We Won’t Let A Flat Tire Change Ruin Your Day
Driving on the streets of San Antonio can do a real number on suspension and tires of your car. Every bump, curb check, wrong turn and pothole take their toll on the rubber tread of your tires. This means that, without warning, you could experience a flat tire. It could be while you are driving, which can make matters much worse. Of course, your tire may simply go flat overnight while sitting in your driveway. There are a number of reasons why your tires may fail. The good news is, for the most part, it doesn’t necessarily need to ruin your day. Why? Because we’re here to help you out with some information so that you can safely change your own tire.
DIY Motorist Flat Tire Change Guide
At Chacon Towing, we’ve been helping motorists in need of roadside assistance services in the San Antonio Texas area for a long time. So, we know quite a bit about your cars, trucks, and SUV’s. We understand that when you demand roadside assistance, it’s not something you take lightly. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide that you can follow to provide your own tire change service.
That is if you choose to change your own tire. We have a professional staff of tow truck operators standing by to provide flat tire change service for you.
How To Change A Flat Tire
1. Slowly steer the car to a safe location.
When traveling the streets of San Antonio, and you experience a flat tire while driving, you’ll want to be careful of how you react. A tire blowout can be quite a scary situation. And when you need flat tire repair while driving, you could cause an accident if you overreact and pull hard on the steering wheel. When you feel your vehicle pull over to one side you might have the urge to pull back hard the other way. Doing this could cause you to collide with another vehicle. So, if this happens to you, hold tight to the wheel and slowly steer your car to a safe location out of the way of approaching traffic. And, if possible onto a level surface.
2. Turn on your flashers
Once you have stopped your car, and you are on a level surface turn on your flashers. Also, many cars and trucks today are equipped with orange safety triangles. If your car has these be sure to put them out so that oncoming traffic can be warned that there is a vehicle roadside. But, be careful when walking around your car if you are on the shoulder of the road. Most motorists will move over when they see you. But, don’t take any unnecessary chances with your life. In the instance that someone may be texting and drift onto the shoulder, you should always stay as far away from traffic and keep your head on a swivel…Always keep your eyes on oncoming traffic.
3. Apply the parking brake
After you have done your best to notify oncoming traffic of your presence roadside apply your parking brake. Push down on it or pull up on it enough that it is engaged fully. We’re assuming you already shifted the vehicle into park, but the parking brake is simply an added measure to ensure your car doesn’t roll one way or the other when you have it up on the jack. If you have chock blocks or even, a heavy rock, place them behind and in front of one of your good tires to help avoid rolling.
4. Locate your spare, jack and tire changing tools
The easiest way to locate your spare, jack and tire changing tools is to consult your vehicle’s owner manual. Depending upon the make of your car, the spare tire may be located in the trunk under the cargo area, or it may be attached to the undercarriage of your vehicle. If it is under the vehicle you will also need to locate the tools that allow you to release it. Again, consult the owner’s manual to determine the location of these tools and how to safely free the spare tire. At this time, you should ensure that your tire has the proper amount of air pressure. You will need a tire pressure gauge to do this. In most instances, the tire pressure rating for your spare is imprinted on the sidewall. If you need air and you are in the San Antonio, Texas area, call Chacon Towing, we’ll bring your air.
5. Loosen the lug nuts.
Before you jack up the car, go ahead and loosen the lug nuts. If your vehicle is equipped with locking lug nuts, as this is done to deter theft, you’ll need to locate the key that allows you to remove the locking lug nut located on every wheel. Loosening the lug nuts prior to jacking the car up is done so as to avoid having the vehicle fall off the jack. Sometimes your lug nuts can be difficult to remove and all the movement required may cause your jack to sway from side to side.
6. Jack up your car
Once you have the tire changing tools and you have loosened the lug nuts, you can go ahead and jack the car up. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual to determine where exactly the jack should be placed. Improper placement of the jack may cause damage to your car. Plus, improper jack placement can cause injury or even death if the car comes off of the jack while you are changing the tire. When jacking up the car, you’ll want to ensure that you raise it sufficiently so that there’s enough clearance for the spare to go back on. Of course, you could simply raise the jack after you take off the flat tire, but this way it will already be done.
7. Remove the flat tire
Once you have jacked up the car high enough for the spare to go back on go ahead and remove the lug nuts and the flat tire. Be careful that you do not cut yourself on the steel belting on the tire. It is best to wear gloves during the entire procedure.
8. Put on the spare
Once you have removed the flat tire you can now put the spare on and replace the lug nuts. Be sure to tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross manner so that they are all sufficiently tightened. Loose lug nuts can cause your spare to wobble which is very dangerous. Slowly let the jack down and ensure that the spare tire remains inflated. If your spare is a temporary donut, remember to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions with regards to the speed at which you can travel. These spare tires are temporary so don’t put too many miles on them. Immediately head to the tire shop and have them put the right size tire on your car. This will help to avoid misalignment.
Chacon Towing’s Flat Tire Change Service
If, for some reason, you cannot perform any of these steps and you need your vehicle towed to a repair shop, you can always call us for help. Hot San Antonio summers may deter you from attempting to change your own tire. And, not having the proper tire changing tools or even if your spare tire is deflated…we can help. Our tow truck operators have changed thousands of tires in the San Antonio, Texas, area and have seen all manner of scenarios. Just know that a professional is only a phone call away. We can save you time, dirty clothes, headache, and quite possibly, injury.
Need assistance with your flat tire change?
Do you have any questions or concerns about our towing or roadside assistance services? Please use the form below or simply call 210-405-4821.
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