How To Change Tire?
Whether you're embarking on a thrilling road trip or renting a car for a quick getaway, the last thing you want is a flat tire to ruin your plans. Knowing how to change a tire is an essential skill that every driver should possess, especially when renting a car. In this guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of changing a tire, empowering you to handle any unexpected flat tire situation that may arise during your car rental adventures.
Step 1: Prepare Your Toolkit
Before hitting the road, it's crucial to ensure your rental car is equipped with the necessary tools. Typically, these tools include a spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, and a vehicle owner's manual. Familiarize yourself with the location of these tools and ensure they are in good working condition before setting off on your journey.
Step 2: Find a Safe Location
If you notice a flat tire while driving, safely pull over to the side of the road or find a nearby parking lot. Ensure that you are parked on a level surface away from traffic, engaging the parking brake for added safety.
Step 3: Engage the Emergency Brake
To prevent any unintended movement, engage the emergency brake. This ensures the vehicle remains stationary while you work on changing the tire.
Step 4: Loosen the Lug Nuts
Using the lug wrench, loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire. It's advisable to loosen them in a star or cross pattern to prevent the tire from binding. Avoid removing the lug nuts completely at this stage; simply loosen them enough to make the subsequent steps easier.
Step 5: Raise the Vehicle
Position the jack under the vehicle in a secure and recommended location, as indicated in the owner's manual. Begin raising the vehicle until the flat tire is approximately 6 inches above the ground. Make sure the jack is steady and properly supporting the weight of the car.
Step 6: Remove the Flat Tire
With the vehicle raised, it's now safe to remove the lug nuts completely. Carefully slide the flat tire off the wheelbase and set it aside. Be cautious as tires can be heavy and unwieldy.
Step 7: Install the Spare Tire
Lift the spare tire onto the wheelbase and align the holes on the tire with the wheel studs. Push the tire gently until it fits securely on the wheelbase. Thread the lug nuts by hand to ensure they are properly aligned before tightening them with the lug wrench. Tighten the lug nuts in a star or cross pattern, gradually increasing the torque until they are snug.
Step 8: Lower the Vehicle
Using the jack, carefully lower the vehicle until the spare tire touches the ground. Remove the jack and then proceed to fully tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench. Ensure each lug nut is secure and tight to guarantee the safety of the spare tire.
By mastering the skill of changing tires, you can confidently navigate any flat tire situation that arises during your car rental adventures. Remember to practice changing a tire in a controlled environment before you find yourself in an actual emergency.
Forget About Everything and Get Roadside Assistance
While renting a car with Carla, you can easily choose Roadside Assistance to your car. That unique feature assist you to drive free-minded. Carla assist you to find a tow, a team that changes your tire! All you need to do is downloading Carla App or renting a car through Carla webiste and choosing Roadside Assistance service.
After you choose the Roadside Assistance, you can contact our support team about any issues in on the road! We can change your tire, get you a tow.
