I hopped into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and three of my friends and I were on the way to the mall. We were going to hang out, do so shopping, and satisfy each of our cravings at the gigantic food court. We were listening to the radio and entertaining each other on the thirty mile interstate trip.
Suddenly there was a loud thump. My car started wobbling and shaking. Before I knew it, I felt like I was riding on the ground. A fourth of the car was riding on the ground. I eased over to the side of the road, put my hazard lights on, and got out to take a look. I had a flat tire that no can of “Fix a Flat” could begin to help. The rubber on my tire had completely separated from the wheel. Well, there went our plans for the night. But I thought, luckily I know how to change a tire. Everyone who drives should know how to change a tire.
The first step when you think you may have a flat is to drive slowly and safely to a level place on the side or shoulder of the road. Be sure you are as far away from traffic as possible to avoid being road kill. Always turn on your hazard warning flashers. Place your car in Park and put your parking braking on (this is for automatics).
Carefully inspect the tire. Do you need to change the tire or will your trusty can of “Fix a Flat” get you back on the road? You see that your “Fix a Flat” isn’t fixin’ this flat.
Next step go to the trunk of your vehicle and open the storage compartment that houses all the necessary equipment. This will include the jack, lug wrench/shaft, and the donut. (As in spare tire donut.)
Now, pull out the spare tire, for most people this will be under the rug of the trunk, pull back the rug and you will see the door. Pull the door up and you will see the spare tire attached to the flour with a wing nut. Simply remove the wing nut and lift your tire out.
Once the spare tire is removed, place it near your flat tire. It is now time to loosen your flat tire to begin the changing process....