Introduction

If you find yourself with a flat or blow-out tire, use these instructions to safely mount your spare tire so you can continue on to the nearest auto repair shop.

Diagnosing the problem

1. If you suspect a flat or blow-out tire, turn on flashers and prepare to stop as soon as possible.
2. Pull over on the side of the road, with plenty of room for safety, and if possible, pull into a parking lot or onto a less busy side road.
3. Place the car in park and engage the parking break.
4. Exit the vehicle and check all four tires.

Finding the necessary tools

1. If you have your car manual handy , look up where your spare tire is located and get it out.
2. If you do not have a car manual , check common places that spare tires are stored. For example: in the trunk under a trap door, underneath the car, mounted on the back of the vehicle, etc.
3. When you find the spare, the jack, wrench, and shaft for the jack should be in the same place. Remove these as well.

Using the jack

1. Place the jack under the car near the wheel that you are replacing.
2. Information on how to properly place the jack should be located on the jack or in car manual. There is a notch on the jack that aligns with a designated place on the metal frame of the car.

NEVER place your body under the car while the jack is in use!

Mounting the spare tire

1. Connect the shaft to the jack.
2. Turn the jack so that it fits firmly against the car frame.
3. Take the wrench and turn each nut counter-clockwise a half turn
4. Continue this motion in a star pattern until all of nuts are partially loosened.

• a. Examples of a star pattern for a tire with 4 or 5 bolts:

How to Change a Tire

5. Now go back to jack and turn the jack until the tire is about ¼ of an inch off the ground. Making sure the jack stays still and doesn't wobble out of position.
6. Take the wrench and loosen all the bolts until they come off.

Save these because you will need them !

7. Carefully lift the tire off the rim and place it on the ground.
8. Lift the spare tire and place it on the bolts. Check the spare tire and make sure it is facing the correct way. (On the tire it should show you the correct direction)
9. Twist the nuts on the bolts in the same star pattern that you took them off using your hands.
10. Tighten the nuts following that same star pattern, using the wrench, until they are partially tight. Be careful because you don't want to shake the car too much!
11. Lower the jack back down until the jack is free
12. Tighten the nuts using the wrench, making sure you continue the star pattern. Use your body weight and the nut will be secure.
13. Replace the tools where you got them from.
14. Get the tire fixed as soon as possible!