In addition to these simple steps, you should keep an eye on the tread of the tire and look for any signs of stress. There are many steps that a driver can take to help reduce the chance of getting a flat tire, such as regularly checking the pressure of the tires, filling them with air when necessary, and replacing all-season tires with winter tires when the temperature drops below 45 degrees. Proper tire maintenance can reduce flat tires. If the spare is an actual tire that can work as a true replacement for the flat tire, then there is no rush in getting the flat tire repaired or replaced, but if the spare is an emergency donut tire that should only be used at a reduced speed, then you need to head to a local garage to have the flat tire repaired or replaced with a new tire. The next step depends on whether the spare tire is an actual replacement or a simple emergency donut. Or consider driving to a nearby gas station to fill the tire, if necessary. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure of the spare tire and add air to the tire if you have a tire inflator. STEP 1: Apply the parking brake, flip the hazard lights on, and add wheel wedges appropriately. Most of the time, however, you can change a tire by following these steps. In these instances, it’s better to call a tow truck or have someone pick you up to take you to a safe location until the vehicle can be retrieved.

Some examples include the side of a hazardous highway, where travel-weary drivers are prone to losing focus, during winter storms that can freeze your hands before you can replace the tire, and severe weather conditions like a tornado, hurricane, ice storm, earthquake, or flood. Learning how to change a tire on a car is a relatively easy DIY task that most people can accomplish, but there are some situations in which figuring out how to replace a tire or how to put on a spare tire becomes too dangerous. Related: Old-School Car Maintenance Tricks All Drivers Should Know BEFORE YOU BEGIN We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to and affiliated sites.

How to change a flat tire