How to change a tyre

Flat Tyre Options

Vehicle manufacturers have various methods to cater for a flat tyre. I have listed some below:

No Spare Tyre in the Vehicle

• Run Flat Tyres - Vehicle uses a run flat tyre that can get you to a repair depot to get the tyre fixed or replaced. It is speed and distance limited.
• Puncture Repair Foam - Pressure pack can that inflates the tyre and seals the puncture. You still need to get the tyre repaired or replaced and it is speed and distance limited.

Spare Tyre in the Vehicle

• Space Saver Spare – Replaces the tyre that is flat and is speed limited due to its smaller size.
• Spare Tyre - Replaces the tyre that is flat, and vehicle can be used as normal.

Items Required to Change a Flat Tyre

If your vehicle is fitted with a spare tyre, you should have tools on board to help change the tyre.

As a minimum you should have:

• Spare tyre or space saver spare – These need to be checked at regular intervals to make sure they are pumped up and not flat.
• Jack & jack handle – The vehicles handbook will tell you where to position the jack to lift the tyre off the ground.
• Wheel nut spanner or wheel brace – If hubcaps fitted, will usually have a tool to pry them off.

Note: These items listed above are usually supplied by the vehicle manufacturer to fix a flat tyre when the vehicle is new. When purchasing a used vehicle, it pays to check that these items are all still there as they can go ‘missing’ or fall into disrepair over the life of the vehicle.  

You may also have:

• Wheel chocks – Put against a tyre to stop the vehicle rolling.
• Hazard or Safety Triangle – Place up the road behind the vehicle to warn oncoming motorists.

Additionally:

• Mechanics Gloves – Stops your hands getting dirty as handling tyres is not clean work.
• Torch – If visibility is poor or at night. Your smartphone can be a handy instant light source

Alternatives to Changing a Flat Tyre

Many large crew cab Utes and SUV’s have large heavy tyres. These wheels are the sort of thing not everyone can change by themselves. Even the wheel nuts have a high torque setting and require a lot of effort to tighten and loosen them. Below are a couple of options you can use to help overcome this:

• Join a road-side assistance program. They will come out and change the tyre for you. It takes longer as you need to wait for them to get to you.
• Buy some puncture repair foam cans and keep them in the vehicle. You can use them to get you out of trouble and to the nearest garage where they can change the tyre for you.

Removing the Flat Tyre

With the tools gathered, the step-by-step process for changing a tyre is as follows:

Safety First

Park the vehicle on a flat, stable surface away from traffic. Engage the handbrake and place wheel chocks behind or in front of the wheels opposite the flat tyre to prevent rolling.

Preparation

Retrieve the spare tyre, jack, wheel brace, gloves, and flashlight. If the vehicle has a wheel cover or hubcap, remove it to access the wheel nuts or bolts.

Loosen the Wheel Nuts

Use the wheel brace to loosen the wheel nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle. This initial loosening helps when the vehicle is raised off the ground.

Position the Jack

Locate the vehicle's designated jack points found in the owner's manual. If unavailable, place the jack securely under the car frame, ensuring stability and avoiding any delicate components.

Lift the Vehicle

Operate the jack carefully and raise the vehicle until the flat tyre is a few inches off the ground. Ensure the vehicle remains steady before proceeding.

It’s important to note that you should never crawl under a vehicle held up only by a jack. A good safety tip is to place the tyres under the vehicle so if the jack slips, the tyres help support the vehicle. Use the spare first then change it over to the flat tyre.

Remove the Flat Tyre

Fully loosen and remove the wheel nuts or bolts. Gently pull the flat tyre towards you to detach it from the wheel hub. Place it aside, away from the working area.

Installing the Spare Tyre

Align the spare tyre's rim with the wheel studs on the hub. Push the tyre gently onto the hub, making sure it sits flush. Reattach the wheel nuts or bolts by hand, ensuring they're snug.

Tighten the Wheel Nuts

Use the wheel brace to tighten the wheel nuts or bolts in a diagonal or star pattern so they are firm but not yet fully tightened. You want to make sure the wheel sits flush against the hub before lowering the vehicle.

Lower the Vehicle Completely

Lower the vehicle fully to the ground and remove the jack.

Fully Tighten the Wheel Nuts

Use the wheel brace to securely tighten the wheel nuts or bolts in a diagonal or star pattern. This ensures even pressure on the wheel and prevents wobbling.

Replace Wheel Cover or Hubcap

If applicable, put back the wheel cover or hubcap. Once you are finished, store the flat tyre, jack, wheel brace, and other tools back in the vehicle. Avoid leaving any equipment behind.

Follow-Up Inspection

As soon as possible, visit a tyre professional to have the flat tyre repaired or replaced.

Regularly inspecting tyres for wear and maintaining proper inflation helps prevent unexpected flat tyres. Reality is a flat tyre can happen to any road user at any time.