Kimber Creek Ford Official Blog
What can you do if you get a flat tire?
By Product Expert | Posted in Tips & Tricks on Saturday, December 26th, 2015 at 7:02 pm
Changing a flat tire
You’re driving along a city road on a cool winter’s day when you catch a last-second glimpse of a puddle. You wince as your vehicle slams into what is actually a deep, jagged pothole disguised by a pool of the season’s precipitation. You hope against hope that your tire is okay, but alas, you hear the dreaded FLAP, FLAP, FLAP as you roll forward, the steering wheel jerking awkwardly in your grip. You don’t have roadside assistance, so you’re going to have to take care of this problem yourself. If you follow these steps for changing a flat tire, you should be back on the road before you know it.
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How to change a flat tire safely
The first thing you’ll want to do is find a safe spot to pull over. It should be on a flat surface and in plain view of other drivers. Turn on your hazard lights to alert others, maybe even a passing police officer, of your predicament. Get out of your vehicle and grab the tools you need from the trunk, which will include the jack, wrench, and the spare tire itself. Remove the hubcap and loosen the lug nuts with the wrench. Don’t remove them just yet, and remember, lefty-loosey, righty-tighty! Use the jack to lift your vehicle up off the ground. Make sure the jack is secure, and raise the vehicle until it is about six inches from the ground. You may want to check your owner’s manual to see exactly where you should place the jack. Next, remove the lug nuts completely and pull the tire off the car. Put the lug nuts in a pile so you don’t lose them.
Place the spare tire onto the car by lining up the lug nut posts with the holes on the spare. Put the lug nuts back onto the wheel, but don’t completely tighten them yet. Just make sure they are on well enough for the spare to stay on the wheel. Lower your vehicle back to the ground by using the jack. Tighten the lug nuts by starting with one and tightening it about halfway, then moving to the opposite lug nut and doing the same, and moving around in this opposite manner until the lug nuts are completely tightened. Finally, put your flat tire and your tools into the trunk.
Schedule an appointment for new tires as soon as you can. Spares are not meant for frequent or heavy use, so it’s important that your car or truck is equipped with the proper tires. Be sure to think of Houston Ford for your servicing needs! We’ll be happy to help!
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