You’ve Got a Flat Tire, Now What?

he first thing you need to do is to get off the road as soon as it’s safe to do so. Even with a flat tire, you can slow your car to roughly 25 mph and still be able to keep your car under control.

If You Do Get a Flat Tire Here Are Step by Step Instructions:

Slow down and find somewhere safe to stop. Pull as far off the road as possible and on the flattest and firmest

ground you see. The more level and solid the ground, the better. Call for help if you are in an emergency lane or center lane on a main street or highway. It is not safe for you to work on the vehicle unless you are well off the road with plenty of room to work.

Set the car in park and set the emergency brake. If you have a manual transmission, leave the car in 1st gear or reverse.

Find something to brace the car tire against to prevent rolling. If you don’t have something look for a large rock or log.

Loosen the Lug Nuts. The first crank is the toughest; do it before you jack up the vehicle. Skip every other lug nut working your way around until all lug nuts have been loosened. Remember: “righty-tighty, lefty-loosey”.

Place your jack under the vehicle as instructed in your vehicle’s owner’s manual, being sure not to wedge it against the side trim or a flexible area.

Completely remove the lug nuts and remove the tire by pulling straight away from the car. It may be heavy so do this slowly and be careful.

Mount the spare tire onto the screw prongs, lining up the screws with the holes in the tire. Remember that the air valve should be facing out. Screw on the lug nuts by hand, alternating as you go with every other one, just until they’re all secured. Then go back with the tool and tighten them slightly.