Let's make sure we get this right...who's with me?
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In this survey, supposedly 60% of the male demographic "check their oil and water regularly" in comparison to the shocking "40% of women" who don't think to change their oil until they are reminded by a boyfriend, male counterpart or service attendant at the cars next scheduled service - Shocking, I know! What we're trying to say here is that event though you don't see any female mechanics out there, it doesn't mean that a woman should be able to handle herself behind the hood of a car (see what I did there?)! These next few steps to changing a tyre are not only easy enough for guys to understand, they're easy enough for the ladies to follow too!
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How to change a flat tyre in 9 easy steps:
Follow the steps...preparation is key!
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A flat tyre can be such a nuisance and it usually happens when you really cannot afford it. In this country it is especially unsafe to have to be stationary for elongated periods on the side of a road. Remember that your car manual is always the best source for everything relating to your vehicle. Here's a quick "how-to" should you be in a situation where you have to do it yourself.
1. Park on a solid, level surface away from traffic - jacking the car up on an uneven plane might (most certainly) cause the car to lean over, fall and you could be seriously injured!
2. Bring out the spare wheel, jack and spanner. In cars these are usually located in the boot, under the carpet. Some cars have there spare wheels fitted or screwed into the base of the boot, so make sure you remove that fastening bolt before breaking your back thinking your spare wheel weighs a ton.
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Be careful where the levering plate fits!
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3. If you have a hub cap over the wheel, remove it. Not many modern cars have a hub cap, but if you do, it's imperative that you remove it as you would not be able to access the bolts for the wheel which are concealed underneath.
4. Loosen (i.e. do not remove completely) the bolts on the wheel with the spanner in a counter-clockwise direction. Try your best to do this standing up, it allows you more leverage when "cracking" (getting the bolt to turn initially) the bolt itself.
5. Jack up the car with (you guessed it!) the jack. Most cars come fitted with a jacking unit in the car itself. Jacks are relatively easy to use, but if you run into trouble, refer to your car manual for proper instruction on where to place the levering plate and how to operate the jack.
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Follow the numbers and you can't go wrong! (Point 7.)
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6. Remove the flat tyre by removing the bolts then set it aside. Make sure that the tyre has not ruined the wheel brace and brake pads, reports have been made that a shredded tyre has splintered into and ruined brake pads.
7. Put the spare wheel in its place and fasten the bolts tightly in the correct order (criss-cross pattern for 4 bolts, star-pattern for 5 bolts) If that sounds slightly confusing to you, think of it logically as each bolt tightened on opposite ends of the wheel create an even amount of pressure and fastening power through the bolts and onto the axle. Here is a simple diagram from those trying to think of it on a more practical and annotative basis.
8. Lower the car by turning the jack in an anti-clockwise direction. Make sure that you lower the car slowly and that the weight is again distributed evenly as the car comes down...the last thing you want is the car to angle outwards causing the jack to spin off violently, possible hurting yourself and/or others.
9. Replace the hub cap. This again is only for those who have wheels that require such a piece. Most cars now days don't carry a full spare in their boot, but merely a "tennis biscuit" or mini wheel (usually thinner than the original) which can be fitted to the car in the same fashion as an original tyre.
Here are a couple of extra tips for you (South African orientated):
* When getting out of your car, no matter where it is, make sure that you remain fully visable, turn on your cars lights, interior lights or place your cats-eyed triangles where they can be seen.
** Keep your wits about you, always be aware of your surroundings and try your best to not be alone in the situation, call a friend, spouse or work colleague to assist or keep you company.
*** If your wheel has been damage worse than what a simple tyre change can repair, call your local road service officials (AA or Road Assist) and ask them for speedy assistance.
If you follow the above 9 Steps, you shouldn't have a problem with your next, hopefully non-emergency, tyre change.
Regards
Two-Tyres-For-Free
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