Changing a flat tyre on your car is a life skill that every driver should know and learn. It may look a little difficult but provided you follow a few critical steps and have the right tools, changing your car tyre is something you can master in no time.
1. Location
Although a flat tyre will often happen at a very inconvenient location, you’ll need to ensure you find a spot that’s as safe as possible. Therefore, you should be clear of any other vehicles (passing traffic) and be on a hard, flat surface. If you’re stuck at an inconvenient location, be sure to use your hazard lights to warn other drivers or pedestrians in the area.
2. Tools
You’ll need the following items to change your car tyre successfully:
- A spare wheel/tyre to replace the flat
- A wheel brace or appropriately sized socket with a long handle
- A car jack
All cars should include a wheel brace and a portable jack, usually stored beneath the boot floor. If you’re unsure of its location, we recommend reading your car’s owner manual; it will guide you using the jack and where to position it under your car.
3. Jack up your vehicle
First things first – make sure your car is in Park if it is an automatic transmission or neutral if it is a manual transmission. Don’t forget to make sure the handbrake is firmly applied as well.
You’ll need to find the best place for the jack to be safely placed on the underside of your car. Again, the owners’ guide or manual will likely tell you the best spot.
Once you have found your spot and you feel as though it’s stable, start turning the wheel brace (or pumping the jack, depending on what type of jack you have) until you’ve taken a little weight off the tyre.
4. Remove your wheel nuts
Next, you’ll need to remove your wheel nuts. Make sure you haven’t lifted the car too high off the ground just yet, as you’ll need to have enough weight on the tyre to loosen the nuts. If the wheel nuts are stubborn, be patient and persistent; don’t let the brace slip off the nut. Try and keep the wheel brace horizontal to the ground and let your body weight do most of the work.
Once all of your wheel nuts have been loosened, use your jack to continue lifting the car. Remember, it needs to be high enough off the ground to remove the wheel and fit the spare one.
5. Remove the wheel and replace it with your spare
Loosen and remove the remaining wheel nuts by hand. Once you have removed them, carefully lift the wheel from the vehicle; you’ll likely need both hands to “wiggle” it off, but it shouldn’t be too difficult.
Grab your spare wheel/tyre and line it up with the wheel bolts while still on the ground. From here, you should be able to lift it up and onto the car without twisting or moving it too much. Once you’ve got the spare wheel on and in position, screw on the wheel nuts by hand until firmly tight – don’t use the jack to tighten the nuts just yet!
6. Lower the car back to the ground and tighten the wheel nuts
Wind down or release your jack until the spare wheel/tyre has taken the total weight of your car. Once the tyre is back on the ground, fully tighten the wheel nuts with your wheel brace. Use your bodyweight again, not just the strength in your arms.
Put your flat tyre back in the spare position, and don’t forget to have it fixed or replaced as soon as possible. Need your wheels or tyres checked? Speak to the experts at Sutherland Automotive. Our 24/7 online booking process lets you pick a time and date for your next visit!
