How to Change a Tire

Changing a spare tire is a useful skill to have, especially when you're faced with a flat tire. Here are the steps to change a spare tire:

1. Pull Over Safely:

   • Find a safe area away from traffic.
   • Park your vehicle on a flat surface.
   • Turn on your emergency hazard lights.
   • Apply the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from moving.
   • If possible, place heavy rocks or blocks around the tires you aren't changing to keep the vehicle stable.

2. Retrieve the Spare Tire and Tools and Loosen the Lug Nuts:

   • Open your trunk and locate the spare tire. It's usually under a cover.
   • Remove the spare tire and the jack.
   • The tools needed for the change (jack, lug wrench) are usually near the spare tire.
   • If you drive a Jeep or a large SUV, the spare tire might be on the outside or underneath the vehicle.
   • Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. Don't remove them completely.
   • Position the jack beneath the jacking point closest to the flat tire.
   • Lift the car until the tire clears the ground.

3. Remove the Flat Tire:

   • Once the vehicle is raised, remove the lug nuts entirely.
   • Take off the flat tire and slide the spare tire onto the threaded studs.

4. Secure the Spare Tire:

   • Hand-tighten the lug nuts on the spare tire.
   • Lower the vehicle using the jack.
   • Tighten the lug nuts fully in a crisscross pattern using the lug wrench.
   • Make sure they're secure but not overly tight.

Remember to drive carefully with the spare tire and replace or repair the flat tire as soon as possible.