Introduction: How to Safely Change a Tire

Our intended audience consists of all individuals who do not know how to change a tire such as new drivers, hipsters, millennials, city dwellers, and other people who are unlikely to know how to change their own tire but want or need the knowledge. Specifically, we intend to write this instruction set for two groups of individuals. The first group consists of those who suddenly find themselves in a situation where they need to change a tire and do not have the ability to call for assistance. The second group consists of any individuals that wish to improve their self-sufficiency before they need the knowledge we will provide. Our audience will use these instructions under two different circumstances. The first circumstance would be when a situation arises that they must change a tire by themselves. This could be when they find themselves on the side of the road with a flat tire and no cell service. The second circumstance would be if they wanted to proactively learn how to change a tire before the need arises.

Step 1: PHASE 1: PREPARATION

PREPARATION IS KEY!

Spare tire, jack, tools, and accessories should be inspected whenever performing maintenance on your vehicle. It is helpful to have your car’s user manual and the jack manual on hand.

Additional items recommended to keep in your vehicle

  • Tarp (hot surface)
  • Snow shovel
  • Work gloves
  • Safety vest
  • Warning triangle
  • Flares
  • A piece of 2x6 to use as a stable surface for jack
  • Tire pressure gauge

Step 2: PHASE 2: EXECUTION

OH NOOO! YOUR TIRE IS FLAT

Tires never go flat or blow out when all circumstances are the best!

  • weather is bad
  • spotty or no cell service
  • no internet available

Step 3: SAFETY FIRST

Put hazards on and find a spot to pull over that is flat, level, and has enough room to safely change a tire.

  • Park with the opposite end of vehicle out to protect yourself from traffic.
  • Avoid pulling over near sharp turns, and crests of hills.
  • If you have no alternative, the best place to park is directly on the crest of the hill so that you can be seen from a safe distance in both directions.
  • This is important on 2 lane roads so that oncoming traffic can give room for cars to safely go around you.

Step 4: SAFETY CONTINUES

Locate all safety equipment and place safety triangle and/or flares.

  • Give enough room that drivers have time to react.

Step 5: INSPECTION

Inspect your spare for serviceability.

  • Rim is not bent.
  • Tread is intact and not dry-rotted.
  • There are no bulges in the sidewalls.

Step 6: JACK PLACEMENT

Locate designated jack point on frame as specified in owner’s manual

Step 7: Removing the Tire!

Slightly loosen nuts. Remember!

  • Counterclockwise to loosen!

Jack up your car until the wheel does not touch the ground.

  • Caution: If you jack the car too high you chance injuring yourself or the car.

Step 8: Removing the Tire Continues!

Remove lug nuts completely.

Remove tire from car. You may need to gently rock the tire to get it off.

Step 9: Putting the Spare On.

Slide spare tire into place.

Place the nuts back on the bolts. Finger tighten.

Step 10: Tightening the Nuts!

Use the wrench to tighten the nuts in the order shown.

  • Tighten the bolts in a star pattern. If you have more then four nuts to tighten you need to tighten in the pattern of the furthest from the previous nut that was tighten last.

Attachments

Step 11: Lowering Your Car

Use the jack to slowly ease the car back down to the ground. Slide the jack out from under the car once the pressure is relieved. Retighten the lug nuts.

Step 12: Clean Up!

Pack all equipment back into the car. Don’t leave anything on the road!

Step 13: PHASE 3: FOLLOW UP

**it is recommended to check the tread, side walls, and tire pressure on the other tires when you get a flat. (Since all tires are exposed to the same environment and conditions, it is possible that the other tires are in similar condition.)

Donut tires are not meant for long term use, get the full size tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Retighten lug nuts after 50 to 100 miles as they are prone to loosening…