Nothing puts a damper on a routine drive like a flat tire, especially if you are working on a schedule. There is never a convenient time to get a flat, but the universe somehow seems to know when a blowout is the last thing you need. Even if you are part of roadside assistance club, you should know how to change a tire. There may be times when your phone won't be able to get a signal, or some other extenuating circumstance. Below, you will learn how to properly change a tire, how to get off the highway quickly and safely, and how to drive on a donut.
Thanks to the tire industry's endless reinvention of the wheel, today's good quality tires last longer than ever, and it is rare that a tire will simply go flat or blow out on its own volition. Punctures in your tire are far less predictable and can happen at any time. If you're lucky, you will simply notice you have a flat tire before you get in your car.
Unfortunately, it is more likely that your tire will go flat while you are on the road. You will hear a telltale thumping sound, and perhaps smell burnt rubber, and you'll need to get out of traffic quickly and carefully. Don't freak out, and don't slam on the breaks; that will only put you and other drivers in danger. Instead, calmly put on your blinker, and slowly pull to the right side of the road, as far from the flow of traffic as you can while making sure your car isn't on a slope. Then, park your car and throw on your hazard lights.
Have any passengers get out of the car and move to a safe spot away from traffic. If you have road flares, and you're on a busy highway or simply worried about other drivers being able to see you, use them. Hopefully you should have all the tools you need in your trunk or your hatch. Your car doubtless came equipped with a jack, a spare, and a lug wrench, so unless you removed them at some point, they should be there.
Remove these things from your trunk and place them near the flat tire. Jack up your car according to the owners' manual instructions, just so the flat tire is off the ground and you have clearance to remove it and replace it with ease. For extra stability, place a heavy brick or rock behind the wheel diagonally opposite the tire you are changing. Now, remove the lug nuts and ensure you put them in a safe and secure place; you will not want to misplace them. Remove the wheel cover and the flat tire. Replace the flat tire with the inflated spare, put the wheel cover back on, and, using your fingers, screw the lug nuts back into place. Tighten the nuts with the lug wrench, and gently lower your car with the jack. Return your tools and the flat tire to the trunk, and find a garage to replace or plug your tire. It is not safe to drive at high speeds or long distances on a spare tire, whether it is a donut or a full spare. You should not exceed 45mph on a spare.
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