A tire explosion can be stressful, so make sure you’re in a safe spot and in a calm mood before following our tire-changing instructions.
First and foremost, never attempt to change a tire if your personal safety is in jeopardy or if you lack the necessary gear.
If you are in a secure location, have the necessary tools, and are confident in your ability to change the wheel, the good news is that a spare wheel is the most reliable option to get back on the road. A narrow space-saver or a full-size spare will be included with your vehicle. The procedure for changing a wheel, however, is just the same.
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Make absolutely sure you have a safe parking spot before you begin. It’s preferable to go longer and risk destroying the wheel rim than to halt in a potentially unsafe location, such as on a small road.
When parking, turn on your hazard lights. If you have one, put it on and position your warning triangle to warn oncoming traffic.
It’s best to consult your car’s owner’s manual first.
You’ll need the following items in addition to the spare wheel:
It’s also a good idea to have:
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Apply the handbrake and exit the vehicle with all occupants.
Remove the spare wheel and any other tools from the boot.
While the car is jacked up, shocks keep it from rolling.
Place a chock on the opposite wheel from the punctured one.
Put a chock behind the right-rear wheel if your left-front tire suffers a puncture, for example.
A chock in front of the right-front tire is required if the left-rear tire is flat.
If you have them, use chocks for both the front and rear wheels (as needed).
If you don’t have a specialized chock, bricks or large pebbles will suffice.
Whilst the car is on the ground, it’s easier – and safer – to do this.
A plastic wheel trim may need to be levered off first.
To free the nuts, crank the wheel wrench anti-clockwise until they can be turned by hand (warning: they may be difficult to loosen).
But don’t get rid of them totally just yet.
All cars have specific jacking points; check your owner’s manual to find out where they are.
Place the jack on the side of the vehicle, next to the ruptured tire.
A tiny plank of wood placed under the jack will aid in its stability.
Slowly raise the car until the flat tire is 10-15 cm off the ground.
Remove the wheel nuts completely, and then pull the tire towards you until it comes free.
Place it on the ground flat.
Raise the spare wheel off the ground and place it on the protruding hub bolts or in line with the wheel nut slots (word of caution: this is a big job).
Reinstall the wheel nuts and manually tighten them.
7. Lower the vehicle and secure the bolts.
Drop the car down slightly with the jack so that the spare tire is in contact with the ground.
Tighten the wheel nuts completely using the wrench now.
Remove the jack and fully lower the automobile to the ground.
Consider double-checking the wheel nuts for tightness.
Place the jack and the other tire in the boot of your vehicle, together with the rest of your gear.
The old wheel will take up more space in the boot if your car has a space saver.
Use a tire pressure gauge to make sure the spare wheel is fully inflated if you have one.
Drive cautiously to a gas station and use the gauge there instead.
If necessary, inflate the tire to the recommended pressure stated in the owner’s manual.
At the first chance, take your ruptured wheel to a garage or a tire shop.
They’ll tell you whether you should repair it or replace it.
Don’t drive on a space-saving spare wheel for any longer than is absolutely essential; they’re only for emergencies.
If the tire cannot be repaired and you must replace it, stay tuned for our comprehensive advice on how to purchase tires and what to look for first.
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If it’s time for a car checkup, stop by Suzuki Fort Motors and book their Home Service to have your vehicle inspected more thoroughly.
Our goal is to give you an interactive tour of our new and used inventory, as well as allow you to conveniently get a quote, schedule a service appointment, or apply for financing. The search for a car is filled with high expectations. Undoubtedly, that has a lot to do with the vehicles you are considering, but at Fort Motors, we think you should also have pretty high expectations form your dealership.
