The other day I was putt-puttering along the highway when out of the corner of my eye I see the car to my left is losing the tread of their front tire. I flip on my hazard lights, slow down, pull behind them, and follow as they veer off onto the shoulder of the road. Inside the car: a mother and her two, now screaming, very hungry twins. My mission: Change that tire and get them back on the road as soon as possible.
First Things First
If you are dealing with an automatic car, go ahead and pop that baby into park if you haven't already. Also get the parking brake on. If you are dealing with a manual transmission, put the car in first gear or reverse to prevent it from rolling. So from this point on I'm assuming you have all the proper tools: a spare tire, tire iron, diamond jack, etc and you have removed plastic hubcaps or lug nut covers on the tire needing changed.
1. Loosen the Lug Nuts
Do this before you start jacking up the car! It will be a lot easier to loosen a tire's lug nuts when it's still on the ground then trying to unscrew something that rotates with your tire iron. Don't full remove your lug nuts or loosen them too much just enough that you get them started and won't have to battle a spinning tire to loosen them when your car is on a jack.
2. Jack Up You Car
Most cars have a slot cut into their frame where a jack fits properly. If the car you are presently working on does not, just keep in mind that you want to attach the jack to the frame of the car, the close to the tire the better. Now don't go getting all crazy when you jack this sucker up either, ok? Just a few inches off the ground is all you really need and probably all your jack will allow.
3. Finish Removing the Lug Nuts and Swap the Tire
Remove all the lug nuts and replace the trashed tire with a spare. Once you've affixed the tire you can begin to tighten the lug nuts. Remember that when you do this it's important to tighten each lug opposite of one another, never tighten it in sequence.
4. Slowly Lower The Jack and be On Your Way
After properly affixing you new spare tire and tightening the lug nuts, you should slowly lower the jack until the wheel is once again resting on the ground and the car's weight is being supported by the wheels. It is important to remember that a spare tire is not made to go as fast or as far as a regular tire so keep your speed in check and get to a tire shop as soon as possible to get a replacement.
In case you were wondering, I was able to get the kind lady back on the road pretty quick, the twins mellowed out when some gummy fruits came into play, and I did my good deed for the day.
