You can get a flat tire anywhere; learning how to change it without help is a critical skill for any driver. Thankfully, learning how to do it isn’t hard, and you can do it with things that are already in your car.
Step 1:
Slowly reduce speed and stop on the most level, straight stretch of road with a wide shoulder away from traffic. If there isn’t one around, keep moving slowly until you get to a safe spot.
Step 2:
Hazard lights are handy to make you more visible to other drivers and avoid accidents. Once you stop, remember to put on your parking brake to keep your vehicle from rolling.
Step 3:
Put in the wheel wedges. These go in front of or behind the tires to keep it securely in one place. If you’re changing a rear tire, put them in front of the front tires. If your front tire is flat, put the wedges behind the rear tires. In case you don’t have wedges, a large rock will do.
Step 4:
If you have hubcaps or tire covers, this is the time to remove them. Next, use the wrench to turn the lug nuts counterclockwise and loosen them about ¼ to ½ of a turn. Don’t remove them yet.
Step 5:
Place the jack under the vehicle frame alongside the tire that’s flat. Look for a cleared area of exposed metal meant explicitly for the jack.
Step 6:
Raise the flat tire until it is about six inches above the ground. Remove the lug nuts all the way and remove the tire. Mount the spare tire and push gently until the lug bolts show through the rim. Put the lug nuts back on the lug bolts and tighten them by hand.
Step 7:
Lower the vehicle so that the spare tire is just about touching the ground. Tighten the lug nuts with the wrench, turning clockwise and finally pushing down with the full weight of your body. Lower the vehicle altogether, remove the jack, and tighten the nuts again.
Step 8:
Replace the hubcap and stow away all the equipment. Check the tire pressure to make sure it’s safe to head out onto the road.