How To Change A Flat Tire

It is good to know how to change a flat or damaged tire.Like everything, with a bit of instruction, when faced with a flat tire you should be prepared.
* The first thing you need to do it identify which tire is flat, could be bulging from the low air pressure and look flat compared to the others. However if you have trouble you could use a digital tire pressure gauge to tell you which tire is losing air.
* The second thing you'll need to do is get the required tools, in new cars the tools will most definitely be with the spare tire or in the trunk somewhere. Older cars may not have these tools as the previous owner may have kept them or lost them. (a tire iron /socket wrench and car jack) are all there in case you need them.
There should be a specific point on the body work of the car that is designed for the jack to attach to, using the tools, find the point and ensure the jack stays in place. You should be careful to make sure you don't use the jack in the wrong place as this can damage the bodywork or trim. Before raising the car you will need to loosen the nuts on the wheel you are replacing, this is because the wheel will simply spin round if you try to loosen the nuts once elevated. Be sure you are on level ground and base of the jack is solid and not wobbly.
Make sure you loosen or tighten nuts in opposite pairs; this is the safest way to use wheel nuts according to mechanics.
* Once the wheel nuts are loose, begin raising the car up on the jack, only raise the car as much as is needed, any more and you could make the car unstable and it could fall off the jack. It is always safest to use a jack on a clear flat surface so it doesn't slip, if you have stopped on gravel you could place a piece of strong flat wood underneath the jack to secure it.
Once that car is raised on the jack remove the wheel nuts completely and lift the wheel away from the car, you need to store this wheel in your car. Next you need to bring out the spare tire and place it on the car, attaching the wheel nuts again. Once they are as tight as you can get them, lower the car off the jack and tighten up the nuts again with the tire iron or wrench.
* Your car should now be safe to drive, however depending on the vehicle, your spare tire may not be suitable to drive on indefinitely so it is advisable to drive to your nearest garage or tire store to get your main wheel repaired. It is also important to remember that some spare wheels are only designed to be used at low speeds so consider this if you are traveling on a highway.
CarLotta, www.carlottacredit.com