Changing a flat tire is one of those skills that everyone in Silver Spring, MD, should have. It’s a great way to save money and can even be a lifesaver if you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere. But do you have the tools and knowledge to change a tire correctly?
Driving in Silver Spring, MD: How To Change a Tire in 7 Easy Steps
1. Find a Safe Place to Park Your Car
You do not want to change your tire while traffic is whooshing by you. Pull off the road and into a safe place, like an empty parking lot. This might mean ruining the flat tire, but your safety is the priority here.
2. Gather Your Supplies
You will need a wrench, a jack, and a spare tire to get this job done. If any of these items are missing, it is best to call for professional help.
3. Loosen the Lug Nuts
Before lifting your car, you’ll want to loosen the nuts holding the flat tire in place. Do this with your wrench, but don’t fully remove them until the car is off the ground. This will prevent an accident in case step four goes wrong.
4. Jack Up the Car
Carefully place your jack under the car, ensuring it is in the right spot. You can refer to the owner’s manual for instructions on where to put the jack. If you don’t follow these directions, you could seriously damage your vehicle or injure yourself.
5. Change the Flat Tire
Once the car is firmly suspended on the jack, you can remove the lug nuts and the flat tire. Set the spare tire aside and ensure you don’t lose any lug nuts because you’ll need them for the next step. Also, do a visual inspection of the wheel well to ensure there isn’t any other problem that must be addressed before putting the new tire on.
6. Install the Spare Tire
Line up the holes in the wheel with the studs and carefully lower the spare tire onto them. Once it’s in place, you can re-tighten the nuts in a star pattern. Make sure they are all decently tight before moving on to the next step.
7. Lower the Car
Now that your spare tire is on, it’s time to lower the vehicle back onto the ground. Carefully spin the jack down and make sure the car is securely resting on the ground before tightening the lug nut to the specified torque.
And that’s it! You’ve changed your tire and are ready to hit the road. You have to get that flat tire fixed as soon as possible. Contact DARCARS Volkswagen today if you need help changing a flat tire or patching up the flat one.
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