DIY: How to Change a Flat Tire
My daughter drives in less than two and one half years. One of the skills she will have before she heads out on the road alone is the ability to change a flat tire (the other three kids will too).
Yes, I have towing service as part of my auto insurance, but what if there is no mobile or other phone service? Should she stand around and wait for someone to pass by? No way Jose!
You should practice in your driveway once or twice so you can do it the moment it is needed. Here's what to do:
Yes, I have towing service as part of my auto insurance, but what if there is no mobile or other phone service? Should she stand around and wait for someone to pass by? No way Jose!
You should practice in your driveway once or twice so you can do it the moment it is needed. Here's what to do:
- Get the vehicle to level (and safe from traffic) ground
- Apply the emergency brake and put hazard lights on
- Get the spare and tools out of the trunk
- Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel with the lug nut wrench (Left to loose and right to tight-- The Turn of the Screw and Must Have Basic Tools)
- Position the jack under the vehicle according the owner's manual or the sticker in the trunk and raise the vehicle so there is about one inch of space between the bottom of the tire and the ground
- Now remove the lug nuts completely and with your hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions-- remove the wheel (Why those positions? Because if the vehicle fell-- it wouldn't land on your hands)
- Put the spare on with your hands in the same positions (9 and 3) and finger tighten the lug nuts (Right to tight and left to loose)
- Lower the vehicle with the jack
- Tighten lug nuts with the lug nut wrench and remove jack
- Put flat tire and tools in trunk and be on your way about 15-20 minutes later
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Posted by DDFD at 4/30/2009 8:35 AM 
Categories: Automotive,Personal Finance,Self Sufficiency,Free Resources,DIY,Frugality,Money Savers
Tags: Automotive Personal Finance Safety Frugality Free Resources Money Savers Preparedness Frugal DIY How to ideas Tips Tricks Techniques Self Sufficiency
Categories: Automotive,Personal Finance,Self Sufficiency,Free Resources,DIY,Frugality,Money Savers
Tags: Automotive Personal Finance Safety Frugality Free Resources Money Savers Preparedness Frugal DIY How to ideas Tips Tricks Techniques Self Sufficiency
Have you practiced this with her yet? This is a fantastic Dad effort, but if she isn't strong enough to lift the bad one off the lugs by herself, this knowledge does no good & will only make her frustrated. My ex taught me how to change a tire on a 73 BMW 2002 fixer-upper shortly after we were married and I discovered that I COULD NOT lift that little (13inch?)tire off the car nor lift the full-size good one up to the lugs to put it on. I got it out of the trunk ok, bc I kinda let it bounce to the ground after pulling it out of the trunk far enough. I understand all of your steps and remember what he taught 20yrs ago & could probably find the proper spot to jack up a car today. You guys kinda take the physical strength thing for granted. Maybe your daughter exercises and works out for sports and is stronger than I was in my early 20s. There are females I know who work physically demanding jobs & are as strong or stronger than some men, but they are rare in my world. If there IS some trick to manhandle a tire, please teach your daughter & make a post about it for the rest of us. (Female center of gravity is in pelvic/hip area & male center of gravity is in chest area - makes a difference)
Let us know how this goes! I'm not trashing your idea, just sharing my experience in this area. I've spent my adult years lifting nothing heavier than babies and the occasional normal-sized crying Kindergartner. Tires are way heavier than them & they don't help by holding on to you.
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Good point-- we will cross that bridge when we come to it! Thankfully, my spare isn't full sized and she is athletic . . .
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