Yesa flat tyre. It can happen during car hire, or with your own car. But how do you change a flat tyre if you've never done it before? It's not that difficult. In a few steps, the wheel can be changed, and you can get back on the road.
Step 1: Safe place
If possible, find a safe place to stop. If you can, park the car on a paved surface. If this is not possible: no problem, you will just need a sturdy plank or tile, more on that later. Park the car pull the handbrake.
Step 2: Do you have everything?
First, check that you have the necessary tools with you:
- Creek
- Spare wheel
- Adjustable spanner
The car's instruction manual says where the spare wheel and tools are located. Take the tools and spare wheel out of the car.
Step 3: Loosen the wheel nuts partially
Loosen the wheel nuts a little while the car is not yet jacked up. This way you can apply much more force.
Step 4: Jack up the car
The place where the jack should support the car is usually to the left or right of the wheel. There is a small marking (a triangle) where you should place the jack; otherwise, check the car's manual. Ensure the jack is always placed directly under your car to prevent it from slipping. On a hard surface, you can place the jack directly on the ground. If you are on sand, it will sink. In this case, place a tile or a wooden plank under the jack. Once the jack is correctly positioned, turn the handle to slowly lift the car. Keep checking that the jack is straight and cannot slip out. Jack up the car high enough for the wheel to come off the ground, but also high enough to be able to put the spare wheel back on with the fully inflated tyre. Now, completely unscrew all the wheel bolts. Remove the wheel once you have removed all the bolts. Be careful that the jack is still securely in place.
Step 5: Removing and refitting the wheel
Once you have removed all the wheel bolts, you can lift the wheel off the hub. For safety, place the spare wheel next to the jack, under the car. If the car does come off the jack, it will land on the punctured tyre and not on your foot.
Next, you'll place the spare wheel. Once the wheel is in place, the nuts need to go back on. Hand-tighten all the nuts back onto the bolts, all of them. When they're hand-tight, move the wheel to check if it's fully flush against the back. After this, you can use the wheel brace to tighten the bolts further. Just snug the nuts up, the final tightening will come later.
Step 6: tighten wheel bolts and remove jack
Remove the flat tyre from under the car. Lower your car gently. Once the tyre touches the ground you can tighten the wheel nuts further. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly (don't overdo it, tight is tight) to ensure the wheel is on straight. After this, lower the car further and remove the jack.
Important points to consider
- On soft ground, place a tile or board under the jack (a small board in the car?).
- Do not jack up the car with the doors open. Do not open any doors when the car is jacked up.
- Ensure you have the key for the anti-theft nut, you can get this from the garage or wheel supplier.
