Safety Tips on Changing a Flat Tire If you experience a puncture whilst driving, slow down to no more than 5 mph, and drive yourself to a safe place away from other traffic - ideally a lay-by or car parking space, and preferably near a light if it is dark. You may need to park the car on the other side of the road to get the side of the punctured tire out of the way of the traffic, but DO NOT attempt to change a tire yourself on the hard shoulder of any busy road - call emergency services for this, the risk is too great.Ensure the car is parked on level ground, and remove all passengers from the car to a safe place away from any traffic.Step 1:Double check youve applied the handbrake. If you have a manually geared car put it into gear, if you have an automatic put it into Park.Step 2:Turn off your engine and put your hazard warning lights on. If you have one, put down a warning triangle down about 60 feet away. Opening your bonnet can also help indicate to other drivers that you are making repairs on the car.Step 3:Check that your spare tire is correctly inflated, and make sure you have your wheel jack and wheel brace, the tool you’ll need for getting the wheel off, - all should usually be in the boot.Step 4:On the diagonally opposite wheel to the flat one, place a wheel chock (available from all car part stores) or a brick/large stone either behind or in front of the wheel to prevent the car from rolling down hill. If you are in doubt about which direction has the more incline, put chocks on either side of the wheel. Do this even if you are sure you’re on a level surface. Step 5:If you have one, remove the hubcap or plastic cover concealing the wheel nuts. (You may need to use your wheel brace or a large screwdriver to prize this off.Step 6:With the car still on the ground, use the wheel brace to loosen the nuts holding the wheel in place by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction, for half a turn.This can be the worst bit, as the nuts can be extremely...
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 13:55:18 +0000
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