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Tired of having to call a tow truck or bothering your friends every time you get a flat? This guide will show you how to change a tire yourself, so that you won't need to rely on anyone else to help.
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Step 1: Be Prepared
You should keep all of the necessary items in your trunk, so that you will have them in case of an emergency. You will need a spare tire (the small "donut" kind is fine, as long as you are not driving somewhere where the nearest tire shop is over 50 miles away), a tire iron, a car jack, and a wedge of wood or a wheel clock. -
Step 2: Remove the Old Tire
Here are the steps:- Place wedge or wheel clock behind tire that is diagonal to the one you are changing
- Remove hubcap
- Loosen lug nuts
- Consult owner's manual to find out where to position the jack
- Place jack in proper place
- Make sure it is stable
- Lift up car with the jack until you have enough to room to remove tire
- Remove lug nuts and keep in a safe place
- Take off tire (you may need to turn as you pull)
Step 3: Attach New Tire
- Put the tire in place so that it fits properly
- Replace lug nuts, but do not fully tighten
- Lower car
- Remove jack
- Tighten lug nuts until they are secure
- Replace hub cap