http://www.ehow.com/how_1863_change-flat-tire.html

Introduction

Replacing a flat tire requires only a few essentials. Know this easy (and all too common) automotive task, and you’ll be rolling again in no time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1Step OnePut the car in park on level ground and apply the parking brake. Place manual transmission cars in gear. Make sure you have pulled off the road. Turn the engine off and turn on the hazard lights. You may want to open the hood to indicate to other drivers that you are stopped for repairs.

2Step Two Click to enlargePlace a wheel chock or a large rock behind (if facing uphill) or in front (if facing downhill) the diagonally opposing wheel to prevent the car from rolling. Do this even on a slight incline. Get out the spare, a lug nut wrench (tire iron) and the car jack.

3Step Three Click to enlargeRemove the hubcap, if necessary.

4Step Four Click to enlargeLoosen the lug nuts, which hold the wheel in place, before jacking up the car: Place one end of the lug nut wrench over a lug nut. Use a hollow pipe (about 2 feet in length) for leverage by slipping it over the end of the lug nut wrench. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the lug nut. Loosen the lug nuts in a star pattern’first loosen one a few turns, then loosen the one opposite. Work across the tire until all the lug nuts are loose and unscrewed slightly.

5Step FiveCarefully jack up the car (see ‘Jack Up a Car Safely’). Check your owner’s manual for the correct and safe place to put the jack. Jack the car up a little higher than is necessary to remove the old tire so there is room to put the new, full tire on.

6Step SixRemove the lug nuts all the way and set them aside in a place where you won’t lose them and they won’t roll away. The flat tire should be hanging from the threaded studs now.

7Step SevenRemove the flat tire and set it aside.

8Step Eight Click to enlargeLift the new tire onto the wheel studs. If you’re confused about which is the right way to put the new tire on, check for the valve where you add air, it always faces out.

9Step NineReplace the lug nuts. Tighten them the same way you loosened them: Give each nut a few turns, first one, then the one opposite, working around the wheel in a star pattern. Try not to tighten adjacent nuts consecutively.

10Step TenSlowly lower the jack and remove it.

11Step Eleven Tighten the lug nuts again as much as you can.

12Step Twelve Put the hubcap back on.

Tips & Warnings

The best thing to have with your tire changing equipment is a strong, hollow pipe, about 2 feet long, to use for leverage.

If a lug nut sticks, squirt penetrating oil around its base and wait a moment, then try again. Repeat as needed.

Mind your hands when you remove a flat tire. Strands of steel may be sticking out of the back of the rubber (on a bald tire) and can cut you.

Check out all your tire changing equipment at home before you need it on the road!

Most people’s spare tires are flat. Check the tire pressure once a month. Temporary spares (the small ones that have a “T” on them, require 60 PSI, regular sized spares need 32 PSI). A flat spare is useless.

Cars can slip off jacks. Be extremely careful. Never get under a car with only a tire changing jack holding it up.

To avoid bruised knuckles, pull rather than push when removing lugnuts.

To avoid a strained back, use your knees when pulling on the wrench and pipe rather than your back.