This is the best way to change a flat tire

A flat tire, it can happen to you. When you have a rented a car you don't have to solve it yourself and the tires will be changed for you. But how do you do that if your own car suddenly has a flat tire and you have never changed the tires? Don't worry, changing car tires is not very difficult. We will explain to you in a few simple steps how to change the wheel, so that you can get back on the road right away.

To change a car tire, follow these steps:

Whether you are changing the tires of your car at home or have an emergency breakdown on the side of the road – the following tips and steps can help you get the job done safely and quickly:

Step 1: Park the car in a safe place

When you notice that you have a flat tire, the first thing to do is to stop in a safe place. It is not smart to continue driving for dozens of kilometers, but you also do not want to be somewhere where you can be blown off your socks while changing your tires. Therefore, find the first quiet place, such as a gas station, parking lot or emergency lane.

If possible, park the car on a hard, level surface. If this is not possible, that is not a problem either. You only need a sturdy plank or tile, more on this later. Park the car and pull the handbrake so that the car cannot roll away while changing the tire(s).

Step 2: Make sure you have the necessary tools

Once your car is parked in a safe place, you need to make sure you have everything you need to change the wheels. You will need the following tools:

• Jack
• Spare wheel
• Wheel wrench

If all goes well, you still have these supplies in your car. You can find out where exactly in the car's instruction manual. Get the tools and the spare tire out of the car already.

Step 3: Partially loosen the wheel nuts

Next, it is the task to loosen the wheel nuts a little. This is much easier now that the car is not yet jacked up because you can then apply much more force. Do check whether you have a hubcap over your rim, because you have to remove this first. You do this by carefully prying the hubcap off the rim with a screwdriver.

Step 4: Jacking up the car

Now it's time to jack the car up. Read the instruction manual to see how the jack works.

Where should I place the jack?

The place where the jack should support the car is usually to the left or right of the wheel. There is a small sign (triangle) where you should place the jack, otherwise check the car's instruction manual.

Make sure that the jack is positioned directly under the car. This prevents it from shooting away. On a hard surface, you can simply place the jack on the ground. If the car is on sand or a soft verge, the jack may sink. In this case, place a tile or a wooden plank under the jack.

How does jacking up a car work?

Once the jack is positioned correctly, turn the crank to slowly lift the car. Keep checking that the jack is level and cannot slip out from under the car. Jack the car up until the tire is off the ground and you can put the spare tire on it. Now unscrew all the wheel bolts completely from the wheel. Remove the wheel once you have removed all the bolts. Make sure that the jack is still in place.

Step 5: Remove the flat tire

Once you have removed all the wheel bolts, you can lift the flat tire off the hub. To be on the safe side, place the spare tire next to the jack, under the car. If the car does come off the jack, it will be on the flat tire and not on your foot.

Step 6: Install the new tire

Now you can put the spare wheel on. Once the wheel is properly hung, the nuts need to be put back on. Screw all the nuts back onto the bolts by hand. Once they are hand tight, you need to move the wheel to see if it is completely flush with the back. After this, you can tighten the bolts with the wheel wrench. Just tighten the nuts, tightening them later.

Step 7: Tighten the wheel bolts and remove the jack

Remove the flat tire from under the car and carefully lower your car using the jack. Once the tire touches the ground you can tighten the wheel nuts further. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly, but not too much to ensure that the wheel is straight. Then lower the car further and remove the jack.

Important tips when changing a car tire

Finally, a few important tips/points of attention when changing your car tires:

• Don't forget to place a tile or plank under the jack on soft ground (we always put a plank in the car);
• Do not jack up the car with the doors open;
• Make sure you have the key or code to remove the anti-theft wheel nuts (available from the garage or wheel supplier) and keep it safe;
• Keep in mind that a replacement tire can cause the car to become unbalanced and vibrate. If the car is no longer balanced, the tires and suspension will wear out much faster. It is therefore best to go to a mechanic/garage to have all four wheels rebalanced and aligned.

Did you follow all the steps and tips? Congratulations, you have now safely changed the car tires. You now also know for the future where to place the jack and how to change tires.

If you want to order via Adrem, rented a car in Roermond, an rented a passenger bus in Roermond or rented a car in another place in Limburg and you notice a flat tire? Then call our help immediately, we will get you back on the road!

When was the last time you changed a wheel? Or do you call roadside assistance right away? Rent a car in the Brunssum region, and trouble on the road? Feel free to call us!