How to change a tire? Change a flat tire in 11 steps

How to change a tire? Change a flat tire in 11 steps

 

Is there anything more annoying than a flat tire? No matter where you're going, a flat tire can happen any time and might become a huge pain. It is something that we usually don't think about learning how to do.

If you don't have a roadside assistance to rescue you right away, you better learn how to change a tire. I prepared this post to show you step by step how to easily get out of this uncomfortable situation and be able to drive to the closest tire shop.

You can change a flat tire in 15 min if you know the steps and have with you all the necessary tools.

But before you start, here are some safety measures you want to make sure to apply to prevent that another accident happens in consequence of your flat tire:

1. Find a safe place to pull over. Try your best to find a safe spot to park and always look for a flat surface.

2. Turn on your hazard/emergency lights and parking brake.

3. If you are on the street or highway, use reflective warning signs if you have one available. Place few feet behind your vehicle.

What do I need to change a flat tire?

Here is what you need to make to carry with you to be prepared to fix a flat tire when it happens to you:

·       Your vehicle's owner manual

·       Wrench Lug

·       Spare tire

·       Car Jack

You might also want to carry with you a rain poncho, mat for kneeling, gloves, and flashlights. These extra items might help the process feel easier.

How do I change a tire? Step by step guide

Your spare tire and jack stand will most likely be in the trunk of your car, underneath the mat. Make sure to check time to time if it is fully inflated. If you don't find them, check your vehicle's manual to see if your vehicle has them and where they are located.

Step 1: Pull off the road and park in a safe place.

Step 2: Turn on emergency lights, set the parking brake and secure the area.

Step 3: Use a rock or wooden wedges to block the tire on the opposite side of the flat tire to prevent the vehicle of rolling.

Step 4: Take the spare tire, jack and wrench from the trunk of your vehicle (or wherever they are located). Place them next to you to make the process easier.

Step 5: Using the wrench (turn it counterclockwise), loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with the flat tire.

Step 6: Lift the vehicle up with the help of the jack stand until the wheel is off the ground and remove the lug nuts completely.

Step 7: Remove the flat tire.

Step 8: Mount the spare tire and start tightening the lug nuts.

Step 9: Lower the vehicle completely and remove the jack.

Step 10: Tighten the lug nuts once more. (To make sure they are completely tight and safe)

Step 11: Place the wheel, the flat tire and all the tools back in the car.

Don't forget to put back the wheel cover and if your vehicle has one. You're all set to drive to the closest body shop or service station to have your flat tire repaired or replaced.

If you are not comfortable doing this process yourself, pull off the road and call your roadside assistance. It is always better to safe than sorry, and safety is not something you want to mess up with.

 

7 ways of how to prevent flat tires

1 - Check the tire pressure regularly

It is a good practice to check the pressure of your vehicle's tires using a tire pressure gauge at least once a month according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Wait couple of hours before checking the pressure to avoid an inaccurate reading from the tires being warm.

If you are not sure what is the correct pressure for your tires, check your vehicle manufacturer's manual.

Also inspect your spare tire to make sure it has no defects and is in good condition. Replace it right away in case you find any defects on the side wall.

2 - Check the tire tread

You can easily find a tread-depth gauge in any auto parts store. Make sure it complies with your states regulations and are safe enough to drive.

3 - Stay away from hazardous

I know it is hard to prevent it, but you can try to avoid construction sites. Avoid routes with sharp rocks, nails, and potholes.

4 - Avoid overloading

Overload vehicle may ruin your tires or trigger a blowout. You can find the maximum weight your vehicle should carry on your owner's manual, or you can also check on the tire label that is usually located on the door jam or B pillar, next to the VIN tag.

5 - Rotate the tires

Rotate the tires regularly can help them wear evenly and last longer. Check your owner's manual to see how often your tires should be rotated. It will also be a good opportunity to inspect the tires for any damages on the sidewall.

6 - Watch for take recalls

You can check for any recalls on your vehicle, including take recalls on the NHTSA website. Check for recalls at least once on each six months.

You might also want to read about: 

 ⮞ What is a recall?

 ⮞ How to read a tire size?

 ⮞ What is a VIN number and where to find it?

 ⮞ How to drive safe in the snow?

7 - Buy quality tires for your vehicle

Don't save on safety. You may consider buying better quality tires with longer wear warranties.

Make sure to bring your vehicle to a mechanic for professional advice if you think your vehicle might have any mechanical problems.

Best,

Car Safe Car Team 

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How to read tire sizes: all numbers explained

How to read tire sizes: all numbers explained

Have you ever wondered what all those numbers and letters on your tire's sidewall mean? In tire size each of those symbols (letters or numbers) have a specific meaning such as size, type and performance of the tire. There are two types of tire measurements: P-metric and flotation.

Below you will see an example of P- metric measurement with the basic information you will find on your vehicle's tire and need to know in order to purchase a brand new tire for your car when the time comes. Read tire measurements is easier than you think and really helpful when it is time to use. 

Tire size explained

 

Initial letters or tire type

The tire sizes can start with the letters P, LT, ST or T.

