It seems like the unexpected always happens when we least expect it.  Whenever we’re in a hurry, unprepared, and not expecting something to happen something does.  At some point we will all come across a flat tire in our life if we haven’t had that experience already.  Find out how you can be prepared, and ready to treat your flat tire when it comes.  These simple step by step instructions will get you prepared, able to fix your flat, and back on the road in no time.

  1. First you will want to pull off the road to a safe spot, a place where you have room to work, and are away from potentially dangerous objects.
  2. Put your vehicle in park and engage the parking brake.
  3. Turn off your car and be sure to turn on your hazard lights.
  4. You may want to open the hood to indicate to other cars that you are working on repairing your vehicle.
  5. Wedge a solid object behind any wheel that might role backward or forward.
  6. Get your spare tire, a lug nut wrench and a jack out to begin working.
  7. Remove the hubcap if necessary
  8. Now you will want to loosen the lug nuts that are in the star pattern.  (Don’t take them off just yet)
  9. Carefully jack up your vehicle.  You may want to get out your owners manual to find the safest place for raising your vehicle.
  10. Lift the vehicle just a little bit higher than you’d think to make sure you have room to remove the flat and replace it with the spare tire.
  11. Take off the lug nuts completely and place them in a spot where you won’t loose them.
  12. Now remove the flat tire and set it aside.
  13. Lift the new tire onto the wheel studs.  (Make sure the air plug is facing you to make sure you placed the tire the right way and not backwards.)
  14. Put the lug nuts back on the wheel.  Make sure you tighten them as tight as you can to make sure they don’t fall off.
  15. Slowly lower the jack and remove it from under your vehicle.
  16. Put the hubcap back on.
  17. You’re back on the road! Good luck!

Changing a tire may seem very intimidating at first but it is rather easy.  If you have the supplies you need, and the patience you will be back on the road in no time.  Take your tire, be careful and find yourself on the road and ready to go again!