Chances are we’ll find ourselves in this intense situation at one point or another – being stuck on the roadside with a flat or punctured tire. Well, there is no need to panic for so long; just follow these steps and be ready to get your hands dirty:
Step 1
Remove the hubcap, although most will pop off if given a good heave and some might be stuck because of all the road grime and dust.
Step 2
Loosen the lug nuts with a wrench, by turning it anti-clockwise.
Step 3
Carefully position the jack under the side of the vehicle and close to the tire you want to change. Ensure the jack isn’t under the side skirts; the top of the jack should be placed under the car’s rail so it can bear the weight.
Step 4
Wind up the jack, until you notice the weight of the car is off the tire, and the rubber is off the ground. Though this requires patience as it can take some time
Step 5
Completely remove the nuts and take the wheel off. This is easier to do when standing instead of kneeling or squatting by the side of the tire. Put the tire directly beneath the side of the car as a contingency safety measure if the jack fails.
Step 6
Put the spare tire in its position. It’s technically advisable to change two tires. Ideally, space savers should be fixed to the rear of front-wheel-drive cars and to the front of rear wheel-drives. If the front tire of a front-wheel drive car blows, it’s advisable to remove the rear tire, fit it to the front, and then fit the space-saver to the rear.
Step 7
Put the lug nuts back on and tighten with a wrench until they are just tight.
Step 8
Wind down the jack and remove it from under the car; then fully tighten the lug nuts with the wrench by applying more pressure in a clockwise direction.
Now that you are done, pack the tools and put the damaged tire in your car and take to a repair shop.