| Almost everybody has had one, and those who | | | | written information about the pieces to jack |
| haven't almost certainly will, a Flat Tire. | | | | the car is situated. Usually, they are either |
| | | | printed on the jack or somewhere around the |
| Even if you affiliated to an auto club, which | | | | storage compartment, as well as in the |
| offers towing or on the spot assistance, you | | | | owner's manual. |
| may not be near a phone when the flat | | | | |
| happens. That is why you must know how to | | | | You have to remove the hubcap or the wheel |
| change a tire by yourself. Beside from the | | | | cover. To do this you should use a |
| advices presented here, read carefully the | | | | screwdriver or the flat end of the jack. |
| car's owner's manual, as you will find | | | | |
| specific information about your car. | | | | Next you need to break loose the lug nuts. |
| | | | Because the car stands on the wheel, it will |
| When a flat occurs, it is important to remain | | | | not move and it will allow you to unscrew |
| calm. Do not panic and the first thing to do | | | | them more easily. Do not take them out |
| is to take the pedal of the gas pedal and let | | | | completely. Some of the lug nuts can be |
| the car come to stop. Because when you loose | | | | tougher to loose and you will have to apply |
| air from a tire the car will not have the | | | | more force. After the lug nuts begins to |
| same handling properties, do not make any | | | | unscrew, move to the next one. |
| sudden maneuvers. Put the alert flashers on | | | | |
| to show so the other drivers will notice you | | | | Find the jacking points under the car (the |
| have a problem and find a place outside the | | | | owner's manual can help you with the exact |
| main road where you can start changing the | | | | location). You will see that most cars have a |
| tire. | | | | special reinforced place where to put the |
| | | | jack. When starting jacking, be sure that |
| The first thing to do when you face yourself | | | | both the car and the jack are on firm level |
| with the need to change a tire is to find a | | | | ground. Do not lift your car more than is |
| place away from traffic, a level ground where | | | | required to take the wheel out. |
| to park the car. If there is no such spot | | | | |
| nearby, you can try to drive until you see | | | | Remove the lug nuts and take the flat tire |
| one, but only if you do not represent a | | | | out. Take the replacement one from the trunk |
| threat to you as well as the other drivers on | | | | and replace it. |
| the road. | | | | |
| | | | After having changed the wheel, put the lug |
| Turn off your engine and be sure you put the | | | | nuts back and screw them into place until the |
| car in the first gear if you own a manual | | | | wheel is fixed. Let the jack down so the car |
| transmission car or into park if your car has | | | | will be on four wheels again. Use the lug |
| an automated one. It is time to get ready the | | | | wrench and screw the lug nuts as hard as you |
| spare tire, the jack and the lug wrench. Most | | | | can. Tighten the lug nuts in diagonally, so |
| of the times you will find the Jack under the | | | | that the same amount of pressure is applied |
| carpet in the trunk. If you own a truck, the | | | | to each part of the wheel. |
| jack as well as the lug wrench will be either | | | | |
| under the hood, behind the seat or together | | | | All you have to do next is to put the lug cap |
| with the spire tire under the bed. | | | | or the wheel cover back, put the flat tire in |
| | | | the trunk and all the tools back at their |
| Next you should locate the place where the | | | | places. |