Changing a flat tyre can seem daunting, but with the right tools and these simple steps, you can have your car rolling again in no time. At 24hr Mobile Tyre Fitting London, our mobile tyre experts are always here to help 24/7 if you need assistance changing a tyre. But if you find yourself caught without signal or would prefer to try it yourself, follow these 10 foolproof easy steps.
Things You’ll Need
- Spare tyre
- Jack
- Wheel brace or wrench
- Chocks for wheel
- Gloves
Step 1: Prepare Yourself and the Area
The first thing to do when changing a tyre is ensuring you and the area around your car are prepared properly. Put your hazard lights on so other drivers can see your vehicle on the roadside. If possible, get completely off the road on a flat, stable surface. You’ll also want to wear sturdy gloves to protect your hands.
Step 2: Chock the Wheels
Wedge the chocks securely against the wheels diagonally opposite to the tyre you are changing. So if you’re changing the front left tyre, chock the rear right wheel. This stabilizes the car so it doesn’t roll at all while jacked up.
Step 3: Loosen the Lug Nuts
Before jacking up the car, it’s crucial you loosen the lug nuts first. This makes removing the flat tyre much easier later on, as lug nuts can sometimes be stuck on quite tightly. Use your wheel brace or wrench to turn them about a quarter or half turn counter clockwise so they come off easier after.
Step 4: Position the Car Jack
Place your car jack underneath the vehicle near where the tyre meets the underside of the car. Most jacks will have marked points to show the proper positioning. Jack the car up until the tyre you need to change is just lifted off the ground.
Step 5: Remove the Lug Nuts and Flat Tyre
Finish unscrewing the lug nuts by hand, then pull the flat tyre off the wheel bolts. Set the flat safely out of the way along with the lug nuts. You may need to rock the tyre gently from side to side to break the seal if it’s stubborn.
Step 6: Mount the Spare Tyre
Pick up your spare tyre and line it up evenly with the wheel bolts. The proper positioning should be easy to identify before you lift it up into place. Once aligned correctly, slide the spare all the way on the bolts and press firmly.
Step 7: Hand Tighten Lug Nuts
Tighten the lug nuts clockwise as much as you can with your fingers and wheel brace without excessive force. You just want them finger tight for now as you’ll tighten them properly with the wrench shortly after lowering the car.
Step 8: Lower the Vehicle
Crank the jack counterclockwise slowly to lower the car safely back to the ground. Ensure that it’s resting evenly on the ground before you remove the jack completely.
Step 9: Secure the Lug Nuts
At this point, you want to tighten the lug nuts with as much force as you can muster with your wheel brace or wrench. Tighten them in a star or criss-cross pattern rather than going around the circle. This ensures even pressure on the wheel.
Step 10: Stow the Flat Tyre Securely
The last step is stowing everything safely back in its place. Be sure to secure the flat tyre in your boot properly so it doesn’t bounce around while driving. Store your tools like the jack properly as well. Alert any passengers to ensure loose items are secure too.
There you have it, a step-by-step guide to changing and fitting a flat tyre. While it may seem complicated at first, once you know the method, the process becomes second nature. And if you ever need a hand from the 24hr Tyre Fitting experts in London, the mobile tyre fitters at 24hr Mobile Tyre Fitting London are always here whenever you need us, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So don’t struggle on your own – if you run into trouble just reach for your phone!