Changing a tyre on the side of the road was a regular event for motorists in the first half of the last century. With modern tyres, you may never have had the pleasure of this adventurous experience. Even if you already know how, here’s a refresher with some helpful tips to make it less of an ordeal.
STEP 1: BE PREPARED
Planning ahead will save a lot of frustration. It’s not a bad idea to keep an emergency kit in your trunk and disposable, but sturdy Tyvek overalls will help keep your dry cleaning bills down. Throw in some mechanics gloves, a good waterproof flashlight, hand cleaner, and paper towels. Believe it or not, all that, plus wheels, chocks, flares, tyre gauge and tyre sealant all fit into this shallow Rubbermaid bin. The lid can double as something to kneel on. Since flat tyres happen year-round, you can even fit in a collapsible snow shovel.
STEP 2: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
You want to choose your tyre changing place very carefully. Once on the shoulder, slowly driving to the next exit ramp may give you enough space needed to stay away from the main flow of traffic.
STEP 3: NOT ENOUGH ROOM
The line separating traffic from you on the shoulder is not an invisible force field. This example does not have enough room, the car is leaning, and the ramp is going uphill. You will need a level, solid surface to jack up a car safely.
STEP 4: BE AWARE OF TRAFFIC
Turn on your four-way flashers. Using flares or reflective triangles will help give a long-range warning that a disabled car is ahead. This is especially important at night or in the rain. Always be aware of onrushing traffic, especially heavy trucks that create a suction in their wake that can pull you off your feet.
STEP 5: GIVE YOURSELF ROOM
Be sure you have enough room around the flat rear tyre to work safely. Keep the doors closed. A truck’s wake can blow them suddenly wide open and damage the hinges.
STEP 6: SET YOUR PARKING BRAKE
Set your parking brake. Blocking the diagonally opposite wheel will help keep the car from rolling once the flat tyre is up in the air. If you don’t have a wheel chock, you can improvise with some suitable object found by the side of the road.
STEP 7: CHECK THE SPARE
Check the spare tyre and tools. If your spare is flat or essential tools are missing, there’s no sense in continuing. You were prepared so your flat kit is fully stocked and ready to go. Remove the jack and lug wrench.
STEP 8: USE YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL
Your owner’s manual has all the vehicle-specific instructions and pictures of where everything is located. It’s not a bad idea to copy the tyre change page instructions (double-sided) and laminate them. A plastic kitchen magnet can hold them in a place easily viewed while working.
STEP 9: PRY OFF THE HUBCAP
Use the sharp end of the lug wrench to pry off the hubcap. Some cars have hubcaps with false lugs that secure the hubcap or are just for decoration. It’s a good idea to become familiar with your type of wheel fasteners before you are in an emergency situation.
STEP 10: REMOVE THE HUBCAP
Remove the hubcap and set it on the ground upside-down to use as a tray for the lug nuts.
STEP 11: LOOSEN LUGS
Lugs will need to be loosened prior to lifting the vehicle.
STEP 12: YOU MAY NEED AN ADAPTER
You may have one lug that requires a special “key” adapter.
STEP 13: INSERT KEY LOCK ADAPTER
Insert key lock adapter.
STEP 14: USE YOUR FLOOR MAT
Loosen the key lock. Here’s a tip: You can use your floor mat to kneel on. Flip it over so the dirty side is on the ground.
STEP 15: REMOVE LOCK
Remove lock.
STEP 16: PLACE LOCK IN HUBCAP
Place the lock in the hubcap. Loosen all the other lug nuts. You’ll put all the lug nuts in the hubcap or another suitable clean place so you don’t lose them. You also don’t want to get dirt or grit in the threads.
STEP 17: LOCATE THE PINCH FLANGE
On most unit body construction cars, the pinch flange is the strongest part of the car for lifting purposes. Most cars have a notch that fits the factory jack. Consult your owner’s manual for lifting locations. Lifting a car at the wrong spot can damage the car and endanger you if it’s unstable.
STEP 18: POSITION JACK
Position the jack under the jacking location.
STEP 19: RAISE THE VEHICLE
Raise the vehicle slowly by turning the jack handle clockwise. You’ll want enough height to not only remove the flat tyre but also to install the fully inflated spare.
STEP 20: REMOVE THE TYRE
Remove the remaining, already loosened lug nuts and remove the flat tyre. Just pull, but be careful! It may be heavy.
STEP 21: REMOVE SPARE
Remove the spare from the trunk or inside a rear panel on some minivans.
STEP 22: PICKUPS AND SUVS
On many pickups and SUVs, the spare is suspended under the rear of the truck. There is a centre nut that holds the spare up. Directions to loosen are shown. On some, there is a manual cable “winch” that lowers the spare down. Consult your owner’s manual for details on the operation.
STEP 23: INSTALL THE SPARE
Install the spare by lining up the wheel studs with the holes.
STEP 24: FINGER TIGHTEN THE LUGS
You may need to use your foot to hold the spare in place while you thread the lugs on. Just finger-tighten until snug. You should NOT attempt to tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench while the wheel is in the air. The wheel may merely rotate or could cause the car to fall off the jack.
STEP 25: LOWER THE CAR
Carefully lower the car by turning the jack handle counter-clockwise.
STEP 26: TIGHTEN THE LUGS
Once the car is down, you can tighten the lugs. Tighten them clockwise in a crisscross pattern. Your owner’s manual will show the correct sequence. Failure to tighten the lugs properly is potentially unsafe.
STEP 27: YOUR SPARE IS NOW INSTALLED
Your spare is now installed. Note that these “space saver” tyres are temporary spares. Do not exceed the speed label on the sidewall (usually 50 mph) and drive carefully. Because a temporary spare does not have the same handling characteristics and longevity as your regular tyre, get your full-size flat tyre repaired or replaced right away.
STEP 28: REMOVE THE JACK
Be sure to remember to remove the jack and stow it in the trunk. Look around and pick up your tools, hubcap, emergency kit, and everything else.
STEP 29: STOW FLAT IN THE TRUNK
Place the flat, tools and kit in the trunk.
STEP 30: REINSTALL HUBCAP
After you get a new tyre mounted on your wheel, reinstall the wheel and reinstall the hubcap. Put the spare back in the trunk. Secure the jack and tools.
STEP 31: ALL DONE
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Source: http://www.giorgioexpress.co.za/car-care/change-tyre-safely-quickly
