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Tire Change

So you have a flat and don’t know how to change it? Tire change services are provided to assist motorists who have experienced a flat tire or need to replace their tires due to wear and tear. Changing a tire can be a straightforward process, but it's essential to do it safely and correctly. It is safer to call for professional roadside assistance or a tire service provider like American RTS to ensure the job is done properly.

Here's a general overview of the tire change process:

  •  Safety first: If you experience a flat tire while driving, find a safe location to pull over, away from traffic. Turn on your hazard lights, engage the parking brake, and put on your emergency/reflective vest if you have one.

  •  Gather the necessary tools: You will need a spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench. These tools usually come with your vehicle in the trunk or underneath the cargo area.

  •  Loosen the lug nuts: Using the lug wrench, slightly loosen the lug nuts (but do not remove them) on the flat tire. This is easier to do before lifting the vehicle off the ground.

  •  Position the jack: Place the jack in the designated lifting point under your vehicle. Refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for the exact location of the lifting points, as they may vary depending on the make and model of the car.

  •  Lift the vehicle: Carefully use the jack to lift the vehicle off the ground until the flat tire is just clear of the surface. Avoid placing any part of your body under the vehicle during this process.

  •  Remove the lug nuts and the flat tire: Now that the vehicle is elevated, you can completely remove the loosened lug nuts and take off the flat tire.

  •  Install the spare tire: Mount the spare tire onto the wheel hub and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

  •  Lower the vehicle: Use the jack to lower the vehicle until the spare tire touches the ground but is not fully bearing the vehicle's weight.

  •  Tighten the lug nuts: Starting with one lug nut, use the lug wrench to tighten the nuts in a star or criss-cross pattern. This ensures even distribution of pressure. Tighten the lug nuts as much as possible.

  •  Lower the vehicle completely: Carefully lower the vehicle to the ground using the jack.

  •  Final lug nut tightening: Once the vehicle is on the ground, go over the lug nuts once again and tighten them firmly in the star or criss-cross pattern to ensure they are secure.

  •  Check the spare tire's pressure: Make sure the spare tire has the appropriate air pressure. Temporary spare tires (donuts) typically have a higher inflation pressure than regular tires.

  •  Stow your equipment: Put away the flat tire, the jack, and the lug wrench back in your vehicle.

After changing the tire, it's essential to have the flat tire repaired or replaced with a new one as soon as possible, as spare tires are not designed for long-term use or extended driving distances. Additionally, always follow your vehicle's owner's manual guidelines and recommendations for tire changing and maintenance. If you're unsure about changing a tire yourself, don't hesitate to call for professional roadside assistance or seek help from a qualified tire service provider.

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