Goodwin's Volvo

How to Change a Flat Tire in 12 Easy Steps

When I was in college, I was out on a date when we got a flat tire. After fumbling around with it  for a while, my date jumped out of the vehicle and changed the flat in about eight minutes. To say that it was embarrassing is an understatement and something I haven't forgotten, even though it happened many years ago.

At Goodwin's Volvo, we know that emergency situations on the road can be stressful and getting a flat tire in Topsham, ME or anywhere else can surely be one of these high-anxiety moments. Knowing the basics about how to change a flat tire will hopefully alleviate any potential apprehension for the next time it happens.

First, your vehicle should always come with a spare tire, jack and a lug wrench, and you should also always carry an emergency car kit in your vehicle that includes flashlight with batteries, a pair of gloves and some road flares as well.

12 easy steps to change a flat tire:

1.) Go to a safe location: If you are on the highway and not in close proximity  to an exit, then make certain to pull off as far onto the shoulder of the roadway as safely as you possibly can.

2.) Flip on your hazard lights: No matter what time of day, turning on your hazards will enable you to alert other drivers, so that they too can give you ample room.

3.) Use your parking brake and/or wheel wedges: If you don’t have any wheel wedges to place on the opposite end of the flat tire, or access to large rocks or bricks to prevent the car from rolling, at minimum you should always use the parking brake to keep it in place while you change the flat.

4.) Take your hubcap off

5.) Loosen the lug nuts: Using the lug wrench, you should be able to loosen the lug nuts, but do not completely remove them quite yet.

6.) Position your jack under and raise the vehicle: Your flat tire should be about six inches off the ground if you're doing things right.

7.) Remove the lug nuts

8.) Remove the flat tire

9.) Mount the spare tire: Make 100% certain to align it up with the lug bolts and then push it on until you see that the lug bolts have gone completely through the rim.

10.) Put the lug nuts back on: Tighten them initially by hand at this point, as tight as you can get them.

11.) Lower the vehicle partially and then finish tightening lug nuts: Ascertain that your tire is resting on the ground, but not carrying the full weight of the vehicle yet, and use the lug wrench to finish tightening the lug nuts.

12.) Completely lower the vehicle and replace hubcap.

Sources: AAA, DMV and CarTalk