How to Change a Tire

Changing a tire

In this Vlog I will demonstrate how to properly change a flat tire without roadside assistance. Having a roadside assistance service come out to your location to change a tire could cost you anywhere between $50.00 – $200.00 depending on distance and situation. Even with roadside assistance there could be a deductible that needs to be paid from $10.00 – $30.00. Not only is there a financial burden that potentially comes with a flat tire, there is also the time involved digging through your glove compartment finding the correct number to call. Then you must make the call, and in some rural areas it becomes more difficult to get ahold of a certified driver that your roadside assistance company uses. After this process, there is then the wait, depending upon the situation and how busy they are you could wait for well over an hour. The average wait time is about 48 minutes, though as stated above this can fluctuate based on the situation. Depending on your knowledge and ability, a tire change should only take 20 – 45 minutes when done independently. It is always a good idea to check your equipment and even practice changing a tire once a year. The main thing to be aware of is making sure that you have the proper equipment and that the spare tire is filled to the recommended pressure and ready to be used. With this being said roadside assistance is a great resource to have, though it is always good to know how to handle a situation yourself, being you never know what circumstances you will find yourself in. There are so many things that can happen while we are traveling where roadside assistance is needed, like total mechanical failure, alternator stops charging, or your axel sheers off. These are some but not all of the potential hazards of driving a vehicle, these specific situations are not a quick fix and roadside assistance will be needed.

• Materials needed
  • Flat tire
  • Owner’s manual
  • Vehicle jack (used to lift the car off the ground)
  • Lug wrench used to remove the lug nuts
  • Spare tire
  • A little elbow grease.
• Steps
  1. Notice flat tire
  2. Pull over to the side of the road or a parking lot if able. (Drive slowly and as little as possible on a flat)
  3. Locate flat tire. (give a kick, and insert expletive narrative)
  4. If available find owner’s manual (should be in glove compartment)
  5. Find the section for changing a flat tire. This area should explain where to find the spare tire, jack, and tools needed. It should also, explain the general steps for changing a tire.
  6. Locate all the materials needed and remove it from the vehicle and stage it next to the tire that is going to be changed.
  7. Set up the jack and lift just till there is pressure on the jack.
  8. Break lug nuts loose.
  9. Finish jacking the vehicle up until the tire is approximately 3-5 inches off the ground.
  10. Remove the lug nuts.
  11. Remove the flat tire.
  12. Put spare tire on the vehicle.
  13. Put lug nuts on snugly. (this is best done in a star pattern)
  14. Let the vehicle down and remove jack.
  15. Finish tightening the lug nuts.
  16. Return equipment to vehicle and get back on the road.
• End goal (Tire changed)
• References
  1. “2018 Ford Escape Owner’s Manual.” OwnerManual, ownermanual.co/manual/2018-ford-escape-owners-manual/.
  2. Ernie. “Flat Tire Change: Roadside Assistance Tow Truck: Duluth Auto Towing.” Towing in Duluth GA, Duluth Auto Towing, 24 May 2019, http://www.duluthautotowing.com/roadside-assistance/flat-tire-change/.
  3. “How Much Does Roadside Assistance Service Cost? – CostHelper.com.” CostHelper, cars.costhelper.com/emergency-road-service-assistance-cost.html.
  4. Https://Www.wardsauto.com/News-Analysis/How-Long-You-Wait-Roadside-Service-Depends-What-Youre-Calling.
  5. “Roadside Assistance & Towing.” Roadside Assistance & Towing Service | Tires Plus, http://www.tiresplus.com/roadside-assistance-and-towing-service/.