Car Maintenance

How to Change a Tire

By Cassie Pearson; Features Editor

On December 4, 2015

Pin It

Car Maintenance

How to Change a Tire

Cassie Pearson

Features Editor

clp1010@plymouth.edu

As the end of the semester approaches, students begin preparing for their journey home. Many of these students have a long car ride ahead of them. With that in mind, here are some instructions for changing a tire that could prove to be very beneficial for students making their way home.

Step 1: Pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road. If students find themselves with a flat tire on the highway, they should make their way to the nearest exit. If that is not possible, pull as far onto the shoulder as they can. Make sure the location is flat and not on a curve so that the car is visible to oncoming traffic.

Step 2: Make sure to set the parking break.

Step 3: Turn the hazard lights on. This will give other cars a warning that there is a car on the side of the road.

Step 4: Get the tools out of the car. These should include a jack, a wrench, and the spare tire.

Step 5: Use a wrench to loosen the lug nuts. Do not remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 6: Use the jack to lift the vehicle off the ground. The car’s owner’s manual will give a specific location to place the jack. The car should be 6 inches off the ground.

Step 7: Remove the lug nuts and pull the tire off of the car. Make sure to keep the lug nuts in a pile so that they can be used later on. Remove the tire by pulling it straight outwards.

Step 8: Place the spare tire on the car. After lining up the lug nut posts with the holes in the spare, the tire is pushed all the way onto the wheelbase.

Step 9: Put the lug nuts back on. Make sure they are not put on tightly at this point. Put them on just enough to keep the spare on the car.

Step 10: Lower the car back to the ground using the jack. Then, remove the jack from underneath the car.

Step 11: Make sure the lug nuts are tightened. Tighten opposite lug nuts 50% at a time until each is as tight as possible.

Step 12: Put the flat tire and tools back in the car. Make sure not to leave anything on the side of the road.

Step 13: Continue on the trip home. Information provided from dmv. org.