How to safely change a flat tyre

jonckie

3 years ago

Punctures can happen at any one time, and we may need to know how to change a flat tyre in such a situation.

Why should we bother changing tyres ourselves?¹

According to Arrive Alive, some drivers either have no roadside assistance that they can resort to or might be stuck in a remote area. Changing wheels yourself is mostly applicable if dusk is approaching or if the area is not safe.

Changing a wheel is not difficult¹

Car manufacturers have tried to make the changing of tyres as straightforward as possible. It won’t help you though if you have no idea how to do it.

Let’s find out how to change a tyre.

What to do before you start a trip¹

Before you embark on a journey, ensure that your tyres are in good condition, that they are still showing the legal amount of tread, and that they are not too old. In addition, check the tyre’s pressure, and always look out for any particular tyre that requires air. If so, you may have a tyre with a slow puncture, which means you would need to go to the nearest tyre dealer as soon as possible.

What about your spare tyre?¹

We all tend to forget about the spare tyre because it is not always easily accessible. It is vital to monitor its general condition regularly as well as its pressure.

Changing a flat tyre¹

Regular wheel rotation and visits to the tyre dealer should ensure that your tyres won’t have seized to the hub – otherwise, the wheel may be difficult to remove from the car.

Have you ever changed a tyre?¹

If not, you may want to entertain yourself with a practice run. Park the car on a horizontal surface and find out from the car manual where the jack points are on the car. Ensure that your tyre changing equipment is still in good order.

What tools do you need to change a tyre?¹

Make sure you know what tools you require and ensure that they are all still available. A necessary inventory would include the spare wheel, a jack, a wrench for removing the lug nuts, tyre blocks, and an emergency triangle and cones.

Where to change a flat tyre¹

Sometimes we have no choice when we get a flat tyre but aim to park on a stable, horizontal surface, safely out of the way of any traffic.

Changing a flat tyre¹

Switch off your car’s engine, ensure the handbrake is on and the car is in gear.
Place the jack under the car. Ensure that the jack has been placed according to your car’s manual.
Raise the jack until it is supporting (but not lifting) the car.
Slightly loosen the lug nuts while the car is still on the ground.
Use the jack to lift the car until the flat tyre is off the road surface.
Completely loosen and remove the wheel’s lug nuts as well as the wheel itself.
Slide the spare tyre onto the wheel bolts and screw on the lug nuts.
Tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern with the wrench, but not too tight.
Let down the jack slowly, followed by good tightening in a criss-cross pattern of all the lug nuts.
Place the flat tyre where the spare used to be, and pack away all the tools.
Ensure that nothing is left behind on the road.

Now that you know how to change a flat tyre, perhaps use this time to make sure your car is adequately covered with car insurance. Are you looking for more affordable car insurance? If you require further information about affordable car insurance products, contact PMD.

This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.

Source:

¹https://www.arrivealive.mobi/changing-the-tyre-safely-next-to-the-road

The South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) and Road Safety

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