the car. Remove the hubcap if you can't access the lug nuts that hold the tire onto the car. Use the wrench to loosen the nuts by turning counter-clockwise.

• Employ the Jack: Feel for the indent underneath your car and position the jack there. Use the jack to lift your car about 6 inches from the ground.
• Remove and Replace the Tire: Make sure you secure the lug nuts somewhere they won't get scattered or lost, and remove the damaged wheel from your car. Line up the holes on the spare tire with the lug nut posts and push it all the way onto the wheel base.
• Secure the Tire: Tighten the lug nuts onto the spare tire, but don't tighten them so that they can't easily be removed. Once you're satisfied, lower the car to the ground and remove the jack. When the car is back on the ground, tighten the lug nuts again. Then, make sure you secure your tools and don't leave anything by the side of the road.

With your spare tire installed, drive to Stillwater Auto Clinic for a quick and easy car repair or to purchase a new tire. One of their technicians can help you get your car back on the road in no time. Whether you need extensive car repairs or a simple oil change, Stillwater Auto Clinic can help. For more information, call (651) 351-7188 or visit them online.