Tram Le

Tools you would need and keep in your trunk at all times:
Spare tire
Jack
Lung wrench

Change Tire © Bruno 2011

Optional items to pack are flashlight in case you have a flat in a dark unlighted area, gloves for comfort, plastic rain poncho for when it is raining out, tarp or mat to kneel on, Fix-a-flat spray foam, tire gauge, and tire blocks. These items are not necessarily to have in order to change a flat tire but they do make it more comfortable and much easier.

Step-by-Step:

1. Find a safe and flat surface to pull over on. You want to make sure you car is as far away from traffic as possible  and if you are on a free way, make sure to get off otherwise, pull as far onto the shoulders as possible. Remember to set your parking brake and if you have a manual transmission then leave it in gear. Do not forget to turn on your emergency lights.
2. Remove the hubcap by using the wrench to loosen the lung nuts turning them counterclockwise (do not remove the lug nuts).
   

   Turn Lug Nuts © DMV.org 2012

3. Place the jack underneath the vehicle to lift off the ground. If you are unsure of where to place the Jack just check your owner’s manual for the correct placement. Once the jack is placed in the correct location, jack up the car by turning the hand crank at the end until it comes into contact with your car’s frame and the tire is about six inches off the ground.
   

   Jack Positions © AA1Car 2012

4. To remove the flat take out the lug nuts from the wheel and pull the tire straight off the car. Lay the tire flat on the ground.
5. Before slapping on your spare make sure the holes in the wheel lines up with the lugs. Slide the wheel on until it cannot go any farther.  Once the wheel is on correctly, place the lug nuts back on the lugs and tighten them by hand until it is firm.
6. Use the jack to lower the car back down to ground level. Remove the jack from underneath the car.
7. You can now finish tightening the lug nuts, making sure they are super tight on the wheel. Use the tightening pattern to help secure the lug nuts (figure 1). Tighten on lug nut to about 50%, move to the opposite nut from across the wheel and tighten to the same amount. Continue to tighten opposite lug nuts gradually until each nut is as tight as it can be.
   

   Figure 1. Lug Tightening Pattern © RTS Auto 2011