Fixing a Flat Tire

Fixing a Flat Tire

I think it's important for all you gals to do this as a project, before your tire actually goes flat, to make sure that you can. There are some physical restraints to this project (some SUV and truck tires weight 100 pounds each). Being stuck on the side of the road is no time to discover your lack of arm strength!

Step 1: Getting off the Road

AAA strongly recommends that you not use the shoulder if you have a flat on the highway. Instead turn on your flashers, decrease you speed, get into the slow lane, and take the nearest exit. Many accidents and deaths occur in supposedly safe shoulder lanes.

Park on pavement. If you try parking on dirt, your jack could sink into it, and if you park on grass the heat from you catalytic converter could cause the grass to catch fire. The place you stop must also be flat! Turn you engine off and firmly engage the paring brake.

Things you will need

 

  Things you may need

• Flashlight
• Old shirt
• Lubricating spray
• Reflective outerwear 
• Cheater bar

Step 2: Make Yourself Visible

 Pop open the hood of your car and turn on the emergency flashers, Take out your safety triangles and place them at least 200 feet away in the direction of traffic. These are all important visual signs that you are having car trouble. Take out all of the things you need and place them by the tire that is flat.

Spare Tire

There are 3 types of spare tires: a temporary spare (also called a doughnut), a folding spare that needs to be inflated, or a full size spare. Depending on the type of car you own the spare can be located outside the rear door, underneath the car, or most likely it is located the in trunk and is typically covered. Locate your tire and unbolt it to take it out. Place the spare next to where you'll be working. You don't want the car to be on a jack any longer than necessary.

   

Step 3: Removing the Flat

Place the wheel block behind the tire that is diagonally across from the tire that needs to be removed. This will keep the car from moving once you jack it up, if you don't have one use a brick or thick block of wood. If your wheel has a cover (hubcap) you can pry it off with a screwdriver

Loosening the Lug nuts

Lug nuts are the hexagon shaped nuts that keep the wheel on the car, there are generally 4-6 lug nut on each wheel. Use the Lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts (remember righty tighty lefty loosy). You just need to loosen each nut one turn around, DO NO REMOVE THEM YET. If you are having trouble loosening the nuts try a lubricating spray and a cheater bar (handle extension or often a piece of pipe to increase torque). If you still can't remove them, get to a safe area and call for help.

Jacking the Car

The jack lifts the car off the ground. Your car likely came equipped with a scissor jack (pictured above) which is operated by rotating a metal hand crank. You'll need to consult your owner's manual to know where the jack spots on your car are, but some cars have the word "jack" printed on the side to tell you. It's a great idea to mark them with duct tape for future reference. Use the jack to life the flat tire 2 inches off the ground. This may seem a little high, but remember this tire if flat and you need room for an inflated tire.

*never ever get under a car supported by a jack, for any reason

Step 4: Replacing the Tire

   Now that the car is raised remove the loosed lug nuts by hand and pull the flat off and roll it out of the way. Now comes the most difficult part, lifting the spare. If it is too heavy, wedge the curvy part of the crowbar underneath the tire and then push the handle down to life it. Align the holes in the spare with the protruding studs on the car. 

Once the tire is on the car hand tighten the lug nuts as much as you can. Slowly lower the jack until the spare is touching the ground. Use the lug wrench to tighten the nuts in a crisscross pattern if you have four or six lug nuts, and a star pattern if you have five. This ensure that the tire is centered correctly. Now pick everything up and put it back in your car.

Congratulations, You're done!