Knowing how to change a tyre safely & quickly is an essential skill set all drivers should have!

However, if you are sure how to. Don’t worry because this step-by-step guide will teach you everything you need to know!

A big thanks to Popular Mechanics for the great article!

Changing a tyre on the side of the road was a regular event for motorists in the first half of the last century. With modern tyres, you may never have had the pleasure of this adventurous experience. Even if you already know how here’s a refresher with some helpful tips to make it less of an ordeal.

STEP 1: BE PREPARED

Planning ahead will save a lot of frustration. It’s not a bad idea to keep an emergency kit in your trunk and disposable, but sturdy Tyvek overalls will help keep your dry cleaning bills down. Throw in some mechanics gloves, a good waterproof flashlight, a hand cleaner, and paper towels. Believe it or not, all that, plus wheels chocks, flares, tyre gauge and tyre sealant all fit into this shallow Rubbermaid bin. The lid can double as something to kneel on. Since flat tyres happen year-round, you can even fit in a collapsible snow shovel.

STEP 2: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

You want to choose your tyre changing place very carefully. Once on the shoulder, slowly driving to the next exit ramp may give you enough space needed to stay away from the main flow of traffic.

STEP 3: NOT ENOUGH ROOM

The line separating traffic from you on the shoulder is not an invisible force field. This example is not enough room, the car is leaning and the ramp is going uphill. You will a need level, solid surface to jack up a car safely.

STEP 4: BE AWARE OF THE TRAFFIC

Turn on your four-way flashers. Using flares or reflective triangles will help give a long-range warning that a disabled car is ahead. This is especially important at night or in the rain. Always be aware of rushing traffic, especially heavy trucks that create a suction in their wake that can pull you off your feet.

STEP 5: GIVE YOURSELF ROOM

Be sure you have enough room around the flat rear tyre to work safely. Keep the doors closed. A truck’s wake can blow them suddenly wide open and damage the hinges.

STEP 6: SET YOUR PARKING BRAKE

Set your parking brake. Blocking the diagonally opposite wheel will help keep the car from rolling once the flat tyre is up in the air. If you don’t have a wheel chock, you can improvise with some suitable object found by the side of the road.

STEP 7: CHECK THE SPARE

Check the spare tyre and tools. If your spare is flat or essential tools are missing, there’s no sense in continuing. You were prepared so your flat kit is fully stocked and ready to go. Remove the jack and lug wrench.

STEP 8: USE YOUR OWNER’S MANUAL

Your owner’s manual has all the vehicle-specific instructions and pictures of where everything is located. It’s not a bad idea to copy the tyre change page instructions (double-sided) and laminate them. A plastic kitchen magnet can hold them in a place easily viewed while working.

STEP 9: PRY OFF THE HUB CAP

Use the sharp end of the lug wrench to pry off the hub cap. Some cars have hub caps with false lugs that secure the hub cap or are just for decoration. It’s a good idea to become familiar with your type of wheel fasteners before you are in an emergency situation.

STEP 10: REMOVE THE HUB CAP

Remove the hub cap and set it on the ground upside-down to use as a tray for the lug nuts.

STEP 11: LOOSEN LUGS

Lugs will need to be loosened before lifting the vehicle.

STEP 12: YOU MAY NEED AN ADAPTER

You may have one lug that requires a special “key” adapter.

STEP 13: INSERT KEY LOCK ADAPTER

Insert key lock adapter.

STEP 14: USE YOUR FLOOR MAT

Loosen the key lock. Here’s a tip: You can use your floor mat to kneel on. Flip it over so the dirty side is on the ground.

STEP 15: REMOVE THE LOCK

Remove lock.

STEP 16: PLACE LOCK IN HUB CAP

Place lock in hub cap. Loosen all the other lug nuts. You’ll put all the lug nuts in the hub cap or other suitable clean place so you don’t lose them. You also don’t want to get dirt or grit in the threads.

STEP 17: LOCATE THE PINCH FLANGE

On most unit body construction cars, the pinch flange is the strongest part of the car for lifting purposes. Most cars have a notch that fits the factory jack. Consult your owner’s manual for lifting locations. Lifting a car in the wrong spot can damage the car and endanger you if it’s unstable.

STEP 18: POSITION JACK

Position jack under jacking location.

STEP 19: RAISE THE VEHICLE

Raise the vehicle slowly by turning the jack handle clockwise. You’ll want enough height to not only remove the flat tyre but be able to install the fully inflated spare.

STEP 20: REMOVE THE TYRE

Remove the remaining, already loosened lug nuts and remove the flat tyre. Just pull, but be careful! It may be heavy.

STEP 21: REMOVE SPARE

Remove the spare from the trunk or inside a rear panel on some minivans.

STEP 22: PICKUPS AND SUVS

On many pickups and SUVs the spare is suspended under the rear of the truck. There is a centre nut that holds the spare up. The direction to loosen is shown. On some, there is a manual cable “winch” that lowers the spare down. Consult your owner’s manual for details on operation.

STEP 23: INSTALL THE SPARE

Install spare by lining up wheel studs with holes.

STEP 24: FINGER-TIGHTEN THE LUGS

You may need to use your foot to hold the spare in place while you thread the lugs on. Just finger-tighten until snug. You should NOT attempt to tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench while the wheel is in the air. The wheel may merely rotate or could cause the car to fall off the jack.

STEP 25: LOWER THE CAR

Carefully lower the car by turning the jack handle counterclockwise.

STEP 26: TIGHTEN THE LUGS

Once the car is down you can tighten the lugs. Tighten them clockwise in a crisscross pattern. Your owner’s manual will show the correct sequence. Failure to tighten the lugs properly is potentially unsafe.

STEP 27: YOUR SPARE IS NOW INSTALLED

Your spare is now installed. Note that these “space saver” tyres are temporary spares. Do not exceed the speed label on the sidewall (usually 50 mph) and drive carefully. Because a temporary spare does not have the same handling characteristics and longevity as your regular tyre, get your full-size flat tyre repaired or replaced right away.

STEP 28: REMOVE THE JACK

Be sure to remember to remove the jack and stow in the trunk. Look around and pick up your tools, hubcap, emergency kit, and everything else.

STEP 29: STOW FLAT IN THE TRUNK

Place the flat, tools and kit in the trunk.

STEP 30: REINSTALL HUB CAP

After you get a new tyre mounted on your wheel, reinstall the wheel and re-install the hub cap. Put the spare back in the trunk. Secure jack and tools.

STEP 31: ALL DONE

All done! Remember: Don’t delay when getting a new tyre. Give us a shout if we can help you at (039) 317 3534 | marco@giorgioexpress.co.za

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Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a5855/how-to-change-a-flat-tyre/