Changing A Flat Tire Essay, Research Paper

Changing a Flat Tire

The following steps are the safest way to change a flat tire. If you received a flat tire while driving down the road; first thing to do is to get away from oncoming traffic; at that time, find a place that is well lit, such as a parking lot. Keep in mind the farther you drive on a flat tire, the more damage you will incur to the tire and wheel. Secondly, set the parking brake so that the car does not roll away while the car is off the ground. Then, you have to locate your spare tire, which will replace the flat tire; that is usually in a compartment inside the trunk. The spare tire is secured in place by a bolt or a bracket that unscrews easily. In addition to the spare tire, you will need a jack to raise the car off the ground. The third item you need, is a lug nut wrench that will remove the lug nuts. Place all of the items near the work area. If you have a tarp, lay it on the ground and put some rocks on each corner of it so that the wind will not lift it up off the ground. The tarp gives you something to kneel on; instead, of kneeling on the ground. In addition, if you have any gloves you will want to put them on to avoid getting dirty. The next step is to loosen all of the lug nuts with the lug nut wrench; usually there are 4 – 5 lug nuts on the wheel. You will have to turn the lug nuts counter clockwise to loosen them. Do not remove the lug nuts all the way off the threaded shaft. Next, to get the wheel off the car, you have to raise the corner of the car where the flat is located. Therefore, you will raise the jack so that it almost touches the car. Once the jack is raised enough to just touch the car; position the jack so that it is not tilted; furthermore, make sure the jack is 6 – 12 inches behind the front or rear of the tire. When you are sure the jack is in position correctly; proceed by raising the jack, so that the car will rise off the ground. Remember you need to fit a fully inflated tire in place of the flat; therefore, make sure you jack the car up enough to get a fully inflated tire under there. Once you have the car off the ground; go ahead and remove the lug nuts with your hand. Now, grasp the wheel at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock and pull the wheel straight off. Place the flat tire in the trunk; otherwise, it will be in the way while you are working. You will then, pick up the spare tire and line up the holes with the threaded shafts; then slide the spare tire onto the threaded shafts. Next, you will spin the lug nuts on by hand; indeed, you have to turn the lug nuts clockwise to tighten them. Tighten the lug nuts as much as you can with your hands. Now you can lower the jack; subsequently, grab the lug nut wrench and finish tightening all the lug nuts. Start in one corner and tighten each lug nut from the opposite corner of the lug nut that you tightened last. Make sure that all of the lug nuts are tight. Finally, you can place the jack, lug nut wrench and the tarp into their proper location inside the trunk. Now you are back on the road; therefore, your first stop will be a tire shop to get that flat tire repaired.