You might be surprised to learn that more motorists than you may think cannot change a tyre effectively. This is one of the more fundamental skills that all motorists should hold.
What cannot be ignored that the odds of having a flat tyre throughout your driving career is very high. Being a safe and responsible driver means much more than merely being aware of other road users and how to interpret signs – it means being responsible in all aspects of motoring. This includes having the ability to change a tyre, should the occasion call for it.
For anyone that’s unsure of how to change a tyre, here is a basic breakdown of what to do.
Pull Over and Engage the Parking Brake
The first action is to pull over to a safe part of the road, away from traffic. It’s paramount that you position your vehicle in a safe area. Once you’re satisfied that you and your vehicle is in a safe position, remove the spare tyre, jack and lug wrench from the car.
Place the Jack in a Safe Area
The jack is a very important aspect of your repair kit. In order to elevate your vehicle suitably, you will need sufficient space to operate the jack. Once the jack has elevated the car, you will have the sufficient environmental space to change the wheel.
Remove the Rim’s Cover
If you’re wheel rim has a cover remove it. Once you’re removed the wheel rim you will need to loosen the wheel nuts. This can be done with a spanner, which should be provided in the repair kit, provided in all new cars sold in the UK.
Remove the Flat Tyre and Place the Spare Tyre in its Place
Once you have replaced the tyre you can begin to tighten the wheel nuts. These wheel nuts must be tightened sufficiently. This will ensure that the tyre will be on the wheel correctly. The jack should be placed under the frame. It is paramount that the jack remains in contact with the metal frame of the car.
If you place the jack in the wrong position, you run the risk of insufficiently elevating the car. This can be disastrous. Many contemporary vehicles have a small mark or notch behind the wheel wells in the front or rear vehicle wheel wells. This is the best place to put the jack.
Release the Jack by Lowering the Vehicle
Once you have correctly changed the tyre, release the jack slowly and tighten any nuts. Once you’ve completed this process place the repair kit in the car. Complete one last check to make sure that the wheel nuts are tight. Only then do should you rejoin the road.
These are the five simple steps to changing a tyre. By following these you’ll sufficiently change the tyres on any car each and every time.
