Got A Flat Tyre? Here’s What To Do!

Things needed to replace a flat tyre

Image credit: Bridgestone

Steps to Follow

1. Choose a safe location for Parking

When you realise you’ve got a flat tyre, don’t panic. Reduce the speed and move the car to a flat and stable spot in the corner of the road. Switch off the engine, apply the parking brake, get out, and have a look.

2. Take out the spare tyre and the tools

Turn on the hazard lights, find the spare tyre and the tools listed above. The spare tyre is always located beneath the mat of the floor in the trunk of the car. Roll the spare tyre and the tools near the flat tyre. Put wheel wedges, bricks, or some other heavy object behind the rear tyres.

3. Loosen the wheel lug nuts

Use the lug wrench or tyre iron to loosen the wheel lug nuts by applying an anticlockwise force. Don’t obliterate the lug nuts, just make them loose so you can remove them by hand after jacking up the care.

4. Jack up the Car

Take out the owner’s manual and look up the proper spots for jacking. Move the jack to the spot and start raising it with the help of metal crank at the end of it. Keep raising until the flat tyre is entirely off the ground.

5. Remove the flat tyre

Remove the wheel lug nuts you loosen earlier. You should be able to remove them with your hands. Place the lug nuts in a safe spot so they won’t roll away. Then, pull the flat tyre towards you to separate it from the hub below and place the tyre in a safe spot as well.

6. Put on the Spare tyre

Lift up the spare tyre and try to align the holes in the wheel with the studs on the hub. This step, in terms of physical strength, is the most demanding one in the process. Use your foot if you have problems lifting the tyre. After aligning the tyre and stud, push the tyre on the brake hub and put on the lug nuts. Don’t make the lug nuts very tight yet, just tighten them until they are snug.

7. Bring down the car and tighten the lug nuts completely

After putting on the spare tyre, bring the jack down and pull it away from the vehicle. Now tighten the lug nuts completely; the wheel will not rotate now as it is touching the ground.

8. Put the Flat tyre and equipment in the car

Put the tools and the flat tyre in the trunk and take the tyre to the mechanic. If it is not repairable, the mechanic can dispose it and provide you with a replacement.

That’s it. If you follow all the steps, it should take approximately 15-20 minutes to change a flat tyre.

It’s also worth having a look at the video below made by Bridgestone who are undoubtedly masters at their craft.