Mechanic working on the tires

How do I change a flat tire?

How to change a flat tire

Knowing how to change a flat tire is an important skill to have, but many people don’t think about it until they have a flat that needs changing. Read on to learn how to change a flat tire so that you know what to do if you ever get a flat on the road!


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Steps to change a flat tire

The most important thing to do first is to make sure that your vehicle has all of the necessary tools to fix a flat. Most vehicles have these items already, but double-check to be sure! Items you will need include a jack, a lug wrench, a fully-inflated spare tire and your owner’s manual. Other items that are handy to have include work gloves, a flashlight, a blanket (to kneel on), reflective triangles and/or a reflective vest (in case you get a flat at night). Then, follow these steps to change your tire!

  1. Pull over in a safe location and turn on your hazard lights
  2. Apply the parking brake
  3. Remove the hubcap and/or wheel cover
  4. Loosen the lug nuts but do not remove completely
  5. Place the jack under the vehicle and raise it
  6. Remove the lug nuts
  7. Remove the flat tire and mount the spare
  8. Tighten the lug nuts with your hand (not too tight!)
  9. Lower the vehicle so that the tire is on the ground but not with its full weight and tighten the lug nuts completely
  10. Lower the vehicle the rest of the way and replace the hubcap or wheel cover

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