P 205 / 50 / R 17 98 H

P - passenger tire size

P means passenger vehicle. According to the American Automobile Labeling Act (AAA) from NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), passenger vehicles are those "designed to carry no more than 12 persons  with a gross vehicle weight rating not greater than 8,500 pounds." such as sedans and minivans for example.  

LT - Light Truck tire size

You might also see tire specifications that start with LT. It stands for light trucks and are tires suitable for trucks that carry extra heavy loads or tow a trailer. This kind of tire has an extra coat of material to protect the tire from being damaged. 

ST- Special Trailer tire size

ST stands for Special Trailer, and as the name indicates itself, they are made for trailers. 

T - Temporary tire size

The ones that start with T are the temporary or spare tires. Those are as the name says itself, for temporary use only. 

Wheel / rim width - (millimeters)

                       P 205 / 50 / R 17 98 H

The 3 numbers after the letters (205) indicate the width of the tire from one sidewall to another, measured in millimeters. 

Aspect ratio

                     

                    P 205 / 50 / R 17 98 H

The two numbers after the slash (50) indicate the aspect ratio. It is how you find the section height measurement of your tire or your tire's sidewall height. It is the size of the sidewall compared to the tire width. For example, in a tire specifications 265/50R19, the ration 50 means that the height is 50% of 265. 

R - radial

                     P 205 / 50 / R 17 98 H

It specifies the internal construction of the tire as radial. Each layer runs radially across the tire, perpendicular to the direction of rotation. 

In some cases, you can also see D or B or even "-" that means diagonal or bias ply construction. 

You might also find tires as ZR and that indicates the tire has a speed rating higher than V. 

The wheel size - diameter 

                           P 205 / 50 / R 17 98 H

The two numbers after R (17) indicate the wheel size in inches.  

Load Index or capacity 

                           P 205 / 50 / R 17 98 H

The following 2 or 3 numbers (98) ranging from 0 to 279, specify the load index. The name seems complicated, but it just means how much weight the tire can support.  

For example, a tire with load index 98 supports up to 1,653 lbs. when inflated. Just multiply it by four to find the maximum weight your vehicle can have.

TIRE LOAD INDEX CAPACITY
www.carsafecar.com
Load Index	Load (lbs)	Load Index	Load (lbs)	Load Index	Load (lbs)
0	99	50	419	100	1764
1	102	51	430	101	1819
2	105	52	441	102	1874
3	107	53	454	103	1929
4	110	54	467	104	1984
5	114	55	481	105	2039
6	117	56	494	106	2094
7	120	57	507	107	2149
8	123	58	520	108	2205
9	128	59	536	109	2271
10	132	60	551	110	2337
11	136	61	567	111	2403
12	139	62	584	112	2469
13	143	63	600	113	2535
14	148	64	617	114	2601
15	152	65	639	115	2679
16	157	66	639	116	2756
17	161	67	677	117	2833
18	165	68	694	118	2910
19	171	69	716	119	2998
20	176	70	739	120	3086
21	182	71	761	121	3197
22	187	72	783	122	3307
23	193	73	805	123	3417
24	198	74	827	124	3527
25	204	75	852	125	3638
26	209	76	882	126	3748
27	215	77	908	127	3858
28	220	78	937	128	3968
29	227	79	963	129	4079
30	234	80	992	130	4189
31	240	81	1019	131	4289
32	247	82	1047	132	4409
33	254	83	1074	133	4541
34	260	84	1102	134	4674
35	267	85	1135	135	4806
36	276	86	1168	136	4938
37	282	87	1201	137	5071
38	291	88	1235	138	5203
39	300	89	1279	139	5357
40	309	90	1323	140	5512
41	320	91	1356	141	5677
42	331	92	1389	142	5842
43	342	93	1433	143	6008
44	353	94	1477	144	6173
45	364	95	1521	145	6393
46	375	96	1565	146	6614
47	386	97	1609	147	6779
48	397	98	1653	148	6844
49	408	99	1709	149	7165
				150	7385

 

Speed rating

                     P 205 / 50 / R 17 98 H

It specifies the highest speed the tire was designed for and up to what is operates safely. It is also to be aware that, it is not recommended to have tires with different speed rates on the same vehicle. It can limit your vehicle`s limit capability. 

 You can check the maximum speed for your tire on the table below.

Speed Rating	Maximum speed (mph)
L	75 mph
M	81 mph
N	87 mph
P	93 mph
Q	99 mph
R	106 mph
S	112 mph
T	118 mph
U	124 mph
H	130 mph
V	149 mph
Z	149+  mph
W	168 mph
Y	186 mph
(Y)	186+ mph

 

 

Please keep in mind that the maximum speed of your tire is not the maximum you can drive at. If your vehicle has different speed ratings the lowest speed rating is the one that must be considered. But make sure to follow the speed limit!

Now I am sure you'll not think twice or be shy next time you need to buy a new tire for your vehicle and will know what you're talking about.  

Please let me know if this content has helped you! Do you still have questions? Let me know in the comments.

Best,

Vivian Santos

Car Safe Car Team

You might also want to learn about:

What is a vehicle identification number?

What is a vehicle safety recall?

10 must-follow tips to drive safe in the snow / Car Safe Car

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