Changing a Flat Tyre

It can happen to the best of us. One minute your tyres are fine and then the next time you look one of them has gone flat. We’ve produced a step by step guide on how to change your tyre but if you’re still not sure give us a call and we will advise.

1. You need a flat, stable surface that will restrict your car from rolling. If you are near a road, get you car as far from traffic as possible and turn on your hazard lights. Avoid soft ground and hills. Be aware of your surroundings. If you’re on a busy road, be particularly wary of vehicles driving by that might get too close. There are hundreds of people killed each year while changing a tire on the side of the road, don’t do this unless you must.

2. Apply the handbrake and put it in 1st or reverse gear.

3. Get the spare and your jack out. Place the jack under the frame by the tyre that needs replacing. MAKE SURE THE JACK IS UNDER THE METAL PORTION OF THE FRAME. If you don’t place the jack correctly and your car has molded plastic along the bottom the plastic will crack when you start lifting. If you are unsure, have a look in the owners manual.

4. Raise the jack until it is supporting the car. You do not want to lift the car.

5. Remove the hubcap and loosen the nuts by turning anti-clockwise. Don’t take them all the way off – just loosen them. If the wheel is on the ground it’ll make sure you’re turning the nuts and not the wheel. It can be quite difficult to loosen the nuts to begin with so don’t be scared to put a bit of force on them (just make sure you are turning them the right way!)

6. Now raise the height using the jack so the tyre is off the ground. You need enough height to be able to take the wheel off. If the jack is lifting at an angle, lower and straighten before lifting the car fully. Likewise, if the car looks to be unstable stop and lower then fix the problem before continuing.

7. Once the car has been raised enough, remove the nuts the rest of the way (turning anti-clockwise).

8. Remove the tyre and place it under the car in case of jack failure. Then the car will fall on the old tyre, hopefully preventing injury. If the jack has been placed on a flat, solid and stable place then you should be ok. If the tyre appears stuck, you could gently hit the inside half of the tyre with a rubber mallet or use the spare to hit the outside.

9. Place the spare tyre onto the hub. Make sure the rim is aligned with the wheel bolts. Now, put the nuts back on. At first, just get them finger tight. Then, using the wrench, tighten them up. It’s best to use a ‘star’ pattern when doing this and not to completely tighten each one individually. Also, avoid using too much force otherwise you may upset the jack. Remember, you will be tighten the nuts once the car is lowered.

10. Lower the car making sure not to apply the full weight on the tyre. Now tighten the nuts as much as possible. once you’ve done this, lower the car fully and remove the jack. Tighten the nuts again and then replace the hubcap.

Put the flat tyre in your boot and then come and see use. We can get almost any tyre within 24 hours and then replace your spare so you’re back up and running.

Darlington: 01325 285885

Northallerton: 01609 779041

Knaresborough: 01423 867924

Teesside: 01642 06199

Durham: 0191 380 4888