There are a lot of safe driving tips that our instructors and parents have warned us about when taking a drivers education course.
These safe driving tips usually talk about topics such as drunk driving and texting, which has become a serious problem in our country. However, it might come to a surprise that most new drivers have no idea how to change a tire if the moment comes.
We’ve all seen it happen. One day, you’re driving down a road or highway and all of a sudden, you run over a nail or sharp edge that slices one of your tires. You’re forced to pull over to the side of the road, only to find yourself scratching your head about what to do next.
Knowing how to change a tire is very important, since you never know what time of day it could occur. There is also a safe way of doing it. Many people have tried different ways, and have ended up getting hurt in the process. At Drive-Safely.net, we want to make sure our visitors understand how to change a tire properly in case the situation arises.
The Tools Needed For A Tire Change
There are a few tools that are absolutely mandatory when changing a tire. These tools include a simple jack, lug wrench, and most importantly, a spare tire.
There are many cars that will come with these tools, so if you aren’t sure where they are, consult your owner’s manual. There may also be a chance that the car didn’t come with any of them, so it’s best to check and make sure that you’re prepared. Making sure you have all these tools will help save a lot of stress and headaches down the road.
There are also a handful of optional items for a tire change. While these items are not mandatory, they can be of great help if you’re put in a compromising situation. Items such as a flashlight can help you if you happen to pop a tire at nighttime.
In case it rains, or you don’t want to get your hands or clothes dirty, gloves and a poncho may be something you’d want to keep in your car. A tarp to kneel on is also helpful in making things a little more comfortable. Lastly, a tire gauge and blocks can help make the process go more smoothly.
Pull Over And Find Somewhere Safe To Work!
Now, we get to the good part. Let’s go over how to properly change a tire! The first plan of action is to pull over to the side of the road.
Doing work on your tires can be extremely dangerous on the highway. You are at risk of getting hit by a passerby! Therefore, you must find an area off the highway that can allow you to work safely. Make sure to turn on your hazards when beginning to work!
Get The Wrench Out And Begin Working!
When changing a tire, the first step is to loosen the lug nuts with your wrench. However, do not remove the lug nuts all the way! That will come later. We just want to loosen them at this point.
If the lug nuts are not budging, try placing the wrench on the nut while standing on the wrench arm; placing your full weight on it.
Get The Jack Out And Lift The Vehicle
Go find your car jack! There are different spots where your car jack may be applied. It depends on the car brand and model, so make sure to consult the owner’s manual at this time. When you figure out the roper position, begin to lift your vehicle about six inches off the ground.
Removing The Tire
It is finally time to remove those lug nuts completely! Take out the lug nuts and put them in a secure location till later. Once they have been removed, pull the tire straight off in order to remove it from the wheel base. Congratulations, you’re halfway done!
Put The Spare On, And Properly Lower The Car To The Ground
Lastly, it is time to put on the spare! Line up the holes of the spare with the lug nut posts. Push the spare all the way in and find those lug nuts.
Put the lug nuts on, but not too tight! We just want to make sure that the wheel is on there enough for the moment. We will tighten them fully later.
Now, we must lower the jack in order to place your car in a normal position. Once the car is back in its normal position, fully tighten the lug nuts. Clean up the mess left behind, and you’re all done!
Donut Tires
Donut tires are only for temporary measures. It is a smaller tire designed to save space and weight in your vehicle, but it’s not made to be used for driving long distances. So remember that it’s still best to get a spare that is similar to your regular tires.
However, if you find yourself in a situation when you need to drive with a donut tire, there are a few things that you have to keep in mind.
Firstly, do not drive above 50 MPH. Another thing is to make sure that its tire pressure is at 60 psi. Be extra careful when braking and cornering. Expect steering to be a bit more difficult as well.
Again, don’t forget that driving with a donut tire will only allow you to drive a few miles, probably enough to find the nearest car shop to have your flat tire fixed. To be sure, check your car owner’s manual to see how many miles it can handle.
Learn More Safe Driving Tips At Drive-Safely.net
At first, you might think that changing a tire can be a difficult job. Truth is, it’s easier than most other car-related jobs you may come across throughout your driving.
You just need to understand the basics and how each tool works, and you’re good to go. Yes, you may need to exert a little physical effort and it’s not a pleasant experience to change a tire on the side of a road, but at least you don’t have to be stuck for long hours waiting for rescue if you know how to change tires yourself.
Hopefully, you learned something new and helpful today. Knowing how to change a tire is something of a lost art, as weird as it sounds.
It seems like technology and the digital age have made people complacent when it comes to taking care of their vehicle. That’s why we’re here! We want to make sure you understand how to change a tire.
You never know when you’re going to need to know how to do it. Visiting Drive-Safely.net will provide you with more safe driving tips, as well as online drivers ed reviews!