One of the most crucial roadside skills for every driver is knowing how to fix a flat tire. You never know when your tire might be punctured by something on the road. Instead of waiting for help, you can get moving as quickly as possible when you know how to fix a tire by yourself. Here’s what you need to know to fix a flat.
Have the Tools You Need
An essential car tool kit is necessary in your new CDJR for sale when you want to keep moving on the road without waiting for a tow truck or roadside assistance. You need to have a jack, lug wrench, owner’s manual, fully inflated spare tire, wheel wedges, and gloves. Another handy item for small punctures is a sealant spray that can cover the hole until you make it home.
Determine What Type of Flat Tire You Have
There are a few different types of scenarios that lead to flat tires. A puncture can happen when you drive over a nail or other sharp object. If it’s small and on the tread you can use a sealant spray to patch it up for a temporary fix. When the puncture is on the tire sidewall, it needs to be replaced.
A slow leak can cause issues over time. It can happen because of a puncture, but they can be hard to spot. If you can’t find the leak, you need to replace the tire or have a mechanic find the hole and fix it for you.
The scariest type of flat tire is the blow out. They can happen unexpectedly while you’re driving. Try to stay calm as you move over to the side of the road. This kind of flat is what you need to know how to repair so you don’t have to wait for a tow truck.
Put on a Spare Tire
Make sure you stay as safe as possible while changing your tire by putting on your hazard lights, engaging your parking brake, and placing wedges beneath your tires. Remove the hub cap and loosen the lug nuts before lifting your car with the jack. Follow the directions in your owner’s manual to place your jack in the right place to ensure stability.
Once your car is raised, remove the lug nuts and the flat tire. Slide the spare tire onto the lug bolts and tighten the lug nuts with your hand. Use your jack to lower the car back down to the ground just to where the wheel touches. With the lug wrench, tighten your lug nuts again. Place the car all the way down on the ground and tighten once more. Replace the hub cap and store your tools.
Keep Moving When You Know How To Fix a Flat Tire
Knowing how to fix your own flat tire is one of the best skills any driver can have. You can save money and time when you can do this on your own. Always keep your tools and spare tire in your vehicle so you’re prepared for the inevitable flat tire.