How to change a flat

You can find instructions for changing a tire in your owner’s manual or maybe even your trunk. When you realize you have a flat very carefully move your car as far off the main road as you can. If possible, find a flat hard surface. You never want to change a tire when a vehicle is on a slope. Then put your car in park if it’s an automatic or reverse if it’s a manual shift car, turn on your emergency flashers, and apply your parking brake. If you have emergency flares place them at least 100 feet behind and in front of your car to warn others.

Have all passengers exit the car on the passenger side and have them stay off the road and the shoulder and away from the rear of the car.  It’s also a god idea to block the tire (with a rock or block of wood) that is diagonally across from the tire that is being change to keep the car from rolling.

To actually change the tire you need the spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench or tire iron. First, pry off the hub cap so you have access to the lug nuts. Recheck the owner’s manual to verify the best place to put a jack under the car. Jack up the car until the tire is still on the ground but you’ve lifted the suspension a bit. Next, loosen but do not remove the lug nuts and then raise the car until the tire clears the road surface. At this point, remove the lug nuts and the flat tire and put the spare tire on. Reinstall the lug nuts and tighten them slightly making sure the wheel is flush against the brake hub. Lower the car and finish tightening the lug nuts and you’re done.