How to change a tire with a flat
The first time you have a flat tire, it is not easy to change the wheel. You have to be prepared and make sure you have the necessary equipment in the car so that the wheel change can be done as easily and quickly as possible.
Before you even set off in your car, make sure you have everything you need under the boot mat:
- A spare tire
- A jack
- A wheel wrench
1. Stop in a safe place
The first thing to do when you get a flat tire is to stop your car in a safe place. Ideally, not on the side of the highway. Make sure you stop your vehicle, set the parking brake and turn on your hazard lights. Also, and especially if you have to change your tire in the dark, wear a reflective vest.
2. Lift the car
Next, take out the equipment stored under the carpet in the trunk. Start by loosening the wheel bolts a quarter turn. Then take the jack out and install it perpendicular to the car, under the lifting point closest to the wheel to be changed (or as indicated in the owner's manual). These lifting points are indicated by a mark or notch on the underbody. It is imperative that you use these locations for the jack, no others. You must raise the jack until your wheel is two inches off the ground.
3. Install the spare tire
Once the car is up, you can loosen the bolts completely and set them aside. Then pull the wheel out. Sometimes it may be tight and not want to come out. Don't hesitate to kick the wheel so that you can pull it out. The studs will be up to date, allowing you to install the spare tire.
When it is in place, you should tighten the bolts until they rest on the tire rim. To make sure you tighten them evenly, you'll need to tighten them in a star pattern. For example, start with the top center bolt, then the bottom right, the top left, the top right and finally the bottom left.
4. Lower the vehicle
Start by lowering the jack a little, but not all the way. Tighten the bolts again, in the same way as in the previous step. Then you can slowly lower the car back down to the ground.
Finally, go to a garage to repair your flat tire. Remember that a spare tire can only rarely be driven at more than 60 km/h; avoid highways!
