How to Change your Tire

We’ve all been there. Driving down the road when all of the sudden you see broken glass at the last second. By the time it registers in your brain, it’s too late – the damage is done. You can feel your tire quickly leaking, and you know that it’s going to be completely flat within minutes. “Uh-oh.” You think to yourself. You’re just realizing that you don’t even know how to change your tire.

Luckily, GM Outlet Parts is here to help you avoid this scenario. We’ve compiled a ‘how-to’ list on what you need to do to change your tire and avoid having to call AAA. Don’t forget to share this blog with your friends and family, as this is valuable information that everyone – especially new drivers – need to know!

Step 1: Find A Suitable Location/Park Your Car

The first thing you need to do is find a flat and stable place to change your tire. Unless you’re driving up a mountain, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, you also must make sure that you’re in a safe location – don’t pull over at a corner where other cars may not see you. 

It’s also important that you utilize your car’s safety features when pulling over to change your tire. When in any situation that you need to pull over, put on your hazard lights. This can ensure that other drivers can see that you are pulled over! This is especially important at night time. You must also apply the parking break – you don’t want your vehicle rolling away on you! You should also find a heavy object (concrete, rock etc.) and put them on the front and back tires. 

Step 2: Loosen The Lug Nuts

At this point it may be a good idea to loosen the lug nuts. Don’t take them off at this point – just loosen. You can do this by using a wrench. The lug nuts may be very tight – if so use your full body weight on the wrench arm – or alternatively use the caveman method and hit it with a rock. 

Step 3: Get the Spare Tire and Jack Ready

Now you must out the spare tire and the jack. Place the jack under the frame by the tire that you’re going to change. You must make sure that the jack is in contact with the metal portion of your car’s frame. It’s important to note that many cars have molded plastic along the bottom – do not place the jack on the plastic. Doing so will crack the plastic when you start lifting up the car. 

Most modern cars have a marks by the wheel wells that show where the jack should be placed. If this is the case, make sure you place the jack where indicated. Otherwise, if you have an older car with a metal frame be sure to place the jack accordingly. When the jack is set up, jack it up until the tire is about 6 inches off of the ground 

Step 4: Remove the Lug Nuts

Now is the time to remove the lug nuts. It’s important that when taking off the lug nuts, you put them in a place where they won’t get scattered and lost. The last thing you want to happen is losing one of the lug nuts. 

Now you must remove the tire. It’s important that you use proper lifting techniques here – you don’t want to injure yourself. Pull the tire straight towards your body, and remove it from the wheel base. Then gently set it down. Once you change the tire it’s important to put the flat tire back in your trunk!

Step 5: Put the Spare Tire On

In order to put the spare on, you must make sure you line up the lug nut posts with the holes in the spare tire. Once you’ve done that, push! You must make sure it’s pushed all the way in until it can’t go any further. 

Once you’ve done that, it’s time to put the lug nuts back on! You don’t have to put them on too tightly, just make sure they’re tight enough that the spare tire doesn’t go anywhere. 

Step 6: Lower Your Car Back Down

Once the tire has been replaced, you can lower the car back down to the ground. Carefully use the jack to lower it. Once it’s back on the ground remove the jack from underneath the car. Now you can tighten the lug nuts. Once done, make sure your tire and tools are placed back in the trunk, as you are now finished!

Changing your tire can seem like a daunting task, but in reality it’s relatively simple! It’s incredibly important that you know how to change your tire when put in a situation such as a flat tire, as towing can be extremely expensive. Remember, when you need a tire replaced, GM Outlet Parts has what you need!