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A flat tire is never convenient, but knowing how to take care of the situation will minimize your time on the side of the road. If you find yourself in this situation, find a safe, level place to pull over. Below, learn important steps to take when changing your vehicle’s tire. 

6 Steps for Changing a Flat Tire

1. Maintain Safety

Before exiting the car, turn on your hazard lights and apply the parking brake. If you have wheel wedges, place these either in front of the front tires if a back tire is flat, or behind the back tires if a front tire is flat. 

2. Locate the Spare & Jack

In most cars, you can locate the spare tire and car jack in a compartment underneath the trunk floorboard. However, if you are driving a truck, the spare will probably be mounted underneath the bed towards the rear of the vehicle. 

3. Loosen the Lug Nuts

In many instances, the jack will have a built-in lug wrench, which is an L-shaped or X-shaped socket wrench. If the lug nuts on the flat tire are exposed, apply the wrench and turn counterclockwise until each one is loosened, and do not remove them. However, if they are covered by the hubcap, use the flat end of the wrench to remove this part first. 

4. Apply the Jack & Raise the Vehicle

flat tirePlace the jack beside the flat tire underneath the vehicle, making sure to match the pictures on the jack kit to the appropriate jacking areas on your car. Ideally, before raising the vehicle, place a wood block beneath the jack. This will allow you to safely raise the vehicle approximately six inches off of the ground without worrying about it settling or coming off balance. 

5. Swap the Tires

Finish unscrewing the lug nuts by hand and remove them. Take off the flat tire by pulling it towards you until it’s free from the bolts. Lay it down while you mount the spare, pushing it forward until the lug bolts are visible through the rim. Add the lug nuts back and tighten them by hand. 

6. Lower the Vehicle

Use the jack to slightly lower the car until the tire is touching the ground. Then, apply the lug wrench and turn it clockwise to tighten the lug nuts fully. You can then completely lower the car, remove the jack, and re-add the hubcap if necessary before storing all of your items and getting back on the road. 

 

When you don’t have a way to change a flat tire on your own, turn to the team at Mt. Burney Towing in Burney, CA. Since 2001, this family-owned auto towing and roadside assistance company has helped drivers in Shasta, Modoc, Lassen, and Siskiyou County, CA, get out of all sorts of car trouble. Whether you have a dead battery or are locked out, they can be there any time of the day. Call them today at (530) 335-3333 for assistance, and visit their website to learn more about their services.

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