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AutoNetDirect.com Toolbox Feature: How to Fix a Flat Tire
 
There's nothing worse than getting a flat tire in the cold winter or hot summer weather. While it may not be the highlight of your travels, changing a tire can be simple. Follow these basic guidelines, and you'll be on your way in no time.
 "Print this out for your glove compartment."
Find a level area where you can work. It's dangerous to jack up a car on a hill or incline. Find a spot where you can pull the car over, out of the way of traffic. A long, straight stretch of road is better than just around the bend in a road. Traffic will be able to see you, rather than coming upon you unexpectedly. Turn on your emergency flashers.
  1. Park your car on a flat, solid ground away from traffic.
  2. Apply the parking brake, turn on the hazard lights, and put the transmission in gear.
  3. Place blocks in the front and back of the tire that is diagonally opposite from the tire you need to change.
  4. Gather your jack, jack handle and lug wrench.
  5. Pry off the hubcap (unless your vehicle has wheel covers or locks, which should be removed first).
  6. Using the lug wrench, loosen the wheel lug nuts by turning them one turn in a counterclockwise direction.
  7. Place the jack under the jack point (behind the front tire or in front of the back tire, as instructed in your owner's manual), and raise the car by turning the jack handle clockwise until the tire is at least tow or three inches off the ground.
  8. Finish removing the lug nuts, and place them in the hubcap so you won't lose them.
  9. Install the spare tire, and finger-tighten the lug nuts.
  10. Lower the car, and remove the jack. Complete the job by using your lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts securely in a star pattern: Tighten one lug nut, then tighten the one diagonally across from it. After that, tighten the lug nut next to the last one you tightened, and then tighten the one diagonally across from it.
  11. Put on the hub cap, remove the wheel blocks, store your tools and drive away.
  12. Remember, repair or replace the damaged tire as soon as possible. Spare tires are not meant to be replacement tires and should not be driven on for an extended time. It's a good idea to practice changing a tire before you have a problem, so you will know exactly what to do. You may also want to check your owner's manual for specific details on your particular automobile.

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