Monday, May 19, 2014

Brake-O-Rama Tip: How to change a tire

At Brake-O-Rama we get a lot of questions regarding flat tires. After all, getting a flat is a real inconveniences especially now in the summer heat.  While calling an emergency towing service is always an option, if you are not a member or aren’t up for waiting, changing a tire is one of those things you can DIY (do-it-yourself). Here’s what to do.

Be aware of your surrounding when changing a tire.
Step by Step:Find out your vehicle owner’s manual for specifics like the location of the spare and jack kit. Also, be aware of your surroundings. If you do not feel safe, do not hesitate to call the local police for help.
  1. Remove the spare tire and jack from your vehicle. Using a pressure gauge, check the inflation level of your spare – if its pressure is too low, you’ll either need to find a place where you can inflate it or call a tow truck.
  2. Your jack kit should include a tire iron for removing the lug nuts. Use it to loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire, but don’t remove them yet. If you need to use a lot of force to get them loose, you don’t ever want to do it while the vehicle is already jacked up.
    LUG NUT: a fastener/nut that holds the tire onto the car. Use a tire iron to loosen it (above)
  3. Block the other tires to make sure the vehicle doesn’t roll.
  4. Raise the corner with the flat tire high enough off the ground to put the spare tire on. You should always avoid raising the vehicle any higher than you need to.
  5. Finish removing the lug nuts from the flat tire and pull it off.
  6. Put the spare tire on the vehicle.
  7. Replace the lug nuts, but don’t tighten them yet.
  8. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack in reverse.
  9. Tighten the lug nuts. After a few turns, rotate clockwise to tighten the next lug nut. Repeat this process until each lug nut is securely in place.
  10. Drive to you closest Brake-O-Rama. And if you have to use the Parkway or the Turnpike to get there, keep your vehicle under 55 mph and use your hazard lights because most spare tires are not designed to handle high speeds for long periods of time.
Your neighborhood Brake-O-Rama will be happy to assist you in finding a replacement tire. You can check our website for more helpful tips and maintenance advise.
http://brake-o-rama.com 
http://brakeorama.info/brake-o-rama-tip-how-to-change-a-tire/

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