How To Properly Fix A Flat Tire

People get stuck on the side of the road with no spare, no jack or lug wrench and no cell phone. What if it’s at night? You will be stranded for a long time. That is something we want to avoid. View more details after the cut…

Here's a checklist of what to have with you at all times in your car:

• Spare tire
• Jack and lug wrench
• Lock adapter
• Flares and reflectors

Now, for safety, when a flat occurs you need to pull safely off the road. If on a busy interstate drive slowly until you are in a safe and relatively flat spot. Put your car in park and put on the emergency brake.

Place reflectors or flares so as to give adequate warning to other drivers. This spacing will be different depending on whether you are in hilly curves or on a straightaway.

Place the jack under the car on the jack mount area. This is an area specially designed for your jack and is covered in the owner’s manual.

Loosen all of the nuts and then crank the jack until the tire is several inches off the ground. Remove the nuts and wheel. Place the spare on and tighten each lug finger tight to make the wheel flush.

Lower the jack so the wheel can't turn and tighten all nuts with the lug wrench. Then completely lower the jack and remove. Drive to your nearest auto service station and have your flat replaced or repaired and re-installed. This is essential as many spares are not full spares and aren't as safe.