How to Replace a Flat Tire
1 Most motorists have no idea on how to replace a flat tire. They drive day in and day out not even thinking that at some unexpected point they will have a flat tire. Even though it’s not a difficult process, it requires basic knowledge on the tools you will use, safety, and a bit of hard work.
2 As soon as you notice that you have a flat tire, there are a few important things you need to do like; find a flat, stable, and a safe place to change your tire. You’ll need a solid, flat surface that will restrict the car from rolling back or forward. If you are near a road, park as far from traffic as possible and turn on your emergency flashers (hazard lights). Avoid soft ground and hills because the jack will sink with the weight of the vehicle or will roll if on a hill.
3 Ensure the parking brake is engaged, put the car into the "Park" position and place a heavy object in front of the front tire if replacing the back tire or in the rear tire if replacing the front tire.
4 Take out the spare tire, log nut wrench, and the jack. Place the jack under the frame near the tire that you are going to change. Ensure that the jack is in contact with the metal portion of your car's frame. Many cars nowadays have molded plastic along the bottom. If you don't place the jack in the right spot, it will crack the plastic when you start lifting the car. If you're not sure about the right place to put the jack, read your owner's manual. For most modern uni-body cars, there is a small notch or mark just behind the front wheel wells, or in front of the rear wheel wells where the jack is intended to be placed.
5 Remove the hub cap and loosen the lug nuts by turning counterclockwise. Don't take them all the way off, just break the resistance. Having the wheel on the ground means that you're turning the lug nuts instead of the wheel. Use the wrench that came with your car or a standard cross wrench. Your wrench may have different sizes of...