Having a tire go flat or blow out on the road can be an unnerving experience—especially if you aren’t sure how to handle the situation. Fortunately, if you know how to replace the tire and have roadside assistance to support you just in case, you can handle this obstacle with confidence. To help you manage this minor emergency with ease, here are eleven basic steps to changing a flat tire in a safe and secure fashion.

11 Steps to Changing a Flat Tire

1. Keep the Right Supplies in Your Vehicle

The equipment you’ll need includes a spare tire, a jack, wedges, a lug wrench, and flares or reflective triangles.

2. Pull Over to Safety & Signal Your Position

As soon as you notice the flat tire, find a place to pull over away from traffic. Place flares or reflective triangles around your car to make sure oncoming drivers know you’re there.

3. Block the Wheels

Place wedges in all the tires that will remain on the ground.  This will help keep the car stable as you lift the vehicle and replace the flat.

4. Loosen Lug Nuts

Remove the hubcap. Turn the wrench counter-clockwise to loosen the exposed lug nuts. Do not remove them completely.

5. Position & Lift Jack

Place the jack under the frame close to the flat tire near the center of the vehicle. Lift the jack until the flat tire is about six inches off the ground.

6. Remove Lug Nuts & Flat Tire

Remove the loosened lug nuts and place them in a safe area where they won’t get lost. Next, carefully grab both sides of the tire and slowly pull it off.

7. Replace Tire & Twist on Lug Nuts

With the flat removed, put on the spare tire. Twist the lug nuts back on with your hand, but not with the wrench.

8. Lower the Jack

Lower the jack until the tire has made contact with the ground.

9. Tighten Lug Nuts & Replace Hubcap

Using the wrench, tighten the lug nuts on the replacement tire. Replace the hubcap to cover the nuts.

10. Check Pressure

Using a tire pressure meter, check the air levels in the spare tire. If they are below the recommended levels, you won’t want to drive on it.

11. Know When to Call Roadside Assistance

If you have difficulty removing or replacing the tire—or the spare is not in good condition—you should call a roadside assistance service for help.

 

If you’re in need of roadside assistance in the Greater Cincinnati, OH, area, look no further than A1 Towing Cincinnati. Backed with heavy-duty equipment, this 24/7 towing service will come to your location to provide swift support whether you have a flat tire or a dead battery. If necessary, these drivers can also haul your vehicle to an auto care center of your choice. For more details on their services, visit this towing company online. To request assistance, call (513) 602-5493.