Few things can stress a Californian out as much as having car trouble. Let’s face it, we’re on the road a lot. Whether we’re cruising the PCH, battling traffic on the 405 or stuck in never ending 91 freeway construction, we should be better prepared for the road ahead. One way to drive stress free is to learn the long-forgotten skill of changing a flat tire.
According to a AAA survey, 39 million U.S. drivers do not know how to change a tire and approximately 7 tire punctures occur every second of every day. Last month, I contributed to that statistic with two flat tires on separate occasions and did not have a clue on how to fix the problem. I did what any Californian during 91 rush hour traffic would do, I called AAA’s Roadside Assistance only to have my call drop repeatedly due to poor cell signal before finally getting through. The second flat was in a residential neighborhood where local help (my car expert brother) saved the day. Both times I fell at the mercy of my cell phone and skilled flat fixers. Vowing to be able to fix a flat, Majj and I took a flat fixing lesson on a 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback and also did a how-to video for you; our fellow motorists.
Watch our Video and follow the steps below to master this skill!
Tools Needed
Before getting or attempting to fix a flat, it is important to know if your car has a spare tire, car jack (to raise your car) lug nut wrench (to unloosen lug nuts that hold tire on the wheel) and lastly, your car’s owners manual which can more easily show you where to place a car jack. Each car has a special spot where your car can be safely lifted. Often an arrow under the car, near the wheels, an indent under the car near the wheels or simply the frame of the car will be the sight to place the car jack. Your car’s owners manual will also show where your car’s spare tire, car jack and lug nut wrench can be found. Generally, in the trunk, under backseats or even under the hood. Go out to your car and locate these items before a roadside hazard occurs.
Step-by-Step: Fix a Flat
Step 1. Pull over to a safe location, away from traffic. California residents can also call 511, Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) to get their car moved to a safe zone and off of a busy road/freeway before making repairs or calling for roadside assistance.
Step 2. Once parked, pull your emergency brake.
Step 3. Put on your hazard lights.
Step 4. Locate your car jack, lug nut wrench and spare tire.
Step 5. Chock your wheel (wedge using a block, brick, piece of wood or chocking tool) behind opposite flat wheel for more safety in addition to using hand break. If rear left wheel has a flat, then chock front left wheel.
Step 6. Align the jack with the appropriate spot under your car in order to raise the car. This spot is usually marked with an arrow, groove/indent under the car and near the wheels or in older cars, the car may need to be lifted from its frame. Again, become familiar with your car’s owners manual for this specific information.
Step 7. Turn the key on the jack (long arm like metal tool) to make contact only with the spot of the car to be lifted to the jack.
Step 8. Use the lug nut wrench (crow bar like tool) to barely loosen the lug nuts from the tire and wheel. DO NOT take the lug nuts off or even loosen too much. A few short turns will do the trick. You may need to use the strength and weight of your body to push down on the wrench with your foot to get them to loosen or “break loose” the lug nuts. Remember, turn left to loosen.
Step 9. Turn the car jack arm clock wise (right) to raise the car. You’ll see your car raising up as it gets harder to turn the arm. You can stop raising the car once your wheel is about an inch off the ground.
Step 10. Using the wrench, loosen the lug nuts entirely in a star shaped pattern. So, alternate loosening the nuts. Once loosened enough, you should be able to remove the nuts by hand.
Step 11. Wiggle the flat tire off. Tires are heavy so be careful.
Step 12. Now replace the flat tire with the spare tire. Scoot spare tire as close to the car as possible and align the wheel bolt with a single tire hole. You may have to lift the wheel a bit to do this. Essentially, you will be trying to hang the tire onto the wheel bolt. Once on, push the tire into place.
Step 13. Using the same star shape pattern, screw the lug nuts back on by hand and then use the wrench to fully fasten them. Again, you may need to use your body’s weight by standing or pushing on the wrench with your feet. Remember, turn right to tighten.
Step 14. Turn the car jack arm counter clock wise (left) to lower the car to the ground. Check to see that the car jack is no longer in contact with the car before sliding it out from underneath the car.
Step 15. Give another last turn of the wrench to each lug nut and ensure that the lug nuts cannot be tightened anymore.
Step 16. Place your flat tire and tools back in your car, release the emergency break and turn your hazards off before starting the car and driving off into the California sunset.
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