Service King Willowbrook

How to Easily Change a Tire

The dreaded flap of a flat tire is something no one wants to hear. If it happens though—and it will, eventually—it’s best to be prepared.

If you’re not a member of AAA or the owner of a vehicle maintenance plan with roadside assistance, you’ll have to get your hands dirty. Service King Willowbrook offers the following tips when changing a flat tire out with your spare. As always, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for step-by-step instructions.

1. Pull over as soon as possible, and be sure to do so safely—preferably on a wide, flat shoulder, in a parking lot, or on a street that isn’t busy. Engage your hazard lights and parking brake.
2. Locate your and remove your spare tire. It’ll likely be in the trunk (sedans) or may be mounted beneath the rear (truck or SUV). You’ll also need your auto jack for elevating the vehicle and the accompanying tire iron for removing the flat and securing the spare. If your setup includes high-visibility hazard cones, place them prominently to the rear and side of your vehicle to better alert oncoming traffic.
3. Use the tire iron to remove the hubcap (if you have one) and then loosen the lug nuts slightly—it’s easier to get them going before the car is elevated.
4. Place the jack underneath the vehicle (consult your owner’s manual for location) and raise the car approximately 4–6 inches off the ground.
5. Remove the lug nuts from the flat and place them somewhere secure—you really don’t want to lose these.
6. Remove the flat. Replace it with your spare tire and tighten the lug nuts as far as you can by hand.
7. Lower the vehicle until the jack disengages. Then finish tightening the lug nuts with the wrench in a cross pattern: 1, 3, 2, 4 if numbered them clockwise.
8. Finally, replace your hubcap if necessary and stow the flat safely until you can take it in for patching or replacement.

It’s really not as hard as it’s made out to be! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be done in no time.

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