Changing a Tire

Kevin Schappellapply more force to the nuts. You do not want
It always happens at the worst times! You needto completely remove the lug nuts yet.... just
to know how to change a tire even if you havebreak them loose. Once the lug nut begins to
an auto club membership. Depending on wheremove, STOP and move onto the next one. I
you get a flat, there may not be a phone nearbyoften carry a small pipe, which will fit over the lug
to call a tow truck. Let's take is step by step andwrench. This pipe can provide additional leverage
always remember to read your owners manual,and allow you to get those stubborn lug nuts off.
there will be detailed instructions relating to yourAlways remember righty tighty, lefty loosy. Turn
car there. I should mention also a few tips forthe lug nuts left or counter clockwise to loosen.
getting to the side of the road safely if you haveStep 7: Now it's time to jack up the car. Make
a blowout on the road.sure you know where the manufacturer has
placed jacking points by reading the owners
- Slowly take your foot off of the gas and let themanual or the instructions near or on the jack.
vehicle coast to a stop.Most cars will have a reinforced lip where the jack
- Do not make any sudden braking or steeringcan be placed. If you can not locate this, look for
actions.a solid portion of the frame to jack on. Make sure
- Put your flashers on to alert other drivers.the jack is on firm level ground and start jacking.
- Now that you are safely off of the road.Take it slowly and only go as far as you need to
Step 1: Make sure you are on firm level groundget the wheel off.
and away from traffic. If you are not, then try toStep 8: The wheel is off the ground and it's time
drive to a better spot, but only if you can do itto remove the lug nuts. Use the wrench or your
safely. Avoid going back onto the road and intofingers to remove the nuts. Slowly take the
traffic.wheel off and set it to the side.
Step 2: Set your emergency brake and put theStep 9: Get the new wheel and put it on the car.
car in Park or 1st gear if you have a manualTighten the lug nuts as tight as you can without
transmission. Make sure the engine is turned off.the wheel spinning. Don't worry about getting the
Step 3: Locate the spare tire, jack, and lugnuts super tight, as you will do the final tightening
wrench. These are usually located in the trunkwhen the car is off of the jack.
underneath the carpet on cars. Trucks usuallyStep 10: Let the car down off of the jack and
have the jack and lug wrench behind the seat orget your lug wrench. Tighten the lug nuts in a star
under the hood, with the spare tire under the bed.pattern if there are five nuts. Start with one lug
Step 4: Typically there are instructions printed onnut and skip the next one until they are all tight. If
the jack or somewhere near the storageyou have 4 nuts, just tighten the opposite nut
compartment. Read these instructions, they willfrom where you started and then the remaining
tell you where to jack the vehicle and any specialtwo in any order.
steps you will need to take.Step 11: Replace your wheel cover or hubcap and
Step 5: First remove the hubcap or wheel cover.clean up the jack, lug wrench and blown tire. If
The lug wrench often has a flat end, which youyour spare tire had air in it, you should be able to
can use to pry off the cover. If not, acontinue your journey.
screwdriver will work just fine.Finally: Remember if you have a temporary spare
Step 6: Before you jack the car up you will wanttire (AKA doughnut) you can only drive a few
to break loose the lug nuts. The weight of the carmiles to a service station and usually not over 50
will keep the wheel from spinning and allow you toMPH.