Flat Tyre - Changing a flat Tyre - tyre insurance
Firstly place the vehicle in as safe a place as possible, being aware of traffic and placing a red warning triangle to warn other motorists.
If your wheel nuts have plastic covers, remove before using wheel brace. The wheel brace may be incorporated in the jack handle.
Before raising the car, remove the hubcap, by using a screwdriver or wheelbrace or these may just pull off. Slacken the wheel nuts or bolts slightly by unscrewing in an anti-clockwise direction. This is easier to do with the weight of the car holding the wheel firm. If the nuts are extremely tight, put your foot on the wheelbrace and stamp on it if necessary.
Slowly operate the jack until the car tyre is well clear of the ground, remember to leave enough clearance to allow for a fully inflated tyre to be put in its place.
If the car or jack show any sign of instability, lower and reposition either the car or jack.
Remove the wheel nuts completely and put them in a safe place where they won't roll away or get dirty - the hub cap is ideal.
Remove the wheel, fit the spare and replace the nuts* or bolts*.
*Wheel nuts - some cars have the bolts fitted to the hub. The nuts have one conical side which goes on TOWARDS the wheel.
* Wheel bolts - Some cars have wheel bolts that fit into the holes in the hub. It can be difficult to align the bolts with the holes in the hub. Support the wheel with the jack handle placed under the tyre so that one hole is aligned and screw that bolt in by hand, it will then be easier to fit the remaining bolts.
Using only moderate pressure, tighten the wheel nuts or bolts diagonally, this will ensure the wheel is correctly centred. Lower the car, remove the jack and tighten the nuts or bolts with your full strength (in a clockwise direction), standing on the wheelbrace if necessary. Replace hub cap.
