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It's going to happen to you sooner or later (unless your smart car is smart enough to fly). You will have a flat tire, and it will come at the least convenient time -- and place. Rather than spending the better part of the day waiting for a tow truck, here are some tips to get you back on the road with four inflated tires.
First, before trying to fix a flat tire, make sure your car is parked on a flat stretch of pavement. Do not attempt to change a tire if the car is on a slope or if you're parked on dirt.
Find your car's spare tire, jack and tire iron. The spare tire is usually located underneath the floor mat in the trunk -- unless your car doesn't have one. If you own an SUV, minivan or pickup, the spare tire is likely mounted on the back of the tailgate or underneath the vehicle itself.
Remove the spare from the car and check the tire pressure. (You do have an air pressure gauge in the car, don't you?)
Make sure the car is in gear (or in "park," if the car is automatic) and that the emergency brake is engaged.
Use the tire iron (the L-shaped bar) to loosen the lugs, which are fasteners used to secure the wheel. Just loosen each lug during this phase -- you'll actually remove them soon.
Move the jack underneath the car and determine from the owner's manual the proper jacking points. (Owner's manual? It's in the glove box right next to the flashlight you should keep in there as well.)
Maneuver the jack underneath the jack point and raise it until it contacts the car's frame, then continue expanding the jack.
Raise the car with the jack until the flat tire is completely raised off the ground. Once there, remove the wheel lugs (completely (but remember where you've put them).
Remove flat tire (but remember where you put it).
Position the spare tire over the wheel stud. You'll have to hold up the tire and try to line up the holes in the wheel with the protruding studs located on the brake hub. It might help to balance the tire on your foot while you move it into position.
After you have the spare tire hanging on the wheel studs, screw each of the wheel lugs back on. Start them by hand and make sure you do not cross-thread. The wheel should fit flush against the brake hub.
Once the spare tire is on, carefully lower the jack. Pull the jack away from the vehicle. The final step is to tighten down the lugs completely.
Place flat tire in the space once reserved for the spare. Now, drive to a garage and make sure your spare is roadworthy and aligned.
Better yet, replace or repair the spare. Five inflated tires are better than four.
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