A flat can be a major headache and could leave you sitting in your car and waiting for roadside assistance. Changing the tire will fix this problem and get you back on the road again. As your Toyota dealer, we’d like to tell you how to change a tire quickly and easily.
Find a Safe Place
Changing a flat isn’t complex, but it takes up much of your focus. This means you need to have a safe place away from other vehicles to concentrate on the task. It’s also important to park in as flat an area as possible, as the jack needs to be placed on level ground to prevent accidents. Once you’ve parked, make sure the engine is switched off and the parking brake is set.
It’s also advisable to switch on your warning lights and lift the hood. These are both universal signs that your car has a problem, and other drivers will be more cautious and slow down if they pass you. If you have warning triangles or road flares, you can also set these up behind your vehicle for extra security if you’re close to moving traffic.
Remove the Flat
Changing a tire requires three items, namely the spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench. These items are usually kept in the trunk. Use the lug wrench to loosen the lugs on the flat, but don’t remove them. Look underneath your car for the closest jacking point. Jacking points are flat reinforced sections underneath your car designed for positioning a jack.
Place the jack under a jacking point and lift your car until the flat tire just touches the ground. Unscrew the lugs by hand, then carefully lift the flat off the wheel hub and set it to one side.
Replace the Tire
Lift the spare on the wheel hub and rotate it until the holes in the rim line up with the holes in the wheel hub. Screw the lug nuts back on, and turn them as tightly as you can by hand. Once all the lugs are back in place, lower the car to the ground and remove the jack. Use the lug wrench to tighten the lugs as securely as possible.
Place the flat, lug wrench, and jack back in your trunk, and you’re ready to hit the road again. You’ve now officially changed a tire.
Spare tires are often donuts, which are smaller than a regular tire. Their size allows you to save space in the trunk, but they’re not as durable as standard tires. The tire you’ve changed will need to be replaced after 50 miles of driving. Visit us today at Toyota Vallejo in Vallejo, CA, and we’ll fit a new tire for you.
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