Whether you’re behind the wheel of your used Nissan Rogue, Chevrolet Equinox, or Subaru Outback, a flat tire will bring your commute to a grinding halt. Learn how to change a flat tire from our Service Department at Crazy Cheap Cars, ensuring you’re prepared if one occurs on your commutes in Buffalo.
Gathering the Tools Needed
Preparedness is fundamental to a quick and easy experience changing your flat tire, and it begins by stocking a kit in your vehicle. To begin with, you should have a properly maintained spare tire, which means ensuring it stays inflated to the correct pressure and remains free from any cuts, bulges, or other damage that could compromise its safety. Beyond the spare itself, you'll need a jack capable of lifting your vehicle safely off the ground, as well as a lug wrench designed to loosen and tighten the nuts that secure your wheel to the hub. Also, make sure you have your Owner’s Manual for important information, wheel wedges, and a high-visibility vest if you’re going to be on the side of a busy road, like I-190.
Initial Steps
When you notice your tire losing air pressure while driving, your first priority should be assessing the situation carefully and finding the safest possible location to address the problem. Ideally, you'll want to guide your vehicle into a parking lot at a place like MLK Jr. Park, where it is well-lit and sheltered from heavy traffic. Once you've positioned your car safely, put on your reflective safety vest and take a moment to evaluate whether you feel capable of changing the tire yourself or whether this situation calls for professional assistance. If you’re not ready to proceed, either call for Roadside Assistance or have your car towed to our convenient location. If you’re ready to handle it on your own, remove the hubcap and use the lug wrench to break through the initial tightness by loosening the lug nuts half a turn. Place the jack under your car using information from your Owner’s Manual concerning safe areas. Lift the vehicle, remove the lug nuts the rest of the way, and take off the damaged tire.
Finalizing the Process
Now that the flat tire is off your car, it’s time to reverse the process using your space. After checking to ensure the spare is capable of being used, mount it on the lug bolts from which you removed the spare. Then, apply the lug nuts and hand-tighten them. Next, lower the jack until the spare is touching the ground but not taking the full weight of your vehicle. At that point, you’ll want to use the lug wrench to secure the lug nuts in a star-shaped pattern, passing over every other lug nut to make certain the wheel stays straight. Finally, bring the car to the ground, double-check the tightness of the bolts, make certain that the spare tire is supporting the full weight of your model, and then stow your materials in your vehicle. You should make it a priority to repair or replace the damaged tire. If you have any questions about tire services, contact us!
How Far Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?
- You should only drive 50 miles on a spare tire while not exceeding speeds of 50 MPH.
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