Changing a flat tyre
Road side safety is a growing concern and being able to change a flat tyre is something that every driver should be able to do.
With crime on the rise we shouldn't rely on the good nature of fellow motorists to help us out.
Here are a few useful pointers to help you to change a flat tyre:
- As soon as you suspect you have a flat tyre, immediately slow down and steer your vehicle safely off the road. Bear in mind that a flat or blown tyre will effect your vehicle's handling and steering.
- Before bringing your car to a stop make sure you are safely out of danger from on-coming traffic and that your vehicle is parked on a level area so you can safely change the tyre.
- Turn the ignition off, turn on the hazard lights (critical at night time) and engage the hand brake/parking brake.
- Locate all the necessary tools that you'll need - spare tyre, car jack and wheel spanner (normally stored in the boot of your car). If your car has orange cones or a hazard sign it's a good idea to display this to the oncoming traffic.
- Using your wheel spanner, loosen the wheel nuts on the tyre (in order). Make sure this is done before you jack the vehicle up.
- Following the manufacturers instructions, use the car jack to carefully raise the vehicle (the end with the flat tyre). Raise the vehicle high enough so that you can remove the flat tyre.
- Carefully remove the wheel nuts and put them aside.
- Remove the flat tyre from your car and put it to one side.
- Place the new tyre onto your wheels hub; make sure the holes in the tyre align with the studs that are sticking out.
- Place the tyre on with the air valve facing you. Refer to the other tyres if you have difficulty with this.
- Replace the wheel nuts and tighten them in order being careful to tighten equally.
- After making sure the nuts are tightened and the wheel is secure, slowly lower the jack so that the wheel is on the road. Using the wheel spanner, tighten all of the wheel nuts securely.
- Collect all the tools and the flat tyre and place them back into the boot of your car.
You don't want to get caught without a spare tyre so remember to repair or replace your flat tyre as soon as possible.
