Items Needed to Change a Tire
There are a few things you will want to make sure are in your car, so you will be able to change a tire if you are out driving and get a flat. This includes the owner's manual and spare tire, as well as a wrench and jack. You also want to make sure you are regularly checking the tire pressure of your spare tire. That way, you know it will have the right pound-force per square inch (PSI) if you do end up needing to use it.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Change a Tire
If you have all of these items, you will be prepared any time you need to change a tire. All you need to do is follow these steps to get your tire changed. Then, you can safely begin to drive again.
- Get to a Safe Spot: If you get a flat tire while driving, the first thing you will want to do is find a flat spot off the road where you can safely change your tire. Also, put on your hazard lights and apply the parking brake.
- Put Down Wheel Wedges: To ensure your vehicle doesn't roll while you replace your tire, you will want to wedge something in front of the front tires if you are changing a rear tire. If you are changing a front tire, place either wheel wedges, bricks, or large stones behind the rear tires.
- Remove Hubcap: If your car has a hubcap that covers the lug nuts, you will want to first remove it. You can refer to your owner's manual to see the recommended procedure for removing your car's hubcap.
- Loosen the Lug Nuts: Using the lug wrench, turn the lug nuts counterclockwise. You don't want to remove them yet, but about a quarter or half turn should loosen them enough.
- Raise the Vehicle: Next, grab your jack and place it beneath the frame of the vehicle alongside the tire that you are changing. To safely know where to place your jack, you can again refer to the owner's manual. Then, when the jack is positioned correctly, you can raise the vehicle until the flat tire is roughly six inches above the ground.Â
- Unscrew the Lug Nuts: Now you can go ahead and remove the lug nuts.
- Remove the Tire: At this point, the tire is ready to come off. Gently pull it toward you until you get it off.
- Mount the Spare: After the old tire is off, place the new or spare tire on. Once it is in place, you can put the lug nuts back on and begin to tighten them.
Once the new tire is on, you can lower the vehicle back down. Then, fully tighten the lug nuts using the wrench and put the hubcap back on if it fits the spare.
Want to learn more about all things tires? Check out our tire tips and tricks.
Want to Leave it to the Professionals?
While this is certainly a useful skill to know in case you get stuck in an emergency situation while driving, it may be best just to have one of our trained technicians change your tires whenever they need to be replaced.
Since they have done this service countless times, they are able to get it done for you quickly, which makes things extremely convenient for you. They can also properly install new tires on your vehicle that are the appropriate size and ensure everything is balanced and aligned.Â
Schedule Tire Service
If you need new tires or even just a quick tire rotation, our technicians here at Rockland CDJR are always ready to help! Schedule to have your tires serviced and keep your vehicle safely performing at its best around the roads of New City, Nanuet, and Pearl River, New York.
Knowing how to change a tire is an extremely important skill that each driver should have. While our Rockland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (CDJR) team is always ready to help with any tire trouble you have, you may need to change your tire yourself if you run into an issue while driving around New City, Nanuet, or Pearl River, NY.
There are a few things you will want to make sure are in your car, so you will be able to change a tire if you are out driving and get a flat. This includes the owner's manual and spare tire, as well as a wrench and jack. You also want to make sure you are regularly checking the tire pressure of your spare tire. That way, you know it will have the right pound-force per square inch (PSI) if you do end up needing to use it.
While this is certainly a useful skill to know in case you get stuck in an emergency situation while driving, it may be best just to have one of our trained technicians change your tires whenever they need to be replaced.