Surprisingly, there are a large number of drivers that do not know how to change a tire properly. Yet, most have experienced, or will experience a flat tire while on the road.
Better tire management can help avoid flat tires while traveling. While tire management software can help operators of commercial fleets, everyone else can do 2 simple things to avoid flat tires on the road. Check the tires before the wheels turn and check the spare tire at every service.
A deflated or flat tire will cause vehicle sway / drift and loss of control, especially while turning. If you experience this while driving, ease to the roadside carefully. Never drive on a flat. In addition to being unsafe, it can completely destroy the tire, plus it can also risk damaging the rims and wheel assembly components.
Do not change a tire if the safety of yourself or your passengers is compromised or at risk.
Removing the tire
Before you begin, turn on hazard lights and set the emergency break.
Check the owners manual for the location of your spare tire, lug wrench, and tire jack. Also check it for the right place on the vehicle where it can be safely jacked up.
Check to ensure the spare tire is inflated. No point replacing one flat tire with another.
Remove the hubcap. This most often clips on to the rim.
Using the lug wrench, loosen the lug nuts. Don’t remove them just yet. Use lubricating oil on seized lug nuts.
Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is off the ground.
Remove the lug nuts. Store them temporarily where they are not easily misplaced.
Remove the tire.
Installing the spare tire
Note that the spare tire provided with many passenger vehicles is smaller than normal and is designed for travel over short distances. In these cases, do not use the spare a permanent replacement.
Align the holes on the spare tire with the bolts on the wheel and push on the tire.
Screw on lug nuts finger tight. Screw on lug nuts opposite to each other.
Use the lug wrench to tighten.
Lower your car off the jack.
Retighten each lug nut.
Drive at low speed until the tire can be check by a tire service professional.
** Consider printing this page and storing it with your spare tire, along an air compressor, work gloves, and a small piece of 2X6 lumber to enable the vehicle to be jacked up in softer ground.
Learn More
Check us out on the web at www.fleetharmony.com to learn more about tire management and Fleet Harmony’s Cloud Fleet management Software Suite.